Area : 98,000sq km
Altitude : 7,500m Max.
Population : 180000
Religion : Buddhism, Islam
Locational Status : Cold Desert

Ladakh has often changed names, all of which give a good description of the conditions prevailing in the region: Ladwags-land below the mountain passes; Bladwags: land of the lama; Maryul: the red country; Muah Ris bSsor Gsum: land to the west of Tibet. In the West it is sometimes referred to as Moon country and Little Tibet. Rather a long list of names for an area of 59,000 square kilometres having one of the lowest population densities in the world: 2 inhabitants per kilometre, 59,000 square kilometres of rocky desert, apparently inhospitable mountains, a world of bewitching silence, framed in a parallel fashion by two of the most imposing mountain ran ges, the Karakorams to the North, the Himalayas to the South.

The inhabitants of Ladakh are simple smiling people who greet one and all with the all-encompassing ‘jule’, which could mean hello, bye, thank-you and please! So if there is a word of Ladhak that you must learn, it is -jule. The stark and rugged landscape is situated amidst multiple-hued mountains, some smooth enough to rub your cheeks on, others scraggly as though termites have had a go at them for breakfast. Miles and stretches of this never-never land, surprised by quaint little vibrant green hamlets oozing wild roses and lavender, fringe the life-giving Indus River.

PEOPLE & CULTURE
Ladakh has an interesting mixture of diverse ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups. They have embraced Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. Ladakh supports a total population of about 1,40,000 according to the 1981 Indian census figures. This region has one of the lowest population densities in the world with a little over 2 persons per square kilometer.

A considerable proportion of the population of Ladakh consists of Buddhists. They are the main inhabitants of this region. The Buddhists may further be divided into different sub-communities depending on their culture and sect.

The people of Ladakh are unique. Ladakh is have long had the reputation of being the friendliest and most hospitable of mountain people. This may have something to do with the fact that if you lived in these barren and inhospitable surroundings, any new face, even that of a stranger, is more than welcome. So devoid is the landscape of any apparent life that one even feels kindly disposed towards the occasional lizard one sights. This aspect of their make-up, combined with their Buddhist religion, makes the Ladakhis a very tolerant, inoffensive and non-violent people, not to mention extremely hospitable.

Although traditionally the people are very hospitable, gradually strangers are becoming unwelcome and the main reason for this is that with the advent of modern communications, the visitors have little or nothing to offer. The current price of wool or meat in distant markets is already known and news of distant relatives comes by post. Radio and television now satisfy the curiosity of the people and the traveler is sometimes seen as a possible menace or, alternatively, simply a source of money.

Till the war of 1962 Ladakh played a major role in trade between India and Tibet. Since India's independence in 1947, many Ladakhis have gained employment with the government. Very often they supplement their income by taking up employment in government schemes, for example as laborers in road construction projects.

HOW TO REACH LEH - LADAKH

By Road & Air:
Journey to Ladakh is quite fascinating, though overland route is by far the better alternative. Alliance Airways operates a daily return flight from Delhi to Leh. The town has also air links with Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar. The tourist season is from June to August. Get your tickets booked well in advance if you are planning a trip at the June-August period as the limited number of flights tend to remain overbooked during the tourist season. There are two overland routes to the region – one from Srinagar (only open from June to October) and the other from Manali ( from July to September). It takes 2 days by the overland routes to reach Ladakh. A regular bus service operates on the routes; cabs can also be hired from both Srinagar and Manali.

• Manali : 520 kms
• Srinagar : 434 km
• Kargil: 230 km
• Delhi: 1325 km

(On Manali Leh route accommodation is available at Sarchu ( both Tourist Bungalow & Tented accommodation )

Rail : The nearest Rail Head is Jammu 620 Kms. from Leh. Jammu is connected to all parts of India through express trains.

Malwa Express, Super Fast, Jammu Mail, Jammu Express, Shalimar Express, Sealdah Express, Jehlum Express, Himgari Express, Himsagar Express, Lohit Express, Sarwodya Express, Happa Express, Novyug Express, Gorakhpur Express, Barauni Express, Madras Express, Rajdhani Express & Ferozpur Express.

Local Transport : Taxis for local sight seeing or any other tourist destination are available and can be hired any time or can be arranged by us in advance.