Whenever we talk about Ladhakh, the places that pop up in our mind are Khardung La Pass or Pangong Tso Lake or Nubra Valley or Shanti Stupa.
But that's not where Ladhakh and its tourism end.
The land of phantasmagoric and fabulous landscapes has some superabundance of attractions, which still are not much explored.
Hence, OYO has listed some of the off-beat places, which even the travel junkies have probably not heard about.
1. Zanskar Valley- Ladakh's adventure hub
If adventure is on your mind, then Zanskar Valley is the best place in Ladakh. Try rafting on the Zanskar river, if you love the adrenaline rush. The rafting stretch from Remala to the confluence of the river with the Indus near Nimmoo is over 155 km long. River rafting on Zanskar river will give you a chance to experience white waters, swift descents and pass through gorges.
2. Uleytokpo
If you're looking for a quiet place in the lap of nature, then Uleytokpo is the perfect place to visit. Uleytokpo is a camping ground and is about 60 km from the city of Leh. Accommodation wouldn't be an issue since tents or proper cottages are easily available. The only sound you would get to hear would be chirping of birds or stream of river.
3. Sumur
Sumur is a small village on the banks of Nubra river. Samstanling Gompa is the most remarkable place in the area. It's a monastery which was built in 1841. The pictures of bright and colourful paintings of various deities will surely draw your attention.
Apart from the monastery, you can also try hiking in Sumur. There are numerous trails which lead to smaller villages at higher altitudes. So, if you're fond of trekking, then you can't afford to miss a follow trail from here.
4. Changthang
Ladakh has often been compared to Tibet because of the resemblance in their cultures, which is primarily influenced by Buddhism. Changthang Plateau, a place in Ladakh but is actually a part of Tibet which is another reason it's a relevant comparison. It's located at an altitude of 15,400 feet and is colder as compared to rest of the region of Ladakh. You will hardly find any tree which can be easily seen in other parts of Ladakh. If you're a nature lover, you can head to Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and see wolves, snow leopards, bharals, gazelles and loads of regional birds.
5. Hot springs in Chumathang
Apart from the adventure and sightseeing, Ladakh also offers options to relax and unwind - though not in the way of other cities. Due to the high altitude, it is common to experience altitude sickness or get tired easily. The hot springs in Chumathang are natural pools on the banks of the Indus River, and like a natural sauna that will help relieve tiredness and fatigue.
When asked about setting up hospitality business at such unexplored destinations, Ritesh Agarwal, the founder and CEO of OYO , told, "Setting up hospitality infrastructure at a relatively unknown or smaller destination can be challenging since the business is typically capital-intensive and dependent on predictable demand."
Further speaking about the hospitality scope, he said, "Public-private partnerships, with support from local government or administration, can usher new jobs and development in the region. Quality hotel infrastructure, coupled with affordable pricing, will ensure greater tourist inflow, and growing demand will spur more supply."
