Monday 12 February 2018

Top 5 places you can not miss in a Ladakh trip

Ladakh is a mystery, a place that is known for its high altitudes, harsh climate, mesmerizing ladscapes, high passes, lakes with transparent water, monasteries & very honest and friendly local people. Out of a lots of things that any one has in his mind, the top 5 places you can not miss while planning for Ladakh are:

1- Pangong Lake: Pangong lake is one of the most beautiful Himalayan lake. Only 1/3rd part of the lake is in India & the rest of the lake is in the territory of China. Pangong lake is a lake with saline water at an altitude of about 4300 Meters i.e. above 14000 feets. This lake became more popular among tourists after being featured in bollywood movies like '3 idiots'.  This lake freezes completely in winters.



2- Khardungla Pass: Claimed to be the highest motorable road in world, the altitude here is more than 5350 meters (18300 feets). Enjoying a cup of coffee and a bowl of maggie here is a different experience altogether. It was an ancient trade route and now used as for strategic supplies to the Siachen Glacier.



3- Nubra Valley: Nubra valley separates Ladakh and Karakoram ranges. It is accessed from Leh by travelling over the Khardungla pass. Major attractions in the Nubra valley are Sand dunes & Bacterian camel at Hundar. Monasteries of Diskit & Sumoor, Panamik hot water springs & a local medicinal quality Shrub Leh berry.



4- Hemis & Thiksey Monasteries: Ladakh region have many monasteries. Among them Hemis is the richest monastery and Thiksey monestery has one of the best architecture.



5- Hall of Fame, Leh: Hall of Fame, it is built and maintained by the army, It consists of memories of soilders and artifacts of various wars, there is also a section dedicated to Siachen glacier.


Don't miss any of these places while on a trip to Ladakh.

If you are planning a visit to Ladakh region and you are having any queries, you may get in touch with us by leaving a comment below or by dropping an email at info@optimumtours.com or visiting our Facebook page @ optimum tours.

Saturday 27 January 2018

LADAKH: Festival schedule- 2018

After almost 6 months of harsh climate and sub zero temperatures, 2nd half of the month of April is the time when warm temperatures start welcoming tourists to Ladakh region. Apart from its mesmerizing beauty of landscapes, high passes, mountains peaks, untouched lakes with transparent water, Ladakh is a difficult region to survive all because of its very high altitudes. Still the people of Ladakh are one of the best hosts you can find in India. 

                                       Harsh natural conditions in Ladakh

A struggle with harsh natural conditions makes them more stronger and all this reflects from the festivals Laddakhi people celebrate through out the year. Although its not possible for all of us to experience and be a part of all the festivals of Ladakh region, still while visiting Ladakh, attending and experiencing local festivals is a must do thing for all tourists. The festival calendar for year 2018 will be a thing to keep in mind while visiting Ladakh this year.

                                                         Lamas with masks in a festival

Name of festival
Venue
Dates
Spituk Gustor
Spituk Monastery
January 14-15
Leh & Likir Dosmochey
Leh & Likir
February 13-14
Yargon Tungshak
Nubra (Yarma)
February19-22
Stok Guru Tsechu
Stok
February 24-25
Matho Nagrang
Matho
March 1-2
Saka Dawa
Ladakh
29 May
Yuru Kabgyat
Lamayuru Monastery
June 12-13
Hemis Tsechu
Hemis Monastery
July 23-24
Sachukul Gustor
Sachukul Monastery
June 30-July 1
Ladakh Polo Festival
Shagran, Chushot Gongma
July 11-17
Stongday Gustor
Stongdey Monastery
July 1-2
Karsha Gustor
Karsha Monastery
July 11-12
Phyang Tsesdup
Phyang Monastery
July 11-12
Korzok Gustor
Korzok Monastery
July 15-16
Dakthok Tseschu
Dakthok Monastery
July 22-23
Sani Nasjal
Sani Palace
July 26-27
Deskit Gustor
Diskit Monastery
October 7-8
Thiksay Gustor
Thiksey Monastery
October 27-28
Chemday Wangchok
Chemrey Monastery
November 5-6
Galden Namchot
Ladakh
November 5-6
Ladakhi Losar
Ladakh
December 8
                                            Ladakh: 2018  Festival calendar

Hemis Teschu: Hemis is the richest monastery in Ladakh region and the Hemis festival is one of the most important  & polular festival celebrated in Ladakh. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava who is known as the founder of Tantrik Buddhism in Tibet.

                                                             Hemis Tsechu: July 23-24

                                                    Lamas performing with religious masks

                                                      Polo Festival at Chushot July 11-17

Make sure to make a visit to the festivals, if you are visiting Ladakh in 2018 during any of these festival dates mentioned above, to experience the culture & rituals of Ladakh region closely. 

If you are planning a visit to Ladakh region and you are having any queries, you may get in touch with us by leaving a comment below or by dropping an email at info@optimumtours.com or visiting our Facebook page @ optimum tours.