Tourism in Ladakh

Among the places of tourist interest include Leh, Drass valley, Razi khar (Chiktan Khar), Suru valley, Kargil, Zangskar, Zangla, Rangdum, Padum, Phukthal, Sani Monastery, Stongdey, Shyok Valley, Sankoo, Salt Valley.,[4] Markha valley, Ladakh monastery trek, South Zangskar, Trans-Zangskar Expedition, Spiti to Ladakh, Spiti to Pitok to Hemis, Rupshu, the Great Salt lakes, Chadar Ice trek[5]

The Doda river to Zanskar river.

The Leh Palace, which is situated behind the main market has eight stories and is similar to the Potala Palace of Lhasa and still belongs to the royal family of Ladakh. Just ahead of the palace is the Chamba Temple, which is a one roomed shrine that has a large icon of Maitreya, the Buddha to come. Also in the bazaar, at the top of the street, one can see the Jama Masjid. This has been painted in green and white colour. Another place to visit is the Sankar Gompa, which is situated in the city and is one of the oldest structures here. At one time, this monastery only welcomes a maximum of twenty monks.

Ladakh is divided into 2 areas: "East Ladakh" administered by India and "West Ladakh" administered by Pakistan.

Eastern Ladakh held by India is further subdivided in three regions: Western, Central and Eastern areas of East Ladakh.

Kargil and Leh are main cities in this region.

The Razi Khar (Chiktan kahr/Chiktan Palace), which is situated 76 km from Kargil and 180 km from Leh is situated on the highway from Kargil to Leh, and is the first Palace of the then ruler Thatha Khan.

In the northern areas, civilians and tourists are allowed to travel only up to Shyok village of Durbuk tehsil. It has geostrategic importance as it is the last Indian village on the 235 km long Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road in the north which connects it to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) military post 225 km away on the China border. Syok to BDO area is also called Sub-Sector North (SSN) by the Indian Military.[6][7] Sasoma–Saser La Road will provide alternative connectivity to DBO.[8][9][10]

Chushul, where access by road is permitted without permit, lies in the north area of central Ladakh.

The Thikse Monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh and is primarily known for its statue of Maitreya in its Maitreya Temple. This statue is 15 m (49 ft) high and the largest such statue in Ladakh. The Buddha is unusually portrayed as seated in the lotus position rather than his usual representations as standing or in a sitting posture on a high throne.[3]

Main areas are Karzok and Hanle. Travel from Hanley to Demchok is not permitted for the civilians and tourists, only army contractors are allowed with permission from the Indian Army.

'Sangam' or the confluence of the two rivers Zanskar and Indus.

In 2018, following 5 road routes were opened for the tourists by the Government of India (GoI), all of these are located above the altitude of 14,000 ft, and the maximum limit of travel permit was raised from 7 days to 15 days:[11]

1. Karzok-Nurbo-Sumdo-Parangla-Kaza road
2. Merak, Ladakh-Loma Bend road
3. Chushul-Kartsangla-Mahe, Ladakh road
4. Durbuk-Shachu-Tharuk-Sato Kargyam-Parma-Erath, Ladakh-Chushul-Loma, Ladakh-Hanle road
5. Agham, Ladakh-Shyok-Durbuk road

Zanskar river camping.

Treks include Manali to Ladakh, the Nubra valley, Pangong tso, Tso moriri, the Indus Valley.,[4] Markha valley, Ladakh monastery trek, South Zangskar, Trans-Zangskar Expedition, Spiti to Ladakh, Spiti to Pitok to Hemis, Rupshu, the Great Salt lakes, Chadar Ice trek[5] Other treks are Padum-Manali, Padum-Phuktal, Padam-Darcha, Panikhar-Heniskot, Lamayuru-Martselang, Lamayuru-Alchi, Kala Pattar trek, and Pahal, Ladakh.

In 2018, following 4 trails with night stay in Ladakh were opened for the tourists by the Go:[11]

1. Phyang-Dokla-Hunderdok track
2. Temisgam-Largyap-Panchathank-Skuru track
3. Basgo-Ney-Hunderdok-Hunder track
4. Saspol-Saspochy-Rakurala-Skuru track

There are about 35 Buddhist monasteries along the banks of various rivers spread across the region which thrives on donations made by tourists and the local people of the region but now the government plans to develop these monasteries. The state government also plans to hire experts for landscaping of the barren regions and such a move was possible only after the Centre released funds.[12][13]

About 65 km west of Leh, towards Zanskar river, is the village of Sumda Chun at height of 3500 mtr. The monastery of Sumda-Chun is one of the most important surviving early Tibetan Buddhist temples of the Ladakh region.[14]

The 1,400-year-old eight-metre high rock-cut Maitreya Buddhas (the Buddha who will be incarnated in the future) of Bamiyan Buddha statues were found carved in the cliffs in 3 different locations in Ladakh which predate Tibetan Buddhism, one at 20 km from Kargil at towards Batalik, another 40 km from Kargil at Mulbekh village on the bank of Suru River on the dirt road leading to Khartse Khar, and third is on the way to Zanskar. Since Taliban have already destroyed the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, very few such relic remain, these ancient Buddha statues in Ladakh in India still survive.[15] All 3 statues, locally called "chamba", likely belong to the same period as they resemble each other.[15]

The 7 meter tall 7th-8th century "Khartse Khar Buddha statue" or "Khartse Khar Chamba" carved in greyish-yellow rock face on a cliff is 48 km from Kargil on Kargil-Sankoo-Barsoo road. Sankoo is 42 km from Kargil, then the Barsoo road further 4.6 km leads east to the statue on the road side in Khartse Khar village on the bank of Suru River. "The holes around it suggested that scaffolding had been used to reach the face and carve out the finer details. The Buddha formed an abhayamudrā (gesture of fearlessness) with his right hand, while the left hand carried a kamandal (pot to carry water). I noticed a rudraksha mala (prayer beads) tied around the wrist and the arm, as well as the janeu (sacred thread) and the karadhani (waist chain), also made out of rudraksha. Although knotted, the statue’s hair fell over his shoulders."[16][17]

The 9 meter tall "Mulbekh Maitreya Buddha statue" or "Mulbekh Chamba" in Gandhara art, dating back to 8th century CE Kushan period, at Mulbekh village 38 km Kargil from on Kargil-Leh NH1 highway is visible from the highway. A gompa at its feet was built in 1975. The statue has several arms which "carry leaves in one hand, a string of beads in another, a kamandal in a third, and pointed towards the earth with a fourth."[16][15]

The "Apati Maitreya Buddha statue" or "Apati Chamba", on a cobbled pathway at Apati village is 16 to 22 km from Kargil on Kargil-Batalik road. Among the 3 statues in Kargil district, it is the shortest in size and nearest to Kargil town. It is has a rudraksha necklace and carries the kamandal.[15]

Saspol Caves, situated in the hills behind Saspol, is about 76 km from Leh, is one of the very few early period painted cave temples to exist in Ladakh and these paintings are dated to the 15th century CE.[18] The caves, also known as Gon-Nila-Phuk Cave temples, are in danger of total collapse and were therefore listed in 2016 World Monuments Watch.[19] Rammed earth fortification can be seen on top of the hill near the caves. has Paintings existing in five caves, two of them extensively damaged. One of the painted caves, that have been given a coat of lime wash and red paint in the exterior is the most visited and is considered as the main cave. Paintings of Anuttarayoga Tantra images of the main cave is very rare during the period of execution of these paintings. These caves are under the administration of Lekir Monastery.[20][21]

Farming in Suru Valley, Ladakh.

Due to the strain that tourism can cause on local resources, the concept of ecotourism has been introduced in Ladakh by non-governmental organizations and individuals like Helena Norberg-Hodge and Thinlas Chorol.

In May 2001, The Mountain Institute, Ladakh Ecological Development Group and Snow Leopard Conservancy organized a workshop on "Ecotourism Opportunities in Rural Ladakh"[22] in the city of Leh in order to "increase awareness" and "explore opportunities for ecotourism".

India allows several tourist and civilian activities in Siachen area. To exploit the potential for tourism, the government is making ongoing efforts to improve connectivity.[23] There is a recurring planned annual civilian expedition from Siachen Base Camp to Indira Ridge, Indira Col and other features. India has opened up the entire area from Siachen Base Camp at 12,000 ft to Kumar Post at 15,000 ft for the regular tourism for the civilians. Bana Post at 23,000 ft will remain off limit to tourists.Temperature drop to below minus 60 degrees celsius during the winter.[23]

Until 2010, civilian tourists were permitted only in the Nubra Valley up to Panamik. Since 2010 tourist have been permitted in Nubra Valley up to Turtuk and beyond to Tyakshi on LAC, both of these villages were captured from Pakistan by India in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. From 2019, medically fit civilians below the age of 45 are allowed up to Kumar Base (16,000 ft) on a 30-day trek organised by Army Adventure Cell in August–September, during which tourists go through the highly altitude conditioning at Leh Base, Siachen Base and forward staging posts, at the end of which they undertake an extreme adventure 9-day return track from Siachen Base to Kumar Base 60 km away.[24]

Following major festivals and events are celebrated:

• Galdan Namchot traditional festival
• Great Tibetan Marathon
• Ladakh International Film Festival
• Ladakh Marathon
• Losar new year festival
• Sindhu Darshan Festival, annual 3 day tourism festival at Leh in June

Petroglyphs in Ladakh, India

Ladakh has several petroglyphs dating back 5000 years to iron age, bronze age, Kushan period (30–375 CE), and as recent as 15th century.[25][26][27] "Rock art in Ladakh comprises carvings or incisions on rock surfaces that are called petroglyphs which display a very wide range of themes and motifs, and provide crucial information about Ladakh’s prehistory about which very little is yet known, The rock art of Ladakh, whilst concentrated around the Indus River and its tributaries, is represented in all parts of Ladakh and Kargil districts, including Zanskar, Changthang and Nubra. However, the rock art of Ladakh at several locations is under severe risk of damage and outright destruction though road, housing and other development projects, and we are confident that the establishment of RAU will play a key role with other interested organisations, to create local community level awareness and ownership of this precious cultural heritage."[25]

French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) has undertaken exploration since 2009 and have found several thousand rock paintings across more than 400 rock carving sites.[26]