LADAKH is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree east
latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude. The
region of Ladakh spread over to an area of 96,701 Sq.Kms
and comprising a population of 2 Lakhs habitants and consists
of two districts,Leh and Kargil. The region
of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November
to June every year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh-Monali
highways,which connect Ladakh with the other parts of the
country, remain closed during this period because of snow
and rigorous winter.Ladakh is also the land of many lakes
and springs. Among the springs,the famous are the sulphar
springs of Panamic (Nobra), Chumathang and Puga of Changthang,which
are famous for early curing of joints/ rheumatic diseases.Many
mineral springs are also found in some remote parts of Ladakh.
People of region use the spring water as medicine to prevent
and cure themselves from many diseases.The important lakes
which fall within the jurisdiction of Ladakh are Pangong
lake (150 Kms.long,4 Kms.wide situated at a height of 14,000
ft.).Tsomoriri lake, (Tsokar means salty lake). Since ancient
times till the end of 1959 salt was being extricated from
this particular salty lake for human consumption.Ladakh
has two districts namely Leh and Kargil
which stand in contrast with each other in terms of geography
and climate. The great Himalaya mountain, lying to the south
,forms a barrier to monsoon in this area.Due to this region
Ladakh is an isolated cold desert region. Altitude in Ladakh
varies from place to place and is the main factor affecting
local climate. The winter temp.touches as low as minus 30
degree(Leh & Kargil) and minus 60 degree
in (Drass) subzero temp.prevails from December to February
throughout Ladakh, whereas,zero degree temp.is experienced
during rest of winter months.This result in freezing of
all conceivable water resources. During summer the maximum
temp.increases from 20 degree C to 38 degree C in July and
August. The relative humidity is low and ranges from 31
to 64 percent.Wind velocity in the afternoon and nights
is of high order resulting in heavy soil errosion with dust
storm and snow blizzards which make life very difficult.Due
to longer winters, the agriculture season is short and spread
over from April to September depending upon the climate.The
main river of Ladakh is Indus,which flows in a north-west
direction between Ladakh and Zanskar ranges.It is joined
by several major rivers like Zanskar,Suru and Shayok before
it reaches Pakistan.
Historical
Places and Monuments:
The most attractive features of the landscape of Leh are
the Buddhist Gompas (monoasteries).The Gompas are situated
on the highest points of the mountain spurs or sprawl
over cliffsides,located in vicinity of villages and provide
focus for the faith of Buddhists.The famous religious
places include:-
Hemis
Situated 40 Kms.from Leh,Hemis is the wealthiest,best
known and biggest gompa of Ladakh.The annual festival
of the gompa is held in summer in honour of Guru Padma
Sambhav's birth anniversary. It also has the largest thanka(scroll
painting on silk or brocade) in Ladakh which is unfurled
once in 12 years.Hemis was built in 1630 A.D.during the
reign of Sengge Namgyal and flourished under the Namgyal
dynasty.
Alchi
The gompa is situated on the banks of the Indus,70 Kms
from Leh and dates a thousand years back.The gompa os
no longer an active religious centre and is looked after
by monks from the Likir monastery.
Spituk
The gompa stands prominently on the top of a hillock,8
Kms.from Leh,and commands a panaoramic view of the Indus
Valley for miles.Many icons of Buddha and five thankas
are found in 15th century monastery.There is also a collection
of ancient masks,antique arms,and an awe inspiring image
of Mahakal.
Phyang
The monastery is situated 17 Kms.from Leh on the Leh-Kargil
road.It was built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of
the 16th century A.D.and looks like a place from a distance.The
gompa belongs to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists. Hundreds
of icons of Budha are kept on wooden shelves.
Shey
15 Kms upstream from Leh.The palace is belived to have
been the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings.A 7.5
metre high copper statue of Buddha,plated with gold,and
the largest of its kind,is installed in the palace.
Thikse
The Thikse monastery is spectacularly situated 19 Kms
from Leh.It is one of the largest and architecturally
most impressive gompas.The gompa has images,stupas and
wall paintings of Buddha which are exquisite.
Jama
Mashid
The historical mosque is situated in the heart of Leh
town.It was built in 1666-67 A.D.consequent to an agreement
between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and then ruler of
Ladakh,Deldan Namgyal.
Leh
Palace
The palace is a distinguished
monument and a historical building.The nine- storeyed
palace was built by the 17th century illustrious ruler
of Ladakh Sengge Namgyal.
Tourist
Places:
Leh is having a airport which connects it to the rest
of the country. Besides this there is regular bus service
from Srinagar which operates during summer when the Zojila
Pass remains open for traffic. One can also get there
in Taxis and Jeeps via The Srinagar-Leh Highway or the
Manali-Leh Highway. Leh offers a variety of accomodation
to suit almost every pocket or preference The areas of
tourist interest are varied and many. Some of them are
as follows:
Cultural
Tourism:
Visits to the major Buddhist Monastries and other cultural
or heritage sites are the principal tourist attractions
of central Ladakh and Zanaskar. Most of the region's principal
Gompas are open throughout the day and a caretaker Lama
is available to show visitors around. Some of the less
visited establishments have special opening hours , as
in the case of Namgyal Tsemo, Shey Palace, and the Stok
Palace Museum.Most of the monstries charge a small enterance
fee. The monastries constitute the fountain head of Ladakh's
Buddhist religion and culture.
Fairs and Festivals
of Ladakh also attract a large number of Tourists. Many
of the annual festivals of Gumpas take place in winter
as it is a relatively idle time. The dance dramas take
place in the court yards of Gumpas and Lamas wearing colourful
robes and startling masks perform mimes representing various
heads of the religion. The biggest and the most famous
monastic festivals is of Hemis which falls in late June-July
and is dedicated to Padam Sambhava. Other festivals held
in summer are of Lama-Yuru, in early July, Phiyang in
late July, Tak-Thok after Phiyang and Karsha in Zanskar
after Phiyang. Spituk, Stoke, Thiksey, Chemreay and Matho
have their festivals in winter.
Adventure
Tourism:
Ladakh offers great scope for adventure activities amidst
landscapes of breathtaking beauty . The most popular and
established among these are trekking,mountaineering, and
river rafting.
Trekking:
Trekking includes short day long walks up and down mountain
slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic settlements
or across the ridge to enjoy landscape. Or long transmountain
treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness.
The most popular treks are:
Lamayuru in the Indus
Valley to Darcha in the Lahoul across Zanaskar takes nearly
3 weeks.
The 10 day Markha valley
trek and the 11 day Lamayuru-Padam trek and Stok Kangri
round trek arer the most popular among the numerous options
available.
Perhaps the most exciting
trek in the world is Hemis-Markha-Padum Trek for 13 days
and this calls for elaborate arrangements.
Various New Areas have
also been opened in forms of circuits . The maximum time
allowed on these circuits is 7 days and foreign groups
are allowed to go only in groups and accompanied by a
recognized tour operator. The detailed information regarding
going to these circuits can be had from the offices of
J & K Tourism located across the country. These circuits
are:
The DROK-PA area
circuit: Khaltase-Domkhar-Skurbuchan-Achinathang-Hanudo-Biama-Dah
and return.
The Nubra Valley
Circuits: Leh-Khardungla-Khalsar-Tirit-Tegar-Sumur-Panamik
and return. Leh-Khardungla-Khalsar-Deskit-Hundar and return.
The Pangong Lake
circuit : Leh-Karu-Changla-Durbuk-Tangse-Lukung-Spangmik
and return.
Tso-moriri lake
Circuits : Leh-Upshi-Debring-Puga-Tso-moriri-Korzok
and return , Leh-Upshi- Chumathang-Mahe-Puga-Tso- moriri-
Korzok and return
Depending upon the time
and budget you can afford, ask the Tourist offices at
Leh, Kargil or Padum to design a trekking prgramme for
you.
River
Rafting
A range of rafting options are available on the Indus
and its major tributaries. The best stretch for the professionally
guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk
and Saspol.Beyond Saspol river becomes difficult. The
most difficult and exciting option for river running is
on the Zanskar along its spectacular course through the
Gorge in the Zanskar mountains between Padam and Nimo.
Mountain
Climbing
The area most frequented by tourists is the Nun-Kun Massif
in the great Himalayan range and is easily accesible from
Kargil-Padum road. he area nearest to Leh is the Stok-Khangri
Massif in the Zanskar mountains, south of Leh. North of
Leh, across the Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley, lies
the Karakoram range. The climbing season extends from
mid-May to mid-October, the ideal period being from June
to September.
