Ladahak is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladahak range and the Zanskar range.
In geological terms, this is a young land, formed only a few million years ago by the buckling and folding of the earth's crust as the Indian sub-continent pushed with irresistible force against the immovable mass of Asia. Its basic contours, uplifted by these unimaginable tectonic movements, have been modified over the millennia by the opposite process of erosion, sculpted into the form we see today by wind and water.
Yes, water! Today, a high-altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing clouds of the Indian monsoon by the barrier of the Great Himalaya, Ladahak was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south -east plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul - in drainage basins with evocative names like Tso-moriri, Tsokar, and grandest of all, Pangong-tso. Occasionally, some stray monsoon clouds do find their way over the Himalaya, and lately this seems to be happening with increasing frequency. But the main source of water remains the winter snowfall. Drass, Zanskar and the Suru Valley on the Himalaya's northern flank receive heavy snow in winter; this feeds the glaciers whose meltwater, carried down by streams, irrigates the fields in summer. For the rest of the region, the snow on the peaks is virtually the only source of water. As the crops grow, the villagers pray not for rain, but for sun to melt the glaciers and liberate their water. Usually their prayers are answered, for the skies are clear and the sun shines for over 300 days in the year.
Places of Interest in Ladahak
The most attractive features of the landscape of Leh are the Buddhist Gompas.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
Situated 40 Kms.from Leh,Hemis is the wealthiest,best known and biggest gompa of Ladahak.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 Ladahak 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 Ladahak,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 Ladahak Sengge Namgyal.
Top Visiting Place
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 accommodation 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 Ladahak 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 Ladahak's Buddhist religion and culture.
Fairs and Festivals of Ladahak 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
Ladahak 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 Ladahak 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.
