Ladakh is a land like no other . Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range.

Location

The unique feature of Ladakh is its lofty, parallel mountain ranges, running across from the southwest to the northwest. The Karakoram and the great Himalayan ranges represent the north and southern boundaries. Lying in between are the Zanskar and the Ladakh ranges.

Most of the interaction between the valleys is through numerous mountain passes, some at a height of over 18,000 ft. Ladakh, in fact means the 'land of many passes'.

Viewed from above, one sees barren mountains in different shades of color; snow-capped peaks; massive glaciers with small streams emerging which later become mighty rivers; yellow wide open spaces with oasis of greenery along rivers; stunning mountain landscapes sculptured by high lashing winds and landlocked lakes looking like mountain gems.

The striking point of Ladakh's climate, due to the rarefied air is the big variation between the day and the night temperature. It can be burning hot during the day and freezing cold at night. There is a Ladakhi saying that in the lofty heights of Ladakh one gets sunstroke and frostbite at the same time if you were to lie with your head in the sun and feet in the shade!