Location : In the state of
Jammu
& Kashmir
Leh
Amidst starkly beautiful and majestic mountains, gradually merging into an
oasis of green fields, Leh is situated on the banks of the Indus, at a
height of 11,000 feet. Beyond the Kashmir valley lies Ladakh, the land of
unsurmountable mountains, and fascinating Monastries. Ladakh is the abode of
rare Kiang & highland Yak. Leh its capital city lies at the Tri junction
of the historic silkroute from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of
India. For seven months a year, Leh airport is Ladakh's only link with the
outside world.
This palace was built in the 16th century. It is now deserted and badly
damaged, a legacy of Ladakh's war with Kashmir in the last century. We get
superb views from the roof of the palace.
Ladakh
'Little Tibet', the crescent land and the last Shangri La' are names that
have been applied to Ladakh, all with a bit of truth. Ladakh is a
high-altiude plateau north of the Himalayan situated geographically in
Tibet. It is a miniature version of Tibet, the people are Tibetan in their
their culture and religion, and there are many Tibetan refugees.
A land of freezing winds and burning hot sunlight, Ladakh is a cold desert
lying in the rain shadow of the Great Himalayas and other smaller ranges.
Little rain and snow reaches this dry area, where natural forces have
created a fantastic landscape. Surrounded by rugged mountains this land is
completely different from the green landscape of many parts of the
Himalayas. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the
Great Himalaya and the Karokaram, it is a land which has no match.
Arriving At Leh-Ladakh
By Flight : Leh is directly connected to Delhi through
regular flights. There are also direct flights once a week from Leh to
Srinagar and twice a week to Jammu. There are two overland routes to Leh-the
roads from Srinagar and Manali. While the Leh-Srinagar route is operative
from June to October, the Leh-Manali route is operative from July to
September.
To reach Ladakh, the nearest airport is Leh. The flights from Delhi,
Chandigarh and Srinagar take you directly to Leh. The adventure seekers can
opt for a two-day journey from Srinagar to Leh (434 kilometers) with an
overnight halt at Kargil.
By Trackways : The nearest Rail Head is
Jammu
620 Kms. from Leh. Jammu is connected to all parts of india through express
trains.
By Roadways : A regular bus service operates on the routes;
cabs can also be hired from both
Srinagar
and Manali.
The Major Fascinating Sights at Leh Ladakh
The
Leh Palace : The Leh Palace is one of the major attractions here in Leh
Ladakh. Even though in a dilapidated condition, the palace built in the 17th
century attracts the tourists to view the majestic structure. The Victory
Tower at the top of the Namgyal hill built to commemorate Ladakh's victory
over the Balti Kashmir armies in the early 16th century is another must
visit.
The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa : The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, built
in 1430, comprises of a three-story high Buddha image and ancient
manuscripts and frescoes. One can also have breathtakingly beautiful views
of Leh from the fort above this gompa.
Adventure Sports Leh Ladakh
At Leh
Trekking : Leh is a trekker's paradise. The treks from
Spituk to the Markha valley and Lamayuru gompa to Chiling village alongside
the Zanskar River are the most popular treks in the region. Another trek
route is from Likir to Temisgam. Treks are open from the June end upto mid
October. The passes for trekking are as high as 5,000 m in altitude. Many
trekking agencies in Leh offer trek packages with a guide, packhorses, food
and supplies.
Polo : Polo is also very popular in Leh. Apart from a
well-maintained polo ground, regular matches and competitions are organised
during the Ladakh festival.
River Rafting : One might also take fun of rafting in the
Zanskar River in the month of July to September.
At Ladakh
The Ladakh Festival is a regular tourist event at Ladakh. The adventure
tourism is also a well-developed activity in Ladakh. A white water river
rafting expedition along the 26-km stretch from Phey to Nimo along the
mighty Indus River is a thrilling experience for the tourists coming to
Ladakh.
Other Sports at Ladakh
The high altitudes and the surrounding mountains make Ladakh an ideal spot
for paragliding, mountaineering, trekking and even skiing. You can also
enjoy archery competitions and polo in Ladakh.
