Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the People's Republic of China to the north and east, the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south. Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu, its winter capital. While the Kashmir valley, often known as Paradise on Earth, is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu's numerous shrines attracts tens of thousands of Hindu and Muslim pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture.

Towards the Indo-China border near Tibet is situated the cold desert of Ladakh. It is also called the land of Passes and Little Tibet.

The stark landscape, the winding Indus river, the unpolluted environment and the different coloured mountains make Ladakh a place worth a visit. It is flanked by two of the important mountain ranges, the Karakorams to the North, the Himalayas to the South.

Greenery is confined near the rivers---the Shayok, Siachen, Zanskar and Indus.

Beyond the Kashmir valley lies Ladakh, the land of unsurmountable mountains, and fascinating monastries. Ladakh is the abode of rare Kiang & highland Yak. Leh its capital city lies at the Tri junction of the historic silkroute from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India.

This palace was built in the 16th century. It is now deserted and badly damaged, a legacy of Ladakh's war with Kashmir in the last century. We get superb views from the roof of the palace.

'Little Tibet' , the moon land and the last Shangai La' are names that have been applied to Ladakh, all with a bit of truth. Ladakh is a high-altiude plateau north of the Himalayan situated geographically in Tibet. It is a miniature version of Tibet, the people are Tibetan in their their culture and religion, and there are many Tibetan refugees.

How to reach:

Leh is located at a height of 3500 metres in the Karakoram mountains. It has an airport and can be reached by air from Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jammu. It is 434 kms from Srinagar and the nearest railway station is Jammu(690 kms). Leh is accessible by road from Srinagar and Manali. The roads are open from mid-June to October.

Towns of Ladakh

Kargil

Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistan-administered Kashmir's Baltistan to the west, and Kashmir valley to the south. Zanskar is part of Kargil district along with Suru, Wakha and Dras valleys.

Leh

Ladakh, a part of Jammu & Kashmir State in north of India consisting of two districts Leh and Kargil. The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh are the Buddhist monasteries situated on the isolated hillock in the vicinity of villages.

What to see:

Alchi Gompa

It is almost 10 centuries old and the walls are covered with paintings.

Hemis Gompa

An annual dance festival is held here. Ncient scroll paintings or Tankas are also displayed here.

Lamayuru Gompa

It is probably the oldest gompa in the region.

Likir Gompa

There are many statues of Buddha to see.

Phiyang Gompa and Samkar Gompa are other gompas belonging to the red and yellow sects of buddhists.

Thiksey Gompa

there is a huge statue of Lord Buddha here.

Shey Palace and Monastry

It was built in the 16th century and is carved out in rock. Namgyal Tsemo gompa, Leh Mosque and the Stok Palace museum are worth seeing. Old Tankas, wall paintings and other Buddhist artifacts are displayed here. Tsemo Gompa has a two-storeyed image of Chamb Buddha. Leh Monastry has a solid gold statue of Lord Buddha.

Choglamsar

There is a golf course and polo grounds here.

Hemis National Park

This is a high altitude park which provides sanctuary to the Snow Leopard, Shapu, Bharal, the rare black-necked crane and the Ibex.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Ladakh is when the festivals are being celebrated. The Hemis festival, held in June, commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava; Losar, which is held in the eleventh month of the Buddhist year, and the Ladakh festival held in August, organized by the District Tourist Office are the important celebrations.

Shopping

Papier-mache, woodcarving, woolen carpets, shawls, embroidered clothes are the handicrafts to buy from Ladakh.

The Tsomo Riri Lake is another place to see. The highest road in the world is the Beacon Highway to the north of Leh. Khardong La and Zonzi La are two important passes which overlook the beautiful valley of Nubra. Here the Siachen glacier meets the Shayok and it offers a beautiful sight.