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LADAKH SIGHTSEEING
Kargil
As the area receives abundant water from rivers originating in
the Greater Himalaya, the undergrowth here is more luxuriant
than in eastern Ladakh. The upper Suru valley, in particular,
is famous for its grassland, which attracts a large number of
Bakarwal herdsmen from the Jammu hills.
The mercury may drop to as low as 40 degrees Celsius below
freezing point, and communication with the outside world is
often completely cut off. During the spring and summer,
however, the valley around the township becomes very
picturesque as the gently undulating hillsides turn into lush
green pastures splashed with a variety of fragrant wild
flowers.
Zanskar is a tri-armed valley system situated between the
Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountains, the three
arms radiating star-like towards the west, north and south
from a wide central expanse. Here the Zanskar River comes into
being by the confluence of its two Himalayan tributaries, the
Stod/Doda and the Lingti-Tsarap rivers. It is mainly along the
course of this valley system that the region�s approximately
14,000 strong, mainly Buddhist population, live.
A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. Spangmik, the farthest point to which foreigners are permitted, is only some seven km along the southern shore from the head of the lake, but it affords spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflections shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake's brackish waters. Above Spangmik are the glaciers and snowcapped peaks of the Pangong range.
Spangmik and a scattering of other tiny villages along the
lake's southern shore are the summer homes of a scanty
population of Chang-pa, the nomadic herds people of Tibet and
south-east Ladakh. The Pangong Chnag-pa cultivate sparse crops
of barley and peas in summer. It is in winter that they unfold
their tents (rebo) and take their flocks of sheep and pashmina
goats out to the distant pastures
Monastery
Lamayuru
The Gompa has an impressive 11-headed, 1,000-eyed image of
Chenrezig. In its heyday up to 400 monks lived in the
monastery but today there are only 20 to 30 who belong to the
yellow hat sect. Many Lamas from Lamayuru now go out to other
parts of Ladakh as teachers. Alchi is the most impressive, the least remote and the only place where one doesn't need a special permit to visit. Nestled beside a bend in the milky blue river Indus, amid some dramatic scenery, it's also a serene spot and the perfect place to break a long journey to or from the Ladakhi capital. The Chos-khor consists of five separate temples, various residential buildings and a scattering of large Chortens, surrounded by a mud and stonewall and a curtain of tall poplar trees. If one is pushed for time, concentrate on the two oldest buildings, the Du-khang and the Sumtsek, both in the middle of the enclosure. Entrance tickets are issued by a caretaker lama from nearby Likkir Gompa, who will unlock the doors for the visitors. To make the most of the paintings vibrant colours, one will need a strong flashlight; but don't use a camera flash as it will damage the murals, last restored in the 16th century.
Hemis Monastery |
This
region once formed part of the erstwhile kingdom of Ladakh. In
fact, it was the first to be inhabited by the early colonists
of Ladakh - the Indo-Aryan Mons, the Dards of Central Asia and
itinerant Tibetans. Also, its valleys, by virtue of their
proximity to Kashmir, Kishtwar, Kulu and Gilgit-Baltistan
served as the initial receptacle of the cultural waves and
ethnic movements that emanated from across the Greater
Himalayan wall. 
The
town of Drass, 60 km west of Kargil on the road to Srinagar,
is located at an altitude of 3,300 m in a relatively flat and
open space in the centre of a valley. It has extensive willow
groves along the river. In winter it is covered with a thick
blanket of snow. Drass experiences the lowest temperatures in
the Ladakh valley and is said to be the second coldest
inhabited place in Asia. 
As
the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of Penzi-la to
the head of the Stod valley, the majestic " Drang-Drung"
glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice
and snow, "Drang-Drung" is perhaps the largest glacier in
Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. It is from the
cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier that the Stod or
Doda tributary of the Zanskar River rises. 
Ladakh,
a part of Jammu & Kashmir State in north of India consisting
of two districts Leh and Kargil. At a distance of 434 kms from
Srinagar and 474 kms from Manali, Leh is situated on the banks
of the river Indus, at a height of 11,000 feet. The land of
majestic mountains, Leh is a complete beauty in itself. Leh
has quite a few amazing places to offer its tourists. The most
striking sight of Leh is the group of women, traditionally
attired, selling fruits, vegetables and household articles,
spinning and knitting, and exchanging gentle banter between
themselves and with passers-by.
The
Ladakh range is crossed by the Chang-la (18,000 feet / 5,475
m) which despite its great elevation is one of the easier
passes, remaining open for much of the year even in winter,
apart from periods of actual snowfall. Tangse, just beyond the
foot of the pass, has an ancient temple. But the main
attraction of this circuit is the Pangong Lake, situated at
14,000 feet (4,267 m). 
Khardungla
Pass is a gateway which leads to Nubra and Shyok valleys.
While this might not be a typical tourist attraction Leh
Ladakh, it is definitely amongst the must visit places to
visit in and around Leh Ladakh for adventure junkies. Managed
by the Border Roads Organization, Kardung-la Pass is the
gateway to the north and one of the most difficult yet
thrilling passes to ride on.
Nubra
Valley Known as Ldumra (the valley of flowers) is situated in
the north of Leh. The average altitude of the valley is about
10,000 ft. above the sea level. The main attraction in this
area is the Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around
sand dunes, Deskit and Samstanling monasteries. The road
journey to Nubra valley leads through the world highest
motorable road, Khardongla Pass which is at a hight of 18380
ft above sea level and around 50 kms from Leh. After crossing
the pass, you can have a view of Khardong village, Khalser and
Deskit (the main villages of Nubra valley).
The
first Lamayuru monastery was built under Rinchen Zangbo at the
end of the 10th century, under orders from the king of Ladakh
, who altogether had 108 Gompas built in west Tibet. It was
built on the broken mountain in the valley and consisted of
five buildings, of which only the central building stands
today. One can still see some remains of the four corner
buildings to the west.
One
of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in India, Hemis
Monastery is known for its annual mask festival. This is a
two-day spiritual celebration taking place on Tse Chu, the
tenth month in Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated in
the memory of Guru Padmasambhava, who is believed to be the
Gautam Buddha's reincarnation.