Leh, Ladakh, Indian Himalaya, J&K

from the airplaine, very close to landing in leh airport

leh, ladakh

After a short day and a half in Delhi, I am in Leh now, the capital of Ladakh @ the Himalayan Range, 3.505mt, west to Jammu and Kashmir Region, northeast from Nepal and very close to Tibet. Monasteries, gompas and stupas are everywhere.

This is so beautiful; huge mountains surround this small fertile valley north of the Indus River. Friendly villagers living very basic lives, mostly Tibetans refugees live here or people from Nepal, some Muslims too, everybody trying to sell their products (bargaining is a must here!). This is very tourist oriented area, lots of small hotels and restaurants, and summer time is the best period of the year for being here because the moonson rains does not reach Ladakh and the temperature is warm around mid 20C (70F).

The Dalai Lama is going to teach 3 days in Nubra Valley (aug 7-9), few hours from here in an antique monastery named Diskiyd. For going there is necessary to go over one of the highest motorized passes in the world: Khardong La (5.602 mt.) afterwards he will teach 4 days in Leh, where I am now (aug 16-19). In beetween I will go for trekking in tent from Lamayuru or Phanjila to Chiling, crossing passes and visiting remote villages and enjoying the breathtaking nature and energy that you breath here everywhere. I had mild AMS (acute mountain sickness or “mal de paramo”) de first 2 days but now I feel completely acclimatized and ready for having fun!

Love to all of you! Light and peace to all the world!

Debbie

different cultures from ladakh: tibetan refugee, muslim old man and indian man, all selling their products