Nature tours in Ladakh are best undertaken during summer when the temperature is ideal and the splendour of the mountains unfold in full majesty. Nature tours in Ladakh comprise a visit to the valleys, glaciers, lakes, mountain ranges and passes, plains and plateaus and wildlife sanctuaries. The flora and fauna of Ladakh are the chief highlights of such a trip.
One of the most beautiful paces in Ladakh is the Nubra Valley. The valley gets covered in endless bushes of yellow and pink wild roses and sometimes the valley is filled with a layer of wild lavender. The Diskit village located near Khalsar is one of the bigger villages of the valley. Decked with apricot plantations all over, this village in Ladakh is a perfect place to enjoy pristine nature. A small population of Bactrain camels, shaggy double-humped animals, is also observed in this locality. The flora of Ladakh, though scarce, is a most beautiful sight. Most of the greenery found here can be observed along the riverbanks and valleys. The Manali-Leh road straddles the Tsomoriri Valley and contains the drainage basins of the Tso-moriri and other lakes. It is known as Rupshu. Among other beautiful valleys in the region which must be visited when on a nature tour here are the Drass valley which is known for its Brokpas, Rupshu Valley with its salt water lake, Shyok Valley with the `Shyok river` or the river of death and the Suru valley for the beautiful snowfall here. Apart from this, large numbers of tourists also visit the Salt Lake Valley. Thuggi is the main area of settlement in this valley. There are two lakes here- the smaller fresh water lake known as Panluk Lake and the larger salt-water lake which is known as Tsokar Lake.
The fauna found in Ladakh covers and enchanting range of species typical to the mountain climate. There are a number of different species of birds found along the various lakes such as the bareheaded goose, the great crested grebe, the Brahmini duck (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown-headed gull. Eco tourism offered in the valley allows the tourists to view a number of animal such as the wild Yak, snow leopard, the unique Kyang or the wild horse, musk deerX, marmots, mouse hares, stone martens, red foxes, wolves, ibex, bharal and shapu. Some of the rarer animals in the area include the Nyan (big horned sheep), chim (Tibetan antelope famed for its fleece-Shahtoosh), goa (Tibetan gazelle), lynx, pallas cat, kyamg (wild horse) or brong dong (wild yak).
There are many sanctuaries and reserved areas in Ladakh set up for the preservation of different species of flora and fauna. One of the best among such parks is the Hemis National Park known for its excellent variety of rare species. The park area is adorned with forests of juniper, birch, fir, alpine grasslands and scrublands. Apart from this, different kinds of animals and birds can also be sighted here such as the snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope including snow partridge and golden oriol. Other wildlife sanctuaries in the area include the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Noorichan Wildlife Sanctuary, Tsomoriri wetland conservation reserve, Pangong Tso wetland Conservation Reserve, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary can be named.
Thus nature tourism in Ladakh has a lot to offer the tourist.
