The creases of time have shaped the rugged beauty of this desolate land. The rocky terrains, the lunar landscape, turbulent rivers, the nechanting valleys, picturesque lakes, all forming a pristine backdrop to some of the most magnificent and ancient monasteries and monuments. Ladakh is land steeped in antiquity, where people still adhere to traditional attires, customs and mores of bygone era. A land located at the crossroads of Asia, where cultural influences from diverse areas of the regions have harmonized in a heritage.



Ladakh is forsaken for almost half of the year. Only local people are there also in extreme conditions they descend to plains during winters. Even in Summer serious winter gear is necessary to save from chilled weather conditions. The barren landscape is punctuated by snow-fed rivers, such as Indus, Shyok, Nubra and Zanskar. The stark beauty of the landscape where ridges and troughs sprinkled with snow, frozen rivers transformed into fearless fearsome glaciers and frozen lakes and unlimited space, abundant natural water and extreme cold weather condition make it the perfect home for a large variety of wildlife.

Ladakh’s earlies inhabitants were nomads yak herders but permanent settlements were established by Buddhist pilgrims. Buddhism soon became a dominant religion. Time to time different invaders took control of Ladakh but Buddhism bounced back. Unlike rest of Kashmir, Ladakh rarely comes in public eye for violence. Ladakh is dominated by Buddhism with smaller communities of Shia and Sunni Muslim in Leh and the valleys surrounding Zanskar and Kargil.

Sights And Activities

High Altitude lakes
‘Roof of the world’ have some of the beautiful and biggest lakes seems to touch the sky. Fed by snowmelt from the peaks mantled by snow and glaciers, these giant saucers of tranquility reflect in hushed silence of the peaks that girdle them. The biggest one is the Pangong Tso. This 130 km long lake is also a prehistoric one, swamping through the valley that straddles India and China. In the eastern Ladakh, Tso Kar or salt lake lies 76 km north west of Tso Moriri and 154 km away from Leh. Located at an altitude of 4480m, it is also known as white lake on account of the salt deposits around it . like other lakes, this lake too has no outlet and the water of the lake is extremely brackish.
Monasteries In Ladakh
Ladakh is dotted with numerous beautiful monasteries called Gompas, where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice their religion. The monasteries lies on hills and mountains and preserve rare collections Thangka paintings, art and artifacts. Hemis Gompa is the largest one in Ladakh, adorned with large beautiful frescoes on the walls . Every year in the month of June –July annual Tse Chu Festival is held. Another important monastery is Thiksey monastery, which is 12 storey high and have a vast collection of Buddhist art. Other important monasteries are Lamayuru, Shey, Alchi, Likir, and Spituk monastery.

Mountaineering
Ladakh is mountaineer’s paradise. The mountaineering adventure in Ladakh is a serious affair and require much preparations. There are few companies offers mountaineering packages. Popular high altitude trekking ascents including the popular four day climb up Stock Kangri (6212m) and treks to the base of the Nun Kun Massif (7135m).

White Water Rafting And Kayaking
Ladakh afford to have some of the best rafting places in the world. The season starts from July to September. The turbulent Indus and Zanskar rivers are the best to keep your adrenaline high. Grades vary from I to III on the Indus and II to IV on the Zanskar. The most popular trip is the short but thrilling run from Phey to Nimmu near Leh (Grade II to III).