WELCOME
TO LADAKH
There are few places left in the world like Ladakh. It lies in
the Great Himalayan rain shadow, so receives no monsoon during
the summer, but hefty snowfall throughout its long (November –
Late May) winter. In summer it is a high, arid fortress surrounded
by vast peaks and trisected by the swift, snow – laden Indus
and Zanskar rivers.
The landscape resembles that of neighbouring
Tibet (This area is sometimes called “ Little Libet”)
, as does the appearance of the people, their religion –
devoutly Buddhist – and the magnificent monasteries perched
imperiously on granite crags and steep hillsides.
High and mighty though Ladakh is, it is easily
approached either by flying directly to the capital Leh from Delhi
(allow 3-4 days for acclimatization) or by road from Manali in
Himachal Pradesh ( a 02 days trip).
Leh stands at 3,521m/ 11,552 ft. and the surrounding
flat areas are on a par. It is warm in the sun but the temperature
drops at night, even in midsummer.
Trekking in Ladakh is as unique as the land itself.
Leh, the divisional headquarters, is accessible from Srinagar,
Delhi and Chandigarh by air and bus. Ladakh is the land of insurmountable
mountains and fascinating monasteries. It lies on the tri- junction
of the historic ‘ Silk Route’ from Sinkiang to West
Asia and to the plains of India. There are a number of interesting
places and monasteries to visit in and around Leh. Some of the
important places are: Leh Palace, the monasteries of Shey, Hemis,
Alchi, Thikse and Lamayuru. Markha Valley trek over Gongmaru La
and Gandha La is the most adventurous. Another trekking trail
leads southwards from Alchi and after crossing Stapski La, turns
around and reaches Nimu. Yet another trail towards north of Leh
climbs over Khardung La and reaches the Nubra Valley.
For the purpose of trekking, the region can be
divided into three – The area around Kargil, the Indus Valley
and Zanskar.
KARGIL(LADAKH)-
This area lies just behind the Zoji La Pass, and the center is
Kargil, a small town with cobbled streets surrounded by apricot
groves. Good panoramas of the Himalaya can be obtained on 03-04
day treks from Sanko to Drass via Umba, and on the more demanding
Sanko to Mulbek via the Wakka La Pass at 4,930m.
INDUS VALLEY(LADAKH)-
At an average elevation of 3500 m is sand-witched between the
Zanskar Range on its South and the Ladakh Range on its North,
This is the geographical backbone, and the historical heartland
of Ladakh. All major sites connected with its dynastic history
are here, starting with Leh, the capital city. The bulk of the
population resides along the Indus. Its main attraction are the
numerous Buddhist monasteries, quaint villages, fairs , festivals
and bazars. Air and road communications converage at Leh.
ZANSKAR( LADAKH)-
One of Ladakh’s remotest regions. A 300 km long valley ringed
by mountains, only accessible by high passes. The Valley of Zanskar
is situated in the inner Himalaya and is higher than most areas
of Ladakh. The climate is very Harsh and receives very little
rain fall. The twin peaks of Nun-Kun, its Monasteries and its
extremely rugged, awe-aspiring landscape are its main attractions.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
LEH(LADAKH) - Mid Jun to Mid - October
