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Ladakh lies in the Leh and Kargil district, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and reflects the Tibetan culture, owing to its close proximity to the Tibetan border. It is also referred to as “Little Tibet’ due to its close resemblance to the Tibetan landscapes.
As Ladakh lies in the Himalayan territory, it receives heavy snowfall in the period from November to May. A large number of monasteries can be seen here on the uneven tracks and steep hills.
This region has also been referred to as the “Hermit Kingdom”. Bounded by the world’s two biggest mountain ranges, The Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges, Ladakh provides a unique sense of nature. Quite a few of half frozen lakes, snow clad mountain peaks and unexplored barren territory make Ladakh a land of mystery. A mixed culture of the Hindu, Islam and Tibetan religions reflect in the region.
History of Ladakh
The history of Ladakh dates back to the 10th century, when it was an independent kingdom ruled by the old dynasties of Tibet. The original inhabitants of this region were known as ‘Dards’, but with time, as immigrants from Tibet started settling here, the ‘Dard’ culture was soon abolished and the Tibetan culture became prominent. It is also believed that Buddhism reached India through this region. Before Islam reached this area, Buddhism was the most followed religion here. Since then, a lot of political changes have been witnessed and gradually this region was taken up by India and became a part of Jammu And Kashmir State.
Tourist attractions in Ladkh
- Trekking: This place has always served as excellent grounds for trekking. The steep mountain slopes provide the right amount of traction and difficulty to get the best trekking experiences. The ideal season for this activity is from June to mid-October, as the region remains un-affected by the rains and snow.
- River Rafting: Ladakh offers a lot of adventurous and sports activities. One of these is river rafting. You can find professional expert guides to help you with the same. A number of rafting opportunities are available in the Indus River and its tributaries and you can enjoy this thrilling sport to the core.
- Mountain Climbing: This is another attraction for the tourists visiting here. A number of foreign tourists can be found in the Nun-Kun Massif region of the Himalayas, enjoying the strenuous mountain climbing activities. The ideal season for this activity is from June to September, as the region remains un-affected by the rains and snow.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit this region is from June to September.
Location
State: Jammu and Kashmir
District: Leh and Kargil
Distance from nearest cities: Srinagar and Manali are the closest cities from Leh, which are 434 km and 473 km away respectively. From Ladakh to Leh, this is the connecting route.
How to reach Ladkh
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is Leh.
Directions by road from nearby cities: Ladakh can be approached via the Kashmir valley which is open for travel between June and November.
Tourism Department
Leh
Deputy Director Tourism,
Leh-(Ladakh) 194101
Tel: 01982-252297, 252095
Climatic Conditions: In Ladakh, the temperature ranges from −28 °C in winter to 33 °C in summer. The average annual rainfall here is approximately 90 mm.
Clothing: Light woollen clothes in summers and heavy woollen clothes in winters are recommended.
This article was contributed by Abhay Tandon and edited by Prerna.
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