LADAKH
Ladakh,the land of endless discovery.Bound by the Karakoram in the North and the Great Himalayas in the South, Ladakh is a mountainous desert located altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 25,000 ft.Situated at the western edge of the Tibetan Plateau, the Ladakh landscape has been modified and sculpted into its spectacular shape by wind and water erosion over the millennia.Despite the rugged terrain and difficult climatic conditions, the people of Ladakh exhibit a natural joie de vivre and war disposition.Their customs and lifestyle are a contimum from the past and the cultural traditions are vibrantly alive and colorful.

Ladakh is famous for the festivals held in the major Buddhist monasteries annually.The main features of these festivals are the dance-dramas enacted by the Lamas donning colorful robes and fearsome masks representing various Buddhist deities.They perform mimes symbolizing key aspects of the religion and its history.The Hemis Festival held in June is the most famous event.

There are cultural festivals too.Summer archery festivals are held in many villages asper local traditions.The 15 day Ladakh Festival (1 - 15 September) is a major event sponsored by the J&K Government.

The climatic conditions are mainly dry and desertic with little or no rainfall.Summer temperatures rarely exceed 27 Deg.Cel. in the shade while in winter they may plunge to 20 Deg.Cel. below zero. During winter, most parts of Ladakh are snow bound and all the land approaches are blocked.

If you are travelling into Leh by Air, you must allow a full day of complete rest for getting used to the high altitude and low oxygen level.High altitude sickness is a risky condition faced by visitors who do not allow sufficient time for proper acclimatization.