Breathtaking landscapes, crystal clear skies, the highest mountain road pass in the world: Welcome to Ladakh

Ladakh, a union territory on the northern wall which forms a part of India, predominantly of the Kashmir region.  Famously known as the "Land of the High Passes", Ladakh is famous for its beautiful panoramic mountain ranges along with its distinct culture. Buddhists form the majority of the population in the region which makes up for the evident buddhist-tibetan culture in the valley. The best way to get to Ladakh from Delhi is by road as the journey is sheathed with spectacular mountain ranges, valleys and river streams. 

Here is a list of top things to eat/do/indulge in when in Ladakh

 

What to eat?

v  Momos

Momos are dumplings with a filling of chicken/meat/veggies wrapped in dough. Served best with red chilli sauce, they come in different forms i.e., steamed or fried. They are steamed in a wooden container called "mokto" which has a number of holes for the steam to pass through the container easily. Momos stand as a favourite among the locals and undoubtedly has picked up its popularity in all parts of India. 

 

v  Thukpa

A soupy textured noodle dish, Thukpa comes under the staple diet of people of Ladakh. It can be made both with assorted vegetables and with minced chicken/meat. The ice cold temperatures of Ladakh make Thukpa as a heavenly dish as the broth warms the body and the spices are rich in heat. Available at almost every restaurant in Ladakh, you cannot miss this one!

 

v  Chhurpe 

Chhurpe is dried yak cheese, which is made from the milk of dzomo (a hybrid of cattle and yak in Ladakh). Chhurpe is added to many local dishes including Thukpa as it enhances the flavour and is a great source of vitamins and proteins. 

 

v  Apricot Jam

One would think what is so special about the apricot jam as it is readily available in any store all over the world. The difference is of the authenticity of the apricots ("chulli") found locally in Ladakh. The fruit is grown and found in abundance in the region and is usually enjoyed with bread or "Khambir".

 

v  Chhang

Ladakh's local beer, Chhang is served as a welcome drink to visitors and guests. Made from Barley fermentation, the alcohol content of the drink measures upto 5-7%. A rather interesting tradition is that if Chhang is offered to a girl's family for marriage proposal, and it is accepted then it is considered a yes from the girl's family. Usually it is served with a small piece of butter as a sign of respect.

Must visits of Ladakh 

§  A visit to the Chumathang Hot Springs

Well known for its hot springs, Chumathang is a small town in Leh. It is believed that the hot springs possess medicinal properties, attracting a lot of tourists to itself. It is a spellbound experience to indulge in considering the nipping temperatures of Leh.

 

§  A stay at a Monastery

The region has magnanimous Gompas and every monastery is significant of the dominant Buddhist culture in the valley. Thikse, Lamauru and Hemis Monastery are a few which allow for a night stay for the visitors. One can have interesting conversations with the Lamas about their lifestyle and learn about the world famous Buddhist culture by spending some quality time at the monastery.

 

§  The Nubra Valley

A visit to the Nubra Valley is something you cannot miss for the sheer exuberance of nature that the valley offers. The valley is known as the Orchard of Ladakh and derived from the word Ldumra (the valley of flowers). The valley is famous for its flowers (orchards), Bactrian Camels and monasteries. A must visit if you are in the region!

 

§  The Hemis Festival

Celebrated at the Hemis Monastery, the festival is celebrated every year. It is a two day festival and marks the victory of good over evil since it is believed that Lord Padamsambhav defeated the evil forces. The festival is celebrated on a huge scale by the locals and it is one of a kind experience to be a part of it. The dance called "cham" is the main show stealer of the festival. A slow dance, it symbolises the victory of good over evil and makes of a beholding attraction with beautiful lamas engaging the crowd. Apart from the dance, you can shop for unique Tibetan souvenirs or indulge in some local hot scrumptious food. 

SEO strategy: 

I chose the top 5 best dishes which I think should not be missed while visiting the beautiful land of Ladakh

Ladakh is not a very popular tourist destination as it on the border with neighboring country Pakistan.It is a city with heavy military influx and is used as a basecamp for training military personnel, hence requires travel agent or local companion to travel with. Nonetheless, it is an untouched beauty of land where there are pristine water bodies, tall mountains and clear blue skies. The blog talks about what to eat and what surely to do while visiting ladakh.

This should help drive traffic towards ladakh and towards the local delicacies which are available in other cities of the country.

The short tail keywords that I choose for the SEO of this food and drink travel blog was #Ladakh #Buddhist & the long tail keyword that I choose was #beautiful destination in India

I used the keywords that best highlight the destination along with giving a taste of the local delicacies in the article.