Ladakh

Ladakh is a high-altitude union territory in the far north of India, a stark and majestic land of mountains and high-desert plateaus between the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Its main town and administrative center is Leh. Known for Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and otherworldly landscapes, it is a magnet for adventurers.

Ladakh is one of the highest inhabited regions on Earth, a cold desert of barren mountains, deep valleys and the Indus River, with iconic high-altitude lakes such as Pangong Tso. Rainfall is scarce and winters are extremely cold.

Ladakhi culture is strongly Tibetan Buddhist, centered on ancient monasteries, prayer flags and festivals, with a smaller Muslim community in the Kargil area. Traditional life is adapted to the harsh, high-altitude environment.

Once an independent Buddhist kingdom on the Silk Road, Ladakh was long part of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019 it was separated to become a union territory administered directly by the central government, reflecting its distinct identity.