The Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh is one of the most remote regions of India, and lies embedded in the mountain world of the Karakoram in he north-west, the Himalayas in the south-west, and the Trans-Himalayas at its core. The Indus, rising in he interior of the Tibet, flows through the center of Ladakh, going further on to the western part of Pakistan. Ladakh is a high-altitude desert and temperatures, which can reach as low as -45 C in winter, are the most extreme here. The geographical divide between Ladakh in the highlands of Kashmir and the Tibetan Plateau commences in the vicinity of Pulu and continues southwards along the intricate maze of ridges situate east of Rudok wherein are situate Aling Kangri and Mavang Kangri and culminates in the vicinity of Mayum La. Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture. It is sometimes called “Little Tibet” as it has been strongly influ-enced by Tibetan culture. In the past Ladakh gained importance from its strategic location at the crossroads of important trade routes, but since the Chinese authorities closed the borders with Tibet and Central Asia in the 1960, international trade has dwindled. Since 1974 the Indian Government has encouraged tourism in Ladakh. Ladakh is spread over an area of 97,000 sq. kms. and lies at an average altitude of 3,500m above the sea level. Annual rainfall 529mm. Best season in March to October. Ladakh has a population of around 2,5000.
