Ladakh is home to some of the most charming, heart-melting and blissfully beautiful villages in the world.

With quaint surroundings, idyllic houses and fantastic views, these evoke the romance of a time gone by, providing for the perfect backdrop for a village adventure.

Here is a look at the most mesmerising village of Ladakh - from the famous quintessential Himalayan villages where Ladakhi culture still courses through to postcard-pretty secluded hamlets.

1. Turtuk Village

Tucked away in the Baltistan region (most of which is in Pakistan), Turtuk is the northernmost village in India.

Understandably remote with a few houses fringed all across the valley, this pretty Ladakhi village is famous as the haven of the last people who speak the language Balti (a mix of Persian and Irani).

Other than that the village brims with beautiful apricots fields and lush greenery to begin with.

Turtuk is a hidden gem of Ladakh. So, it takes quite a treat to reach it.

2. Lingshed Village

Glorious history and a culturally rich monastery lure real travellers to Lingshed, a storybook hamlet in the Zanskar valley.

Lingshed or Lingshet is an archetypical Ladakhi Village with a history that dates back 900 years.

A peaceful and historic village, Lingshed brims with beautiful lush green meadows and mighty landscapes. Adding to its whimsical setting is living traditions of the village that till date are as authentic as they once were.

Although it takes a 224km cab ride and a difficult 8km trek to reach this village, the destination is worth all the pain, so much so that the 14th Dalai Lama also visited this hamlet in his lifetime.

If you are feeling adventurous, reach this village via Chadar trek. Believe us; if you do, you will be thankful.

Fun fact: Vibrant Buddhist Festivals also take place in this village on a yearly basis. So, if you happen to be nearby around this time do pay this village a visit.

3. Padum Village

A former capital of the Zanskar region, Padum is located at the centre of the tri-armed Zanskar Valley.

With a wide-open village green, vibrant community spirit, and storybook looks, no wonder adventure travellers around the globe prefer it. Yes, you read that right, Padum is not that secluded after all.

For a village inhabited by people of Tibetan descent, Padum has a decent amount of monasteries around its vicinity.

Among them, the Phuktal Monastery grabs all eyes. Why? That’s because it is built in and around cave formation giving it the name the “Cave Monastery”. To reach Phuktal, you need to take a day’s trek from Padum.

Another impressive monastery that is located about 6kms from Padum is the Sani Monastery, one out of the eight holy Buddhist Sites in the world.

Furthermore, if you feel like it, do see the Kursha, Bardan and Photang Monasteries too.

Fun fact: there is also a palace in ruins in the vicinity of the village. Don’t forget to give it a visit while you are there.

4. Merak Village

Almost entirely covered with the vistas of barren mountains and the Pangong Tso, Merak is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

Considered to be the last authentic part of Pangong Tso, Merak is the perfect place to unwind and forget about worldly charms.

About an hour drive away from Pangong Tso Lake you can find this picturesque paradise basking in its tranquility.

There are a total of two to three homestays in this village all worth your time and money as they are the actual representation of Ladakhi culture.

We’d highly recommend you to spend the night sky gazing in absolute silence, we bet you will appreciate nature a little more after that.

5. Panamik Village

Set around the scenic Siachen Glacier, Panamik is Ladakh's most charming village famous for its sulphur hot water springs.

Panamik is the final frontier village in proximity to Indo-Tibetan border. Located 150 kms from Leh, this sleepy village is a dream with barren beauty and dramatic terrain.

This hamlet is also famous for its Ensa Monastery and the trek leading up to this destination.

Ensa is a 250 year old monastery famous for its Buddhist murals.

Also, while you are here, your eyesight will be swarmed with the views of bacterial camels (two humped camels) and pashmina goats.

Missing some shopping expeditions? Well you are lucky as Panamik is also one id the best places to shop for Kashmiri carpets, pashmina shawls and woolen socks.

6. Itchoo Village

Itchoo is hands down one of the most beautiful villages that there is in Ladakh. Dramatic sceneries and kilometers of greenery adorn this most isolated village.

Secluded and tucked away in the absolute middle of nowhere, this village in the Kargil district is only accessible by a 10 km trek across steep mountain trails.

In winters, this trial is buried in snow and avalanches making it difficult to spot the village. The only way then to reach the village then is by walking on the frozen Phu Lungma stream.

7. Kanji Village

Last but not the least we have Kanji - a gorgeous village laden with tall mountain peaks and a river carved into the foothills.

With a scenery that is mostly monochromatic, the village and the route that leads up to it scream wilderness.

Reaching this village is easier from other remote locations on this list as a mostly comfortable 12 km road route from Leh will drop you here.

Travel to this village during the golden hours or at dusk to witness the scenery turn gold.

That’s it! We hope you liked our list. If you are interested in more on Ladakh, do visit us @ www.thegrandindianroute.com for more details. We have tons of information on villages and scenic destinations. Plus, if you are interested we will even help you craft a trip around it.