1. Turtuk VillageTurtuk is a small, remote village located in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh. Among the least-known and most bewitching places in India, it has been termed the “gateway to Siachen Glacier.” Being the northernmost village in India, Turtuk is adjacent to the LoC with Pakistan just a few kilometres away. Living in the middle of the Karakoram Range surrounded by productive fields and apricot groves, Turtuk unique Balti culture is what differentiates it as the only remaining one in Ladakh. It seems the village is packed with surprises for people who are accustomed to the usual barren and lifeless land of Ladakh, with the green trees, narrow lanes, wooden bridges, and traditional stone houses. The people of Turtuk belong to the Balti community, who are a mixture of Islamic and cultural Heritage people. Their warm hospitality, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine are the village’s attractions. From 2010, only Turtuk was open to tourists, and the village was still going strong with its time-honoured ways and welcoming the visitor by taking them back in time. Through history, culture, and breathtaking nature all in one, Turtuk is a rare jewel that brightens the lives of people living in the northernmost frontier of India.History of Turtuk VillageTurtuk was geographically a part of Baltistan, which was under the rule of the Yabgo dynasty for 8 centuries from the 8th century. Healing, the Yabgo family spread their authority not only over Baltistan but also over the surrounding areas, whereas Turtuk was the central point of the old trade routes that linked Central Asia with the Indian subcontinent. Also, the village has largely preserved the signs of this empire, like the old walls of the fort and the oral traditions of the people handed down from generation to generation. The Baltis converted to Islam, and that had a major impact on the people and their culture. The entwining of Islam with Balti traditions came about through the work of Sufi saints whose spiritual influence formed the region’s mystic community, and whose ideas still live on in the rituals and customs of Turtuk. The village kept its separate Balti identity that it got from language, food, and way of life that were a combination of Central Asian, Tibetan, and Islamic influences. Turtuk’s tale of the past has had a lot of turns, mainly because of the area’s geopolitics. Turtuk was under Pakistani control as part of Gilgit-Baltistan until 1971. Apart from three other villages in Shyok Valley, the Indian Army occupied Turtuk during the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and took over the area. The villagers suddenly found themselves citizens of India while their families were on the other side of the border in Pakistan. Going from local governance to Indian rule overnight was a sudden change that presented the people with both risks and chances to grow, as they had to learn how to run in a new way and were isolated from their relatives. For a long time, Turtuk was an area with restricted access because of its closeness to the LoC. It was only in 2010 that the village was opened for tourism by the Indian government, thus allowing visitors to explore its beauty and heritage. Since then, Turtuk has become a beacon of the people’s willpower and cultural continuity; people there are not only proud of their Balti customs but also open to the new opportunities that come with modern times. Its past, full of events from the era of different kings, changes in religious practices, and political upheavals, makes Turtuk not only a picturesque village but also a historical shrine of the region’s complicated past.Nearby Places around Turtuk VillageDiskit Monastery: Diskit Monastery is the largest and the oldest monastery in Nubra Valley, which is situated about 90 km from Turtuk. The place is known for its 106-foot Maitreya Buddha statue, which is from the whole valley, while the place offers fascinating views of both the dunes and the Shyok River. In addition, the monastery is a cultural and spiritual centre of the area.Hunder Sand Dunes: Hunder is a cold desert area located about 80 kilometres from Turtuk, and it is famous for its unique double-humped Bactrian camels. Nowhere else in India can tourists do camel safaris in the middle of the dunes surrounded by high mountain ranges, thus making it such an incomparable trip.Thang Village: Thang is the last village in India that is only 2 km from the Line of Control (LoC), and therefore it is also known as "The Last Village of India." It provides tourists with a view of the Pakistan-administered region and the opportunity to talk to locals about the border.Bogdang Village: Bogdang is a Balti village located between Turtuk and Hunder and has kept its cultural heritage intact. The village that is well-known for its apricot orchards and lovely wooden houses is home to the Ladakh Balti community.Best Time to Visit TurtukSummer (May to September): It is a perfect time to visit Turtuk when the temperature is between 10°C and 20°C. The village is full of apricot orchards, green fields, and blue skies that create the perfect atmosphere for sightseeing, trekking, and cultural discovery.Monsoon (July to September): Ladakh is a place that is very dry and hardly gets any rain. It is still a great time of the year for the valley, and the Shyok River is flowing well, thus deepening the valley’s charm. There might be some minor road disruptions, still the village is lovely at this time of the year.Winter (October to April): Winter in Turtuk is so cold that the temperature drops well below zero. Due to the heavy snowfall, the village is cut off from most of Ladakh and is not accessible to tourists. However, it is the time of the year that the residents experience silence and tranquillity and mostly rely on preserved food and old-fashioned ways to get through the winter period.How to Reach TurtukBy Airport: The nearest airport to Turtuk is the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, which is about 205 km away. There are flights from Leh to Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar. So, after coming to Leh by air, the passengers can either hire a cab or be on a group tour to Turtuk via Nubra Valley.By Road: Turtuk can be reached in the easiest and also the most common way by car drive from Leh via Khardung La Pass, which is known as one of the highest motorable roads in the world. From Diskit to Hunder, and from Hunder to Bogdang, these are the places we pass on our way to Turtuk. It is 7-8 hours to Turtuk, a trip that gives you amazing views of the mountains, valleys, and rivers along the way.By Railway Station: There is no way to get to Turtuk by train, as there is no railway track leading directly to Turtuk. The nearest train station to Turtuk is Jammu Tawi, which is about 800 km away. So, a traveller who wants to go to Turtuk from there should take a road or an air route to Leh and then to Turtuk.2. UleytokpoUleytokpo is a calm, peaceful village located on the bank of the river Indus in Ladakh; it has been known to be one of the most scenic and peaceful places in the whole district. It lies approximately 70 kilometres to the west of Leh, on the Leh–Srinagar highway, and provides access to the western side of Ladakh. The stop at Uleytokpo is usually brief for the people going to Lamayuru or Kargil. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful surroundings of the place-wise village are marred by the barren mountains of the region, apricot and other fruit trees, and green fields that the village properties have, which present a magnificent contrast to the usually bare landscapes of Ladakh. Exactly at nearly 10,000 feet of elevation, Uleytokpo is known for its resorts with eco-friendly environments and comfortable homestays that give a calming break in the wild. The Indus River flows very gently around the area, and the night skies are very clear; hence, the place is suitable for meditation, stargazing, and relaxation. Uleytokpo is likewise a cultural centre from which pioneers can experience the communicative Ladakhi lifestyle, food, and customs. Due to its geographical location, it is very possible to do sightseeing tours to reach Alchi, Likir, etc., to visit monasteries and trek the Sham valley, besides that. So, for those who are longing for security as well as reality, Uleytokpo’s compromise between scenic beauty and culture keeps them happy.History of UleytokpoThe Background of Uleytokpo is profoundly interlaced with the Ladakh culture and spiritual past of the region. It used to be part of the Sham area, also called the “Apricot Valley,” and was one of the first places where people moved to in Ladakh, due to its fairly low altitude and the richness of the land along the Indus River. The valley was the origin of the ancient trading routes that connected Tibet, Kashmir, and Central Asia, and thus Uleytokpo was the one getting all the benefits coming through an exchange of culture, commodities, and ideas. During the Middle Ages, Uleytokpo and its neighbouring villages had risen to prominence as main venues for Buddhists learning and teaching. One of the notable institutions, the Alchi Monastery, constructed in the 11th century under the guidance of the great translator Rinchen Zangpo, profoundly affected the spirituality of the region. The monastery’s extremely old murals, woodwork, and scriptures are the result of the mingling of Kashmiri and Tibetan artworks, and the firewood workers of Uleytokpo were committed to taking care of it and contributing to its cultural life. On the same track, the monasteries of Likir and Rizong in the area also strengthened the stand of Uleytokpo in safeguarding the Buddhist traditions and teachings. The region had also been through moments of political change. Ladakh was a separate kingdom up until the 19th century, and the Uleytokpo, being positioned on the Srinagar–Leh trade route, was a place where both trade and wars could reach. During the 19th century, changes in Uleytokpo were not significant. Ladakh came under Dogra rule and later on became a part of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. Nevertheless, village Uleytokpo kept its serene character and depended on small-scale farming, pastoralism, and its spiritual leader, the monasteries. The history of the 20th century introduced more changes in Uleytokpo. The building of the Leh–Srinagar highway in the middle of the last century not only made Uleytokpo reachable but also turned it into a place where visitors could rest on their way. Consequently, the village was exposed to tourism. In contrast to a majority of villages isolated in Ladakh, Uleytokpo was recognised for its environmentally friendly campsites and guesthouses that allowed visitors to get both relaxation and cultural immersion. At present, Uleytokpo is a combination of rich heritage and modern lifestyle. The past of the village can still be found in the monasteries, oral traditions, and practices of agriculture, whereas its present is a showcase of ecotourism and Ladakhi hospitality. Uleytokpo, being a part of the tourist circuit of Ladakh, not only survives but also lives on as a cultural and natural escape, one which has been characterised by its history for many centuries, with the same quaintness of the past that has always been there.Nearby Places around UleytokpoAlchi Monastery: Only 10 km from Uleytokpo, Alchi Monastery is a community of homes no more than 11,000 years old in the Ladakh area of India. It is notable for its distinctive Indo-Tibetan art, old murals, and the wood carvings created on the basis of the interaction of the different cultures of the region, most probably by the Kashmiris.Likir Monastery: Likir Monastery and its teaching of the Maitreya Buddha, as well as the archives of the oldest sacred writings and the exhibition of ancient artefacts, are 22 km from the valley. The monastery is situated on the hill, its heights offer a view of the valley and the mountains covered with snow, and it can also access the faraway places of the district by aerial view.Rizong Monastery: Rizong Monastery is the place of strict and disciplined monastic life and a pure and clean environment. About 15 km from Uleytokpo, it is encircled with sheer rock walls and referred to as the "Paradise of Meditation".Lamayuru Monastery: The Lamayuru Monastery is the largest as well as the oldest one in Ladakh and is located about 35 km from the valley. It is well-known for its spectacular "Moonland" sceneries and the annual Yuru Kabgyat festival, which is a delight to the fans of history and culture.Best Time to Visit UleytokpoSummer (May to September): This is the best time to visit Uleytokpo with comfortable daytime temperatures ranging between 10°C and 25°C. The valleys are lush, rivers are flowing gently, and the weather is ideal for both sightseeing and trekking and having a nice stay at one of the local eco-tourism resorts.Monsoon (July to September): The area of Ladakh is a rain shadow region; thus, there are only a few showers during the monsoon. The Indus River becomes larger during this time, making the village scenery more attractive. Even though these days one can visit the most beautiful places, roads are accessible in a broad sense, making travel safe and scenic.Winter (October to April): The Uleytokpo winter is very harsh, and the temperature drops to several degrees below zero most of the time. The village becomes isolated because of the heavy snow, and almost all tourist facilities close. But for the hardy few who enjoy a raw and tranquil Ladakhi experience and are able to survive the cold, it is well worth the trip.How to Reach UleytokpoBy Airport: The closest airport, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, is only about 70 km away. Leh has direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, and a few other major cities. From Leh, one can get to Uleytokpo by taxi or bus in just about 2 hours.By Road: Uleytokpo is located on the Leh rest of Srinagar route (NH1). Taxis, buses, and rented cars that run this route are available regularly. The drive is very beautiful, as you will have a good chance of seeing the Indus River and the mountains around it on this trip.By Railway Station: Ladakh is not connected by rail directly. The closest station to there is Jammu Tawi, which is roughly 700 km away. One can choose to fly to Leh from Jammu or go via Srinagar by road to get to Uleytokpo.3. Chumathang Hot SpringsAbout 138 kilometres southeast of Leh, Chumathang Hot Springs is a marvel of nature located on the bank of the Indus River. The springs have been famous for their healing geothermal waters for a long time, and the site is nowadays visited by people who believe in the healing powers of the springs, both tourists and locals. The water relishing in sulfur is coming from the earth at high temperatures, creating little pools and vents filled with steam. And no matter how cold it is outside, it is hot inside. The place would be nothing out of the ordinary if it were not for the hot springs boiling in the middle of the desert of Ladakh, which is the uniqueness of Chumathang. The springs present much more than a mere natural attraction; they are also cultural and spiritual monuments. The water is supposed to cure a few diseases, and people go to the hot springs often to get better. They believe it could help in cases of joint pain, sickness of skin sickness, and tiredness. Besides, there is a little monastery and some usual Ladakhi villages that have a lot to do with the iciness of the place. Moreover, Chumathang is a well-known resting place for people before they move to Hanle, Tso Moriri, or Nyoma. The stop not only provides refreshment but also a chance to get acquainted with the place. The Chumathang Hot Springs give you the blend of serene beauty, spiritual rituals, and health care if you want to have an offbeat experience in Ladakh.History of Chumathang Hot SpringsThe story of Chumathang Hot Springs is not only about natural occurrences but also about the stories of the people, which are a reflection of the cultural identity of the region. The springs are the result of a heat explosion inside the earth, which carries water to the earth’s surface, water being extensively mixed with sulfur and other minerals. For a long period of time, the residents of Ladakh have been worshipping the springs, considering them a divine purification and healing source. The oral tradition passed down from ancestors to their descendants tells of miraculous healings, when the springs became a significant part of the locals' lifestyle. In the old days, Chumathang stood at the crossroads of the trade routes that bound Tibet to Ladakh. Yaks and horses glided the mountain trails and brought the traders and their caravans to halt among them, to rest and revive themselves was usually what they did at the springs. Besides warming the bodies amid the cold atmosphere, the hot springs also gave power to the travellers and drove their fatigue away. Those natural pools got turned into an oasis of comfort for travellers making the long and dangerous journey across the trans-Himalayan region.Nearby Places around Chumathang Hot SpringsTso Moriri Lake: The Tso Moriri is located about 70 km away from Chumathang. It is an amazing high-altitude lake with snow-covered mountains and large areas of grassland around it. In summer, the lake remains very clean and is a spawning area for migratory birds. Besides, animals like the Kiang (wild Ass) are found there. The calm and transparent water is the joy of nature lovers and photographers alike.Hanle: One hundred and sixty kilometres separate Hanle village from here. The Indian Astronomical Observatory, which is among the highest observatories in the world, is situated in Hanle. Besides, there is the 17th-century Hanle Monastery and the absolutely bright and clear night sky, which makes it a great place for stargazing and astrophotography.Nyoma: Nyoma is a tiny town located 40 km from Chumathang. The town is well known as the military and cultural hub of the region. Here you can watch the village life of Ladakhi people, and it is also the common point where the travellers of Tso Moriri and Hanle take their break.Hemis Monastery: From Hemis to Chumathang, the distance is about 130 km. Hemis is the largest and most famous monastery of the Ladakh region. The monastery that celebrates the festival of Hemis, which is the festival of Guru Padmasambhava, is a place that has history, culture, and spiritual traditions.Best Time to Visit Chumathang Hot SpringsSummer (May to September): The best time to visit Chumathang is during the summer season. The daytime temperature will be between 10°C and 20°C, which will make the trip very pleasant. The roads will be accessible, and tourists will be able to enjoy the hot springs as well as visit the nearby places like Tso Moriri and Hanle.Monsoon (July to September): Ladakh is such a dry place that it hardly rains there. Though a few absolute monsoon showers may come in, the Indus River will look a lot more vivid than usual. This sparkling river will add to the beauty of the hot springs in the area. However, the road might not be in good condition sometimes. So, it is better to ask for the latest road conditions before you head out on your journey.Winter (October to April): The winters in Chumathang are so cold that the mercury usually plunges below freezing point. Due to a heavy snowfall, the village becomes disconnected from the rest of the world, and only a few people live there. Most of the tourist places will also be closed. Driving the hot springs is even harsher than living in the village; they still run to give warmth to residents who have no choice but to stay through the coldest period.How to Reach Chumathang Hot SpringsBy Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the closest airport to here, located about 138 km. Leh has direct flights from Delhi, Srinagar, and some other domestic locations in India. Car rental services, including taxi and shared cab, will be waiting for you at Leh Airport to take you to Chumathang via the Leh–Nyoma route.By Road: Chumathang is a village located along the Leh–Nyoma–Tso Moriri road. You can drive 4–5 hours from Leh to Chumathang, going through mesmeric scenery along the Indus River. Public transport, like taxis, rental motorbikes, tourist vehicles, etc., is always ready to serve you. However, to travel in this region, you will require permits as well.By Railway Station: At present, there is no plan or line to connect the railway to Chumathang. The train station closest to Chumathang is Jammu Tawi, situated approximately 700 km away. A person travelling from Jammu can first board a plane to Leh and then continue his journey by road onwards to Chumathang.4. HanleHanle is a tiny village known to be very far from everyone, which lies in Changthang, one of the most secret and interesting places in India. It could be seen that Hanle is very close to the Indo-China border and surrounded by a lifeless range of mountains, flowing plains, and crystal-clear skies, as those would be the main features responsible for the unique beauty of the village placed at roughly 14,700 feet. Among the various things, Hanle is distinguished particularly because the Indian Astronomical Observatory, one of the highest observatories in the world, is located here. As a result, the observatory becomes the centre of attraction for scientists and astrophotography hobbyists. Moreover, it is also worth mentioning that the pollution-free skies and little human intervention made it possible to keep the area in perfect conditions that are easy to spot stars of any magnitude or the brightest stars in the Milky Way. On top of that, despite considerable scientific contributions, Hanle is rich in culture too. The area is void of the 17th-century Hanle Monastery, located on a Drukpa Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism branch. The monastery is a part of the spiritual heritage of Ladakh, and even more than that, the entire region is the ancestral home of the Changpa nomads, who not only raise pashmina goats but also produce pashmina wool of Ladakh through Hanle. Furthermore, Hanle is not only a science and spirituality centre only but at the same time, it impresses with its views and nature. It has been said that, in addition to the endless grasslands, a close view of wildlife such as the Kiang (Tibetan wild ass), and the nearby Hanle River, is also part of its charm. Thus, to those who are looking for nature in its most pristine state, a place full of silence and teeming with stars in a sky that seems to reach forever, Hanle stands out as a unique diamond set in the Ladakh crown.History of HanleHanle history has always been about spiritual, nomadic, and contemporary personality. It has long been considered part of the Changthang Plateau, Hanle area, and all the landscape surrounding it, such as the Tibet extensions and the western plateau, historically. Changpa nomads have been the local dwellers of the plateau for a very long time, whose lifestyle is entirely based on the practice of yak and pashmina goat rearing. Thus, these nomads have been living the perfect nomadic lifestyle for numerous centuries. By doing this, they have been in harmony with nature, and they have also been coexisting with the region, which is one of the harshest on earth. The most important historical site that the humans of Hanle have been passing down the tradition about is the Hanle Monastery (Hanle Gompa), which is a 17th-century building these days. It is said that the Hanle monastery complex was built during the period between 1616–1621 by King Sengge Namgyal of Ladakh, and it is part of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It was a very sacred place not only for the people of the Changthang but also for the surrounding areas since it brought together the whole spiritual world of the region. At the time when monks from this community reached their maximum number and religious education, along with meditation, were flourishing, the monastery housed hundreds of monks. While the monastery frescos, old relics, and prayer halls may epitomise the heritage of Buddhism, however, they are very much alive and ever-present as well in the case of Hanle today. In addition, Hanle’s geographical position was the reason for its importance, and it was also his intrigue for Tibet (the plateau) and the Indo-China border areas. Since the Middle Ages, Hanle has been trading culturally through the trade routes connecting Tibet and Ladakh. After the 19th century, when Ladakh became a part of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir, Hanle remained a bit out of the way but still a very significant place. After India gained independence, the area was under military and strategic surveillance, as it was close to the border. In recent days, Hanle is known worldwide because of the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), founded in 2001. It is the highest one of its kind in the entire globe, set up on Mount Saraswati near Hanle at an elevation of over 14,500 feet. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics manages the observatory, which is a major hub for stellar research, making full use of the region’s clear skies, dry weather, and very little light pollution. This scientific accomplishment changed Hanle into an international centre of astronomy, drawing researchers and stargazing lovers from all over the globe. The case of Hanle nowadays is the intersection of the past and the present. On one side, it has deep ties to its Buddhist past and the culture of the nomads, and on the other side, it is a site of new and challenging astronomical exploration. Its history, the Changthang nomads, the monks of the Hanle Gompa, and now global scientists, have made Hanle a witness to the phenomena of human survival, spiritual profundity, and scientific advancement in the Himalayas.Nearby Places around HanleHanle Monastery: Initially, the Hanle Monastery, which is situated in the heart of the village, is a 17th-century heritage and the former centre of the Drukpa Kagyu school. From a hilltop right above the village, one can get to know the valley’s spectacular panoramic views, and the insight it gives to Ladakh’s Buddhist historical quietude is quite impressive.Indian Astronomical Observatory: This celestial research centre is located on Mount Saraswati, close to Hanle, and it is among the highest in the entire world. Its pure sky and secluded spot make it an ideal place for astronomy research and skywatching. The amazing night sky views that visitors can have turn it into a dream for astrophotographers.Tso Moriri Lake: Tso Moriri is an alpine lake around 150 km from Hanle and is surrounded by snowy mountains and green pastures. It is famous for its crystal clear blue water and for being an abode of migratory birds. It is counted among the most beautiful lakes in Ladakh.Chumur Village: Chumur, an area near the Indo-China border, is famous for its peaceful and isolated beauty and the hardy lifestyle of its people. It is a place where you can see Changpa practising their livestock in the vast grazing lands grown for pashmina goats, and a few other areas where you can find the real Ladakhi culture.Best Time to Visit HanleSummer (May to September): At this time of the year, it is amazing to go to Hanle, as the temperature varies from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius. The roads are not only fully accessible for vehicles, but the sky is also very clear, and the weather is really nice for sightseeing, strolling around the monastery, or even just lying on a blanket and stargazing. Around the nomad tents, it is also the season of liveliness, and animals are moving around a lot.Monsoon (July to September): Ladakh receives little rain as it is located in a rain shadow area; hence, the amount of rainfall is very low. Most of the time, roads are accessible, and trees are giving the landscape a bit of a change with their lush green colour. During this period, photos and the expedition on the plateau can be very excellent. However, the weather can be really unpredictable, so travellers should be careful and pack accordingly.Winter (October to April): The winter in Hanle is extremely cold, and the temperature goes below -20 degrees Celsius. The area gets inaccessible due to heavy snowfall, and in addition, most of the tourist spots are closed at that time. However, it is still a lovely place for those who like cold and remote places, mountains covered with ice and hardly any stars present in the atmosphere.How to Reach HanleBy Airport: Hanle is the nearest point around the sky to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh, which is about 250 km away. There is a daily service of flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar to Leh. After reaching Leh, one can easily board a cab or a bus to Hanle.By Road: One can reach Hanle using the main roads, Leh–Nyoma–Hanle (via Chumathang) and Leh–Tso Moriri–Hanle from Leh. Both routes take about 9-10 hours to drive, and travellers going along the way will be visiting the highest altitudes and seeing the beautiful scenery. Hanle is one of those areas where only Inner Line Permits are allowed because it is located near the Indo-China border.By Railway Station: Railway services are not available to get to Hanle. Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station to Hanle, which is approximately 700 km away. From there, one can fly to Leh or drive to Srinagar and Leh and then continue the road journey to Hanle.