The Majestic Heights Of Ladakh

Ladakh, or La-dvags as it is known in Tibetan, is the ‘land of high passes’ and that has always been its biggest draw for tourists. A land known for its monasteries, its mountain peaks, its adventure and thrills, it calls out to the adrenaline seeker within us, and becomes a destination that deserves a pilgrimage of sorts at least once in a lifetime. Come summer or winter, Ladakh tourism is a magnet all year round. Give heed to its untouched beauty and fulfil your call to the pristine land with your visit to these majestic heights.

Rivers And Roads Meet Mountains

Ladakh is a mountainous region in India that covers land from the Siachen Glacier in the majestic Karakoram Range to the main Great Himalayas further down to the south. The highest plateau in Jammu & Kashmir, it dates back nearly 45 million years back when the Indian plate collided with the Eurasia plate to form these ranges. The Indus River flowing through the ranges forms a backdrop for most historical and current towns that make up the inhabited parts of this region.

Best Time To Visit Ladakh

There are those who swear by winters in Ladakh and then there are those who prefer summer. At the end of the day, it depends on your preferences – the region offers unprecedented beauty and thrilling experiences whenever you visit. While winters are harsh, the region brings to life adventures and exhilarating experiences that are one of a kind. Winter is also when there are fewer crowds, allowing you to enjoy the hills and valleys at your pace.

Undoubtedly, summer is when tourism in Ladakh is most exciting as the city is buzzing with more activity. The district explodes with colours and warmth. You have more access to every corner and the beauty of the place is simply breathtaking.

Winter is from mid-October to March when the temperatures drop to sub-zero, and most hotels and sightseeing places are closed. Summer, or the peak tourist season, begins from April and goes on till July. You can also visit from mid-September to mid-October when the true beauty of Ladakh can be experienced.

How To Get To Ladakh

By Road - Ladakh is at a distance of 434 km from Srinagar and 494 km from Manali, and it is quite convenient to hire a cab or a jeep from either of the two cities. You can also book a seat on a JKSRTC bus. If you are feeling adventurous, you can bike to Leh from Srinagar, Manali or Chandigarh. Winters might not be a good idea for this as the highways are shut due to heavy snowfalls. If you do have to take the road, May to September is the ideal time.

By Rail - You can take a train up to Jammu Tawi (700 km from Ladakh) from most of the major stations in India, such as Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai. From there you can hire a cab or once again, board a JKSRTC bus to head further on.

By Air - Leh is the nearest airport and has good connectivity to Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh and many other major cities in India. From Leh, you can book yourself a cab to any of the places that you are interested in visiting.

Interesting Facts About Ladakh:

• Ladakh is the highest residential point in India and it is situated along the banks of the Indus River.

• It is also the least populated area in India.

• Despite being a dry place, Ladakh is home to more than 200 species of birds.

• It is home to the world’s highest optical, in-framed and Gamma ray telescopes.

• The twin-humped camel can only be found in India in Ladakh.

• Have you heard of the Magnet Hill? This ‘gravity hill’ located near Leh creates such an optical illusion that the downhill road actually seems to look like it is going uphill. Objects, especially cars when left in neutral, appear to roll ‘uphill’, defying norms of gravity.

• The Khardung La Pass at 5,359 meters is the world’s highest motorable road.