About Leh Ladakh/ …………………….. History
About Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh is yet another gem festooning the natural beauty that Jammu and Kashmir beholds. Perched at an altitude of more than 3,000 mts, Ladakh is snuggled between the Great Himalayan Mountains to the south and the Karakoram ranges in the north. It has a rich history that dates back to the Neolithic times when the Indo-Aryans and Tibetan descendants inhabited the area. One can still find people following Tibetan Buddhism and conversing in their own Ladhaki language in this area.
Traveling to Leh Ladhak is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you not only catch a glimpse of nature at its best but also enjoy a cool to extremely cold climate even during the hot summer months. It is a paradise for all the bikers and those looking forward to thrilling road trips. Some of the places that attract every traveler’s attention are Leh Palace, Stok Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Tsemo Fort, Jama Masjid. Wanla Gompa, Sankar Monastery, Dha & Hanu, Nimu, Panikhar, Pnagong Tso Lake, Tso Kar Lake, Hemis Monastery, Likir Gompa and Thiksey Gompa and many more.
Leh Palace is a prominent feature on the map of Ladakh, standing on the Tsemo Hill, with a backdrop of Himalayan Mountains. Its construction was ordered by the founder of Namgyal Dynasty of Ladakh, Tsewang Namgyal, in 1553 and completed in during the rule of his nephew, King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century.
Architecture and History
The architecture of the palace is of the medieval Tibetan style and bears resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The top floors in its nine storeys, accommodated the royal family, while the lower ones were for the stables and store rooms. It features large bolstered walls and overhanging wooden balconies. The royal family was forced to flee to Stok after the Dogras took charge of Ladakh in the mid-19th century. Since that abandonment, it has never been reoccupied.
Presently
The palace structure is in ruins as it has witnessed some of the most brutal wars of that region and the walls have suffered severe damages from cannon balls. The Archeological Conservation Organization of India is working on its maintenance and its office is located inside the palace premises. Reaching at the top is a thrilling walk through dark corridors and hidden stairways. The Leh Palace has not lost its charm and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Nearest Airport:Leh Air Force Base Airport
Nearest Railway Station:Pathankot and Chandigarh
Established:1553
Built by:King Sengge Namgyal
Mountain CLIMBING LADAKH
Kashmir’s mountain ranges are both Alpine and Himalayan and can be grouped into four distinct regions: Kashmir, Kishtwar, Zanskar and Ladakh. The most well known peaks are Kolahoi (5,425 m) known as the Matterhorn of Kashmir; Harmukh (5,148 m) whose north face resembles Eiger; Tattakuti (4,742 m); Sunset (4,745 m) the highest peak in the Pir Panjal range, and numerous small peaks in Sonamarg and Pahalgam. One can climb these peaks quickly, making Alpine style ascents. Kishtwar represents small Himalayan peaks of great technical difficulty involving week long trek-king to the base camps. The popular peaks in this re-gion are Sickle Moon (6,575 m); Eiger (6,001 m); Brammah-I (6,416 m); Brammah’s Wife (5,297 m); Crooked Finger (5,630 m); Flat Top (6,100 m); Ca-thedral (5,370 m); Barnaj-I (6,100 m); Barnaj-II (6,290 m); Arjuna (6,200 m); Agyasol (6,200 m) and Shivling (6,000 m). The Zanskar Range encompasses the famous massif of Nun-Kun. This group of mountains has been explored since 1898 by Bruce, Sillem, the Bullock-Workmans, Piacenza, Harrison and Waller. Kun (7,077 m) was first climbed by the Italian climber Pia-cenza in 1913 and Nun (7,135 m) by the Swiss climber, late Madame Claude Kogan, in 1953. This is the only climbing group accessible by a day’s trekking from the road head. One can reach the base camp of Nun in two days from the airport in Srinagar. The other significant peaks in this range are the White Needle (6,500 m); Pinnacle (6,930 m); Z-1 (6,400 m); Z-2 (6,175 m); Z-3 (6,270 m); Z-8 (6,050 m); D-41 (5,813 m); N-8 (6,392 m); Bien Guapa (6,006 m); Bobang (5,971 m). In addition, the range has many unnamed peaks over-looking the Durung Drung glacier. The Ladakh range comprises the peaks of Stok area – Stok Kangri 6,135 m, Parcha Kangri 6,065 m, Gulap Kangri 5,900 m; and some peaks of Nimaling area such as the famous Kang Yissay-6,400 m. Recently, the Karakorams have also been thrown open to selected joint expeditions. Three expeditions are allowed every year to three groups – Saser Group, Rimo Group and Momostong Group in Nubra Valley. Some of these peaks overlook the Siachin glacier, among the longest in the world. The climbing period extends from mid May till mid October. The monsoons do not affect the Ladakh peaks and the main climbing season is July/August when most of the Himalayas remain closed. One need not worry about emergencies in the mountains. The Army and the Air Force are authorized to assist climbers and trekkers in distress. Most of the climbing regions are linked by high-frequency radio to Srinagar – the base of rescue operations. Some very daring and dramatic helicopter evacuations have been undertaken by the pilots of the Indian Air Force in recent years. All foreign mountaineering expeditions to India have to obtain permission in writing from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation who charges a booking fee depending upon the height of the peak. A Liaison Officer is provided with each team.
Camel Safari in Ladakh
The ‘Ship of desert’ camel is certainly not confined to the desert of the plains and Rajasthan but is also one of the chief modes of transportation in the cold deserts of Ladakh since the ancient times. Mostly available from July to September, camel safaris are one of the most memorable experiences as one gets used to the rolling and wobbly movements of the camel while exploring rugged mountain terrains and enjoy the ride through some of the most ancient passes and have first hand experience of the lifestyle of the remote villages of Nubra Valley. The sudden change of fertile and lush green apricot orchards to the frozen desert and snow-capped peaks takes one almost by surprise. The other thing about camel safari in Nubra that fascinates one is the shaggy double-humped Bactrian camel. In the earlier times, Central Asian traders used these camels as pack animals but since 50 years they have been bred for transport purposes as well. Today, these camels have emerged as the hot favorites of the tourists as the choice of their mode of transportation during camel safaris. Deskit and Hunder are the popular centers for this activity. Camel Safari provides one opportunity to watch and relish the scenic beauty of the Ladakhi valleys, villages, especially the Panamic village, and the colorful Buddhist monasteries or Gompas and have a dip in the famous hot springs of the region, which are said to possess therapeutic qualities.