Today, a high -altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing clouds of the Indian monsoon by the barrier of the Great Himalayas, Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south -east plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul - in drainage basins with evocative names like Tso-moriri, Tsokar, and grandest of all, Pangong-tso.

For the rest of the region, the snow on the peaks is virtually the only source of water. As the crops grow, the villagers pray not for rain, but for sun to melt the glaciers and liberate their water. Usually their prayers are answered, for the skies are clear and the sun shines for over 300 days in the year.

Leh, the capital of Ladakh is situated at a height of 3505 m.. Leh is a beautiful destination with so many attractions and is the center of Tibeto-Buddhist Culture for ages. Its colorful gompas have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe. Besides, it is also a favorite hiking locale and is known for some of the best hikes in the country.

Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 feet (2,750m) at Kargil to 25,170 feet (7,672m) at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Thus summer temperatures rarely exceed about 270 C in the shade, while in winter they may plummet to -200 C even in Leh. Surprisingly, though, the thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitudes; it is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time!

Ladakh has nonetheless retained a more tranquil side, and is a pleasant place to unwind after a long bus journey. Attractions in and around the town itself include the Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, perched amid strings of prayer flags above the narrow dusty streets of the Old Quarter. Ladakh is also a good base for longer day trips out into the Indus Valley. Among the string of picturesque villages and Gompas within reach by bus are Shey, site of a derelict 17th century palace, and the Spectacular Tikse Gompa. Untill one has adjusted to the altitude, however, the only sightseeing one will probably feel up to will be from a guesthouse roof terrace or garden, from where the snowy summits of the majestic Stok-Kangri massif (6,120m ). Ladakh offers great opportunities for undertaking adventure activities amidst landscapes of breathtaking, rugged beauty. The most popular and best established among these are trekking, mountaineering and river rafting.

The captivating landscape, with an incomparable diversity of flora and fauna: Ladakh is regarded as the 'trekkers' paradise' and, indeed, is a refreshing treat to the trekkers. Ladakh is the ultimate destination for a trekking holiday, offering everything from short and easy excursions to the long challenges of the snowy peaks, invoking visions of the spectacular views, the lush meadows, green woodland and fragrant orchards. Ladakh and its adjoining areas like Zanskar valley provide excellent trekking routes, which allow the traveller to visit the remote village in the far-flung area of these regions. The high mountain passes, monasteries, yak herds on the high slopes would all give a feeling of the land beyond.

The dominant religion of Ladakh is Buddhism, and it is the living religion of the people here, the practice of which has enabled them to live in complete peace not only with other religions but also with the nature. It is manifest in the art and architecture of Ladakh. The monasteries, or the gompas as they are called, are beautifully designed and have the finest of sculptures, wood carvings, bronzes, gold and silver chortens, paintings done on silk scrolls and walls and scriptures printed out of hand-made wooden blocks. In the monasteries the devout pray for the peace of the world

The centuries-old culture of Ladakh has found expression in its monuments, monasteries, oral literature, art forms and fairs and festivals. And in the time-honoured tradition of collective celebration; every occasion-marriage, birth, harvesting or even the flowering of plants---is marked by feasting, dancing and the singing of folk songs that form a part of its living heritage.

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