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Lesser-Known Facts About Ladakh: Surprising Secrets of India’s High-Altitude Desert

Discover 10 lesser-known facts about Ladakh, including apricot orchards, Umling La, Snow Leopards, Ice Stupas, Moonland landscapes, and ancient monasteries.

23/06/2026

Place	Altitude (m)	Altitude (ft)
Leh	3,500	11,483
Kargil	2,676	8,780
Diskit	3,144	10,315
Hunder	3,048	10,000
Sumur	3,100	10,171
Panamik	3,180	10,433
Turtuk	3,001	9,846
Tyakshi	2,900	9,514
Thoise	3,068	10,066
Khalsar	3,250	10,663
Tangtse	3,900	12,795
Spangmik	4,250	13,944
Merak	4,350	14,272
Mann	4,330	14,206
Chushul	4,360	14,304
Hanle	4,250	13,944
Nyoma	4,180	13,714
Loma	4,100	13,451
Mahe	4,050	13,287
Korzok	4,595	15,075
Puga	4,400	14,436
Chumathang	3,970	13,025
Upshi	3,450	11,319
Karu	3,520	11,549
Sakti	3,800	12,467
Chemrey	3,650	11,975
Hemis	3,700	12,139
Stakna	3,450	11,319
Shey	3,440	11,286
Thiksey	3,600	11,811
Stok	3,650	11,975
Saboo	3,500	11,483
Phyang	3,700	12,139
Basgo	3,300	10,827
Alchi	3,100	10,171
Likir	3,700	12,139
Yangthang	3,650	11,975
Uleytokpo	3,100	10,171
Tingmosgang	3,150	10,335
Lamayuru	3,510	11,516
Wanla	3,200	10,499
Dha	3,050	10,007
Hanu	3,100	10,171
Batalik	2,900	9,514
Drass	3,280	10,761
Sankoo	2,950	9,678
Panikhar	3,200	10,499
Rangdum	3,657	11,998
Padum	3,657	11,998
Purne	3,850	12,631
Kargyak	4,200	13,780
Shingo La	5,091	16,703
Pensi La	4,400	14,436
Khardung La	5,359	17,582
Chang La	5,360	17,586
Taglang La	5,328	17,480
Wari La	5,312	17,428
Namika La	3,700	12,139
Fotu La	4,108	13,478
Lachulung La	5,059	16,598
Nakee La	4,739	15,548
Baralacha La	4,890	16,043
Zoji La	3,528	11,575
Hambuting La	4,300	14,108
Hor La	4,950	16,240
Rezang La	5,000	16,404
Umling La	5,798	19,022
Nurbu La	5,600	18,373
Kongka La	5,171	16,965
Marsimik La	5,582	18,314
Pangong Lake	4,350	14,272
Tso Moriri	4,522	14,836
Tso Kar	4,530	14,862
Yaya Tso	4,820	15,814
Mirpal Tso	4,900	16,076
Kyagar Tso	4,700	15,420
Ryul Tso	4,650	15,256
Leh Palace	3,550	11,647
Shanti Stupa	3,609	11,841
Hall of Fame	3,550	11,647
Magnetic Hill	3,352	10,997
Sangam	3,170	10,400
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib	3,600	11,811
Hemis Monastery	3,710	12,172
Thiksey Monastery	3,600	11,811
Shey Palace	3,440	11,286
Stok Palace	3,650	11,975
Alchi Monastery	3,100	10,171
Lamayuru Monastery	3,510	11,516
Likir Monastery	3,700	12,139
Diskit Monastery	3,144	10,315
Chemrey Monastery	3,650	11,975
Phyang Monastery	3,700	12,139
Spituk Monastery	3,307	10,850
Sindhu Ghat	3,420	11,220
Chadar Trek Start	3,500	11,483
Markha Valley	3,850	12,631
Zanskar Valley	3,657	11,998
Nubra Valley	3,100	10,171
Moonland Lamayuru	3,510	11,516
Choglamsar	3,420	11,220
Agling	3,470	11,384
Nimmoo	3,140	10,302
Saspol	3,200	10,499
Tar Village	3,820	12,533
Mangyu	3,300	10,827
Skurbuchan	3,450	11,319
Domkhar	3,650	11,975
Achinathang	3,250	10,663
Hemis Shukpachan	3,720	12,205
Temisgam	3,180	10,433
Chilling	3,200	10,499
Skiu	3,400	11,155
Kaya	3,500	11,483
Markha	3,760	12,336
Hankar	4,000	13,123
Nimaling	4,840	15,879
Shang Sumdo	3,750	12,303
Rumbak	3,960	12,992
Yurutse	4,150	13,615
Ganda La	4,980	16,339
Stok La	4,900	16,076
Kongmaru La	5,260	17,257
Gandhak	3,700	12,139
Saboo Phu	4,250	13,944
Matho	3,500	11,483
Stakmo	3,450	11,319
Miru	3,450	11,319
Gya	4,070	13,353
Rumtse	4,200	13,780
Debring	4,830	15,846
More Plains	4,700	15,420
Pang	4,600	15,092
Sarchu	4,290	14,075
Whisky Nallah	4,150	13,615
Bharatpur Camp	4,700	15,420
Gata Loops	4,660	15,289
Moore Plains Viewpoint	4,720	15,486
Tso Kar Wetlands	4,530	14,862
Thukje Village	4,550	14,928
Polokongka La	4,920	16,142
Nuruchan	4,600	15,092
Kiagar Tso	4,700	15,420
Nurpa La	4,980	16,339
Chumur	4,350	14,272
Demchok	4,260	13,976
Fukche	4,200	13,780
Tsaga	4,450	14,600
Koyul	4,350	14,272
Hanle Observatory	4,500	14,764
Photoksar	4,050	13,287
Singe La	5,050	16,568
Sirsir La	4,850	15,912
Kanji	3,950	12,959
Wanla Monastery	3,220	10,564
Rizong Monastery	3,450	11,319
Sumda Chenmo	3,850	12,631
Sumda Chun	3,780	12,402
Takmachik	3,150	10,335
Bodh Kharbu	3,250	10,663
Mulbekh	3,304	10,840
Mulbekh Monastery	3,320	10,892
Wakha	3,250	10,663
Shergol	3,280	10,761
Shergol Monastery	3,310	10,860
Kartse Khar	2,950	9,678
Kukarchey	3,200	10,499
Chiktan	3,150	10,335
Chiktan Fort	3,180	10,433
Sanjak	3,100	10,171
Bema	3,000	9,843
Garkone	2,950	9,678
Darchik	2,900	9,514
Silmo	2,950	9,678
Hunderman	3,100	10,171
Hunderman Museum	3,110	10,203
Suru Valley	3,000	9,843
Parkachik	3,250	10,663
Nun Base Camp	4,100	13,451
Kun Base Camp	4,120	13,517
Umasi La	5,300	17,388
Shafat Glacier	4,600	15,092
Drang Drung Glacier	4,780	15,682
Penzi Village	4,350	14,272
Stongdey	3,900	12,795
Stongdey Monastery	3,920	12,861
Karsha	3,560	11,680
Karsha Monastery	3,600	11,811
Zangla	3,500	11,483
Zangla Palace	3,520	11,549
Sani	3,650	11,975
Sani Monastery	3,670	12,041
Bardan Monastery	3,850	12,631
Muney Monastery	3,780	12,402
Phugtal Monastery	3,900	12,795
Cha Monastery	3,820	12,533
Ichar	3,750	12,303
Testa	3,680	12,073
Pipiting	3,620	11,877
Pibiting	3,610	11,844

Place

Altitude (m)

Altitude (ft)

Leh

3,500

11,483

Kargil

2,676

8,780

Diskit

3,144

10,315

Hunder

3,048

10,000

Sumur

3,100

10,171

Panamik

3,180

10,433

Turtuk

3,001

9,846

Tyakshi

2,900

9,514

Thoise

3,068

10,066

Khalsar

3,250

10,663

Tangtse

3,900

12,795

Spangmik

4,250

13,944

Merak

4,350

14,272

Mann

4,330

14,206

Chushul

4,360

14,304

Hanle

4,250

13,944

Nyoma

4,180

13,714

Loma

4,100

13,451

Mahe

4,050

13,287

Korzok

4,595

15,075

Puga

4,400

14,436

Chumathang

3,970

13,025

Upshi

3,450

11,319

Karu

3,520

11,549

Sakti

3,800

12,467

Chemrey

3,650

11,975

Hemis

3,700

12,139

Stakna

3,450

11,319

Shey

3,440

11,286

Thiksey

3,600

11,811

Stok

3,650

11,975

Saboo

3,500

11,483

Phyang

3,700

12,139

Basgo

3,300

10,827

Alchi

3,100

10,171

Likir

3,700

12,139

Yangthang

3,650

11,975

Uleytokpo

3,100

10,171

Tingmosgang

3,150

10,335

Lamayuru

3,510

11,516

Wanla

3,200

10,499

Dha

3,050

10,007

Hanu

3,100

10,171

Batalik

2,900

9,514

Drass

3,280

10,761

Sankoo

2,950

9,678

Panikhar

3,200

10,499

Rangdum

3,657

11,998

Padum

3,657

11,998

Purne

3,850

12,631

Kargyak

4,200

13,780

Shingo La

5,091

16,703

Pensi La

4,400

14,436

Khardung La

5,359

17,582

Chang La

5,360

17,586

Taglang La

5,328

17,480

Wari La

5,312

17,428

Namika La

3,700

12,139

Fotu La

4,108

13,478

Lachulung La

5,059

16,598

Nakee La

4,739

15,548

Baralacha La

4,890

16,043

Zoji La

3,528

11,575

Hambuting La

4,300

14,108

Hor La

4,950

16,240

Rezang La

5,000

16,404

Umling La

5,798

19,022

Nurbu La

5,600

18,373

Kongka La

5,171

16,965

Marsimik La

5,582

18,314

Pangong Lake

4,350

14,272

Tso Moriri

4,522

14,836

Tso Kar

4,530

14,862

Yaya Tso

4,820

15,814

Mirpal Tso

4,900

16,076

Kyagar Tso

4,700

15,420

Ryul Tso

4,650

15,256

Leh Palace

3,550

11,647

Shanti Stupa

3,609

11,841

Hall of Fame

3,550

11,647

Magnetic Hill

3,352

10,997

Sangam

3,170

10,400

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib

3,600

11,811

Hemis Monastery

3,710

12,172

Thiksey Monastery

3,600

11,811

Shey Palace

3,440

11,286

Stok Palace

3,650

11,975

Alchi Monastery

3,100

10,171

Lamayuru Monastery

3,510

11,516

Likir Monastery

3,700

12,139

Diskit Monastery

3,144

10,315

Chemrey Monastery

3,650

11,975

Phyang Monastery

3,700

12,139

Spituk Monastery

3,307

10,850

Sindhu Ghat

3,420

11,220

Chadar Trek Start

3,500

11,483

Markha Valley

3,850

12,631

Zanskar Valley

3,657

11,998

Nubra Valley

3,100

10,171

Moonland Lamayuru

3,510

11,516

Choglamsar

3,420

11,220

Agling

3,470

11,384

Nimmoo

3,140

10,302

Saspol

3,200

10,499

Tar Village

3,820

12,533

Mangyu

3,300

10,827

Skurbuchan

3,450

11,319

Domkhar

3,650

11,975

Achinathang

3,250

10,663

Hemis Shukpachan

3,720

12,205

Temisgam

3,180

10,433

Chilling

3,200

10,499

Skiu

3,400

11,155

Kaya

3,500

11,483

Markha

3,760

12,336

Hankar

4,000

13,123

Nimaling

4,840

15,879

Shang Sumdo

3,750

12,303

Rumbak

3,960

12,992

Yurutse

4,150

13,615

Ganda La

4,980

16,339

Stok La

4,900

16,076

Kongmaru La

5,260

17,257

Gandhak

3,700

12,139

Saboo Phu

4,250

13,944

Matho

3,500

11,483

Stakmo

3,450

11,319

Miru

3,450

11,319

Gya

4,070

13,353

Rumtse

4,200

13,780

Debring

4,830

15,846

More Plains

4,700

15,420

Pang

4,600

15,092

Sarchu

4,290

14,075

Whisky Nallah

4,150

13,615

Bharatpur Camp

4,700

15,420

Gata Loops

4,660

15,289

Moore Plains Viewpoint

4,720

15,486

Tso Kar Wetlands

4,530

14,862

Thukje Village

4,550

14,928

Polokongka La

4,920

16,142

Nuruchan

4,600

15,092

Kiagar Tso

4,700

15,420

Nurpa La

4,980

16,339

Chumur

4,350

14,272

Demchok

4,260

13,976

Fukche

4,200

13,780

Tsaga

4,450

14,600

Koyul

4,350

14,272

Hanle Observatory

4,500

14,764

Photoksar

4,050

13,287

Singe La

5,050

16,568

Sirsir La

4,850

15,912

Kanji

3,950

12,959

Wanla Monastery

3,220

10,564

Rizong Monastery

3,450

11,319

Sumda Chenmo

3,850

12,631

Sumda Chun

3,780

12,402

Takmachik

3,150

10,335

Bodh Kharbu

3,250

10,663

Mulbekh

3,304

10,840

Mulbekh Monastery

3,320

10,892

Wakha

3,250

10,663

Shergol

3,280

10,761

Shergol Monastery

3,310

10,860

Kartse Khar

2,950

9,678

Kukarchey

3,200

10,499

Chiktan

3,150

10,335

Chiktan Fort

3,180

10,433

Sanjak

3,100

10,171

Bema

3,000

9,843

Garkone

2,950

9,678

Darchik

2,900

9,514

Silmo

2,950

9,678

Hunderman

3,100

10,171

Hunderman Museum

3,110

10,203

Suru Valley

3,000

9,843

Parkachik

3,250

10,663

Nun Base Camp

4,100

13,451

Kun Base Camp

4,120

13,517

Umasi La

5,300

17,388

Shafat Glacier

4,600

15,092

Drang Drung Glacier

4,780

15,682

Penzi Village

4,350

14,272

Stongdey

3,900

12,795

Stongdey Monastery

3,920

12,861

Karsha

3,560

11,680

Karsha Monastery

3,600

11,811

Zangla

3,500

11,483

Zangla Palace

3,520

11,549

Sani

3,650

11,975

Sani Monastery

3,670

12,041

Bardan Monastery

3,850

12,631

Muney Monastery

3,780

12,402

Phugtal Monastery

3,900

12,795

Cha Monastery

3,820

12,533

Ichar

3,750

12,303

Testa

3,680

12,073

Pipiting

3,620

11,877

Pibiting

3,610

11,844

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Lesser-Known Facts About Ladakh: Surprising Secrets of India’s High-Altitude Desert

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