Ladakh
Discover Ladakh
Ladakh is a mountainous region in South Asia. Due to its geographical and cultural similarity with Tibet, Ladakh is sometimes described as "Little Tibet". However, unlike Tibet, only a bit over half of the population are Buddhists, with the rest Muslims. The settled population lives between 2,700 m and 4,500 m, and in nomadic encampments even higher. Politically, Ladakh is part of the Kashmir region disputed between India and Pakistan. Ladakh is claimed by Pakistan but controlled by India as a union territory. The Aksai Chin Plateau is claimed by India as part of Ladakh, but administered by China as part of Xinjiang.
What to Experience in Ladakh
If it wasn't hard everyone could have done it! Believe me, one of the most worthful things to do in life is bike trip to Leh
Lake Pangong, Ladakh
The Mirror Lake - 2 The most astonishing view i have ever seen in ladakh,India.
Don't go with picture, go visit the place and experience the scenic beauty.
City in Mountains
"The soft blue sky did never melt Into his heart; he never felt The witchery of the soft blue sky!" - William Wordsworth
Ride to Pangong Lake
Road sign. Add depth to your life — Aim high, but venerate the basics.
Pangong Tso, 2010 Before it was a thing. Before it was ruined by 3 idiots. And just after I decided not to take up a job via campus placement.
white and brown concrete building near body of water under blue sky during daytime
Taste of Ladakh...
Ladakhi food has much in common with Tibetan food, the most prominent foods being: As Ladakh moves toward a less sustainable, cash-based economy, imported Indian foods are becoming more important. You are likely to be served rice and dal (lentils) with veggies even in villages without road access, and it's standard in Leh. In Leh you can taste a wide range of cuisines, which include north Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, Italian and even Korean. Bakeries imitating Western bakeries are plentiful in Leh.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Ladakh into what it is today.
Ladakh was an independent kingdom for nine centuries, influenced by Tibet and the neighbouring Muslim region. Linguistically, Ladakhi is very closely related to Tibetan. Tibet had long been where Ladakhi Buddhists would go for higher religious education, but since the incorporation of Tibet into China, Ladakhis have made the much shorter trip to the Tibetan monasteries in India. The architecture of Ladakh is almost identical to that of Tibet, both of residential buildings and of the monasteries. The class structure, or more precisely the lack of a sharply defined class structure, is common to Tibet and Ladakh and is in sharp contrast to the rest of India. Related to this is the relatively high status, freedom and outspokenness of Buddhist women in Ladakh and Tibet. Common to both cultures ...
Location & Landscape
The Indus valley is the Ladakhi heartland, with the highest population density, and large amounts of agricultural land. Running parallel with it, roughly north-east south-west, are a series of valleys and mountain ranges. North of the Indus valley is the Ladakh range, on the other side of which is the Shyok, and Nubra valleys. South of the Indus is the Stok range, clearly visible from Leh. On the other side is the Markha valley is a popular trekking destination. Farther south-west is a series of
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSince most people will head towards Leh, find all the information on how to get in there. By bus, by taxi, by motorbike, or by hitch-hiking are the options by road. Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) has at least 4-6 connections from Delhi into Ladakh daily. Hiking in might be possible via Zanskar, and there is the 100-km trail from Kibber (Spiti Valley) to Karzok (at Tso Moriri). Non-Ladakhi visitors will need a permit to visit remote areas close to the Chinese or Pakistani border, lik...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
For activities like hiking and cycling see #Do below. In case you go by (rental) car, also read the advices under #By motorcycle. Ladakhi buses run from Leh to the surrounding villages. They are often overcrowded and generally disorganised and poorly run. Daily buses or mini buses run to Alchi, Basgo, Dha-Hanu, Likir, Nimmu, and Saspul; twice daily to Chemray, Hemis, Matho, Stok, and Tak Tok; hourly or more often to Choglamsar, Phyang, Shey, Spituk, Stakna, Thiksay. Hitch-hiking in Ladakh is con
Money & Budget
Contrary to the rest of India, in Ladakh restaurants and shops generally seem to have change for larger notes—it may be due to the higher security of this area or the mentality of Ladakhi people. Ladakhi food has much in common with Tibetan food, the most prominent foods being: As Ladakh moves toward a less sustainable, cash-based economy, imported Indian foods are becoming more important. You are
Language & Talk
The main language of Ladakh is Ladakhi, a Tibetan dialect, with written Ladakhi being the same as Tibetan. Tibetans can learn Ladakhi easily but Tibetan is difficult to speak for Ladakhis. Spoken Ladakhi is closer to the Tibetan spoken in Western Tibet. The Ladakhi language is a shared culture platform which brings the Muslims and Buddhists together as one people of the union territory. Ladakhis u
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Ladakh is one of the safest parts of India, and the most basic precautions against petty theft are enough to keep you and your possessions safe. Most of the union territory is dotted with military cantonments every 50-80 km, but mainly because of its strategic position on international border between India and China. The army plays a major part in rescue and aid efforts, and that is why you will be required to produce identification documents or written permission from local authorities before entering some remote places. Perhaps the biggest danger travellers face is altitude sickness; give yo
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Ladakh
If it wasn't hard everyone could have done it! Believe me, one of the most worthful things to do in life is bike trip to Leh
Lake Pangong, Ladakh
The Mirror Lake - 2 The most astonishing view i have ever seen in ladakh,India.
Don't go with picture, go visit the place and experience the scenic beauty.
City in Mountains
"The soft blue sky did never melt Into his heart; he never felt The witchery of the soft blue sky!" - William Wordsworth
Ride to Pangong Lake
Road sign. Add depth to your life — Aim high, but venerate the basics.
Pangong Tso, 2010 Before it was a thing. Before it was ruined by 3 idiots. And just after I decided not to take up a job via campus placement.
white and brown concrete building near body of water under blue sky during daytime
If it wasn't hard everyone could have done it! Believe me, one of the most worthful things to do in life is bike trip to Leh
Lake Pangong, Ladakh
The Mirror Lake - 2 The most astonishing view i have ever seen in ladakh,India.