Explore Ladakh

Ladakh (meaning “land of high mountain passes or owner of high passes”) is a mountainous region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh, the main city is situated at 3500m above sea level nestled in the great Himalayan, Karakoram, Zanskar and Ladakh ranges. Ladakh is known for remote mountain beauty, studded with monasteries and stupas.

Ladakh is often referred as “Little Tibet” due to its geographical proximity and strong links to Tibetan culture.

Capital: Leh

weather in Leh, Ladakh, temperature

Area: 98 000 square km

Altitude: altitude ranges from 2750m at Kargil to 7672m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram

Languages: Ladakhi, Zanskari, Tibetan, English and Hindi

The predominant language is Ladakhi, it is closely related to Tibetan though is not mutually intelligible with it. A Ladakhi phrasebook “Getting Started in Ladakhi” by Melong publication is available in bookstores.

Population: 1,33,487. According to census done in 2011

Climate: Ladakh is a rain shadow region of the Himalayas, the annual average rainfall in Leh is 100 mm. In summer, temperature reaches 25°C and it drops down to -15°C in winter.

The high passes are closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.

HistoryLeh (Ladakh) was known in the past by different names. It was called Maryul or low land by some Kha- chumpa by others. Fa-Hein referred to it as Kia-Chha and Hiuen Tsang as Ma-Lo-Pho. It is said that the first Immigrants to this land appears to have been the Brokpas from Dadarstan who inhabited the lower reaches of the Indus Valley popularly known as Sham. Another wave of Immigrants who came from Karja (Kulu) were the Mons an Aryan type who first settled in Gya and spread to Rong, Shayok, Sakti Tangtse and Durbuk, the area extending from Martselang to Khaltsi. Gia was the seat of government of the first Mon ruler having been elected by the whole tribe. His kingdom included the villages mentioned above, all of which was inhabited by the Mons people He was known by the title Gyapacho, derived from his being the master of Gia.

The ancient inhabitants of Ladakh were Dards, an Indo- Aryan race. Immigrants of Tibet, Skardo and nearby parts like Purang, Guge settled in Ladakh, whose racial characters and cultures were in consonance with early settlers. Buddhism traveled from central India to Tibet via Ladakh leaving its imprint in Ladakh. Islamic missionaries also made a peaceful penetration of Islam in the early 16th century. German Moravian Missionaries having cognizance of East India Company also made inroads towards conversion but with little success.

In the 10th century AD, Skit Lde Nemagon, the ruler of Tibet, invaded Ladakh where there was no central authority. The lands divided in small principalities were at war with each other. Nemagon defeated them one by one and established a strong kingdom at Shey, 15 Kms from Leh, as its capital. Ladakh was an independent country since the middle of the 10th century.

King Singge Namgyal had consolidated the Ladakhi Empire into a strong kingdom. He was not only a strong monarch but a statesman, a diplomat and a builder. He built the historic 9- storeyed Leh palace and made the other neighboring countries envy of such an elegant palace. He also promoted horse polo in Ladakh.

In the ancient times the present Leh district was a part of Greater Ladakh spread over from Kailash Mansarover to Swaat (Dardistan). The Greater Ladakh was neither under the Domain of Tibet or its influence. Not much information is available about the ancient History of Ladakh. However, reference about the place and its neighbourhood in Arab, Chinese and Mongolian histories gives an idea that in the 7th Century A.D fierce wars were fought by Tibet and China in Baltistan area of the Greater Ladakh in which deserts and barren mountains of Ladakh was turned into battle fields for the warring armies.

In the 8th century A.D Arabs also jumped into these wars and changed their sides between China and Tibet. Around this period, the ruler of Kashmir, Laltadita conquered Ladakh. In the 8th Century A.D itself, The Arabs conquered Kashghar and established their control over Central Asia which embraced Islam in the 9th century A.D and thus a buffer state came into being between Tibet and China, terminating the hostilities between the two warring countries. The greater Ladakh also fell into pieces.

A thousand years ago before the control of Tibets rule, king Skitde Nemagon, ruled over Ladakh which was known as Muryul (Red Country), as most of the mountains and the soil in Ladakh wears a red tinge. In the 10th Century A.D Skitday Nemagon, along with a couple of hundred men, invaded Ladakh where there was no central authority. The Land was divided in small principalities, which were at war with each other. Nemagon defeated all of them and established a strong central authority. Those days Shey, was the capital of Ladakh became to be known as Nariskorsoom, a country of three provinces. The present Ladakh was divided into two provinces while the third comprised western Tibet. The area of western Tibet slipped away from the kingdom but was reunited in 16th Century A.D. by the famous Ladakhi ruler Sengge Namgyal. Ladakh was an independent country since the middle of 10th century.

In the post-partition scenario, Pakistan and China illegally occupied 78,114 sq. km and 37,555 sq.km of the state, respectively while the remaining part of the state acceded to India. Pakistan also illegally gifted 5180 sq.kms of this area to China. Ladakh, comprising the areas of present Leh and Kargil districts, became one of the seven districts of the State. In 1979 when the reorganization of the districts was carried out, the Ladakh district was divided into two full-fledged district of Leh and Kargil.

The bliss of summer in Ladakh (April to June)

Indubitably, this is the best season to visit Ladakh. Eagerly anticipated, summer is the peak tourist season in Ladakh and temperatures around this time range from 30 degree Celsius to a minimum 5 degree Celsius. The snow has melted giving way to vibrant life and buzz of tourist activity. One can indulge in almost everything that this remote land has to offer when the sun is bright and pleasantly warm. Camping by the Pangong Tso Lake under a starry sky on a summer night is what tourists and enthusiastic travellers love to do. The lake is best enjoyed during day time when it mirrors the brilliant blue sky while surrounded by sweeping vistas of the mountains. Biking in Ladakh is a treat to the senses as you navigate the surreal landscapes and scenery. Drive through the unimaginable Khardung la (considered world’s highest motorable road) at a staggering height of 17,000 Feet. For thrill seekers like you, summer season is a boon when mother nature opens its door to navigate their way through Ladakh’s gorgeous valleys, remote villages, centuries-old Gompas (monasteries), hidden valleys, formidable passes, and cosy homestays during treks that can take days to complete. Rafting is another activity enjoyed in summer in Ladakh, Kharu-Spituk route (for first-timers and amateurs) to the challenging Phey-Nimmo on the Indus River that takes days to complete. A miracle of nature, the Magnetic Hill (a gravity hill) must be explored to understand its rare phenomenon. Another major attraction, hop on to a Bactrian camel (double-humped camels) and take a safari across the dunes of Hunder in Nubra Valley. To top it all, Ladakhis celebrate the very colourful Hemis Festival (during June or July depending on the Tibetan calendar) at the 11th century Hemis Monastery. The spectacle of the masked dance – Cham, performed by the monks in brightly-coloured attire, dancing to the rhythmic music, is an event, you don’t want to miss! Locals come out in their traditional garb with their unique headgear and jewellery to celebrate.

The allure of monsoon in Ladakh (July to September)

July through Mid-September brings monsoon in Ladakh and with it comes occasional landslides and roadblocks. Ladakh is a rain shadow area, which means the place enjoys moderate rainfall, yet whenever it does, there are bouts of the shower. The temperature at this time stays from a minimum 3 degree Celsius to maximum16 degree Celsius. The two rivers Indus and Zanskar swell up and meander through the valleys with their full might, is a sight to behold. If not outdoors, then experience monastic life in the spectacular monasteries (gompas) of Ladakh. There are several of them including Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Diskit Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Phugtal Monastery, etc. On a beautiful rainy day, walk into one of the German bakeries in Leh town and sit leisurely sipping one of your favourite beverages as the rain thrum on the roof and windows. Better if you find a local eatery and try some of the Tibetan/Ladakhi cuisines; say dumplings or thukpa. As monsoon ceases toward the latter part of September, Ladakh is clad in gorgeous hues of nature in all its glory; the spectacle lingers on till early October. It is also the time preferred by thrill seekers wanting to indulge in aero-sports.

The thrill of Ladakh winter (October to March)

A winter trip to Ladakh must be carefully planned amid harsh cold conditions with temperatures plummeting sub-zero levels that settles between -5 degree Celsius to -30 degree Celsius. Travelling to Ladakh during winter have their perks too, it unfolds amazing snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes to walk over, icy treks among others. On top of it, there isn’t much tourist rush, and for adventure lovers, this means being able to enjoy Ladakh without interruption. Hotel rates are also cheaper. January is one of the best months to visit Ladakh for trekking as it is the time when one of the most adventurous and most difficult treks of the world - the Chadar Trek opens up till mid-March attracting adventure enthusiasts from across the globe. Walking over the frozen Zanskar River can be intimidating yet a speechless moment. Skiing and ice hockey are also other exciting winter activities here.  Both are a favourite pastime of the Ladakhis. No wonder, Ladakh is growing as a destination for winter sports lovers in India. Moreover, winter is the time for several cultural and religious celebrations in Ladakh. Join the locals to celebrate the winter festivals such as Thiksay Gustor, Ladakhi Losar, Spituk Gustor, Diskit Gustor and Yargon Tungshak, among others. When the cold takes on you, you can always warm up to Ladakh’s butter tea in the morning, or savour a hot bowl of thukpa for dinner.

Travel advisory - Acclimatisation is highly recommended for people travelling to Ladakh. As Ladakh lies at an elevation of 10,000 feet, visitors may suffer from dizziness, headaches or even acute mountain sickness on their arrival. It is best advised that visitors take at least 24-hours of rest after they have arrived in Ladakh.
Good to Know - Early April and September is the ideal time for budget travellers to Ladakh because of the peak tourist season are yet to start or has ended respectively, and the hotel rooms are available at affordable rates. 

Travelling to Ladakh

• By Air: Leh Airport officially known as Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the nearest airstrip to Ladakh, which is connected to cities Delhi, Jammu, Chandigarh and Srinagar via flights operated by airlines such as Air India, Spice Jet, Go Air and Vistara. It takes about 10 minutes from the airport to reach the nearest town of Leh in Ladakh region. The airport lies 3256 metres (10680 Feet) above sea level thus making it one of the highest airports in the world.

• By Rail: The closest railway station is Jammu Tawi Railway Station at about 700 km from Ladakh. From Jammu, you can head to Srinagar by road and then to Ladakh, which is about a two-day journey from Srinagar with a night halt in Kargil. Jammu Tawi is a major railhead in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and has good rail connectivity to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Kanpur, Allahabad, and Varanasi.

• By Road: The Manali-Leh road and the Srinagar-Leh road are the two routes that lead to Ladakh. The Srinagar-Leh road (415 km) is open from the first week of May till December, depending on snowfall. There are beautiful villages and scenery on the way. You can stop for an overnight stay at either Dras or Kargil, which are 140 km and 200 km from Srinagar respectively. The high-altitude Manali-Leh road (482), which is snow laden most of the year, opens around the first week of June and remains accessible till October. Travellers usually halt overnight at Jispa.