ABOUT LADAKH

Ladakh is bounded by world's two mightiest mountain ranges the great Himalayan and the Karakoram, It lies athwart two others The Ladakh and the Zanskar range. It lies at altitude ranging from about 2,750m to 7,673m. The temperature in summer goes upto 27C and in winter it drops down to minus 20C. Monks at Thiksey Monastery hermits and Nuns. Islam came to Ladakh from central Asia and Kashmir after 15th century AD. Now the Kargil, Drass and Suru valley is populated by Shia and Sunis are in Leh and Kargil in smaller scale.

It leaves the first time traveler awestruck by its geographical and cultural difference as they land at Leh. The features of Ladakhi people, their clothes, dialects are similar to Tibetan and Mongoloid then Indian. The Mons from Kullu and Tibet were the first population immigrants to Ladakh as shepherds' nomads and settled down near Indus River. Later drads and others immigrated to Lower Ladakh. Due to cultural and geographical similarities Ladakh is popular among tourists as Little Tibet. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Ladakh while Kargil district is dominated by Muslims and Buddhist. The approach to Ladakh is invariably marked with many walls that are long upto 2 to 3m, decorated with engraved stones bearing the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" and Chortens which symbolizes Buddha's mind . The Villages and Mountains are ornamented with gonpa or monastery residing thousand of Buddhist monks,

PLACES IN LADAKH

LEH - Leh is the headquarter of Leh District, and the largest town of the region. It is located to the north of the Indus River at an elevation of 3600m above the sea level. The town is dominated by the nine-storey Namgyal Palace and Namgyal Tsemo (victory peak), built by Tashi Namgyal on his victorious in reunification of the Upper and Lower Ladakh. Leh became the capital of Stod (upper Ladakh) during the reign of king Graspa Bum- Lde,who ruled Ladakh from 1400 to 1430 AD. In the later period, Leh became an important center for trade in Central Asia. Leh remained merely a headquarter of Ladakh district until 1974, when Ladakh was opened for foreign tourists. Since then period Leh became the centre for tourism related activities in the region. Leh provides medium and lower class accommodation, with hundreds of guesthouses and hotels, which can suite every budget. Restaurants offer good multicuisine for a reasonable price. There are number of tour Operator/Travel Agents around the town, who look after travelers requirements. Tour of Buddihist monasteries can be organised in one or two days, as all the famous monasteries are within a drive of one or two days from Leh. For information on monasteries please check monastery section of this web site.

KARGIL - Kargil, the headquarter of Kargil district, is around 204 Kms. to the east of Srinagar and 234 Kms. to the west of Leh.It was a transit point of caravans on their way to and from China, Tibet, Yarken and Kashmir till 1949, but since 1974 tourism has replaced as centre for tourism related activities . Torurists travelling between Zangskar, Leh and Srinagar have to make a night halt here, before starting for the second day of their journey. Kargil is located on the bank of the Suru River which flows at around 10,000 ft. high. Here people were followers of Buddhist religion till the 14th century AD. Presently, Kargil is inhabited by Muslims of Shia sect.

ZANSKAR - Zangskar valley lies to the south west of Leh, surrounded by the Himalayan and Zangskar ranges, which is the most isolated of all the trans- Himalayan valleys.
Zangskar comprises of two main valleys of Stod (Doda chu) and Lunak (Tsarab chu), which converge below at Padum. The valley has an area of about 5,000 sqr. Kms. and an elevation of 13,154 ft. The area remains inaccessible for nearly 7 months in the year. All the high passes are close in the winter and the river freeze on the surface. Zanskaris walk along the frozon river to reach the Indus River in Nimoo village, which is known as the Chadar trek. The route from Kargil to Padum via Penzi La is the only motorable road to reach Zangskar valley, which remains open from June to September. The Kargil to Padum Road was completed in the late 70s. Even today this road is not mettaled and has been neglected by Govt. localites are trying to start construction of Chadar road from Nimo to Padum, which would be the shortest route if contructed.Zanskar has lot of beautiful Buddist monasteries like Zongkhul, Bardan, Stongde, Karsha, Phuktal and Sunni Palace and most of monasteries and be visited in a day or two by Jeep from Padum.

NUBRA VALLEY - The Nubra means Ldumra (the valley of flowers), situated in the north of Leh. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. The main attraction in this area is Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet.) above sea level. This Tour can be organized for 3 days 2 nights. The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardongla (the highest motor able road in the world) 18380 ft. around 50 kms. away from Leh. After crossing the pass, you can have a view of Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit (the main villages of Nubra valley). The Deskit village offers Guest Houses and lower budget hotels. The Camel safari can be organized from Deskit to Hunder village for 2 hours. Hundar village has small monastery and it is located on ancient Silk Route