LADAKH TOURISM

Ladakh is a part of Jammu Kashmir state in India and like other regions of the state, The Province too is a favourite tourist destination. Ladakh tourism is considered to be even older than Kashmir tourism.Many travellers have travelled to this forsaken land in ancient times and wrote wonderful accounts of their journeys, which arose curiosity among people to visit this beautiful place and the trend of tourism started in this region. The area is a cold desert mainly comprising of bare and barren mountains. The mountains are snow-capped, high and lofty. The sky, clear blue, spreads like a vast canopy. Besides mountains fast flowing rivers with magnificent waterfalls and dazzling lakes make it one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Tourism in Ladakh is also prevalent because of its rich cultural and historical significance. Popularly known as the Land of Lamas, The province displays an ancient form of Tibetan Buddhism. People have a strong faith in their religion and have thus preserved their culture and tradition, which is strongly influenced by their religion. There are a number of Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh; some of these are ancient. The monasteries display a mixture of tradition, modernity and architecture. People from all over the world come to the region just to visit these majestic monasteries. Buddhist lamas live, maintain and manage these monasteries. The strong religious belief of these people have kept even the most ancient monasteries alive and functioning.

One of the many products of religious and cultural beliefs of the people of Ladakh is the celebration of many vibrant festivals throughout the year in entire region. The passion of the people for their religion finds vent in the festivals. These festivals are a source of entertainment, inspiration, religious knowledge and social meetings for the people of the region and for the visitors these festivals provide a great chance to interact with the local population and know about the culture and tradition of the people. Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in every part of the region. Tourists from across the world come to witness the festivals.

The beauty of Ladakh also is matchless. It is a desert and most parts are devoid of any vegetation or greenery. However greenery alone does not make places beautiful. The small pebbles that spread on the ground, the big rocks that dot the land and the lofty mountains that rise like giants and surround the region lend a beauty to this place which is to be found nowhere else in the world. The sky looks clear and dazzles with stars in the night. Calm scintillating lakes and fierce rivers enchant the beholders. Pangong Lake is perhaps the most beautiful lake of the entire state. The river Indus charts its way through the entire region, providing it a charm and making some parts of it fertile and habitable. Almond, apple and apricot orchards make blossom and gives it a colourful look.

Apart from sightseeing, what brings toLadakh on the tourism map is the vast opportunities of mild to strenuous trekking in the mountains and plains. The region is a paradise for trekkers. Trekkers throng this isolated land each year for trekking. Trekking in Ladakh is, however not easy, as the trials and the climate are hostile. The temperature can go to the extremes.