Tucked
in a remote corner of Jammu and Kashmir lies the Land of Passes- Ladakh.
Ladakh has been known by many name as, Maryul, Moon land, Broken Moon
and Last-Shangri-la. As the name suggest it was inaccessible, isolated
land tucked amid high mountains.
Remote though it is, Ladakh has never been totally isolated. Over the
centuries the trade route from India to central Asia passed through this
area undeterred by its high passes and desert landscape. Caravans
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carrying spices, brocades, pearls, carpets and more mundane merchandise
like salt and tea took just two months to cover the distance from
Amritsar in the Punjab to the central Asian towns of Varkand and Khotan!
Buddhism & Monasteries In Ladakh
According to the popular belief Ashoka's, missionaries came to Ladakh
and propagated Buddhism in about 3rd century B.C and by the first
century A.D. Buddhism took firm roots in Ladakh with Kanishka sending
five hundred Buddhist missionaries for propagation of the faith in Tibet
and Ladakh1. Fa-hien, the Chinese pilgrim mentioned the flourishing
condition of Buddhism prevailed in Ladakh.
However, Mahayana was also introduced later on. Ladakh has gathered
within its small highly cultured area a remarkable collection of
different art styles. Wide spread traces of cultural impacts of Tibetan
Buddhism and art forms of tenth and eleventh centuries A.D have been
found throughout Ladakh as it is deeply penetrated into the
socio-religious fiber and life style of the people.
Wildlife of Ladakh
The high mountain valleys, extending up to the snow line are the
habitat of Ladakh's unique wildlife. The better known animals are the
Kyang - wild Horse, the great Sheep , the Ibex and the Markhor Goats.
And of course the prized Tibetan Antelope, which is hunted for its
superfine Shahtoosh Wool. These animals are rare and facing extinction
at the hands of poachers and hunters. Urgent steps are required for
their protection.
Adventure Activities in Ladakh
Trekking
In Ladakh
When Ladakh was first thrown open to tourism an average itinerary
encompassed visits to Leh and its environs with some treks into nearb
valleys. The most popular of these were the 8-day Markha valley trek,
the 11-day Lamayuru-Padum route and the Stok Khangri round trek. Now
with growing interest in adventure tourism the focus has shifted to the
mysterious valleys of Suru and Zanskar with their spectacular scenery.
Motorbike Safari In Ladakh
Motor bike safari is the best option for you, just like jeep safari to
explore the Himalayan regions of India. You can even take your bike to
those areas, where even a jeep cannot reach. Because bikes are light in
weight and quite flexible as far as altitude is concerned, you won't
find any problem in driving through the cold desert region of Ladakh,
Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. They also make up a good option for
sightseeing too, when you are passing by a toen or a small village
Jeep Safari in Ladakh
Jeep safari at the high altitude lake of India is another new
attraction that has recently come up in this adventure activity. The
drive takes round about four hours to Changla Pass. At the first sight
of the lake through the 'V' of the ridges of the valley all cameras,
digital videos etc. came tumbling out. The azure lake beautifully set
off the golden yellow of the mountainside, painted thus by the mellow
rays of the evening sun, on a canvas of crisp blue sky. Considered to be
the most arduous and at the same time exhilarating is the cross country
jeep drive to the Pong valley.
Mountaineering in Ladakh
The Suru and Zanskar valleys provide some of the more spectacular and
difficult climbing in Ladakh. The Nun Kun Massif is one of the most
frequent climbing areas of the region and is booked out for months
ahead, sometimes years, by climbing expeditions. The approach to the
twin peaks is from the Kargil-Padum Road, about 70-km south of Kargil.
The main approach is either from Tangole or Gulmadong. Some expeditions
have also approached from Parkutse along the Kangri Glacier. To reach
the base camp for Kun it is for the climbers necessary to cross the Suru
River.
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