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Ladakh is popular for its high passes, green valleys, clear lakes, and mouthwatering food. With this wide variety of landscapes to discover, many places in Ladakh are still undiscovered. Would you like to visit those unexplored places in Ladakh?

If your answer is a yes and you are excited to enjoy the raw beauty of this mountain region, continue to read. Today, we will discuss this beautiful land's less visited and offbeat areas. So, sip your coffee and choose your next travel destination!

5 Best Offbeat Places In Ladakh

If you are searching for the less visited places to visit in Ladakh, your search ends here. Below, you can find the top offbeat areas of Ladakh:

Turtuk

It is one of the unknown but the most beautiful places in Ladakh. It is near the Indo-Pakistan border; therefore, the village has many stories to tell you. It was opened for tourists in 2010, and it was part of the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir till 1971. Turtuk shares the border with Baltistan on one side and Nubra on the other side. The village lies along the bank of the Shyok River. More than 4000 people live here.

The village has a very rich history and is an amalgamation of different cultures. The apricot plantation makes this village so beautiful. You will find the green valleys, magnificent mountains, and cold desert here that you have never witnessed before. You can learn more about the culture of Ladakh by exploring this village. The local food, homestays, and people of Turtuk will amaze you.

Hanle

It is located in the Changthang district of Ladakh, and it is a place that you will love to visit again and again. Hanle is situated along the Tibetan/Chinese border; therefore, you will need a permit to explore the region. It is a less crowded place as only 300 people are living here. The village is popular for Hanle Monastery, housing ten monks. Besides the monastery, you must also explore the Hanle River.

Hanle gives you magnificent views from the top, and it is about 19 kilometers away from the Line of Actual Control. Astronomical Observatory is also in Hanle, about 4500 meters above sea level. So, during the day, you can enjoy the galactic views; at night, you can also witness the radiant sky full of stars and galaxies.

Tso Moriri Lake

It is a high-altitude lake (4522 meters above sea level) situated in the Changthang region and offers stunning views of snow-covered peaks. It is one of the less-crowded areas of Ladakh. Different mountain streams feed the lake, and it freezes during the winter season. The lake is famous for its crystal clear blue water, which creates breathtaking views of the surroundings. The region also owns a variety of wildlife, including snow leopards and migratory birds.

The journey towards the lake is also very exciting and thrilling. The road passes through mountain passes, stunning landscapes, and small villages. On the way to the lake, you can also glimpse the locals' traditions, culture, and life. Basic accommodation facilities are available near the lake; you can also stay there to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. The lake is a hidden gem of the region and an ideal place for those looking for an escape in the lap of the Himalayas.

Zanskar Valley

The valley is a heaven for adventure lovers. You can enjoy different activities here, like river rafting in the Zanskar River. The Chadar Trek, one of this valley's challenging winter treks, offers incredible mountain climbing and mountaineering opportunities. Besides that, you can explore various old monasteries like Karsha, Zangla, and Phuktal there. The monasteries tell a lot about the culture and history of this region. You must explore this valley in summer when the weather used to be pleasant, and it turns colorful.

Most people visit the valley for its breathtaking landscape. Still, the frozen river trek, unique Buddhist culture, ancient monasteries, and villages are the other attractions that make this valley worth visiting. The valley is in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the northernmost of India. The people of this region are of Tibetan Buddhism and practice Tibetan Buddhism. The people live in small, isolated settlements, cultivate the land, and rely on livestock for livelihood.

Lamayuru

It is a quiet little village in Ladakh, popular for its unique geographical formation. It is about 11520 feet above sea level and has a rich culture. The village is also known as a moonscape for visitors. You can walk to the village, meet the locals, and chit-chat with them. The village owns many ancient monasteries in Ladakh. One of these monasteries dates back to the 11^th century and is home to the scholars who prayed for the lake to dry up (which caused the formation of moon-like crates and gave a unique geography to the village).

Lamayuru Monastery, or Yuru Gompa, is the oldest and the largest monastery you can explore in the region. It is a prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site that gives you stunning views of the river and mountains as it is situated on a hilltop. The monastery consists of temples, prayer halls, and the monks' living quarters.

The village attracts tourists and natural enthusiasts who come here to enjoy the beauty of this place and various thrilling activities like hiking and trekking. Plan and prepare yourself before exploring the village; otherwise, you might suffer from acute mountain sickness. Also, you can consult the locals and they can help you in arranging the accommodation, transportation, and getting the permits.

Conclusion:

Ladakh is situated in the North of India. The picturesque landscape and pristine water bodies make Ladakh popular around the globe, and thousands of tourists come here to explore its beauty. But, many places in Ladakh still need to be discovered, and no one knows about those hidden jewels of Ladakh. For instance, Turtuk, Hanle, Lamayuru, Zanskar Valley, and Tso Moriri Lake are undiscovered places you can visit during your next trip to Ladakh.