Leh – The Unexplored

Leh is tough, often causing altitude sickness to many, but the route to Leh is warm and welcoming. The surrounding calmness makes for a perfect stay and the rustiness in the air calls for a great day ahead. Taking a taxi from Leh Airport will set you on the Srinagar Highway. Karzoo, Suku and Fort Road are the main residential places of Leh. Only two banks take care of the Currency Exchange – the State Bank of India and J&k Bank. Sometimes the HDFC Bank too takes it in its hands.

The old town of Leh has the Chamba Temple. Not easy to reach, taking the help of a local seems to be a better idea. Among the most visible expressions of Buddhism in Ladakh are the chess pawn – shaped chortens or stupas at the entrance of the Monasteries. Made of mud and stone or of concrete, most of the chortens are made as an act of piety by the nobles of Leh. These chortens are supposed to the imbibed with mystical powers. The largest one can be found in Shey – The place of old Palaces of Leh.

South east of Leh the Indus Valley broadens to form a fertile river basin. Just near this is the Stok Palace, home of Ladakhi Queen. Here lies the Matho Gompa Monastery which is famous for its Winter Oracle Festival and the Oracles. Further south, cross the Indus and continue till the left takes you down to Hemis, Ladakhs wealthiest Monastery.`(Here in River Indus, Rafting too can be done. Two different stretches of Indus are used : from Spitok to Indus Zanzkar confluence at Nimmu and from Nimmu to Alchi and Khalsi – the ancient Temple complex. From here one can reach Tso Moriri - the huge lake of Leh, also the most famous.

From here if you move towards North of Leh, you will reach the land of Dust Storms. Here is the land which is famous for its Nubra Valley, the Khardung La Pass. By the neighboring Shoyk, you can reach Hundur – known for the peculiar high altitude double humped Bactarian Camels. But after all this, there is something in Leh which cannot be left unvisited – the Nubra Valley.

Leh is a strange place yet it welcomes its visitors with utmost ease. Taxis, road side Hotels and its warm people calls for all its visitors. One of the best places to be in India – Leh – The Unexplored.