The remote Himalayan region of Ladakh is renowned for its scenic mountain views and traditional Tibetan culture. This "Little Tibet" of India offers excellent high altitude trekking, as well as other adventurous activities such as mountaineering, rafting, and mountain biking. Jeep safaris are available for visiting the old monasteries, traditional Tibetan Buddhist festivals, and beautiful lakes and valleys of Ladakh.
A mountainous Himalayan region in Northwest India, Ladakh belongs to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Known as the land of high passes, Ladakh is surrounded by the Kunlun Mountains and the Great Himalayas and most of the area lies above 3,000 meters from sea level. The sparsely populated region is inhabited by Tibetan and Indo-Aryan people. Ladakh has been inhabited since the Neolithic times, and the land was united by the Namgyal dynasty in about 1600. The Dogra state of Kashmir invaded and annexed Ladakh in 1834. Ladakh was located at the crossroads of popular trade routes until the 1900s when borders to China and Pakistan were closed. It was annexed by India in 1947. Today, Ladakh is an autonomous region and a remote tourism destination receiving some 30,000 visitors a year.
Trekking in Ladakh is challenging but rewarding, with beautiful mountain views and a great variety of long and shorter treks. There are three popular rivers for rafting in Ladakh as well, and jeep safaris will take you to see the many beautiful lakes and old monasteries in Ladakh. You can also see a great variety of wildlife in Ladakh, including the rare Snow Leopards and Tibetan Antelopes, as well as Wild Asses and over 200 species of birds. Hemis High Altitude National Park is a good place for wildlife viewing in Ladakh.
Monasteries & festivals. The main town in Ladakh region, Leh is home to a beautiful palace and a mountain monastery with great views, while small towns like Kargil, Shey, Basgo and Zangskar are also popular places to visit in Ladakh. The Nubra, Marcha, Suru and Drass Valleys are popular areas for outdoor activities and tours in Ladakh. The 35 Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh introduce you to the local traditions and architecture with Tibetan and Indian influences. These include Lamayuru, Hemis and Phyang Monasteries. The many traditional festivals in Ladakh are celebrated throughout the year. These include the popular Dosmochey festivals in February and Hemis festival in June.
A mountainous Himalayan region in Northwest India, Ladakh belongs to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Known as the land of high passes, Ladakh is surrounded by the Kunlun Mountains and the Great Himalayas and most of the area lies above 3,000 meters from sea level. The sparsely populated region is inhabited by Tibetan and Indo-Aryan people. Ladakh has been inhabited since the Neolithic times, and the land was united by the Namgyal dynasty in about 1600. The Dogra state of Kashmir invaded and annexed Ladakh in 1834. Ladakh was located at the crossroads of popular trade routes until the 1900s when borders to China and Pakistan were closed. It was annexed by India in 1947. Today, Ladakh is an autonomous region and a remote tourism destination receiving some 30,000 visitors a year.
Ladakh attractions and activities: trekking, mountaineering, monasteries & culture
Ladakh is an intriguing area with historical sites, traditional Tibetan-Buddhist culture, and stunning mountain scenery. The several mountain ranges in the region offer plenty of opportunities for mountain climbing in Ladakh, while the high plateau and river valleys offer chances for other adventure tourism activities such as trekking, rafting and mountain biking.Trekking in Ladakh is challenging but rewarding, with beautiful mountain views and a great variety of long and shorter treks. There are three popular rivers for rafting in Ladakh as well, and jeep safaris will take you to see the many beautiful lakes and old monasteries in Ladakh. You can also see a great variety of wildlife in Ladakh, including the rare Snow Leopards and Tibetan Antelopes, as well as Wild Asses and over 200 species of birds. Hemis High Altitude National Park is a good place for wildlife viewing in Ladakh.
Monasteries & festivals. The main town in Ladakh region, Leh is home to a beautiful palace and a mountain monastery with great views, while small towns like Kargil, Shey, Basgo and Zangskar are also popular places to visit in Ladakh. The Nubra, Marcha, Suru and Drass Valleys are popular areas for outdoor activities and tours in Ladakh. The 35 Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh introduce you to the local traditions and architecture with Tibetan and Indian influences. These include Lamayuru, Hemis and Phyang Monasteries. The many traditional festivals in Ladakh are celebrated throughout the year. These include the popular Dosmochey festivals in February and Hemis festival in June.
Photo: bennymkje, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Ladakh travel information and practical tips
The climate of Ladakh is harsh and dry. The surrounding mountains block the monsoon clouds from entering Ladakh, so summers in Ladakh are dry and pleasant but rather short. However, the high altitude setting of Ladakh also means the winters are long and cold with extreme temperatures and heavy snowfall that virtually cuts the region off from the rest of India for several months. The proportion of oxygen in the air is low, which affects all physical activities.Traveling to Ladakh used to be possible from China and Pakistan in the past, but today, the only ways to travel to Ladakh are by air or road from elsewhere in India. The airport in Leh receives daily flights to Ladakh from Delhi, and there are buses and tours to Ladakh from Srinagar and Manali. Note that permits are required for visiting the so-called Inner Line areas in Ladakh, and the border areas with Pakistan and China are off-limits for visitors. Buses and tour jeeps are the main methods of transportation in Ladakh. Car rental in Ladakh is possible only with a local driver.
Basic services. There are surprisingly many hotels in Ladakh, but do not expect to find anything remotely luxurious. Local guesthouses are available in most towns and villages along Ladakh’s trekking routes. Local restaurants in Ladakh serve mainly Tibetan and Indian cuisines. The main town Leh hosts some bars, but Ladakh is not really a place to come for nightlife.
Safety. Despite extreme weather conditions, Ladakh is a quite safe place with very little problems with crime. However, the political tensions in the border areas and in the nearby Kashmir region may cause problems for visitors. Note also that English is not widely spoken in Ladakh.
