Part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh has the most diversified features. Each of the regions, with distinct ethnic lifestyle, geographical terrains, religions and society. Ladakh, in the Himalayan watershed, is a high-altitude desert, its lowest point is at 9,000 feet above sea level, unsurprising for a land that lies locked between the Himalayas, the Karakoram, Ladakh and Zanskar ranges.The landscape of Ladakh is adventurous by its very nature. It's a vast expanse of barren mountains and inhospitable wastes where verdant valleys support a sparse population. When you reach Ladakh, its a totally different experience, unlike anywhere in the world. The monastries house gigantic gilded statues in prayer halls that are multi-hued due to the iconography on the walls.
Ladakh can be said to be one of the most exotic destinations that India has to offer, The whole culture has been shaped by Buddhism which is the pricipal faith in Central Ladakh. Every few villages have their very own monastries with prayer flags fluttering from the windy mountainsides. Ladakh received a record number of foreign tourists during 1998. Over 19,000 foreign tourists had visited Leh by the end of October, which is the highest number in the last ten years.

Ladakh has extensive potential for adventure activities such as mountaineering, trekking, rafting, cycling and so on. Every thing is an ultimate challenge in Ladakh. It is not only the lack of oxygen which makes one breathless on this moonland but the dramatic scenery with a rich cultural heritage. A place totally out of this world.

Ladakh is divided administratively into two districts - Kargil and Leh. Geographically it is divided into several regions and sub-regions. Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is at the crossroads of Central Asia and still retains powerful traces of its history. Take a walk in the narrow and winding lanes in the bazaar at the foot of the sprawling Leh Palace and you'll see burgundy robed monks going about their usual tasks, rows of vegetable sellers, gnarled old men selling apricots, all this in the huge backdrop of the snow-covered mountains. Leh has the region's only airport. The town of Leh has highly developed tourist facilites besides being the take-off point for various treks in the region, whitewater -trips on the Indus or just sightseeing from the warm comfort of a taxi.

When you go to Ladakh, it is preferable to go by road rather than take the arial route. That's because Ladakh offers one of the most breathtaking drives in the world. Besides that, it is better to go by road to Ladakh because acclamatisation is gradual and one doesn't have to spend the whole of the first day resting in Ladakh - a region where the lowest altitude is 9,000 feet above sea level. The access to Leh by road is from the state capital Srinagar. The route is an age old one that traders from Central Asia used for centuries before the road was built. Then there is another road from Manali in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. This road running through Barachala and many other passes, is used by tourists and is a major attraction for the travellers.