The opportunity to explore the "mysterious land in the Himalayas" returns
Ladakh is a region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, re-established as a union territory in India since August 2019. It is the second most sparsely populated region in India, with a population of only about 250,000 people. With a culture and history closely related to Tibet - which has given Ladakh the reputation of "little Tibet of India", this destination is famous as "the mysterious land of the Himalayas", attracting tourists with the unique beauty of the remote and rugged highlands.
After many years of being almost isolated from the outside world, the "door" of Ladakh tourism gradually opened since 1974 and quickly turned this place into a globally famous adventure tourism destination.
Ladakh - a famous destination known as "the mysterious land in the Himalayas" attracts tourists by the unique beauty of the remote and rugged highlands.
Despite the harsh climate, remote roads, and rugged terrain, Ladakh still attracts domestic and international tourists with its diverse structure, including cold deserts located at high altitudes in the Great Himalayas (the Himalayan mountain range, home to 14 of the world's highest peaks, including the "roof of the world" Everest), and countless pristine, fairy-like locations.
The summer months are the peak tourist season, offering unique holidays perfect for visitors to experience Ladakh. The winter season in Ladakh lasts from late October to February with harsh weather conditions, heavy snowfall often causing traffic jams. But for mountaineering enthusiasts and those who love to experience adventure sports amidst the cold, wild landscape, the magical winter tours in Ladakh are even more attractive. They often choose tours to Ladakh by air and train in December.
Ladakh winter discovery tours always attract adventure travel enthusiasts.
One issue that travel experts note is the need to carefully plan your adventure to Ladakh - from choosing the right tour, to choosing to stay at cozy homestays or luxury hotels with full amenities... Don't forget to bring anti-altitude sickness medication and a PCR (rapid antigen test) certificate. Hotels in Ladakh are quite strict with the process of ensuring health safety for tourists, especially in the face of the current risk of faster spread of the new Omicron variant.
Covid-19 testing is being done strictly in Ladakh.
According to experts, Indian and foreign tourists have one thing in common: they love to experience the spiritual atmosphere and enchanting beauty of the monasteries precariously perched on the cliffs of Ladakh, because they give us the feeling of being "transported" back to the Ice Age.
But while many domestic tourists choose tours to visit frozen lakes above, which are as beautiful as giant blocks of blue crystal, foreign tourists often choose to combine mountain trekking tours with conquering dangerous routes over icy mountain passes, even though they are known as "death routes".
Top 5 most attractive destinations to experience Ladakh winter
Khardungla Pass - is the highest motorable road in the world (at an altitude of 5,602 m), known as the "road of death", "the road to heaven" that challenges the steel nerves of experienced drivers. Khardungla Pass is also the gateway to Nubra Valley - a rich "orchard" in the summer, as splendid as a fairyland in the winter.
Khardungla Pass is known as the "road of death", "road to Heaven" testing the nerves of experienced drivers.
With its crystal blue icy waters standing out against the surrounding sparkling snow-capped peaks, the unique landscapes at Pangong Tso Lake (a picturesque saltwater lake) and Tsor Moriri Lake, recognized as World Heritage Sites since 2002, give visitors the feeling that time has stopped before the magical beauty.
Pangong Tso Lake is a picturesque saltwater lake set amidst breathtaking mountain scenery.
Leh is the largest town in Ladakh and was once the capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh. The two most famous destinations in Leh are Leh Palace - the former palace of the Ladakh royal family, and Shanti Stupa - a white-domed Buddhist stupa that stands out on a hilltop.
Leh Palace - The majestic palace of the ancient Ladakh Royal Family, now abandoned. From above, you will see the beautiful panoramic view of Leh town below.
Trekking to Hemis National Park, visitors have the opportunity to “hunt for photos” of the rare Snow Leopard, known as the “king of the snow mountains”. Snow Leopards usually only “descend” from the high mountain peaks to lower areas in December.
The mysterious Snow Leopard always attracts photographers from all over the world to come and "hunt" for photos.
Finally, the most attractive activity when tourists come to Ladakh is trekking routes through snow and ice to conquer high mountain peaks, or visiting beautiful monasteries such as Hemis, Alchi, Lamayuru, Shey, Thiksay...
Chadar Trek is one of the most famous trekking routes in the "little Tibet of India" Ladakh.
Spiritual festival season across Ladakh monasteries
Ladakh is not only famous for its magical and “fairy” scenery, but also for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant festivals. Festivals are often held in the courtyards of Buddhist monasteries across Ladakh, with monks dressed in colorful traditional costumes and masks, performing Cham (a sacred masked dance - symbolizing the purification of the mind, also the victory of Good over Evil).
The most famous festivals in December are the three main festivals that attract people from all over Ladakh to the monastery, including:
Khelo India Winter Games: featuring India's multi-sport winter grassland games. The festival is considered as the Khelo Youth Olympics - named after the Khelo India programme, which was set up to revive sports culture at the grassroots level.
Khelo India Winter Games is a national festival of India.
Galdan Namchot Festival: commemorates the birth, passing into nirvana and attainment of enlightenment of Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419 AD), a famous scholar of Tibetan Buddhism.
Galdan Namchot festival marks the beginning of Losar (New Year festival) in Ladakh.
Losar Festival: is a very important New Year festival of Ladakh, marking the beginning of the new year for the Buddhist community. Losar festival started as a tradition under the reign of the 9th King Jamyang Namgyal of Tibet in the 17th century, when King Jamyang Namgyal decided to lead a war in the winter and end it before the time when Losar festival is later celebrated.
The Losar festival lasts for 15 days around the winter solstice, from around December 8-30.
This year the Losar festival starts on December 24, 2021, coinciding with Christmas around the world.
Tourism plays an important role in the economy, accounting for half of Ladakh's GDP. Before Covid-19, "Little Tibet of India" welcomed 279,937 tourists in 2019 (including 241,285 domestic tourists and 38,652 international tourists). In 2020, as of June, the number of tourists to Ladakh decreased to 6,079 (including 5,019 domestic tourists and 1,060 foreign tourists), with revenue beinginvestindia.gov.inestimated to reach 84 million USD. In 2021 and 2022, Ladakh is hoping for a significant increase in the number of tourists to “Little Tibet of India”.
