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Leh Ladakh Travel
Leh Ladakh Travel
About Ladakh
LADAKH is a mysterious land shrouded in myth and legend. Much of its ancient
history is known only through the mythology of its people as its written
history is of very recent origin.Known for centuries as the 'land of passes'
(La-pass;Dakh-land),Ladakh was described by Fa-hian,who travelled across
its inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D.,as 'The land where snow never melts
and only corn ripens'.
Its landscapes are forbidding by any measure. Snow-swathed mountains rise
to several thousand feet above one of the most elevated plateux on earth.
A treeless wind-swept country, much of Ladakh can be termed as mountains,Arctic
desert,where everything is parched bt the rarefied dryness of the atmosphere.
Scattered here and there, a few narrow fertile valleys provide a stark contrast
to an otherwise barren,beautiful country of intense sunlight and clear sparkling
air.
The limpidity of the atmosphere, in fact gives the night sky a unique clarity,
so full and bright with stars that one feels transported to some etheral
setting far removed from earth. For endless years, mad had even discovered
this remote land,several hardy animals and birds lived together here in
an exquisite equilibrium. Circumstances have now changed as they have almost
everywhere else on the subcontinent. Today,Ladakh's flora and fauna are
threatened and protection is vital if the ancient ecosystems are to survive
the trauma of modern man. Through the fabric of this account runs a strong
statement,that the armed forces possible contribution to conservation remains
untapped. Harnessing this vital potential force may be the single most important
conservation advance India could make in the battle to save what remains
of its natural wealth.
Major Tourist Destinations LADAKH is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree
east latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude. The region of
Ladakh spread over to an area of 96,701 Sq.Kms and comprising a population
of 2 Lakhs habitants and consists of two districts, Leh and Kargil. The
region of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November to June every
year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh-Manali highways, which connect Ladakh
with the other parts of the country, remain closed during this period because
of snow and rigorous winter.
Ladakh is also the land of many lakes and springs. Among the springs,the
famous are the sulphar springs of Panamic(Nobra), Chumathang and Puga of
Changthang ,which are famous for early curing of joints/rheumatic diseases.
Many mineral springs are also found in some remote parts of Ladakh. People
of region use the spring water as medicine to prevent and cure themselves
from many diseases. The important lakes which fall within the jurisdiction
of Ladakh are Pangong lake (150 Kms.long, 4 Kms. wide situated at a height
of 14,000 ft.).
Tsomoriri lake, (Tsokar means salty lake). Since ancient times till the
end of 1959 salt was being extricated from this particular salty lake for
human consumption.Ladakh has two districts namely Leh and Kargil which stand
in contrast with each other in terms of geography and climate. The great
Himalaya mountain,lying to the south ,forms a barrier to monsoon in this
area. Due to this region Ladakh is an isolated cold desert region. Altitude
in Ladakh varies from place to place and is the main factor affecting local
climate. The winter temp. touches as low as minus 30 degree(Leh & Kargil)
and minus 60 degree in (Drass) subzero temp. prevails from December to February
throughout Ladakh,whereas,zero degree temp.is experienced during rest of
winter months. This result in freezing of all conceivable water resources.
During summer the maximum temp. increases from 20 degree C to 38 degree
C in July and August. The relative humidity is low and ranges from 31 to
64 percent.
Wind velocity in the afternoon and nights is of high order resulting in
heavy soil errosion with dust storm and snow blizzards which make life very
difficult. Due to longer winters, the agriculture season is short and spread
over from April to September depending upon the climate. The main river
of Ladakh is Indus, which flows in a north-west direction between Ladakh
and Zanskar ranges. It is joined by several major rivers like Zanskar, Suru
and Shayok before it reaches Pakistan.
Ladakh General Information
Best Season : March to October
Temperatures (Average) : 10 to 30 degrees cent. Low Temperatures
in winter
Clothing : Light/Medium wollens in summers to Heavy wollens in winter
Rainfall : 529mm
Languages : Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English
Food : Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available
in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades
are available all along the Boulevard road. and other major spots. Foods
suits all budgets and tastes.
Travels : Registered travel/tour operators are available.
Others : Tariffs are subject to change without notice and Cheques
are not accepted.