LADAKH is a mountain kingdom which lies along the western end of the Tibetan Plateau in the northernmost part of India. Its altitude ranges from 9000 ft (2,750 metres) high to 25,170 ft.(7,672 metres) at SASER KANGRI in the Karakoram Range. Most of the Ladakh region is cluttered with remote villages at altitudes of 14,000 feet or higher connecting high altitude passes at 16,000 feet to 19,000 ft.

Since LADAKH is located at an high altitude, the winter temperatures in many regions dip to – 40 deg.C and lower. Summer are usually warm at about 33 deg C, but the region experiences intense heat during day time.

By road, LADAKH is approachable from the western side by the Srinagar – Leh Highway & from the southern side by the Manali – Leh Highway. Both these mega highways remain closed between November to May, due to heavy snowfalls blocking the ZOJILA pass on the Srinagar Leh Highway & the Rohtang and Baralacha Pass on the Manali Leh Highway. By Air, Ladakh remain accessible throughout the year.

The name “LADAKH” emerges from the Tibetan word “La-tags” which means, “the land of the la’s OR the land of the “passes”.

The enormous mass of the Himalayas creates a rain shadow, obstructing the entry of the moisture laden clouds of the Indian monsoon. LADAKH is thus, a high altitude desert. The main source of water is the melting snow from the mountains. The regions on the norther side of the Himalayas like DRASS, ZANSKAR & the SURU valley do however, experience heavy snowfall and remain virtually cut off from the rest of the country for several months in a year. Although summers are short, they are good enough to grow crops. Due to high altitude, there is a lack of vegetation & adequate proportion of oxygen.