Nubra-Valley

A tri-armed valley that is separated by Nubra (Siachan) River and Shyok River, Nubra Valley in Ladakh is popular for its cold desert and picturesque landscape. The valley is connected to Leh with Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Nubra valley is amongst the top tourist attractions in Ladakh and its Diskit Monastery and Hunder Village are a must-visit.

Nubra Valley’s Hunder Village is known for its cold desert and the opportunity of camping and riding on Bactrian Camel (double-humped camel). The Diskit Monastery in the largest town of Nubra Valley is the oldest and largest one in the region and is also a must-see. However, the main attraction here is the 32-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha which is hard to miss out due to its size.

Turtuk, an offbeat village has been made accessible for the tourists since 2010. Here, tourists have the chance to enjoy tribal tourism; interact with the locals and learn and understand about their culture and lifestyle. There’s also the opportunity for enjoy eco-friendly camping at Turtuk.

Other than this, Nubra Valley has many other remote villages and monasteries to see. The hot spring at Panamik Village is one of the best places to see. For adventure lovers, it is the best destination in Ladakh for trekking, mountain biking and motor biking tours.

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Pangong Lake

Pangong Tso Lake is one of those places which you can imagine would be very beautiful, but it’s not until you visit it that you come to terms with its beauty. Among the other famous lakes in Ladakh, this one is especially popular both because of its breathtaking beauty and being a delicate border point along the Line of Actual Control.

It achieved immense popularity after being featured in a Bollywood movie called “3 Idiots.” <br/>, or Pangong Tso, as it is commonly known, is a high altitude saltwater lake situated at almost 4,350 meters. The lake is almost 5 kilometers wide and 134 kilometers long, with one-third of it lying in India & the other two-thirds in China. This famous lake in Ladakh is also quite deep, as it reaches a maximum depth of almost 328 feet. The foremost thing to see at Pangong Tso Lake is its beauty, you just can't get enough of it.

The mountains, with their gradual slopes which meet the deep blue meditatives waters of the lake, is a sight that remains lodged in your memory for a long time. Brahminy ducks can also be seen standing on the banks of the lake, looking for a catch or two. The lake is extremely popular among photographers, selfie enthusiasts and those on a bike trip to Ladakh

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Hari Parbat

Hari Parbat is a popular tourist attraction that is frequented by visitors in large numbers owing to its historical and religious significance. It is the site of several important edifices, which include the Durrani Fort, Parvati Temple, a Gurudwara and shrines of Akhund Mullah Shah and Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib. The earliest fortifications on this hill were established by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1590, when he planned to build a new capital named Nager Nagor. However, not everything went according to plan. The present citadel was constructed in 1808 under the supervision of Shuja Shah Durrani.

There are two mythological legends associated with Hari Parbat, which is also known as Koh-e-Maraan. The first one states that this hill was originally a huge lake, where a demon named Jalobhava resided. To get rid of his atrocities, the natives prayed Hindu Goddess Parvati for help. She turned into a bird and dropped a pebble on his head. The pebble kept increasing in size until the demon's head was crushed. It is said that Hari Parbat is the same enlarged pebble, which became the abode of all Hindu gods. Another version of the tale is similar but includes two demons – Tsand and Mond.

The temple of Sharika Bhagwati is present on the western slope of this hill, which is also known as Predemna Peet. Goddess Parvati is worshipped here as 18-armed Sharika – the presiding deity of Srinagar. Har Navum – the birth occasion of the Goddess – is celebrated at the temple by offering taher-charvan (rice and goat liver meat).

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Nishat Garden

Nishat Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir is popularly known as the ‘Garden of Bliss’, the Nishat Garden or Nishat Bagh, is the second-largest Mughal Garden in Kashmir Valley, after Shalimar Bagh and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Srinagar.

The beautiful garden is on the eastern side of the picturesque Dal Lake and is situated against the backdrop of the magnificent Zabarwan Mountains. This surreal garden is a place of sheer delight for nature lovers, family vacationers as well as romantic couples as it offers them spectacular views and a memorable experience.

Nishat Bagh was designed by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Jahan, in 1633 AD. It is believed that Emperor Shah Jahan on witnessing the grandeur and beauty of the Nishat Bagh, was so impressed and awestruck that he expressed his gratitude to Asif Khan three times.Like all the Mughal Gardens, the design and layout of the Nishant Bagh is largely influenced by Persian architecture.

It has a beautiful water channel flowing through the middle, which further adds to the romantic charm of the garden. Nishat Bagh is famous for its 7 terraces decorated with beautiful flowers like roses and lilies with each terrace representing a zodiac sign.

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Sonmarg

Sonmarg, which means "Meadow of Gold", is a picturesque hill station in the Kashmir Valley located in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2800 meters and adorned with a majestic glacier, meadow, dense forests, and snow-capped mountains makes Sonmarg an ideal holiday destination in Kashmir.

For nature lovers, Sonmarg offers the chance to unwind amidst its scenic vistas; adventure buffs who can indulge in trekking and camping activities for adrenaline rush; and honeymoon couples can spend time cozying up amidst its beauty.

The flower-laden (in summers) valley of Sonmarg, nestled amongst the majestic Himalayan range has many tourist attractions to offer and Thajiwas Glacier is the major one. It is an easy day hike recommended to even family vacationers.

The adventure lovers in Sonmarg have great opportunities to head out for scenic treks. Amongst the most popular treks starting from Sonmarg are Gangabal Lake Trek and Krishansar and Vishansar twin lakes which in fact also make for important brown trout fishing destinations in Kashmir.

The Baltal Valley, located 15km away, is one of the best tourist destinations near Sonmarg. It offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains. This valley serves as a camping area for pilgrims heading towards the sacred Hindu pilgrimage of Amarnath Cave. The nature lovers will also love to see the beautiful vistas of the Nilagrad River which boasts a red hue in its water and is known to have medicinal properties.

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Gulmarg

Nestled in the Pir Panjal Range in a cup-shaped valley, Gulmarg has been specially touched by nature’s splendid hand, and is a place which the gods would also love to visit. This magnificent tourist destination in the valley of Kashmir is great for both a family, honeymoon and snow adventure sports lovers.

Dubbed as one the best skiing destinations in India, Gulmarg is adorned with lofty snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, small lakes, and a large variety of flowers.

A holiday in Gulmarg promises to be a memorable one, with several sightseeing opportunities in tourism places like Khilanmarg, Tangmarg & Ferozepur Nallah. You can also take a spiritual tour to famous religious sites in Gulmarg like St. Mary’s Church, Baba Rezi Shrine & Maharani Temple. Another interesting activity that you should try is visiting the 18 hole Golf Course, counted among the highest golf courses in India.

Gulmarg also offers its fair share of thrill & adventure to the tourists. The most popular adventure activity in Gulmarg is skiing, which can be enjoyed by both amateur & experienced skiiers. Other than that, tourists can also enjoy a Gondola cable car ride, and more.

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Pahalgam

Pahalgam, also known as the “Valley of Shepherds”, located in the Anantnag District of Kashmir, is a nature lovers retreat, which makes us believe that paradise is not always far. Sitting on the banks of the foaming and gurgling Lidder River, this famous tourist place in Kashmir mesmerizes visitors with its lush meadows, verdant forests, sky-kissing mountains, apple orchards, and very peaceful environment.

It is counted among the top tourist destinations of Kashmir because there are opportunities for camping, sightseeing, trekking, pilgrimage yatra, white water rafting and fishing.

A family holiday to Pahalgam is very exciting and you can do a lot of things to make your vacation a fun filled one. You can spend time by the bank of the Lidder River & enjoy the blissful company of Mother Nature. Other places where you can see the awe inspiring beauty of Pahalgam are Aru & Betaab valleys along with Bainsaran, which are dotted with meadows, lakes & streams.

Pahalgam is also popular as a spiritual destination for being the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which is undertaken by Hindu pilgrims during the months of June & August, and begins at a town called Chandanwari, located almost 16 kilometers from it.

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Ladakh

The Land of High Passes, Ladakh, the newly created Union Territory in India (previously a part of Jammu & Kashmir), boasts a landscape that can leave you with your jaws dropped. It is a place where the landscape changes dramatically; it is truly astonishing to see the mountains, snow, cold desert, alpine meadows and lakes at a short distance from each other. Tourism in Ladakh is an absolute delight for nature lovers as well as adventurers.

Adorned with the lofty barren mountains, Ladakh is home to some of the highest motorable passes like Khardung La (5359 m), Marsimik La (5582 m), and Chang La (5360 m), and alpine lakes like Pangong Tso (4350 m) and Tso Moriri (4522 m). Ladakh is further divided into three regions - Leh, Nubra, and Zanskar, and each region has several places to see.

Ladakh is majorly popular amongst the adventurers who feel welcomed by the number of adrenaline rushing activities offered here. The union territory is amongst the top trekking destinations in India with amazing and unmatched treks like the popular Frozen River Trek/Chadar Trek. Ladakh also has opportunities for mountaineering, motor biking, mountain biking, white water rafting and more.

Adding to its exceptional beauty are the ancient Buddhist monasteries that are mostly nestled in the mountains and are thousands of years old. These monasteries make for the Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in Ladakh and also act as important cultural centres where major religious festivals take place.

In our Ladakh Travel Guide, we add all the information you need to know before planning a trip. Our authentic Ladakh travel guide includes information on the top places to visit, must visit tourist attractions, best things to do and top places to stay in Ladakh.

Tour My India offers the best Leh Ladakh tour packages ensuring an amazing holiday experience at this top Himalayan destination in India.

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Leh

Leh is where your adventure in Ladakh begins! The capital city of the recently formed union territory is the right reflection of what this venturesome North Indian destination is all about. At first, you might find Leh to be a quiet destination, but with further exploration you’ll find, Leh to be quite an exciting place to be for everyone. Be it a nature lover, a cultural aficionado, a history lover, an adventure enthusiast or even honeymooners, there’s certainly something special for all in Leh tourism.

Inside Leh City, for history & culture lovers are some must-see places like Leh Palace, seated atop a mountain; Shanti Stupa, perched on a mountain and is widely acclaimed; Leh Market, an ideal place for shopping in Ladakh; and the War Museum that gives you a detailed insight into the wars in India and the role of Indian Army. Around Leh also sit some of the most amazing places for sightseeing in Ladakh. The confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers in Nimmu; the sacred Sikh gurudwara, Patthar Sahib; Magnetic Hill, known for its optical illusion; are some of the major places to visit for tourists.

For a spiritual tour amidst the beautiful settings sit imposing Buddhist monasteries like Ladakh’s richest monastery, Hemis Gompa; the oldest monastery, Alchi Gompa; Thiksey Monastery; Matho Monastery, Spituk Gompa and more. These monasteries are ideal for history lovers as well as culture enthusiasts who can enjoy annual festivals here and large collections of books, artifacts and more.

For adventurous souls, Leh is the base point for several adrenaline rushing activities. From the city starts numerous enthralling trekking tours, motor biking adventures, mountain biking ventures, as well as river rafting preparations. It is in fact the place to gear up for the adventure of your choice and buy/rent all the necessary accessories. For wildlife lovers, sitting close to Leh is the largest national park in India, Hemis National Park, which is home to a large number of rare animals like snow leopards, ibex, and Tibetan gazelle.

With our authentic Leh travel guide, find all the information on planning your Leh trip. Get insights on top places & activities, best places to stay and season to visit along with an ideal way to reach along with best Leh sightseeing tour packages.

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Dal Lake

Dal is a lake in Srinagar (Dal Lake is a misnomer as Dal in Kashmiri means lake), the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The urban lake, is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.

The shore line of the lake, is about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels. Scenic views of the lake can be witnessed from the shore line Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir and from houseboats cruising along the lake in the colourful shikaras. During the winter season, the temperature sometimes reaches −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.

The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. The floating gardens, known as “Raad” in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August.

The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered as an independent lake). Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.The houseboats are closely associated with Dal Lake which provide accommodation to tourists in Srinagar.

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Shalimar Garden

The Shalimar Gardens, the most celebrated of the Kashmir Gardens is a Mughal garden located about fifteen kilometers away from the center of Srinagar City. The green-carpeted lawns,amazing variety of flowers, trees, fountains, the view the snowy mountain ranges etc make this garden an ideal spot for picnics and excursions. Shalimar Garden or Shalimar Bagh, second in size among the Mughal Gardens at Srinagar, is considered to be a master class of Mughal horticulture. The layout of the garden was heavily influenced by the Persian gardens.

Covering an area of approximately 12.4 hectares, the garden is rectangular in shape and measures 587 metres (1,926 ft) length and by 251 meters width. A long canal, fed from Dal Lake just behind the garden, passes through it's center. It can now also be reached from the road that runs around Dal Lake.

This garden is also marked by the presence of terraces that are separated by water channels. Covering a total area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the water to this garden is supplied from Harwan through a canal which is lined with fountains. The garden is designed in such a manner that the fountains and the trees create the illusion of slowly moving towards the horizon.

The site of Shalimar seems to have been ideally suited to a garden; it contained a natural canal, and a small nearby spring-fed stream was diverted to the garden site to provide continuous running water

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