Ladakh Travel Information

Overland Approach - The overland approach to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via Kargil is approx. 434 Km, which remains open for traffic from early June to November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet 3,505 m high Zoji-La, the pass in the Great Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway to Ladakh. The J & K State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey. Groups can charter Deluxe and A-class buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum (Zangskar) from the J & K SRTC at Srinagar.

Ladakh is a land like no other in terms of its splendid beauty. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the great Himalaya and the Karakoram ..

Thus Ladakh which means the "land of passes" offers exciting opportunities for Monastery tours, great Himalayan Treks, Mountain expeditions, Mountain Biking, river Rafting, Tribal tours, Jeep Safaris, festival tours and Camel Safaris. Its is therefore truly a land of endless discovery.........

Ladakh is a land like no other in terms of its splendid beauty. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the great Himalaya and the Karakoram ..

Thus Ladakh which means the "land of passes" offers exciting opportunities for Monastery tours, great Himalayan Treks, Mountain expeditions, Mountain Biking, river Rafting, Tribal tours, Jeep Safaris, festival tours and Camel Safaris. Its is therefore truly a land of endless discovery.........

Ladakh's Himalayan ecosystem has led to the development of a distinctive agricultural economy and lifestyle. Many of the local people of Ladakh practice farming and the produce of their fields is made into the delicious dishes of Ladakhi cuisine.

Vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkins, beetroots, and beans are cooked in a variety of different ways and accompany meat dishes. Mutton and chicken are the commonly consumed types of meat in Ladakh. The staple food of Ladakhi people are Sku and Thukpa (made of wheat flour), Pava (made of sattu) and khambir (local bread).

There is little tradition of artistic craftsmanship in Ladakh, most luxury articles in the past having been obtained through imports. The exception is the village of Chiling, about 19km up the Zanskar river from Nima. Here, a community of metal workers, said to be the descendants of artisans brought from Nepal in the mid -17th century to build one of the gigantic Buddha -images at Shey, cary on their hereditary vocation. Working in silver, brass and copper, they produce exquisite items for domestic and religious use : tea and chang pots, teacup - stands and lids, hookkah-bases, ladles and bowls and, occasionally, silver chorten for installation in temples and domestic shrines.