Panamik, Ladakh, J & K

Popularly known as "Hermit Kingdom", Ladakh is a land of snow carved peaks, translucent Lakes, barren terrain and mystic culture. The district of Ladakh lies at the border with Tibet at the most eastern corner of the State of Kashmir. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, Ladakh is a land like no other. Ladakh is often referred to as the "Little Tibet", or the "Last Shangri-La". Ladakh is the trans-Himalayan region, which separates the western Himalayan peaks from the Tibetan plateau. In geological terms, this is a young land, formed only a few million years ago by the buckling and folding of the earth's crust as the Indian sub-continent pushed with irresistible force against the immovable mass of Asia.

Guides to Ladakh - The land of endless discoveries. Information about Packages / Tours to Ladakh, Fairs & Festivals, Buddhism, Adventure Activities and others.History

LADAKH is a mysterious land shrouded in myth and legend. Much of its ancient history is known only through the mythology of its people as its written history is of very recent origin. Known for centuries as the 'land of passes' (La-pass; Dakh-land), Ladakh was described by Fa-hian, who travelled across its inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D., as 'The land where snow never melts and only corn ripens'.

A thousand years ago before the contol of Tibets rule, Raja Skitde Nemagon, ruled over Ladakh which was known as Muryul (Red Country), as most of the mountains and the soil in Ladakh wears a red tinge. In the 10th Century A.D Skitday Nemagon, along with a couple of hundred men, invaded Ladakh where there was no central authority. The Land was divided in small principalities, which were at war with each other. Nemagon defeated all of them and established a strong central authority. Those days Shey, was the capital of Ladakh became to be known as Nariskorsoom, a country of three provinces. The present Ladakh was divided into two provinces while the third comprised western Tibet. The area of western Tibet slipped away from the kingdom but was reunited in 16th Century A.D. by the famous Ladakhi ruler Sengge Namgyal.

The dependence of Kashmir was greater and greater until Ladakh, comprising the areas of present Leh and Kargil districts, became part of the independent India in 1948. In 1979 when the reorganisation of the districts was carried out, the Ladakh district was divided into two full fledged of Leh and Kargil. In the present day it comprises the 60% of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, but has an independent and own culture assured by the mountainous borders that separate Ladakh from the rest of India. In 1995, the ladakhians created in its region the Autonomous Development Council. This way, Ladakh has an autonomous organization that will try to improve the economical and social development of the region, marked by climate and tradition. For the last two decades, Ladakh has been increasingly exposed to modern influences, brought on largely by tourism and 'development'.

Fact Files
Full Name : Ladakh
Capital : Leh
Location : 30 degree to 36 degree east latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude
Area : 96,701 Sq.Kms
Altitude : Ranging from about 2750m at Kargil to 7,672m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram.
District : Leh and Kargil.
Languages : Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English
Population : 2 lakhs (approx)
Religion : Buddhism, Islam. Hindu
Food : Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades are available all along the Boulevard road. and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes.
Climate : Winter : -30° C(Leh & Kargil) and -60° C in (Drass) Summer( July and August) : 20° C to 38° C
Humidity : Ranges from 31 to 64 percent.
Rainfal : 529mm
Best season : March to October
Clothing : Light/Medium woollens in summers to Heavy woollens in winter
River : Indus which flows in a north-west direction between Ladakh and Zanskar ranges & is joined by several major rivers like Zanskar, Suru and Shayok.
Attraction : Adventure Tour comprising Trekking, Jeep Safari