25 Amazing Things to do in Ladakh

If you come across arid jagged mountains kissing the skies, you know its Ladakh. Here, the dry winds seem to carry spiritual messages with them. The ancient gompas (Tibetan monasteries), with their whitewashed walls, are repositories of solitude and knowledge. The pristine waters of the lakes here create a perfect impression of the encompassing surroundings.

Once in Ladakh, there is so much to see, so much to explore. From pure blue freshwater lakes to picturesque passes, from dreamy valleys to frozen rivers. One must prepare oneself for a kaleidoscope of experiences here. Have you recently decided to take a trip to Ladakh? This blog brings you the 25 amazing things to do in Ladakh.

25 Amazing Things to do in Ladakh:

1. Sunrise at Pangong Tso Lake!

Witnessing the sky streaked red by the morning sun can be an exhilarating experience. Doing the same by Pangong Tso Lake embellishes the experience further. This spectacular lake made its appearance in the movie “3 Idiots.” Apart from that, it’s a highly coveted spot for late-night camping.

2. Biking on World’s Highest Motorable Road!

Imagine biking at Khardung La – one of the world’s highest motorable road with a height of 18,380ft. You can plan a bike trip to this place from any city of India, or arrive at Leh, and book a bike there. There are several holiday packages for Ladakh trip. Choose any one of your linking.

3. Camping delights!

Another way of absorbing the alluring beauty of Ladakh is going camping. Some of the best camping sites are found at Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Camping by the lakes here is the best way of exploring the surrounding landscapes and carrying home some great memories.

4. Go Trekking

One of the best manners of exploring the scenic landscapes of Ladakh is trekking. Be it the winter season or the summer season, trekking provides you an outstanding experience. Some of the most popular trekking routes here are Chadar, Stok Kangri, Tso Moriri and Markha Valley.

5. Go river rafting!

Struggling against the forceful rapids always gives you that ultimate adrenaline rush. No wonder then that river rafting is a favorite amongst tourists to Ladakh. Nothing is more adventurous than fighting your way against the freezing waters of Zanskar River. Along the way, you are treated to the magnificent sights of hilltop monasteries, hillside villages and glimpses of the unique wildlife.

6. Take the Ride-on Double Bactrian camel!

The thrill of taking a ride on a double-humped Bactrian camel is simply indescribable. The place to do this would be the Nubra Valley, located at 12,000ft above sea level. This wonderful wobbly ride takes you through the various landscapes of the region. This is the ride of a lifetime!

7. Look, a snow leopard!

Spotting a snow leopard is a real privilege. These magnificent beasts, sporting a white fur, camouflage themselves with the environs as they patiently wait for their prey. One of the best places to view these lovely creatures is the Hemis National Park. This park is home to more than 200 snow leopards and is best visited during winters.

8. Explore Buddhist Monasteries!

The various monasteries in Ladakh are some of the most ancient ones in the world. As such, they are a repertoire of knowledge and wisdom. One of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh is the Spituk Monastery. It also enjoys a fabulous location and offers panoramic views of the surroundings. Another monastery worth checking out is Hemis Monastery. Besides being the biggest in all of Ladakh, it also hosts the famous Hemis Festival in June every year.

9. The Royal side of Ladakh!

The magnificent Leh Palace lies in a dilapidated state in this day and age. However, its grandeur is still reflected in it’s wood and stone ruins. It is often visited by history and architecture enthusiasts. Built by King Namgyal in the 17th century, this building is nine stories high. One can get panoramic views of the Zanskar and Stok Kangri ranges that traverse the Indus Valley.

10. Opt for a homestay!

A great way to get acquainted with the culture of Ladakh is opting for a homestay. Try to get in touch with a local family. The warm-hearted people will host you with great zeal and enthusiasm. Enjoy a drink of butter tea, taste some delicious momos (dumplings) and have a great time.

11. Gaze at the starlit sky!

When it comes to certified stargazing in India, nothing beats Ladakh! Engaging in stargazing here transports you to the world of stars and comets. The infinite sky, glistening with stars, casts a magical spell on the onlooker. In Ladakh, the best place to do this is the Nubra Valley.

12. The Mysterious Magnetic Hill!

Ever heard of a car ascending without any external force being applied to it? Don’t be shocked, defying the laws of physics is a common experience here. The Magnetic Hill, as it’s commonly referred to, pulls a car or a bike towards the peak. The reasons behind this occurrence are as yet unknown. However, it’s worth giving it a try!

13. River of opportunity!

One of the top things to do in Ladakh is watching the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The frozen Zanskar River presents tremendous trekking opportunities during winters. Also known as Chadar Trek, it’s a favorite among adventure seekers. The surreal beauty of the icy world enveloping you throughout the trek leaves you overwhelmed.

14. Sipping Tea at World’s highest Cafeteria

A board stating the benefits of drinking black tea welcome you at Rinchen Cafeteria. Located at an altitude of 18,380ft, momos and Maggi are also served along with tea. This wonderful cafe has been named after Col. Rinchen for seizing Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Once here, check out the various stories, paintings, and quotes by the Army.

15. Piping hot Maggie at High Altitude!

Nothing beats the taste of piping hot Maggi at high altitudes. After a tiresome journey which leaves you exhausted, this humble meal comes as a blessing. One of the best places to experience this treat is Khardung La. Here, not only do you enjoy the meal, but discover a fascinating history associated with it.

16. Participate in Mask Festival!

Hemis Mask Dance Festival is one of the famous festivals in Ladakh. This colorful and vibrant festival is held every year at Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. The main attractions are the mask parade and the “Chaam” dance. Here, the Lamas put on a spectacle with their burgundy and mustard yellow attires

17. Attend a Ladakhi Wedding!

A wedding in Ladakh is a quite solemn affair. However, the various rituals associated with it are every bit as interesting. The couple wears ceremonial dresses while the guests, seated on small tables, are served butter tea. Traditional songs are played and dance goes on for hours. “Chang”, the local alcohol is served and everyone joins in the festivities.

18. Ladakh’s local delicacies!

Ladakh’s cuisine is the result of an innovative twist to Kashmiri cuisine. One of them is the delicious stew which contains a wonderful combination of ingredients like rice, noodles, momos, thukpa, etc. One should also try the Yak Cheese and the Yak Cheese momos here. Of course, no meal is complete without trying the local butter tea.

19. Meditate by the famous lakes!

Lakes in Ladakh enchant the visitors with their breathtaking beauty. They are known as “Tso.” Pangong Tso, which means “long and narrow lake,” is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Tso Kar and Tso Moriri are two famous lakes. Mirpal Tso attracts travelers with its sandy bed and turquoise waters.

20. Pleasures of bird watching!

The enormous and arid landscape of Ladakh is a haven for diverse avifauna. This region is visited by various species of birds, many of them endangered. The amazing solitude makes bird watching in Ladakh a perfectly blissful activity. Bird watching is popular in Suru Valley, Rizong Monastery and Nubra Valley, besides others.

21. Pray Some, Spin Some!

Ladakh is dotted with several monasteries that are as charming as they are fascinating. A visit to any of them is sure to leave you with great memories. One of the prime activities to do in a monastery is spin a prayer well. Spinning the prayer wheel, according to Buddhist traditions, ushers in good luck. So, when in Ladakh, spin that wheel!

22. Mingle with monks!

One of the great attractions of visiting the monasteries is mingling with the monks. Saffron clad and bald, they possess a wealth of knowledge, with a good dose of humor. Request them humbly, and you may just be in for a session of fascinating tales and stories.

23. Make-a-wish stones

Since the beginning of history, stone stacking has been followed by wish making. During earlier ages, they served the roles of messengers, signs, and landmarks. The locals, however, believe that stacking stones brings good luck to travelers. Stack some stones, make a wish! Your work is done.

24. Shop in the Local Markets to Carry Memories of Ladakh Trip!

Shopping takes an exciting turn in the markets of Ladakh. It’s the best place for mingling with the locals and learning various aspects of their culture. The streets here are lined with numerous stalls which display exotic items. From hand-woven rugs, wall hangings and wicker baskets to woolen bags, one finds it all here!

25. Visit Leh City after sunset!

Sunsets in Leh City are unlike any other you may have come across. Here, the sun takes its own time to leisurely paint the sky red. One of the best places to witness the sunset here is Shanti Stupa. Bring your camera along, and capture some great shots.

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READ MORE best honeymoon places in India

10 Best Honeymoon Places In India You Must Know

BY Krishnendu SheetAug 4, 2018

The honeymoon practice started in the nineteenth century in Britain, when couples of the upper class went to bridal tours accompanied by friends and family to visit relatives. The popularity of this practice increases gradually. Currently, this practice is common among young couples in the world. Immediately after the wedding, couples go visiting exotic destinations. There is evidence that Indians tour foreign places for honeymoon. They ignore a lot of the best honeymoon places in India. Below are some of the places in India that you can visit on your honeymoon. 10 Best Honeymoon Places In India: 1. Darjeeling Found in West Bengal between the arms of lesser Himalayas, it bears the name of the queen of hills. Darjeeling is among the most peaceful and picturesque best honeymoon places in India, with a climate that is pleasantly cool, and the Kanchenjunga to frame the skyline. Close attractions include the sunrise from Batasia loop, Singamari ropeway, Tiger Hills, Peace Pagoda, and much more. There are other attractive activities like touring using the UNESCO world heritage toy train, paragliding, and rock climbing. While summer is the best time for going there, you can choose the winter months to visit the best honeymoon destinations in India. 2. Himachal Pradesh Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and has been among the best honeymoon places in India. This is because of their snowy peaks, romantic climate, temples, churches, monasteries, the mall and British architecture, and plush mills. It is best to visit these places in summer and winter. There is also Manali and Kulu, a favorite of couples, with sprawling and greenery landscape. It is among the best destinations for a trip that is full of adventures like skiing, hiking, paragliding, mountaineering, trekking, and river rafting, angling, and biking from October to February. 3. 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READ MORE cafe coffee day

Cafe Coffee Day – Best Review By Users In 2022

BY Mashum MollahMar 1, 2022

A cup of coffee can be a witness to many things. Well, it might be a misunderstanding between two, a proposal or a business deal. Now, Cafe Coffee Day is probably the best place to have authentic coffee recipes. Here, you can go through the facts about the company and the review of the recipes it makes. As a result, you might develop an urge to visit CCD and have a great cup. For now, read the following points given below. Cafe Coffee Day: History And Overview Cafe Coffee Day (Popularly known as CCD) is a chain of coffee shops in India. The headquarters of CCD is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. When it comes to the parent company, Cafe Coffee Day Global is an organization from Cikkamangaluru that grows coffee beans in over 2000 acres of land. It produces the Arabica bean on a large scale. As of now, CCD is one of the best places to have coffee in India. Other countries where you could find outlets of CCD are the Czech Republic, Nepal, Malaysia, and Egypt. However, currently, there are no ventures of CCD outside India. In 2011, there were over 1000 CCD outlets all over India. The brand also claimed to invest Rs. 10 billion on CCD resorts. At the same time, CCD changed its logo. So you can consider this period as the “high-time” for the brand. Lately, CCD’s journey has been very dusty as it went through a financial issue. Moreover, the incident led to the demise of the owner. The CCDs business graph is downward. However, coffee shops are still active in several Indian cities. Remarkably, The Cafe Coffee Day share price has also dropped in recent times. Key People Related To Cafe Coffee Day VG Siddhartha was the owner of CCD. Well, this is an essential fact that you need to know while searching “cafe coffee day near me”. He opened the first Cafe Coffee Day showroom on July 11, 1996, in Bangalore. During the high phase of the brand, VG Siddhartha changed the entire outlook of CCD as a business organization. Moreover, he improved the infrastructure of CCD by manufacturing espresso machines and dramatically improving the quality of his products. Furthermore, he changed the company's logo and incorporated a tagline for his business that goes “A lot can happen over coffee”. However, the price of CCD  recipes always remained on the high side. It became trendy among young Indians. The main reason for it is the authenticity and single-standard quality. Inception Of CCD CCD started as a brand under Coffee Global Limited in 1996. The initial capital that Siddhartha got was from his father. However, VG boosted the money by investing in coffee plantations. Till the year 1985, he already became the owner of 10000 acres of a coffee farm. Recipes Of Cafe Coffee Day When it comes to the Cafe Coffee Day menu, you can find several types of coffee. Moreover,  there are multiple side items that you can also try. A few items according to the food type is given below: Drinks Section- Hot Coffee Espresso, Macchiato, Filter Coffee, Cafe Mocha, Inverted Cappuccino, Ethiopian Coffee, Cafe Latte, Aztec Cofee, Toffee Cuuppucino, Vanilla Latte, Ethiopian Coffee. Drinks Section- Cold Coffee Dark Frappe, Cafe Frappe, Devil's Own Vanilla/Cocoa, Kaapl Nirvana Drink Section- Tea Green Tea, Darjeeling Tea, Assam Tea, Kadak Chai, Masala Chai Food Section- Mini Bowls Classic Rajma Rice, Chicken Keema with Rice, Buttery Paneer Masala Food Section- Snacks Cookies, Veg Samosa, Crispy Samosa Kulcha, Saucy Veg Noodles, Veg Cullet, and many more Food Section- Burgers Crunchy Veg, Crunchy Chicken, Spicy Cheese Burger Varients Food Section- Pizza Cheesy Margherita, Paneer Garden Delight, Bar-be-que Chicken, Sriracha Pepper Chicken Food Section- Sippers and Chillers Lemonade, Tropical Knockout, Cool Blue, Print O Virgin Beer, Blue Sparkler Food Section- Chill Shakes Cocoa Cookie, Alphonso Mango, Classic Strawberry Fresh Wave Classic Lemonade, Sweet and Salt Lemony Spritzer, Orange Delight Apart from the above drinks and dishes, there is much more than Cafe Coffee Day has to offer. 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This can easily work in increasing the sales of Cafe Coffee Day. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Q1. Who Is Running Cafe Coffee Day Now? Mrs. Malavika Hegde is the present CEO of Cafe Coffee Day. She is the wife of VG Siddhartha. Q2. Is Cafe Coffee Day Better From Starbucks? Both CCD and Starbucks are good when it comes to quality. It is only that CCD is a budget option while Starbucks is upscale. Q3. Is Cafe Coffee Day In Loss? Yes, currently CCD is at the loss. However, there is a good scope to turn around. Q4. Is Cafe Coffee Day An Indian Brand? Yes, CCD is an Indian Brand. It has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Final Take Away As an Indian brand, CCD is something in which every Indian should take pride. However, it is said that the brand is currently going through a loss. The Covid lockdown has also made a big impact on the profits of CCD. Read Also: The Speciality Of Barnaby’s Cafe – Reviews, Special Menu, And Price 90 Miles Cuban Cafe – Reviews, Special Menu, And Price Nordstrom Cafe – Reviews, Special Menu, And Price

READ MORE Five Tips For First Time Traveler To India

Five Tips For First Time Traveler To India

BY Krishnendu SheetMay 7, 2017

Visiting India is akin to taking a dive into the unknown. Most travelers to India will tell you that the chaos and unceasing hullabaloo is an intrinsic part of it. Others, however, seem to successfully capture the “mystical and harmonious” spirit that apparently, is to be found everywhere in India.  Not only the land of snake charmers but more ethnic wonders, India travel should be on the top of your list for various reasons. However, regardless of what India is, or is not, there are certain tips which must be followed by every visitor to India. This ensures the best of everything while allowing one to discover all that India has to offer. Here are the five tips for first-time travelers to India. Five Tips For First Time Traveler To India: 1. Choosing The Best Route: Among the many tips for first-time visitors to India, this is one of the most important. Plan your India trip according to your interests, priorities, and fascinations. If exploring the fabulous monuments is what you desire, visit the cities of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur. From Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri to Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb, you’ll find it all here for India travel. If spiritual discovery is what you’re after, then visit the innumerable temples in North and South India, the beautiful mosques, monasteries, and churches scattered all over India. India also offers abundant opportunities for engaging in adventure sports and natured oriented pursuits like trekking, skiing, rafting, etc. To get a glimpse of the exotic flora and fauna of India, visit the several nature parks or wildlife sanctuaries, which house an exotic variety of flora and fauna. 2. Go Slow – Patience Is The Key! Too many visitors to India make the mistake of trying to discover and explore everything in one go. The geographical enormity of India renders such a task not just impossible but rather foolish. Once you are in India, slow down and absorb the surroundings around you, while appreciating the uniqueness brought by every experience. Rather than stressing yourself over completing the things-to-do list, focus on doing one thing or visiting one place and exploring it in detail. Not only will this make your trip pleasant, but also give you a glimpse of the local culture and customs. If you want to understand India, this is the way to go about it. If you are complaining about the traffic in your country, then it is nothing less than the traffic in India which makes India travel no less than a hectic journey. So, always keep the assistance of Google Maps, so that you can easily find out short cuts and lanes for a quick escape. Also, drivers tend to ask for more money if they see that you are a tourist. It is better if you do thorough research on the cab rates and bus rates to save some money. 3. Look For Solitude Amid Unceasing Chaos! Any useful guide for first-time visitors to India will tell you that despite being a land inhabited by billions, India still offers plentiful avenues for escaping the maddening crowd and ensuing chaos. This is not to say that you should avoid soaking in the cultural and social atmosphere. However, there will come a point where you would seek moments of tranquility and solitude. Fortunately, India has plenty of hill stations, quiet retreats, isolated beaches, serene backwaters, etc. It’s always a good idea to head to these places when the crowds and the hassle seem overbearing. Doing this will help you relax and rejuvenate before continuing with the rest of your journey. If you are a nature lover, then it is best to start from the north. There are mainly five travel holidays destinations you should be starting on. Now the call is completely yours: Leh-LadakhShimla-ManaliDehradun-MussoorieNainital-RanikhetJammu-Kashmir 4. Prioritize Your Health: Any ultimate guide for the first timer to India will mention the words “health, well-being, safety, etc.” In India, you can never be too cautious regarding your health. Never make the mistake of drinking tap water or consuming food which has been lying around for a long time. Indian food is very spicy. So, be careful in the matter of food choices. Do not drink water from random shops. Instead, keep a bottle of mineral water with you all the time. While street-side snacks are utterly tempting, it’s always advised to assess the cleanliness around you before gorging on them. One of the best ways of determining whether the food is safe is to watch whether it’s being consumed by locals. If yes, then go ahead! Also, do not miss the famous food places to visit in India. You will see that diversity is not only in cultures but in food too. However, each food item is different in taste and in health. 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