10 Offbeat Places To Explore In Ladakh Beyond Nubra And Pangong, That'll Leave You Spellbound!

If you love travelling, Ladakh should indisputably make it to your bucket list of places to visit!

When we talk about Ladakh, the places that come to our minds are the majestic Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso Lake. However, there’s so much more beyond the most-visited places!

Known as the land of Lamas, Ladakh has some offbeat places that will bewitch you with the picturesque valley views, treacherous terrains, and so much more. We have curated a list of 10 offbeat places you must visit on your next trip, which will help you enjoy an unseen Ladakh, offering a chance to experience untouched natural beauty, encounter unique cultures, and create memories away from the crowds!

1. Turtuk

Also known as ‘The Village Divided by a Border’, Turtuk is known for its ancient monasteries, unique fruits, and a history that still breathes in the place. The village was occupied by Pakistan till 1971 and was opened to tourists only in 2010. It is the last northernmost village in India and is known for its colorful apricot plantations. The culture of India post and pre-independence can be seen in this village, and hence it’s a must-visit place in Ladakh!

Best Time To Visit: April- September

2. Uleytokpo

Colours are to Uleytokpo; what barren cold lands are to Ladakh! Uleytokpo dances on the unspoiled terrain that fills up with lush greenery in summers and cools down to whites in winters.

Situated on the banks of the Indus River, Uleytokpo is 60km from Leh. It’s a perfect escape to the same old city life and offers you some stunning views that help you enjoy Ladakh in its purest form. Being a popular trekking base, you will be welcomed with camps and tents, where you can comfortably stay for a day or two.

Things to Look out for:

- Lamayuru Monastery’s Yuru Kabgyat Festival: This is a 2-day festival that happens mainly in July or August.

- Cham Dance: Masked dance involves mythological tales of Buddhism and local legends.

Best Time To Visit: May- September

3. Rangdum in Suru Valley

Located in Suru Valley, this Buddhist village offers the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the sight of colorful hills on one side and glaciers on the other side! And while you are there, don’t forget to visit the iconic Rangdum Monastery, which is around 200 years old. It’s a scenic and peaceful place that’ll definitely bring you peace if that’s what you are looking for.

Best Time To Visit: June- September

4. Panamik

Located in Nubra valley, Panamik lies 55km ahead of Diskit. Popularly known for the hot sulphur springs, this place is a protected area. It means that you need to take a permit to visit this village in the Nubra valley. With unexpected landscapes and medicinal hot springs, this offbeat place in Ladakh will take you one step closer to nature.

Things To Do: Visit Samstanling monastery and Yarab Tso, buy Tibetan and Kashmiri artefacts, and meet army men living nearby in Siachen, the highest battleground on earth!

Best Time to visit: July– September after Khardungla opens for road traffic

5. Upshi

Located on the Leh-Manali Highway, this unexplored village is hard to miss if you are in Ladakh. It is the place where the fur from the sheep is collected to make the popular Pashmina shawls. In a radius of 50 km, you will find many monasteries, including Stok, Stakna, Hemis, Thiksey, and Shey. These monasteries play an unforgettable part in educating the upcoming generation and preserving knowledge.

Best Time To Visit: June- October

6. Rumtse

Rumtse is known for its barren landscape and scenic beauty. Eyeing Tso Moriri from 165 km via road, it acts as a base point for the trek to Tso Moriri. The valley is characterised by arid plains, pasturelands, and snow-capped peaks.

About Tso Moriri Trek: It is one of India’s most beautiful, calm and sacred high-altitude lakes. The trek takes you through the Changthang region, with unique landscapes and stunning lakes like Tso Kar and Tso Moriri.

- Duration: 9 days

- Difficulty: Difficult

- Distance: 98 km

- Max elevation: 5435 m

Best Time To Visit: June- September

7. Hanle

Hanle is situated in the Changthang region, another less-visited place in the southeastern part of Ladakh and has the most soul-satisfying vibes!

Recently, because of the inauguration of Hanle Observatory, it presents travellers with supernatural vibes, mostly at night. During the day, the place offers a galactic view of the Hanle village as it rests on a hilltop. The Observatory sits at 4500 m, making it one of the highest sites for astronomical observations! Due to the nearby Tibetan/Chinese border makes it a sensitive region.

Best Time To Visit: May- September

8. Lamayuru

Lamayuru is a village in the Leh district of Ladakh. Due to the exclusive geographical formations, the place is dearly known as ‘Moonscape’ by travellers. Lamayuru hosts one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh: Lamayuru Monastery.

To witness the culture and have a peaceful time, you must visit this offbeat place in Ladakh, where according to folklore, a scholar prayed to God for all lakes to dry up in the region. The water vaporised, and moon-like craters appeared here!

Best Time To Visit: May- October

9. Puga Valley

Situated in the eastern part of Ladakh, in the Changthang plateau, its sprawling green fields, oddly shaped wetlands, and geothermal activities in the forms of hot water springs, mud pools, and sulphur deposits easily make it one of the most breathtaking valleys in all of Ladakh!

A recent study predicts that geothermal advancement in the region can produce about 40% of the energy needed. It is also a favourite spot for photography and wildlife enthusiasts and is the breeding ground for most migratory birds.

Yaks, Horses, and Sheep can be found grazing around as the mountain deserts in the background reach out to cuddle the clear blue skies. Exploring this vast land, you feel tiny and truly humbled by the magnificence of nature!

Best Time To Visit: April- July & September- October

10. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

Cradled by mountain deserts, magnanimous lakes, and home to the Changthangi nomads living in harmony with the rarest species of wildlife, this valley east of Leh remains to be the largest unexplored hidden place in Ladakh where only the brave-hearted can survive!

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is perched at a minimum elevation of 14,600ft and is spread across the Tibetan Plateau boasting many species of endangered animals like The elusive Snow Leopard, Himalayan Red Fox, black-necked Cranes, and wild asses, Kiang.

There is a couple of arduous yet mind-boggling treks that course throughout the region giving you access to some of the most unusual views!

Best Time To Visit: May- November

Ladakh is truly a hidden gem, and you cannot help but explore more of it! If you’re someone who seeks the thrill of exploring the places beyond the maps, let us know in the comments below what other places in Ladakh you would like to visit!

For more travel stories and information follow @travelstoriesbytan.

Earn credits and redeem them on Tripoto's weekend getaways, hotel stays and vacation packages!