Sham Valley, also known as Lower Ladakh and the Apricot Valley, is a scenic region located in the western part of Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its picturesque landscape, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and traditional villages. One of the popular destinations in Sham Valley is the Alchi Monastery.
The valley is home to several small villages, including Likir, Basgo, and Alchi, which are famous for their monasteries and historic sites. The Basgo Palace, which was built in the 16th century, is a popular tourist destination and is known for its unique blend of Tibetan and Indian architectural styles. The Likir Monastery, which was built in the 11th century, is another popular attraction in the valley and is known for its ancient scriptures and murals.
Apart from its historic sites, the Sham Valley is also known for its stunning natural beauty. The valley is surrounded by towering mountains, lush green fields, and fruit orchards, and is especially famous for its apricots. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the valley, including hiking, mountain biking, and river rafting. There are several interesting places to see in Sham Valley. Some of them are:
There’s nothing better than camping under the star-lit sky on your holiday in Ladakh. The unmatched landscape of lofty barren mountains make for the perfect background and the alpine lakes create the ideal views for enjoying the best camping experience in Ladakh.
There are two types of camping that one can enjoy immensely in Ladakh – leisure camping and adventure camping. Leisure camping can be relished at some of the most beautiful places in Ladakh like along the Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri; in the beautiful Hunder Village of Nubra Valley; and areas around Leh.
On the other side, adventure camping has a wider scope in Ladakh. Adventurers can camp at lesser-known yet gorgeous places. The best experience of adventure camping is during trekking in Ladakh, where you get to pitch your tent at some of the most picturesque places that include confluences of rivers, alpine meadows, amongst the nomadic tribes and even at places in Zanskar Valley that have views to die for.
Best Places for Camping in Ladakh
Hunder Village
Tso Moriri
Pangong Tso
Thiksey
Zanskar Valley
Best Time for Camping in Ladakh
From June to September is the best time for camping in Ladakh.
The fairs & festivals of Ladakh, marked by beautifully synchronised masked dances, Buddhist rituals, ceremonies of various types & vigorous celebrations, are an integral and important part of Ladakh tourism. They offer an extremely useful insight into the heritage & culture of the people of Ladakh.
The influence of Tibetan Buddhism on this region is especially strong, and naturally, this is reflected in the festivals which are celebrated. Domestic as well as international tourists attend these festivals during their holidays in Ladakh in large numbers, since they offer an experience which is exclusive to this region. Attending the festivals in Ladakh also gives you an idea of the cultural diversity of Ladakh.
Most Famous Fairs & Festivals in Ladakh
Some of the fairs & festivals held in Ladakh attract tourists from both India and abroad. They are extremely famous because of their grand celebrations, cultural significance & also because they attract people from all over the region. Here are some of them.
The adventure of jeep safari in Ladakh is both thrilling and comfortable at the same time. But it mostly promises an enthralling experience of witnessing the wild and amazing Ladakh from close quarters. The expansive valleys, through which runs rivers and streams; the endless snakey roads; the dirt trails; remote villages and hamlets; the sacred monasteries; and some of the world’s highest mountain passes, all these can be explored in the best way in your 4X4 vehicle in Ladakh.
Even though, jeep safaris in Ladakh make almost all the destinations in the union territory accessible, the adventure activity is mostly preferred on routes like Leh-Khardung La-Nubra Valley, Manali-Leh Highway via the popular Gata Loops; Leh -Pangong -Tso Moriri; and Kargil-Suru Valley-Zanskar. Jeep safari in Ladakh is an experience to remember forever.
Popular Jeep Safari Routes in Ladakh
Srinagar – Leh
Manali – Leh
Nubra Valley via Khardung La
Kaza-Keylong-Sarchu-Leh
Kargil-Suru Valley-Zanskar
Leh-Pangong-Tso Moriri
Best Time for Jeep Safari in Ladakh
The months between June and September are ideal for a jeep safari in Ladakh. Since during this time Zoji La and Rohtang Pass are open for reaching Ladakh from Srinagar and Manali, respectively.
Unarguably, Ladakh is the paradise for mountain bikers. The meandering roads cutting their way through the awe-inspiring scenery is where all the mountain biking inspiration can be found. Cycling in Ladakh is about riding through the rugged trails or along the rushing Indus and Zanskar Rivers or to some high mountain passes like Khardung La.
Mountain Biking in Ladakh is not only about adrenaline rush and facing the challenges, it is also a great way to witness the culture and traditions of varied regions. This adventure activity in Ladakh is also perfect to explore the offbeat Buddhist Monasteries and relishing the lesser-known side of this beautiful Himalayan destination in India.
Best Mountain Biking Places in Ladakh
Pangong Tso
Warila-Khardungla-Nubra & Sham
Spangmik Man, Merak and downhill from Changla
Leh to Zingchen
Skiu to Chilling
Stok, Stakna & Thiksey Monasteries.
Leh to Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, and Namgyal Tsemo
The best time for a cycling tour in Ladakh is between June and September when the snow has melted completely and all the roads are open again.
Things to Know about Mountain Biking in Ladakh
Book your mountain biking tour with an experienced travel agency.
Some of the biking routes require trekking as well.
One also has the chance to enjoy river rafting along with mountain biking in Ladakh.
Cultural tours can also be included with your cycling adventure in Ladakh
In the land of adventure, river rafting adds to another top experience you don’t want to miss in Ladakh. The best places to enjoy river rafting in Ladakh are its two popular rivers – Indus and Zanskar that have rapid grades ranging from I to V. However, most of the stretches of these rivers have Grades I to III. The rapid range in Ladakh indicates that the adventure of river rafting can be enjoyed by beginners as well as experienced ones. Adding to this adventure activity is the unparalleled views of remote villages and the lofty barren mountains which make it an experience to remember forever.