Ladakh- Rugged And Surreal Beauty

Perched at the highest point in the country, Ladakh is a Union Territory that is blessed with the most surreal views that you’ll ever see in your lifetime. The rugged mountains, gurgling rivers, and sky blue pools and enchanting Buddhist Gompas make up the essence of Ladakh. The place is often chosen for biking expeditions and extreme adventure activities like rock climbing, rappelling, and grade 4+ rapids water rafting.

Ladakh covers about 45,000 square miles (117,000 square km) and contains the Ladakh Range, which is a southeastern extension of the Karakoram Range, and the upper Indus River valley. Ladakh is one of the highest regions of the world. Its natural features consist mainly of high plains and deep valleys. The high plain predominates in the east, diminishing gradually toward the west. In southeastern Ladakh lies Rupshu, an area of large, brackish lakes with a uniform elevation of about 13,500 feet (4,100 metres). To the northwest of Rupshu lies the Zaskar Range, an inaccessible region where the people and the cattle remain indoors for much of the year because of the cold. Zaskar is drained by the Zaskar River, which, flowing northward, joins the Indus River below Leh. In the heart of Ladakh, farther to the north, cultivation by means of manuring and irrigation is practiced by farmers living in valley villages at elevations between about 9,000 and 15,000 feet (2,750 and 4,550 metres). Shepherds tend flocks in the upland valleys that are too high for cultivation. Leh, the most accessible town of Ladakh, is an important trade centre located 160 miles (260 km) east of Srinagar.

The Cold Desert: Ladakh

Ladakh is a cold desert in India. It lies in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. It has the mighty Karakoram Range in the North and in the south, it is bound by the  Zanskar mountains. Several rivers flow through Ladakh. The most important one is the Indus.

These rivers form deep valleys and gorges. They add to the scenic beauty of the place. Several glaciers are found in Ladakh. The Gangotri glacier is an example. The altitude in Ladakh varies from about 3000m in Kargil to more than 8000 m in the Karakoram.

Monasteries in Ladakh

The majestic tourist destination stands in stark contrast compared to the bustling cities of India. Ladakh can be considered as one of the most unique destinations in the entire world. Ladakh is known as a Union Territory of India which is famous for its expansive motorcycling tours and many other unique cultural experiences which are known to the people of this region.

Apart from the beautiful awe-aspiring lakes, vast scenic views, and rugged raw beauty, Ladakh is also known for its serene atmosphere that is peaceful to behold. The monasteries of Ladakh particularly bring in the sense of calm and peace within you when you visit them. In recent years, the tour operators have been promoting many of their Leh-Ladakh holiday packages where they take many tourists to these monasteries for a visit.

You can find some of the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. These monasteries are surrounded by the rugged mountain ranges of Kunlun and the Himalayas. The most common symbol of prayer flags hanging around the monasteries is believed to carry prayers as they flow in the wind. 

Flora and Fauna of Ladakh

Flora

Because of the extreme dryness, you would find sparse vegetation in the area. There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. During the summers, trees of fruits such as apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom.

Fauna

Several species of birds such as robins, redstars, Tibetan snowcock, raven, and hoopoe are common. Some of these are migratory birds. The animals include wild goats, wild sheep, yak and special kinds of dogs. The animals are reared to provide:

• Milk: Yak’s milk is used to make cheese and butter.
• Meat
• Hide
• Hair: The hair on the sheep and goats is used to make woollens.

People of Ladakh

You would mostly find either Muslims or Buddhists here. Ladakh is blessed with many Buddhist monasteries. Some of the famous monasteries are Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and Lamayuru. The people of this region resemble the people of Tibet and Central Asia.

Cultivation Activity

In the summer people usually cultivate barley, potato, beans, p, as and turnip. In the winter months, due to the harsh climate, people keep themselves engaged in festivities and ceremonies. You would find the women working comparatively more than the men.

Business Culture

Since Ladakh is one of the most sought-after tourist places in India, and also the world, the business is quite profound. You will find a lot of small businesses and shops. They cater to the needs of the tourists who visit each year. Mostly, women manage these shops and businesses.

Infrastructure

Leh, the capital of Ladakh is well connected by road as well as air. The National Highway 1A connects Leh to Kashmir Valley through the Zoji La Pass.

Tourism

This is a major tourist attraction for tourists across the globe. The tourists visit the gompas, do trekking to see the meadows and glaciers and witness the ceremonies and festivities. It is a great place for the bikers and the adventure lovers.