7 Hidden Gems of Ladakh: Unexplored Places to visit in Leh Ladakh
“When exploring Ladakh, be a traveler and not a tourist”, you may have heard this quote a thousand times over, but have you ever wondered why is that so? Well, Ladakh is often referred to as the Land of explorers, which is because this amazing place has several hidden treasures waiting to be explored. Ladakh is home to a lot of wars and picturesque locations. There is no air as fresh as it is in Ladakh. A place to relax, a place to explore, a place to do adventure activities, a place to do photography, the answer will always be Ladakh. The place itself is a hidden treasure, however, there are several spots an explorer may miss. Well, you don’t have to worry! In this post, we’ve listed some unexplored places to visit in Leh Ladakh, which are hidden gems of Ladakh. Let’s dig into the Ladakh map more!! LADAKH (Captured by:- Rish Agarwal on unsplash) Hidden gems of Ladakh: Unexplored places to visit in Leh Ladakh Ladakh is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in India. It is a land of high passes and stunning landscapes. Despite its popularity, Ladakh remains largely unexplored. There are many hidden gems in Ladakh that are yet to be discovered. Below is a list of some of the unexplored places to visit in Leh Ladakh. 1. Rumtse 2. Uleytokpo 3. Sumur 4. Turtuk 5. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib 6. Stok Village 7. SECMOL How about a Leh Ladakh trip plan or a Ladakh trip package covering all these places? Read more about these places below! 1. Rumtse Image Source: Unsplash Rumtse is a small village in Ladakh, which is also a starting point for the Tso Moriri trek, the place is sandwiched between Tibet, Zanskar, and Ladakh. The valley is characterized by snow-capped mountains and pasturelands. Like the rest of Ladakh, this area is almost barren and is known for its picturesque scenic beauty. The Rumtse monastery is of quite a significance to the locals around. The monastery is known for its 108 stupas. The place is a paradise for explorers and trekkers, as one gets a chance to explore the wildlife around and is also a starting point for the famous Tso Moriri trek. Rumtse is the first human settlement on the way from Lahaul to Ladakh after Taglang Pass. It is located 70 km east of Leh. 2. Uleytokpo The Uleytokpo village is one of the most beautiful places in Ladakh, the place is located at an altitude of 10000 ft. and serves as the perfect example of why Ladakh is called the land of high passes. This location is known for camping. Camping here is an amazing experience as you get a chance to explore the snow-capped mountains from such proximity. Uleytokpo is one of the beautiful and well-hidden secrets of Ladakh. The village also serves as a base camp for many treks. This place is a paradise for people who wish to escape the hustle-bustle of city life and relax. The place is famous for the Yundrung Monastery of Lamayuru. The Mountains, Ladakh (Captured by: Darshan Chudasma on Unsplash) The ancient monastery dates back to the 11th century and has roots in Tibetan Buddhism. Uleytokpo is also known for The Chulichan Nunnery and Rizong Monastery. One of the few Buddhist nunneries in India, Chulichan serves as a home for women who have accepted to serve the divine. The place is also famous for Cham Dance, which is a cultural folk dance of Ladakh. The Ladakhi village of Uleytokpo is located 70 km west of Leh. It lies on the Leh – Srinagar Highway and can be easily reached by cabs and public buses. 3. Sumur Sumur is another small village in Ladakh, situated near the Nubra river. This place is known for the famous Samstanling Gompa – a well-built and maintained monastery. The monastery from the inside has really beautiful wall paintings and also paintings made of different fabrics depicting religious symbols. The place is perfect for mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers. The place is also known for Panamik hot springs, which are indeed blissful for travelers. The place also has several monasteries where one can meditate and relax. Sumur is located in the Nubra valley and the best way to reach here is to take a jeep from Leh. 4. Turtuk A Monastery in Ladakh (Captured by:- Mona Singh on Unsplash) The beautiful village of Turtuk is located near Nubra valley. The place lies on the banks of river Shyok and is known for its lush greenery, unlike the other parts of Ladakh. However, the place remains unexplored, due to its proximity to the LOC. The place is known for Balti culture, which is now practiced in a few areas, and delicious apricots, which is something one should not miss. Turtuk is located at a distance of 205 km from Leh and can be reached by renting a cab or a jeep. 5. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is built in memory of Guru Nanak Dev, a Sikh guru. The gurudwara is situated about 12000ft above sea level. The Tibetan Buddhists, also consider Guru Nanak a holy person. This place marks the importance of friendship between the Buddhists and the Sikhs. The easiest way to reach the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara near Leh is by road. The state-run JKSRTC buses ply within the Ladakh region. You can also take your private vehicle (cars/bikes) to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib from Leh as well. 6. Stok Village Stok Village is known for its culture and heritage and is considered one of the major centers to learn about the culture of Ladakh. The place is home to a royal family and is known for the Stok Monastery, which was built in the 14th century and is
17 Incredible Places to Visit in Kasol (2022 List)
Kasol is probably India’s most famous backpacking destination. Favorite among students and travelers alike – Kasol offers everything a traveler wants from a place – clean air, peace, tranquility, and closeness to Nature! This picturesque town is located in the Parvati Valley in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. Besides being a backpacker’s heaven, Kasol has some amazing places of interest. In this blog post, we will look at some absolutely breathtaking places to visit in Kasol. Table of Contents: Manikaran Sahib Nature Park Kasol Trek to Kutla Trek towards the Glacier Point (Hidden Gem) Parvati River Bed Tirthan and Jibhi Valleys Choj Village Kasol Bridge Walk to the amazing Chalal village Trek to Grahan village Visit the mysterious Malana Village Stop at Kalga, Pulga and Tulga village Trek towards the adventurous Waichan Valley Stay in the most unique domes in Jari Trek towards the Rasol pass Visit Tosh Trek to Kheerganga Best Places to Visit in Kasol Kasol is a small village in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is a popular tourist destination because of its scenic beauty and its proximity to the Himalayas. Kasol is also known for its trekking and camping opportunities. Let’s have a look at some of the best places to visit in Kasol. 1. Manikaran Sahib Image by Harsh Patel Manikaran Sahib, a famous pilgrimage site located just a few kilometers from Kasol is among the most popular places to visit in Kasol. It is believed that Manu recreated human life here after a flood, thus the name Manikaran. Furthermore, according to Sikhs, Guru Nanak visited this place with his disciple Bhai Mardana. Hence, Manikaran is a place holy to both Hindus and Sikhs! In addition to this, Hot springs are also a major attraction here! Location: 4.5 km from Kasol 2. Nature Park Kasol Image by Ashwini Chaudhary Nature Park offers a peaceful atmosphere in the hills of Kasol. You can listen to the songs of birds, and the rustling of leaves, and feel the cool mountain breeze on your face! Nature Park is a great location for jogging and strolling while being shaded by towering pine trees. Visitors can also relish some unique foods if they want because the region is accessible to numerous well-known cafes. In addition to the tranquil setting and weathered rocks, the Parvati River flows through the park, making it a wonderful area to unwind. In short, if you love nature, Nature Park is a place that you just have to visit when in Kasol! Location: Kasol Check out our Offbeat trail to Parvati Valley 3. Trek to Kutla Image by Raimond Klavins Kutla is a quaint little town that has just a couple of travelers going towards the village from the town of Tosh. The trek to Kutla takes around 1.5 hours of steep climbing but the majestic view and the clean air are definitely worth it. A two-hour hike via the winding path from Tosh will lead you to the Kulta Village, which is encircled by the Himalayas looking down at you and is situated in a lush meadow. In the out-of-the-way village of Kulta, tucked away amid the mountains, you can experience the undisturbed beauty of nature. If you’re staying in Tosh then Kutla should definitely be on your itinerary. Location: 1.5hr trek from Tosh 4. Trek toward the Glacier Point Image by Balouria Rajesh The glacier point is a clear meadow from where you can see a mammoth glacier in front of you that will make you feel like the snow-clad mountain is just a fingertip away from you. Kutla glacier is a fairly easy trip that takes a day to reach from Tosh and takes around 2 hours to accomplish. You’ll be charmed by the pristine beauty of Himachal along the route so it will be worth it. The sound of the river gushing with such an amazing view will make you stay there and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. PS:- You’ll always find a dog helping you find the way towards the trek. Location: 30-minute walk from Kutla 5. Parvati River Bed Image by Shubham Tharani Spend some time listening to the burbling of water and basking in the Mountain Sun on the bed of the Parvati River. The river’s flow begins at the Man Talai Glacier, runs through Parvati Valley to the north, and then merges with the Beas River close to Kulu. The river’s banks make for an excellent campsite. One can even go white water rafting in Kasol. This location is nothing short of perfection for adventure seekers. When in Kasol do take your time out and spend time relaxing with your feet soaked in the crystal clear water of Parvati. However, beware of the trout that swim there. Location: Parvati Valley 6. Tirthan and Jibhi Valley Image by Tirachard The twin valleys of Tirthan and Jibhi are the major attractions in Banjar. Tirthan Valley, also known as the Trout Fish Valley is regarded as Himachal’s best-kept secret by bloggers and travelers! This valley is a part of the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With beautifully carved small wooden houses and mesmerizing beauty, these villages are like the ones mentioned in the fairy tales. Hence, these valleys are at the top of the list of places to visit in Kasol. Location: 80km from Kasol 7. Choj Village Lucas Hemingway Just a small walk from Kasol lies the Choj Village. It is a hamlet free of cars and bikes and all the noise of the city. It is one of the best places to visit in Kasol if you’re on a trip to rejuvenate your soul in nature. For people willing to spend a day or two at Choj, there are lots of homestays and hostels at affordable rates. If you are looking for peace and quiet,
