Ladakh Adventure

Ladakh has always managed to enchant poets, tourist, trekkers and saints alike. The arid, barren cold deserts with its beauty and unspoiled splendors entice the explorers to brave the harsh and unforgiving conditions of this world. So much so that Ladakh today has become a Mecca for every adventure tourist; whose ultimate aim is to visit Ladakh atleast once in his life.

Ladakh was an independent kingdom for nine centuries. It was under a strong Tibetian influence by Tibet and the neighboring Muslim lands. Linguistically Ladakhis are very closely related to Tibetans.

Tibet has always been a favorite of Ladakhi Buddhists who wish to go for higher religious education. Ever since the merging of Tibet into China has meant the Ladakhis have made the much shorter trip to the Tibetan monasteries in India.

The architecture of Ladakh is almost identical to that of Tibet, both of residential buildings and of the monasteries. The class structure, or the lack of it is common to Tibet and Ladakh, and is in sharp contrast to the rest of India.

Geography wise it is not in everyone's capacity to make it to this heavenly abode. It not only requires time and money, but also a commitment and a resolve to withstand the harsh realities of traversing through this harsh and unforgiving landscape.

The wildlife of Ladakh is very common to that found in Central Asia and especially those of the Tibetan Plateau. The birds here are an exception though as many migrate from the warmer parts of India to spend the summer in Ladakh.

Birds are also the easiest form of wildlife for tourists to see, and the only thing tourists who don't leave the paved roads, and villages, can be sure to see. For such an arid area, Ladakh will surprise you with the variety of birds a total of 225 species.

This land of the Lamas awaits all its visitors to get swept away by the sheer vastness of this wonderful and magical place .

By Prashant Jainengg