Ladakh :

LADAKH is a mysterious land shrouded in myth and legend.Much of its ancient history is known only through the mythology of its people as its written history is of very recent origin.Known for centuries as the 'land of passes' (La-pass;Dakh-land),Ladakh was described by Fa-hian,who travelled across its inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D.,as 'The land where snow never melts and only corn ripens'.
Its landscapes are forbidding by any measure.Snow-swathed mountains rise to several thousand feet above one of the most elevated plateux on earth.A treeless wind-swept country, much of Ladakh can be termed as mountains,Arctic desert,where everything is parched bt the rarefied dryness of the atmosphere.Scattered here and there, a few narrow fertile valleys provide a stark contrast to an otherwise barren,beautiful country of intense sunlight and clear sparkling air.The limpidity of the atmosphere, in fact gives the night sky a unique clarity, so full and bright with stars that one feels transported to some etheral setting far removed from earth. For endless years, mad had even discovered this remote land,several hardy animals and birds lived together here in an exquisite equilibrium.Circumstances have now changed as they have almost everywhere else on the subcontinent.Today,Ladakh's flora and fauna are threatened and protection is vital if the ancient ecosystems are to survive the trauma of modern man.Through the fabric of this account runs a strong statement,that the armed forces possible contribution to conservation remains untapped.Harnessing this vital potential force may be the single most important conservation advance India could make in the battle to save what remains of its natural wealth.

Ladakh :

• Places to see in Leh :
  
  Leh : Capital of Ladakh, Leh has been traditional and important junction on the famous Silk Route of the antiquities. It has enjoyed close trade relations with Central Asia.
  
  
  Leh Palace : This 17th century. Singee Palace dominates Leh town.
  
  Shanti Stupa : Japanese Stupas made for world peace, sets picturesquely on the hilltop above Leh.
  
  Hall of Fame : is a glorious museum constructed by Indian army. You can see biographies of eminent defense personalities, images and weapons used during Kargil war, Siachen and its heroes and their daily instruments and lifestyle of Ladakhi people.
  
  
• Places to see around Leh :
  
  Hemis Gonpa : Hemis Gonpa is considered as the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. The famous annual festival day called "Hemis Tsechu" has been declared as the state holiday.
  
  Shey Palace : 15 Kms. south of Leh, Shey was the seat of power of the King of Ladakh. And Three-storey statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is only of its kind in the region.
  
  Stok Palace and Museum : Stok Palace was constructed after the Ladakh lost to Zorawar Singh in 19th century. At present Royal family resides here at Stok. Stok Palace has museum of Royal dresses, Kings Throne and Thankas.
  
  Thiksey Gonpa : Thiksey Gonpa is famous for its three-storey Maitriya Buddha's statue and the photogenic view of the Gonpa, which looks alike Potala Palace of Lhasa in Tibet.
  
  Alchi Choskor : Alchi monastery was founded by the great translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo in 11th century AD. The exquisite murals of Alchi Choskor are world famous and it is said that the artists were specially brought from Kashmir.
  
  Lamayuru Gonpa : Lamayuru Gonpa is the oldest monastery in Ladakh, which is around 125 Kms from Leh on Leh-Srinagar Highway. Surrounded by picturesque moonscape Lamayuru Gonpa belongs to Drigung sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
  
  Around Nubra Valley : Nubra means "Valley of flowers" situated on Pakistan Border across Khardongla Pass 18,380 ft, the highest motorable road in the world.
  
  Deskit : Administrative headquarters of Nubra valley, and offers variety of accommodation to travelers. It has a monastery atop a hillock from where you can also enjoy panoramic view of the valley. Deskit sand dunes and double-humped camel ride reminds of silk route tradition.
  
  Sumur : Sumur is a village across the Shayok River along lush green meadow. Samstanling monastery of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism with historical and religious significance attracts both devotees and tourists.
  
  Panamik : Famous for hotspring and it was a major stopover for Caravans of Silk Route before continuing further journey towards Leh.
  
  Changthang : Tsomoriri Lake is located in Changthang approx. 240 Kms. from Leh. The Lake is around 28 Kms. long and around 8 Kms wide at an altitude of 14,000 ft, above the sea level. It harbors many species of migratory birds including Brahmini Duck, Rudy Shelduck etc. The Korzok village settlement with a monastery close to the lake has its own appeal.
  
  Tsokar : A twin lake Tsokar and Tarsaphuk tso form the part of a wide picturesque valley with many wildlife including migratory birds, wild asses (Kyangs) and Changpa nomads with thousands of livestock including sheep, goats and yaks live in their tents around the lakes in the vast expanse of pasture.
  
  Pangong : Pangong is approx. 140 Kms. away from Leh, situated at an altitude of 14,000 ft. above the sea level. The Pangong Lake is around 71 Kms. long but only 25% of the Lake is in India rest falls in the share of China. The vast and serene lake displays a spectacular color variation from dark blue to turquoise green during the day.
  
  Kargil : Kargil, headquarter of Kargil district, is the central meeting point between Srinagar, Leh and Zanskar with almost equal distances from all sides. Shia Muslim populated town has hotels and guest houses for tourists traveling between Leh, Zanskar and Srinagar.
  
  Drass : Located on Leh-Srinagar highway is second coldest inhabited place on earth. A magnificent view of Tiger Hill can be enjoyed from the main road. It has memorial museum of Kargil Heros and 10th century rock carved Buddhist statues.
  
  Suru Valley : A lush green valley on the way to Zanskar with Shia population is famous for magnificent closer view of Nun Kun glacier peaks and giant rock carved statue of Buddha.
  
  Zanskar : Zanskar is most isolated region of Ladakh, situated in the Kargil district of Ladakh region, approx. 430 Kms. away from Leh Town. Large number of Buddhist monasteries such as Karsha, Phuktal, Zongkhul, Stongdey, Sani and Bardan etc. and the interesting folklores, myths and startling natural beauties attract thousands of tourists to this land.