Ladakh

Ladakh beckons you to a journey of discovery and a lifetime experience like no other. The beauty of Ladakh, the little Tibet, lies in its vast rugged wilderness; in its inaccessible mountains primitive culture preserved in the deep-freeze of prolonged isolation; and its imposing monasteries-standing monuments to their faith and way of life.

Bounded by two of the worlds' mightiest mountain chains, the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram and further hemmed in by the ranges of Ladakh and Zhanskar, the spectacular valleys of Ladakh, Zhanskar, Nubra and Rupshu have nurtured unique ethnic groups. The remote valleys were accessed by ancient trails, once famously known as the Silk Route. Today, two of these ancient routes from the South are now motorable. Some of the world's highest road passes fall on these routes. Khardungla near Leh town, is the highest road pass (5,565m) in the world.

The faces and attire that a traveller to Ladakh encounters may be of Tibetan origin but, there are areas and side valleys where the Dardic, an Indo-Aryan race retain their characteristic features and culture. Dah-Hanu valley harbours the Drok-pa, said to be the purest Indo-Aryan race.
Ladakh was an independent kingdom ruled from Tibet and it reached its glorious period under the Namgyal dynasty. During the early 19th Century, Zorawar Singh, the Dogra general marched on Ladakh over some of the most difficult passes (a feat sometimes compared to Hannibal) and annexed Ladakh to the Jammu and Kashmir state.

Budhism came to Ladakh as early as the 3rd centry B.C. during the reign of Ashoka. As part of the Tibetan Kingdom, Lamaism and the Tantric form of Budhism became the practicing religion of the Ladakhis from 9th century onwards. The monasteries are the focus of Lamaistic Budhism.

Leh (3,460m), the capital of Ladakh, once an important stop on the old caravan route, is today abustle with tourists. It is a fascinating town with its winding lanes and alleys dominated by the Leh Fort. Leh is the base for visits to some of the important monasteries and day (or overnight) excursions to the newly-opened areas like the Nubra valley and Pangong and Tsomoriri Lakes. Leh is also a base for adventure activities like trekking and river rafting.

Monasteries in Ladakh can be broadly classified to those belonging to the 10th, 11th and early 12th Centuries and the others built from 15th till the 18th Century. Alchi and Lamayuru (Old Temple) belong to the earlier period. Later monasteries like that of Likir, Stok, Thikse and Hemis are built on hill tops or secluded mountainsides which in the past also served as fortresses. The monasteries are full of icons, tangkas and canonical murals. They are also the hub of village life and a venue for colourful festivals and mask-dances.

Chortens, Mani-walls and prayerflags adorn and herald the entrance to a village or a monastery. Chortens are reliquary mounds; Mani-walls are made up of countless stone slabs inscribed with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum.

ZHANSKAR
A secluded valley South of Leh, Zhanskar remains cut off from rest of the world for eight months. The only road access during the summer months is from Kargil. Zhanskar is geographically divided into two broad valleys of Suru and Doda rivers besides the narrow Zhanskar river valley. Padum is the head-quarters of Zhankskar as also a central point for trekking routes originating from Kishtwar, Lamayuru, Darcha or, Markha Valley. The easier way to visit the area is by jeep or coach with overnights in tents. Rangdum, Karsha, Zangla and Sani are some of the important monasteries / gompas.

TREKKING
Mid June / Mid July to
Mid September
Ladakh and Zhanskar offer some of the most fascinating and challenging trekking routes. Trekking in these areas gives the opportunity of an intimate insight into the life of the people, their culture and the terrain so exotic, dramatic and awe-inspiring. Some of the trekking routes stretch for three or more weeks over glaciers and high passes of 5,500m. A less challenging trek like the Markha valley trek operates from ground level of 3,600m to 4,200m. It is a ten day leisurely trek starting from Spituk, through the Markha valley and terminating at Hemis. Markha Valley Trek an intimate introduction to hinterland of Laddakh, villages, mini valleys, desert pastures and remote Gompas.
Day walks and easier pleasurable treks are also available in and around Leh.

LADAKH - KLTT Special
Four-in-One
A uniquely devised pot-pouri of four least visited of the not-so-remote regions of Ladakh which offer a variegated experience of the terrain and ethno-culture of Ladakh.
1. Minitrek 3N 4D : A 4-day trek in and around Sham Valley.
2. Jeep Safari Dhanu 2N 3D : A 3-day journey down to newly opened Drokpa land, a miniscule population of pure Indo Aryans who have preserved their racial purity and animistic religious practices - a hot- topic study for scholar ethnologists.
3. Jeep Safari Pangong Lake 3N 4D: A 4-day nature safari Pangong Lake (4267 m). and Chumathang Valley, sparsely peopled by the semi-nomadic shephereds, living in Yurts.
4. Jeep Safari Nubra Valley 3N 4D: A-4-day safari to Nubra Valley over Khardungla Pass, the world's highest road pass (5536 m).

NOTE : Depending on your specific requirements and interest any one or more of the four itineraries can be operated to suite your time and requirements.
(Detailed itineraries on request).