| Pangong
Lake |
| One of
the most spectacular lakes in Ladakh is the Pangong Tso,
which lies across the Changla Pass from Leh. At an altitude
of almost 4,500 meters, the Pangong Tso is only 8 km wide
at its broadest but is an amazing 134 km long. The Pangong
is considered to be the longest lake in Ladakh. Pangong
is a saltwater lake and a remnan tfrom the |
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ice age, probably formed by the dead
ice masses left behind. In the dry atmosphere, huge amounts
of water quickly evaporated and the freshwater lake turned brackish
and finally salty.
This lake sprawls over both Ladakh and Tibetan territory. The
lake is bisected by the international border between India and
Tibet (China). Most of the fresh water enters the lake from
the Tibetan side.The Pangong is a delight to the eye. The golden
colored range to the north, with its rolling spurs culminating
in chiseled peaks, spreads before your eyes a |
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panorama of spectacular dimensions. With it’s almost
2,000 square kilometers of turquoise water and a depth
of 100 meters, Pangong can baffle the eye, for in the
rarefied atmosphere distant objects appear to be right
next door.
Two thirds of the length of this lake falls in the People’s
Republic of China. It is 5 km wide at its |
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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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| Tsomoriri Lake |
| The Tsomoriri
Lake is a beautiful mountain bounded expanse of water,
around 240 Kms. from Leh in Rupsho Valley. The Lake is
located at 14,000 ft. near a small village of Korzok.
The Korzok Monastery of 19th century houses Shakyamuni
Buddha and other statues. The Nomadic people are most
outstanding feature of this Lake area,which grazed herd
of goats |
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and yaks. The Tsokar (the salt Lake)
around 76 kms. from Tsomoriri is also a wonderful Lake in this
area.
Trip to these two Lakes can be organized in two or three days
by Jeep and two weeks or three weeks trek. |
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| Alchi |
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Alchi
is a village in Leh District in Ladakh region region of
Jammu & Kashmir in Himalayan region, situated at the
bank of Indus River. The village is famous for existence
of one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh mainly known
for its wall paintings of the 11th century. The monastery
was built by one of the great translator "Lotsava
Rinchen |
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Zangpo". The wall paintings in
Alchi Monastery represent one of the oldest painting depicting
the both artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and
Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir.
Alchi is a small village situated 67km from Leh. With all modern
facilities for overnight stays, Alchi is a comfortable and a
nice place in the middle of the Himalayas. The best time to
visit the place is from June to September every year. |
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| Nubra Valley |
| Nubra
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 |
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main attraction are the numerous Buddhist
monasteries, quaint villages, fairs, festivals and bazars. Air
and road communications converge at Leh.
Down the Indus, on the route to Balistan, at an altitude of
2600 M, live a miniscule community called the Drok-pa. They
are Buddhist - but also worship nature gods and spirits. Of
Aryan origin, they are the last remnants of the Dards. Numbering
a few thousands, they have preserved their racial purity through
centuries. Located 162 kms from Leh, only two of the five Drok-pa
villages are open to Tourists. |
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The Nubra is a tributary of the Shyok River which flows
parallel to the Indus on the northern side of the Ladakh
range. Because of its lower altitude the valley has a
mild climate and is therefore richer in vegetation.It
is often referred to as the "Orchard of Ladakh".
In ancient times, the valley was part of the Caravan |
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| Route, today it offers unparalleled
trekking opportunities and scenic landscapes. It is also the
natural habitat of the double backed Bactrian Camel. Buddhist
monasteries flourished in the valley among which the famous
Deskit Gompa. This monastery, over 350 years old, is the oldest
in the Nubra region. It is also one of the largest. The monastery
belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Sect. The Nubra valley is
accessible from Leh via a number of high passes. One of them
is the Khardung-la, the highest motorable pass at 5600 m. |
