Call
it ‘Little Tibet’, ‘the Moonland’ or ‘the last
Shangri La’, Ladakh is equally beautiful by all its names. Ladakh is
geographically situated in Tibet which is a high altitude plateau of the
Great Himalayas but is an intrinsic part of India. Ladakh’s
picture-perfect landscapes beckon nature lovers as well as adventure seekers
from India and all over the world.
A completely dry and arid land, Ladakh remains bitterly cold most of the
year and one wonders why people would have chosen to settle here. But its
political isolation and difficult geographic inaccessibility has done
wonders for Ladakh. Even today, Ladakh preserves a culture that is unique
and has strong connections from the past.
Ladakh is accessible only via road that is open between mid-June and early
October. Within, safaris are the best option to visit various parts of
Ladakh region. These safari options include camel, yak and jeep safari.
Camel Safari in Ladakh
If you think that the camel, the ‘Ship of Desert’ is confined
only to the desert areas of Rajasthan and plains, you are wrong. For last
several decades, camels have been bred for transports in the cold deserts of
Ladakh. And now, camel safaris have emerged as the one of the favourite
modes of transportation for tourists visiting Ladakh.
Ladakh camel safari takes you through some of the old passes of the region
and also provides you a good chance to have a first hand experience of the
lifestyle of the remote Ladakhi villages, valleys and especially the Panamic
village. Besides, you get an opportunity to see and relish the scenic beauty
all-round, coloufrul Buddhist monasteries (Gompas) and have a dip in popular
hot springs of the region, which are believed to have medicinal properties.
While exploring rugged mountain terrains of Ladakh, you get used to the
rolling and wobbly movements of the camel. In addition, the sudden change
from lush green apricot orchards to the frozen desert and snow-clad peaks,
offers you various surprises and gives you some lifetime experiences.
Camel Safari in Ladakh is available from the month of July to September,
when the climate usually remains warm and you will find clean routes. Some
of the famous centres for camel safari are Nubra Valley, Deskit and Hunder.
Yak Safari in Ladakh
A unique safari hardly found anywhere else in India, yak safari is amongst
the most popular safaris in Ladakh. One of the local inhabitants of Ladakh,
yak is found in large number in the altitudes ranging from 3,500 metres -
6,000 metres. In addition, you can also see these mighty animals around
lakes, marshes and lower valleys of Ladakh. You can undertake yak safari in
these areas both in winters as well as summers.
As you ride the soft back of this massive animal and explore the various
areas of Ladakh, you get a chance to observe some of the most amazing views
of the beautiful lakes and glacial valleys. On the other hand, the lofty
snow peaks, the splendid cascades, the murmuring streams, the lush meadows
and thick forests of this rugged land will surely mesmerize you.
In Ladakh, yak safari is mostly available on prior booking, hence, always
ensure the safari booking well in advance to avoid any inconvenience. Reach
Ladakh and discover the many faces of this magical landscape and experience
its unmatched charm on the back of yak. While you are undertaking yak
safari, never challenge this magnificent animal as it may cause harm to you.
Jeep
Safari in Ladakh
One of the famous adventure activity, jeep safari is preferred by the
tourist visiting Ladakh, as they can cover most of the popular attractions
of the region in one single day. In comparison to camel and yak, jeep is the
quickest, easiest and most comfortable mode to visit the various parts of
Ladakh.
Although the roads of Ladakh region are not so good for driving, but the
jeep safari is an ideal way to explore the far-flung areas. Each day, jeep
safari in Ladakh provides you a fantastic opportunity to visit the new and
thrilling places and you can even interact with culturally diverse people.
Jeep safari in Ladakh is centred around Tsmori-Ri, Nubra and Dah Hanu, that
offer the toughest and most challenging jeep rides in the Himalayas.
