Ladakh
Ladakh the land of many passes, of freezing high barren landcapes lying across the lofty Asian tableland is among the world's highest inhabited plateaus. This trans-Himalayan land is a store- house of a myriad culture and religious influences from India, Tibet and Central Asia.
The early history of Ladakh is woven into its mythology. And though the famed Chinese wanderer Fa-Hien travelled into its terrain as long back as 399 A.D., it was, till a few decades ago, what its name suggests "A land of passes" (La - pass, Dakh - land).
Means of modern communication have brought this hinterland of traditional Buddhism into the circuit of ordinary tourists. Ladakh became famous for more than one reason the defiant beauty of its barren landscapes, its unique flora and fauna, its culture and a land "where snow never melts and only corn ripens".
Activities in Ladakh
Trekking
Trekking possibilities include short, day-long walks up and down mountain slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic settlements, or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer beauty of the lunar-like mountainscape. Or long, trans-mountain treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness. The traditional trekking season extends from early June to mid- October, though some treks can be undertaken in May, and others only in late autumn. Tourist offices at Leh, Kargil or Padum design trekking programmes according to one's budget and time at hand.
River Rafting
A range of rafting options is available on the Indus and its major tributaries. In recent years, running the Indus has become an attractive alternative to trekking and features on the itinerary of most visitors. Several agencies in Leh offer attractive rafting packages. Details are available at the Tourist Office at Leh. The Office can also provide some rafts on hire.
MountainClimbing
The area most frequented by foreign climbers is the Nun-Kun Massif in the Great Himalayan Range. Among its six known peaks accessible from the Suru Valley, Nun (7,135 m) and Kun (7,077 m) are the highest summits.
The climbing season extends from mid-May to mid-October, the ideal period being from June to September.
Permission for climbing, application forms for booking and all other relevant information are to be obtained from:
The Director, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi - 110021. Ph: 671211; 602245. Fax: 6883412.