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Ladakh
is barren yet beautiful.
Ladakh is a land filled with many of the world's 'highest',
where strings of colourful, prayer flags lead the way
to the 'highest Gompa (monastery) in the world'. Leh
boasts of the world's highest airport set amidst the
stark mountains of Ladakh, India's northernmost region
bordered by Pakistan and what is now the Tibetan region
of China. Later after you acclimatize, take a drive
up to Khardung La, the world's highest motorable road
at 18,500 feet or raft the Zanskar to go past the junction
where it meets the Indus. Khardung La, located 40 Km
north of Leh links the capital of Ladakh with the road
to the Siachen Glacier. The spectacular view and a cup
of hot chai from the tea-stall at Khardung La, will
make you feel you're on top of the world.
A visit to Leh Bazaar is a must do activity, to enjoy
shopping for curios and souvenirs while on your tour
of Ladakh. Popular items to look out for are Pashmina
shawls and stoles,locally handmade woolen socks, gloves,
caps and sweaters.Tibetan handicraft items including
prayer wheels, Buddhist masks and Thangka paintings
can be purchased here, along with Tibetan silver jewelry
and traditional Ladakhi jewelry.
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MONASTERY
HOPPING |
The Hemis Gompa is the biggest
monastery in Ladakh, located 55
Km to the south of Leh and is home
to the monks, beautiful frescoes
(paintings) on the walls and the
largest Thangka painting in Ladakh,
which is over 12 m in length. The
Hemis Gompa is famous for its annual
Festival held in June-July, which
is characterized by colourful masked
dances.
The Thiksey monastery located 17
Km from Leh is 12 story high and
has many statues of Buddha, a pillar
inscribed with Buddhist teachings,
a 15 m high seated Maitreya Buddha
in the main prayer hall, and a vast
collection of Buddhist art.
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PANGONG TSO |
This exotic 130 km long lake
extends into the land of Tibet
at an altitude of 14,000 ft
and lies amongst huge mountains,
which are capped with white
tusks of snow through most
of the seasons. Pangong has
an ethereal tinge of green
and blue reflecting the overhead
skies and mountains in its
wake.
It is located at a distance
that can be reached after
a six hour drive from Leh.
Not many facilities are available
here and hence it is advisable
to pack your lunch and snacks
with you. Small tea shops
line up the entire drive.
There is strong security this
area, by the army, owing to
its close connection with
Tibet. Permits will allow
you only as far as Spangmik,
which is about 7 km from the
southern shore of the head
of the lake.
The closest village is the
Tangste village, which is
around 40 km from the lake
and has lodging and dining
facilities.Indeed it is a
tough road journey to &
fro Pangong, but it is something
absolutely NOT to missed!
a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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