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About Leh Ladakh |
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| » Home » About Leh Ladakh |
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| There
are few places left in the world like Ladakh. It lies
in the Great Himalayan rain shadow, so receives no monsoon
during the summer, but hefty snowfall throughout its long
(November – Late May) winter. In summer it is a
high, arid fortress surrounded by vast peaks and trisected
by the swift, snow – laden Indus and Zanskar rivers. |
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The landscape resembles that of neighboring
Tibet (This area is sometimes called “ Little Libet”)
, as does the appearance of the people, their religion –
devoutly Buddhist – and the magnificent monasteries perched
imperiously on granite crags and steep hillsides. High and mighty
though Ladakh is, it is easily approached either by flying directly
to the capital Leh from Delhi (allow 3-4 days for acclimatization)
or by road from Manali in Himachal Pradesh (a 02 days trip).
Leh stands at 3,521m/ 11,552 ft. and the surrounding flat areas
are on a par. It is warm in the sun but the temperature drops
at night, even in midsummer.
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Ladakh comprises three main regions.
The first is Leh & Upper Indus Valley.
This is the cultural heartland of Ladakh where many monasteries
and palaces reflect the deep Buddhist heritage of the region.
Leh has been the center of Tibetan-Buddhist
culture since ages. The Zanskar Valley
is the second region. It's a comparatively isolated
valley to the south of Indus Valley and its high culture is
also Buddhism. The third main region of Ladakh includes Kargil
& Suru Valley, west of Leh down
the Indus Valley. It supports an Islamic culture that can be
traced back to the 15th century.
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broadest point. In winter, the lake
freezes completely despite being salt water.
Pangong Tso can be reached in a five-hour drive from Leh, most
of it on a rough and dramatic mountain road. The road traverses
the third-highest pass in the world, the Changla pass, where
army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. The spectacular
lakeside is open during the tourist season, from May to September.
A special permit is required to visit the lake. Non Indian nationals
need to be in a group of at least four. For security reasons,
no boating is allowed. |
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| INDUS VALLEY |
| At an
average elevation of 3500 m is sand-witched between the
Zanskar Range on its South and the Ladakh Range on its
North, This is the geographical backbone, and the historical
heartland of Ladakh. All major sites connected with its
dynastic history are here, starting with Leh, the capital
city. The bulk of the population resides along the Indus.
Its main |
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| attraction is the numerous Buddhist
monasteries, quaint villages, fairs, festivals and bazars. Air
and road communications converge at Leh. |
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| ZANSKAR (LADAKH) |
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One
of Ladakh’s remotest regions. A 300 km long valley
ringed by mountains, only accessible by high passes. The
Valley of Zanskar is situated in the inner Himalaya and
is higher than most areas of Ladakh. The climate is very
Harsh and receives very little rain fall. The twin peaks
of Nun-Kun, its Monasteries and its extremely rugged,
awe-aspiring landscape are its main attractions |
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| KARGIL & SURU
VALLEY (LADAKH) |
| This
area lies just behind the Zoji La Pass, and the center
is Kargil, a small town with cobbled streets surrounded
by apricot groves. Good panoramas of the Himalaya can
be obtained on 03-04 day treks from Sanko to Drass via
Umba, and on the more demanding Sanko to Mulbek via the
Wakka La Pass at 4,930m. |
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