8 Best Offbeat Places in Ladakh
Overview
Ladakh, located in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, is a popular tourist attraction.
On one hand, some attractions like Leh city, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake have gained immense popularity. They are frequently visited by tourists. On the other hand, some are still lesser-explored due to being in remote locations.
These offbeat places in Leh Ladakh offer a true testament of the tourism offered here. The timeless monasteries, local hamlets, unexplored valleys must be in your itinerary. Due to lesser human intervention and minimal pollution, you witness raw natural beauty. Some of the must-visit ones include Puga Valley, Sani Gompa, Mulbekh Monastery, Turtuk, etc.
Since they are generally found in the off-the-beaten paths, do hire a local, experienced guide. They are aware of the routes and history of the place.
Book an offbeat Ladakh Package with Cliffhangers India this year, and take the path less taken for a memorable experience.
Famous Offbeat Places in Leh Ladakh
1). Uleytokpo Village: Ulektokpo is one of the ideal offbeat places to visit in Leh Ladakh. It is found in the Sham Valley. Its offbeat location makes it an exciting place to explore.
Different activities like trekking, fishing, camping, bird watching and picnicking awaits you at the village.
Uleytokpo village lies at an altitude of around 10000 feet above sea level. It is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH1).
It is located at a distance of about 70 kilometers from the main town of Leh. You can easily find a cab or taxi to reach there.
The village is accessible in the summer season.
2). Rangdum: The Rangdum village is home to one of the most popular sightseeing attractions, Rangdum Monastery or Rangdum Gompa. It lies at the cliff of a hill, at a decent height. The water stream in proximity creates perfect scenery. About 40 monks live in this monastery. Here, you can come to explore the architecture and heritage of the monastery.
In Rangdum, a very exciting contrast of landscape can be seen. With towering mountains on one side to glaciers on the other, it is truly beautiful.
The place is an ideal choice to rest, relax and rejuvenate. The location of the monastery in the remote corners of Zanskar Valley makes it a perfect spot to escape the hustle bustle of city life.
3). Upshi Village: It is one of the ideal offbeat places to visit in Leh Ladakh. Found in the Indus river valley, it is a beautiful hamlet on the Leh-Manali Highway.
The small village has around 26 houses with 128 residents. It is one of the most civilised inhabitations of India.
The region is famous for adventures like cycling and trekking. The routes and trails are clear and easier on the foot.
Upshi Village is located close to Leh, at a distance of just 47 kilometres from the main city.
Summer is the suitable time for a day trip to Upshi. The weather is lovely for sightseeing at the village and interacting with the locals.
4). Sani Gompa: Sani Gompa, located in Zanskar Valley is one the best offbeat places to visit in Ladakh.
It is only 6 kilometres from Padum and resides in the centre of the village. Unlike most of the monasteries of Ladakh, it is constructed on a flat ground.
It is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh and provides you an insight into the history of Buddhism. Inside the complex, a huge collection of statues of Buddhists’ Gods are present. A crematorium, which is believed to be Tibetan Buddhism’s eighth most important cremation ground, is found outside the monastery. Attend the morning and evening prayers here.
It is best explored in the summer, from April to August.
5). Mulbekh: Another offbeat sightseeing spot to explore in Ladakh is Mulbekh Monastery. It is located in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It lies at a distance of about 45 kilometres from Kargil. If you are visiting here from Leh city, you have to cover approximately 250 kilometres.
It was constructed back in the 8th century and is one of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh.
From Mulbekh, you get beautiful views of the Leh-Kargil Highway(NHD1).
The monastery consists of two gompas, namely, Serdung Gompa of Drukpa Sect and Gildan-se Gompa of Gelugpa Sect.
The Monastery houses a 30 feet or 9 meters long statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is carved out of a rock and remains one of the oldest ones.
The Monastery is a way to look into the history of Buddhism and its messages.
6). Turtuk: Turtuk is a beautiful, offbeat village of Ladakh. Residing in the Karakoram Range of Ladakh, the place is the habitation of local Balti people.
It is said to be one of the last villages of India, due to being close to the Indo-Pakistan Border.
It holds great historical significance as it only came under the Indian Subcontinent after 1971. Before the Indo-Pak Wars, it was part of Pakistan.
The paddy fields and waterfalls found at the village showcase abundant natural beauty.
The local people of the village are very warm and friendly. You can engage in light hearted conversations with them about life on the other side of the border.
It is 205 kilometres from Leh. The best time to come here is from April to October.
7). Rumtse: If you are visiting Leh via the Leh-Manali Highway, Rumtse is the gorgeous village to stop by. It is located about 76 kilometres before the capital city of Leh.
It lies in the Rupshu Valley. Being a part of the Changthang region of Ladakh, it is home to the Changpa tribe, monasteries, etc.
Here you get to see the Changthangi goats, whose wool is used to make the finest Pashmina shawls.
Tourists rarely have heard of the village but those who have done the Rumtse-TsoMoriri Trek are aware of the natural beauty found here. As the base camp of the adventurous trek, it offers perfect campsites for acclimatisation.
8). Basgo Palace/ Ruins: Bosgo Fort is present on the banks of Indus river in the Sham Valley, Ladakh. The ancient citadel used to be the capital of the Namgyal dynasty once.
When you would look at the Bosgo Fort f9r the first time, you would be confused between a crumbling palace or a monastery.Well, It is the remains of a fort.
Bosgo Fort holds an entire history within itself. While it may be in ruins now, it still radiates grandeur and royalty to attract tourists.
The fort comprises three temples, with ruins of a palace and small complexes such as animal stables and residence of ministers and nobility
The area is generally less crowded due to being in the remote corner of Sham Valley. You can spend as much time as you want, sightseeing at the ruins of the fort.
9). Panamik: Topping the list, Panamik Village is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Leh Ladakh. Found in Nubra, it remains a lesser-explored part of the Valley.
The natural beauty seen here captures every tourist’s heart. Given the beliefs of Hot springs found here, people have started visiting out of anticipation. Locals believe that the springs found here have healing properties. They can cure arthritis and even skin diseases. With a water temperature of around 50°C, you can see vapors coming out.
At the village, talk to locals and explore it thoroughly. Experience the cultural immersion at the village.
To reach Panamik, you need to cover a total distance of about 150 kilometres from Leh via taxi or private vehicle.
10). Puga Valley: Puga Monastery resides in the Changthang region of Ladakh. It covers a total area of about 30 kilometres.
Visit the valley for the hot springs found here. They are believed to have medicinal properties. Locals often use the water to cure stomach aches, skin diseases and other ailments. You can even bath in these springs.
These hot springs are believed to have the capacity to produce geothermal energy in India.
The valley is located at a distance of 176 kilometres from the main Leh city. To reach there, cabs and taxis are the suitable transportation options. The total travel duration is around 6-7 hours.
FAQ's
In the region of Ladakh, many places are hidden. Some of the offbeat places in Ladakh are Panamik hot springs, Uleytokpo Ladakh, Yarab Tso Lake, Summur Village in Nubra Valey, Basgo palace, Rangdum in Suru Valley, Changtang region, and Turtuk Village.
Panikot Lake is also known as mini-Ladakh. It is located in the NCR region which makes it the ideal spot for thrilling adventurous activities. It is located 20 kilometres from the Faridabad the lake is referred to as mini-Ladakh because of the pristine water it has.
Leh is called the cold desert of Ladakh. The place is situated in the great Himalayas. There are so many famous attractions to visit but Leh is one of the coldest places. It sits at an altitude of 11, 562 feet. This is an adventurous playground to enjoy many adventurous activities such as river rafting, trekking, cycling, etc. Leh is one of the famous attractions which contains many ancient monasteries and stunning valleys.
Many places attract thousands of tourists every year. Ladakh is popularly known for its breathtaking natural beauty and many pristine lakes. If you are planning to visit Ladakh you can see many Buddhist monasteries, snow glaciers, many treks, beautiful meadows, and magnificent Valleys.
Ladakh is famous for its breathtaking views, clear blue skies, highest mountain passes, thrilling activities, beautiful landscapes, Buddhist Gompas, and many festivals. It is one of the popular destinations to spend holidays. You can visit here during the months of summer to enjoy the sightseeing and many outdoor activities. Winters here are harsh cold, therefore, wintertime is not a good time to visit Leh Ladakh.
The offseason in Ladakh typically falls during the winter months, from November to March, when extreme cold and heavy snowfall make certain regions inaccessible. However, if you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, visiting during the shoulder months of April and October can also offer a quieter experience. During these times, many of the popular tourist spots are less crowded, and you can enjoy the serene beauty of Ladakh without the hustle of peak season.
Ladakh is home to some of the most mysterious places of India. However, the one that is believed to defy the universal phenomenon of Gravity is the magnetic hill. Here, when parked at a yellow spot in neutral, the vehicles seem to move upward on their own.
There are many unique things in Ladakh. It houses some of the largest and oldest monasteries of India such as Alchi Monastery, Hemis Gompa, Stongdey Monastery etc. One of the highest passes in the world, Khardung La Pass is only 40 kilometres from the Leh city in Ladakh. Cold deserts, alpine lakes make it a popular tourist destination in our country.
An itinerary of 7-10 days is more than enough to explore Ladakh completely.
You can include sightseeing in Leh city, Nubra Valley, and Pangong Lake. Add a bike ride to the Khardung La Pass and river rafting at the Zanskar or Indus river. Shop in the local markets at the end of the trip to bring back souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones.
Drass is the coldest place in Ladakh. Popularly known as the “Gateway to Ladakh”, it is the second coldest inhabited place in the world. Extreme cold weather prevails in winter. The temperature goes as low as -50°C.
