Ladakh
Ladakh is called 'the land of high passes'. Leh is the largest town and the capital of Ladakh also. Ladakh is the region that is most sparsely populated in Kashmir. Ladakh is a land of Buddhist Monasteries and Lamas. It is a beautiful picture that is painted with lakes, monasteries, Himalayas and spectacular scenery. Every year a multitude of tourists throng here to visit the ultimate beauty of Ladakh. For adventure lovers, this cold desert is a paradise. The more you know about Ladakh, the more you are tempted to see the natural splendor spread here.
Location of Ladakh
Ladakh is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. A huge part of Ladakh is over 3,000m. It spans the Himalayas and Karakoram Mountain and the upper Indus River Valley. Ladakh is the highest plateau in Jammu and Kashmir.
Best Time to Visit Ladakh
The ideal season to visit Ladakh is summer season that is from the month of June to September. Winters in Ladakh do not welcome you as it is in winters when the temperature in Ladakh falls below zero degree every now and then. The weather becomes biting cold and poses very harsh conditions. The heavy snowfall makes the place inaccessible in winters.
History of Ladakh
The area of Ladakh has been inhabited since Neolithic times. This is proved by rock carvings found in many parts of Ladakh. It was a part of Kushana Empire in the 1st century. In the 2nd century Buddhism took roots here. It was the seed of dispute among many powers. The turbulence made Ladakhis to take refuge in the capital of India. It still remained a hot-pot for many and suffered continuous disturbances. King Bhagan founded Namgyal dynasty here after reuniting and strengthening Ladakh. In 1979, it was bifurcated into Kargil and Leh. In 1993 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council was created. Even after facing numerous conflicts, the beauty of Ladakh is as pure as a child's heart.
Adventurous Sports in Ladakh
Ladakh houses many places where you can have fun and enjoy to the fullest. Apart from the places of wonderful vistas, Ladakh has many adventurous sports such as high altitude treks, rock climbing, camel safari, mountain biking, wild jeep safaris, white water rafting and the like that fascinate the sportsperson in you.
The charisma and beauty of this place is worth a visit at least once in a lifetime. Its gompas, barren landscapes slightly sprinkled with green patches, ancient palaces and women colorfully dressed in their traditional attire add to the magnetism of Ladakh. Now when you have learnt about Ladakh, its appeal and magic, do not resist the temptation to see the beauty in person and plan a trip to Ladakh.