Ladakh is variously known as ‘the land of many passes and mystic lamas’, ‘broken moon’, ‘little Tibet’ and even ‘the last Shangri-La’ – and no wonder… The region is bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram and it lies athwart two others, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range.
Amongst the highest of the world's inhabited plateaus, Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 2,750 m at Kargil to 7,672 m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Its mountain ranges are strikingly parallel, stretching through the region from southeast to north-west. It has an area of about 97,000 km2, of which only about a half percent is inhabitable, and a population of approximately 200,000.
In geological terms, this is a young land, formed a few million years ago by the buckling and folding of the earth's crust as the Indian subcontinent pushed with irresistible force against the immovable mass of Asia. Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on south-east plateaus of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins or lakes of Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Tso. However, the main source of water is winter snowfall.
For centuries, Ladakh has been an important center of trade between India and the countries of Central Asia. Leh, the capital served as the terminus for caravans. Today, thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this mysterious land every year. They are fascinated by the natural grandeur of the entire region and more so by the hospitality and simplicity of the people. The geographical and cultural difference from the rest of India is striking; the features of Ladakhi people, their clothes and dialects are distinctly Tibetan or Mongoloid rather than Indian. These people, as well as their monasteries perched on hilltops overlooking the villages down below, the huge statues depicting the Buddhist philosophy of life, the fine Buddhist frescos and unending mountain ranges are each one of them a wonder and a miracle for the visitor.
How to Reach Ladakh:
Overland Approach - The overland approach to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via Kargil is approx. 434 Km, which remains open for traffic from early June to November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet 3,505 m high Zoji-La, the pass in the Great Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway to Ladakh. The J & K State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey. Groups can charter Deluxe and A-class buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum (Zangskar) from the J & K SRTC at Srinagar.
Manali to Leh - Since 1989, the 473 km. Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second overland approach to Ladakh. Open for traffic from around mid-June to early October. This high road traverses the upland desert plateau of Rupsho, altitude ranges from 3,660m to 4,570m. A number of high passes fall enroute among which the highest one known as Taklang-La is world's second highest motorable pass at an altitude of 17,469 feet/5,235m. Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. The bus journey between Leh and Manali takes about 19 hours or two days with an overnight halt in camps at Serchu or Pang. Maruti Gypsy and jeep taxis are also available, both at Manali and Leh at quite reasonable rates.
Ladakh Weather:
Ladakh experiences extreme climatic variations much for its high altitude. The region is also sparsely populated. Greater Himalaya range of location exposes the place to extreme winters. At an altitude of 3521 meters above the sea level, the months of December and January are freezing below minus degree Celsius. Often people from the small towns of Ladakh move to mainland where the climate is still warmer. The barren locations of Ladakh are also dry and hot in the months of April to October. One important aspect of the climate of Ladakh is the absence or scanty rainfall over the years. You wind the roads more dry, windy, and sandy. Rainfall in Ladakh amounts to around 10.16 cm annually.
Winters
A typical feature of the winter months is extreme temperature dip in the nights but no snowfall, though the Himalayas remain snow capped during this time. Again, some parts experience snowfall from end of September and melts away faster. Ladakh winter temperature varies from minus 20°C and 15°C.
Summers
Just like the extreme winters, summer would set you dripping in perspiration. The temperatures soar up to 35°C, a sharp contrast to the winters. The parts that experience snowfall has it melting away at faster rate while in Leh and Shimla the snow stays on for at least a month
June to September is the best season to visit Leh of which July/August is the peak season of trekkers.
Tourist Attractions in Leh-Ladakh
Traveling to Leh - Ladakh can be an exhilarating experience. Ladakh holds immense beauty for the beholder; the mountainous desert stretches from peak to peak, a divine painting done in strokes of purple, brown and grey, with streaks of silver and patches of green along the Indus River. Tourist Attractions in Leh-Ladakh includes its pristine beauty, its well known monasteries, its cities and the adventure sports like trekking, rafting in Indus and mountain climbing. Safaris are also part of its tourist attraction. Exploring Ladakh on the Yak back or the camel, can be an experience worth taking back home.
The moment you land on this amazing mountain town, you can catch the breath taking beauty. The shocking pristine blueness of the sky above will almost sap you off your breath. The trekking along the mountain path can be an experience worth remembering back home. The snow covered peaks, the mountain flowers, the deep valleys and the streams flowing can transport you to a world of complete solitude. The lilting mountain music, the monks in maroon robes on their way to the monastery, men in sun beaten faces trailing behind their herd of sheep are the common sights and sounds of Ladakh.
Amongst the highest of the world's inhabited plateaus, Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 2,750 m at Kargil to 7,672 m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Its mountain ranges are strikingly parallel, stretching through the region from southeast to north-west. It has an area of about 97,000 km2, of which only about a half percent is inhabitable, and a population of approximately 200,000.
In geological terms, this is a young land, formed a few million years ago by the buckling and folding of the earth's crust as the Indian subcontinent pushed with irresistible force against the immovable mass of Asia. Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on south-east plateaus of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins or lakes of Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Tso. However, the main source of water is winter snowfall.
For centuries, Ladakh has been an important center of trade between India and the countries of Central Asia. Leh, the capital served as the terminus for caravans. Today, thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this mysterious land every year. They are fascinated by the natural grandeur of the entire region and more so by the hospitality and simplicity of the people. The geographical and cultural difference from the rest of India is striking; the features of Ladakhi people, their clothes and dialects are distinctly Tibetan or Mongoloid rather than Indian. These people, as well as their monasteries perched on hilltops overlooking the villages down below, the huge statues depicting the Buddhist philosophy of life, the fine Buddhist frescos and unending mountain ranges are each one of them a wonder and a miracle for the visitor.
Overland Approach - The overland approach to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via Kargil is approx. 434 Km, which remains open for traffic from early June to November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet 3,505 m high Zoji-La, the pass in the Great Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway to Ladakh. The J & K State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey. Groups can charter Deluxe and A-class buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum (Zangskar) from the J & K SRTC at Srinagar.
Manali to Leh - Since 1989, the 473 km. Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second overland approach to Ladakh. Open for traffic from around mid-June to early October. This high road traverses the upland desert plateau of Rupsho, altitude ranges from 3,660m to 4,570m. A number of high passes fall enroute among which the highest one known as Taklang-La is world's second highest motorable pass at an altitude of 17,469 feet/5,235m. Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. The bus journey between Leh and Manali takes about 19 hours or two days with an overnight halt in camps at Serchu or Pang. Maruti Gypsy and jeep taxis are also available, both at Manali and Leh at quite reasonable rates.
Ladakh Weather:Ladakh experiences extreme climatic variations much for its high altitude. The region is also sparsely populated. Greater Himalaya range of location exposes the place to extreme winters. At an altitude of 3521 meters above the sea level, the months of December and January are freezing below minus degree Celsius. Often people from the small towns of Ladakh move to mainland where the climate is still warmer. The barren locations of Ladakh are also dry and hot in the months of April to October. One important aspect of the climate of Ladakh is the absence or scanty rainfall over the years. You wind the roads more dry, windy, and sandy. Rainfall in Ladakh amounts to around 10.16 cm annually.
Winters
A typical feature of the winter months is extreme temperature dip in the nights but no snowfall, though the Himalayas remain snow capped during this time. Again, some parts experience snowfall from end of September and melts away faster. Ladakh winter temperature varies from minus 20°C and 15°C.
Summers
Just like the extreme winters, summer would set you dripping in perspiration. The temperatures soar up to 35°C, a sharp contrast to the winters. The parts that experience snowfall has it melting away at faster rate while in Leh and Shimla the snow stays on for at least a month
June to September is the best season to visit Leh of which July/August is the peak season of trekkers.
Tourist Attractions in Leh-Ladakh
Traveling to Leh - Ladakh can be an exhilarating experience. Ladakh holds immense beauty for the beholder; the mountainous desert stretches from peak to peak, a divine painting done in strokes of purple, brown and grey, with streaks of silver and patches of green along the Indus River. Tourist Attractions in Leh-Ladakh includes its pristine beauty, its well known monasteries, its cities and the adventure sports like trekking, rafting in Indus and mountain climbing. Safaris are also part of its tourist attraction. Exploring Ladakh on the Yak back or the camel, can be an experience worth taking back home.
The moment you land on this amazing mountain town, you can catch the breath taking beauty. The shocking pristine blueness of the sky above will almost sap you off your breath. The trekking along the mountain path can be an experience worth remembering back home. The snow covered peaks, the mountain flowers, the deep valleys and the streams flowing can transport you to a world of complete solitude. The lilting mountain music, the monks in maroon robes on their way to the monastery, men in sun beaten faces trailing behind their herd of sheep are the common sights and sounds of Ladakh.
