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 Situated in India's northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir,
Ladakh is a mountainous region of extreme natural beauty. Ringed by
rugged mountains, Ladakh is inaccessible by road between November
and May - although hair-raising flights, that weave between icy
mountain peaks, still operate during this time between Delhi and
Leh. Known as 'little Tibet', Ladakh's primary draw-card - that is,
over and above its outstanding scenery - is its strong Buddhist
culture, which (due to its isolation) has remained largely
unaffected by the ravages of Colonialism and modernity. Popular
tourist destinations in Ladakh include Leh and Kargil, a town known
for its ancient Buddhist statues and bright apricot orchards.
Although Jammu and Kashmir has a reputation for being a 'dangerous'
state, Ladakh is in fact a very peaceful place - a veritable
'Shangri-La', having seen virtually no violence since India gained
her independence in 1947. For experienced, well-conditioned hikers,
Ladakh is the perfect place from which to plan a trek into
neighbouring Tibet.
Excursions Leh
An extremely popular tourist destination, Leh was the historical
capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh - and remains, to this day, as the
perfect base from which to explore the region. In many ways a
prototypical tourist town - chock-full of backpacker accommodation,
roof-top restaurants, internet cafes and curio stalls - Leh's
remarkable setting, in the heart of the Indus Valley, safeguards
its thoroughly unique character. At almost 11,500 feet (3,500m)
above sea-level, visitors might be forgiven for thinking that the
cobalt hue of the sky above Leh is actually an effect of altitude
sickness; while in the town itself, modern buildings give way
dramatically to traditional mud-brick and timber structures. A
must-see tourist attraction in Leh is the ruined Royal Palace:
constructed in the 17th century at the foot of the Himalayas, the
views it commands of the Indus Valley and its surrounding peaks are
simply out-of-this-world.
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