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Nestled between the great Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges
lies the magical mountain
kingdom of Ladakh. Ranging in elevation
between 9000 and 25000 feet, the land is a high altitude desert because
it is protected from the powerful Indian monsoons by the
Himalayas. The
flight to Leh offers views of spectacular mountains and valleys, as well
as
possible glimpses of the scenic Zhanskar river.
 Leh
is a capital city right out of the most vivid fairytale; from the massive nine
storey royal palace that dominates the area (built over four hundred
years ago), to the ruins of the hilltop fort built even before the
palace, from the bustling fascinating shops of the main bazaar and the
Tibetan markets, to the Buddhist Temple Jo-khang, from the impressive
Sankar Gompa to the imposing 17th century Mosque. The Gompas
(Monasteries) of Ladakh are among the most spectacular in the world, and
among the greatest of them is Alchi. It is made up of five ancient
temples, with a fascinating collection of paintings and images. The
triple storied Sum-Tsek has remarkable murals created a thousand years
ago.
 The
people of Ladakh are a simple, sturdy kind, and life here operates at a much
more elementary level than other parts of India. The farmers pray for
enough snow-melt so they can water their crops, the shopkeepers sell
handcrafted treasures like many generations before them. Other ancient
monuments and ruins as well as a few charming mountain villages can be
viewed within a few kilometers from Leh. You can easily find genuine
local antiques, semi-precious jewelry, and other unique
handcrafted items during your visit here.
Government Of Jammu & Kashmir on Ladakh
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