KARGIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO IMAM HUSSAIN A.s

Kargil: Thousands of people in Kargil, dressed in black, took the mourning processions on the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, to mourn the biggest tragedy of humankind on Ashura on 15 November, 2013. Ashura marks the day when Imam Hussain, along with 72 of his companions, was martyred in a battle against the second Umayyad caliph in Karbala some 14 centuries ago. Imam Hussein is referred to as “Lord of Martyrs” by Shia Muslims and is remembered as the symbol of freedom and dignity. Zuljana and Taazia processions took place from the adjoining villages of Kargil town, passing through Main Bazaar Kargil, Islamia School Kargil and concluded at Inqlab Manzil and Hussaini Park. The two main organizers of the processions were Anjuman Jamiyat Ullumma Asna Ashriya (Islamic Society of Kargil (ISK) and Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust Kargil. Different organizations and voluntary groups has arranged stalls who offered water, Kehwa, food items etc and has placed vehicles for carrying the mourners to health camps. "Whatever we are doing for Imam Hussein is nothing compared with what he has done. We are all blessed by what we are doing here to serve food for his lovers and followers”, said one of the volunteer. At the concluding day of Ashura, Hujattul Islam Wal Muslimeen Sheikh Nazir Mehdi threw light on the importance of the day as well as on the philosophy of Karbala. He said that to maintain peace and humanity one should follow the path of Imam Hussain the leader of humanism. Vice President Islamia School Kargil offered Ziyarat-e-Ashura and later General Secretary ISK Hujjatul Islam wal Muslemeen Sheikh Toha thanked the District Administration particularly Deputy Commissioner Kargil Fida, Hussain, SSP Kargil, all volunteers, Stall owners, and volunteers of Youth Wing ISK for their participation for the smooth conclusion of the processions. Special mourning gatherings were also organized at Poyen, Akchamal, Goma Kargil, Balti Bazaar etc where speakers threw light on the life and philosophy of Karbala. Earlier Hujatal Ul Islam wal Muslimeen Aga Syed Mustafa Mosavi during his speech at Imam Khomeini Chowk Kargil said, “we should thank the almighty that we are born in a democratic country where we can freely observe our religious processions without any fear as in our neighboring countries, people are being killed every now and then in Imam Barghas and Mosques making it difficult to observe the processions. We should follow the path of Imam Hussain and should always think for the prosperity and development of our place rather than indulging in pity politics”. Sham-e-Gariban was also observed after the prayers in the evening at all the places of Kargil and the main procession during the Sham-e-Gariban was started from Qadeem Imam Bargha Balti Bazaar and concluded at Islamia School Kargil. - See more at: http://reachladakh.com/kargil-pays-tribute-to-hazrat-imam-hussain

FINAL MATCH OF DISTRICT FIRST TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP LEH

By Stanzin Angmo, Monday, November 18, 2013 Leh: Table Tennis Association, Leh organized a Table Tennis Championship for the first time in Leh at the Indoor Stadium. The championship began on the 1st November and had its final on the 16th of Nov, in which the participants competed under various categories as, Under 17 Boys and Girls singles and double & senior women and men singles and double. The final match included Under 17 boys double, senior men and women singles. Under 17 boys double was won by SOS boys over Lamdon boys, while in the senior single category Niada Bano and Irfan Hussain won their respective titles. Chief Executive Councillor Leh Rigzin Spalbar was the Chief Guest on the final day and he distributed the trophies among the winners and runner ups. President Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam Saif-ud-Din, Councillor Upper Leh Gen. Lobzang Nyantak, Deputy SP Leh Abdul Khaliq and other guests were also present on the occasion. Earlier the President Table Tennis Association Leh, P.T. Kunzang welcomed all the guests and gave a brief introduction of the newly formed Table Tennis Association. He said that this Association was formed 6 months earlier and it will be affiliated with J&K Table Tennis Association after this tournament as directed by them. Talking about the benefits of being affiliated he said besides the players from Leh being able to participate in all the state level competition, we will also get some funds to organize such tournament in Leh from the J&K TT Association as promised. He also stressed on the need of encouraging such sports especially in winters while the students have their vacations and are free. He drew the attention of the CEC towards some needs in the field of indoor games/sports and said that though the Council do have plans to build a new and better indoor stadium but for now the stadium that we have need some attention. “In winters it gets too cold to play any game in here due to absence of heating facilities, the generator is also not good enough, the lighting inside the stadium is poor and most of all we need better equipments like more tables etc.” On the occasion CEC Rigzin Spalbar expresses happiness to have formed the Table tennis Association in Leh and congratulated the members for the same. He said that the youths of Ladakh are very talented in the field of sports but unfortunately they don’t get much opportunity. But for the future he said there will be great opportunity for them as within two, three years there will be sports facilities and infrastructure, as the foundation for the open stadium has already been laid and for which we have received 22 crore. Along with that we have also got 7crore for an Indoor Stadium in Leh. He also promised to act soon on needed work to be done in the present Indoor Stadium and said that a sum of rupees 54 Lacs have been approved in a special funding to renovate this Auditorium. He encouraged forming such Associations and Clubs which will promote sports among the youngsters. He added that the winters in Ladakh should be promoted as a Sports season and encouraged to have different kind of sports. He said anyone who is interested in organizing such events should do it and he promised to provide the needed funds if they face any difficulty regarding funds. The evening ended with a vote of thanks by the Vice President Table Tennis Association Leh Thupstan Wangyal. Besides thanking the Chief Guest and other dignitaries present there he again stressed on the need of a TT Table on which the CEC promised to give them two tables.

HOW TO REACH LADAKH.

The Himalaya Insight approach to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via Kargil is approx. 434 Km, which remains open for traffic from early June to November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet 3,505 m high Zoji-La, the pass in the Great Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway to Ladakh. The J & K State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey. Groups can charter Deluxe and A-class buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum (Zangskar) from the J & K SRTC at Srinagar.

Manali to Leh - Since 1989, the 473 km. Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second overland approach to Ladakh. Open for traffic from around mid-June to early October. This high road traverses the upland desert plateau of Rupsho, altitude ranges from 3,660m to 4,570m. A number of high passes fall enroute among which the highest one known as Taklang-La is world's second highest motorable pass at an altitude of 17,469 feet/5,235m. Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. The bus journey between Leh and Manali takes about 19 hours or two days with an overnight halt in camps at Serchu or Pang. Maruti Gypsy and jeep taxis are also available, both at Manali and Leh at quite reasonable rates.

ROAD DISTANCE
Srinagar-Leh 434 Km
Manali-Leh 473 Km
Srinagar-Kargil 204 Km
Delhi-Leh 1047 Kms
Leh-Kargil 234 Km
Kargil-Padum (Zanskar) 240 Km
Leh-Deskit (Nubra Valley) 118 Kms.


AIR TRAVEL
Indian Airlines www.indian-airlines.nic.in operates 3 flight in a week between Leh and Delhi, 2 flights in a week from Jammu and once in a week from Srinagar. Jet Airways www.jetairways.com also operates six flights in a week between Leh-Delhi and Kingfisher Airlines www.flykingfisher.com operates daily flight Between Leh-Delhi.

INTERNAL TRANSPORT
The cheapest way to travel within the region is by public buses, which ply on fixed routes according to fixed time schedules. The most comfortable and convenient though expensive mode of travel, however, is by taxi, which are available for hire on fixed point-to-point tariff. For visits to the newly opened areas of Nubra, Dah-Hanu, Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Lakes it is mandatory to engage the services of a registered/recognized travel agency for making all the requisite arrangements including internal transport. Detailed information about bus schedules, taxi tariff, travel agencies can be obtained from the Tourist Office or Local travels guide "Reach Ladakh", available at Book Shops.

FREEZING OF INDUS LEFT MANY HOMELESS.

Many families along the Indus River at Spituk fell victim to unusual freeze that led to river water diverting into inhabitated places forcing many including local migrant labourers and Tibetan refugees abandon their houses caught up in the midst of ice and water. Many agricultural lands of the main village also remained covered under ice sheets until situation got better lately with melting of thick ice layers enveloping the riverbed paving way for the water flow.

While most of the families abandoned the area some four families continued to live there hoping to retrieve their belongings from delipetated houses caught in the midst of thick ice layers and flowing water underneath. "I have my tools and generator set submerged in ice, said Tsewang Rigzin a carpenter who set up a small unit here to earn his livelihood.

Similarly, Pasang had grocerries worth around 60 thousand rupees in her collapsed house and shop in the middle of ice. Things were lying all strewn in damaged shop. Another victim Tsering Dorjey from remote Sku Markah valley migrated about 14 years ago to live here with his family as he makes his living by working as labourer in nearby army establishment. His house with cracks and collapsed walls bared the room floors covered in ice.

We were caught unaware of the sudden water and ice in the middle of the night on January 24, and had to cross to safety in chest deep ice and water making our feet and body numb, Rigzin said. The water-block walls along the bank was all submerged under ice as the entire river stretch from this end to the other side was all covered by thick undulating ice sheets.

The Spituk bridge had ice layer touching beneath its surface giving an indication of the thickness of the ice that has caused the blockage of water flow underneath its sheath and then cuasing diversions at loose boundaries. Army in its bid to try blasting with explosives at certain points left one of them injured severely.

Reasons behind this unprecendented phenomenon, as per official assesment, was blockage at Phey village due to debris and boulders that came along with August flash flood in Phyang village rivulet damming the river causing the gradual freezing from that point which was exarcerbated by extreme temperature (around minus 30) in Leh at that time. NHPC on request of LAHDC Leh breached the blockage by removing the boulders with the help of a special JCB machine.

The impact has been drastic leaving many families homeless and agricultural lands covered by ice sheets, a scene never witnessed before according to Tsering Chondol 56 a resident of Spituk village, whose house also developed cracks forcing her to abandon it and live elsewhere. Three houses also got affected in the main Spituk though the other houses close to the river too were threatened by this rising of ice sheets and water seeping into lands along the river.



Gatuk Tsering (64), a Tibetan refugee working as road labourer, has been living with her three sisters. Their house was in the midst of thick ice and river water, and they were lving in a single room of relatively safer neighbor's house. Similarly four other families were using this single house as their only place to live as all their houses have either collapsed completely or submerged in ice and water.

LADAKHIS ARE ON HUNGER PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF EXILED TIBETIANS

Locals in Ladakh took part in a hunger protest to express their solidarity with exiled Tibetans protesting against Chinese oppression.

Over 200 people participated in the event.

"Our main motive is the same as sought by the Dalai Lama. We will silently sit in hunger strike and protest," said Takpa Chimet, a group leader.

LADAKHI YOUTHES COME FORWARD FOR A CLEANING DRIVE.

Leh: Though adventure tourism has proved to be a money-spinner in Ladakh, it has also caused a major environment hazard. It is so because of the tons of garbage left behind by trekkers.

Tonnes of garbage in the form of polythene bags, soft drink cans etc. are left behind in the pristine countryside by trekkers.

Keeping this in mind, the Wildlife Department and Youth Association for Conservation and Development, a forum of youth in Hemis National Park, conducted a 10-day clean up and awareness drive between Chilling and Nimalung in Markha Valley.

RIMO DEFEATS ITBP IN SECOND WINTER TOURISM PROMOTION CUP.

Rimo club deafeated ITBP two goals to one in II Winter Tourrism Promoition Cup in a close fought match at Karzoo Ice rink today in Leh.

After the match, in his address Chief Guest Rigzin Spalbar promised to make the professional ice hockey stadium, being constructed close to the Council complex, at least ready to begin playing though it would take couple of more years for this stadium to become full fledged.

He also mentioned about the potential in this game to promote winter tourism, and in order to spread publicity about this game worldwide and attract teams from foreign countries plans are under way with various collaborations such as with Canadian Embassy team, who has been visiting to play in Leh for many years.

Later prizes were given away to winner, runner up and second runner up Skara team, apart from felicitations to speed skaters for winning many medals in an international meet at Dehradoon earlier this winter. The organisers Ladakh Winter Sports Club and District Sports and Youth Welfare department also announced on the occasion the Women ice hockey competition and CEC Cup tournament to begin soon.

WINTER TOURISM PROMOTION ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 BEGAN AT LEH

The Executive Councilor Tourism, Mr. Gyurmet Dorjey inaugurated the 2nd Winter Tourism Promotion Cup 2011 at Karzoo Ice Rink yesterday. The inaugural match was played between Rimo Club and ITBP and the later won by 3 goals to 2.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gyurmet said that though Ladakh has tremendous potential in promotion of winter games and great prospect of producing national as well as international players, but unlikely Leh failed in exploring its potential to the fullest till this date because of lack of apposite Ice Rink here. He said that the LAHDC Leh would make every effort for the earliest completion of the Ice Rink in Leh so that the players especially the younger lot would get the best opportunity to polish their talents and earn name and fame for Ladakh at National and International levels.

Welcoming the Canadian Embassy team in Leh, who will play some friendly matches with local teams, Mr. Gyurmet extended gratitude to them for their regular visit to

Ladakh and continuous support and guidance to the local teams. He said that the contribution of Canadian Embassy team has resulted in sharp improvement in the quality of Ice Hockey in Ladakh and adding that it was reflected by the results of National Championship and Asian Federation Games held recently at Shimla and Dehradun, where most of the medals were hauled by the Ladakhis.

Appreciating the tireless efforts of Ladakh Winter Sports Club who are the pioneering contributors in promotion of winter games at this height, Mr Gyurmet urged them to fully dedicate their abilities for further boosting of winter games in Ladakh.

He assured that LAHDC would make the winter games a major cause for promoting winter tourism in Ladakh.

Earlier, the Advisor, Ladakh Winter Sports Club Mr. PT Kunzang gave a detail summery of the championship and greeted the local participants and the Canadian team.

The Councilor, Upper Leh Gelong Lobzang Nyantak, Canadian Deputy High Commissioner in India, Mr. Jim Nickel, the Chief Executive Officer, Leh Development Authority, Mr. Tsering Morup, President Ladakh Winter Sports Club, Gyalpo Namgyal Wangchuk, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Mr. Dorjey, District Youth Service and Sports Officer Mr. Fida Hussain Khan and large spectators witnessED THE INAUGURAL MATCH

LADAKHIS ENJOY WINTERS DESPITE ENDURING HARDSHIP

Leh (Ladakh) : Despite the mercury dipping in the winter months, Ladakhis have learnt to endure adversities, and choose to deem this period as a season to relax and take a break from all the toil that they undertake during the rest of the year.

Totally cut off from the rest of the world, the 434 kilometres long Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway remains closed for six winter months due to heavy snowfall. The other route towards Manali in Himachal also remains closed due to snowfall.

Thus life almost comes to a halt for almost four months here as such the locals stock all the needs of daily use well in advance.

The hydro-power generation is also affected due to freezing of the water. The alternative source power through diesel engines is also restricted. It is limited to just six hours in the evening.

As such use of heavy electric gadgets is strictly banned from the middle of December and a fine of rupees five thousand is imposed in case one is found guilty of misusing electricity.

Alongside, water supply and sanitation are also some of the major problems faced by the people here.

Inspite of all these odd trends, the locals enjoy the winter months by hosting neighbourhood get-togethers where they feast on chang
(rice brew), good food and perform traditional dances, sing songs and also recite folk stories.

"People enjoy in the winters. Chilly winters and snowfall are important because people get to rest in winters. Ladakh people perform traditional dances, sing songs and retell folk stories, enjoying every bit of these refreshing items," said Tsering Norboo, a local.

The locals here rely on room firewood fed heating systems like bukharis which keep the rooms warm and do not emit smoke.

People of Ladakh store all essential commodities, including rice, flour, cooking gas, kerosene oil and other eatables in advance for the times when they literally go into a sort of hibernation.

During winters, the Ladakhis concentrate more on indoor activities and these could be weaving, knitting and allied handicrafts.

"Winters in Ladakh are different from the winters in other places. Here the temperature goes down from minus 10 to minus 30 degree Celsius. One can hardly venture out to do any work. But one can sit at home and do many indoor handicraft activities," said Sonam Sopari, a local.

During winter months, the minimum temperature in the daytime may range between 10 and 12 degree Celsius while the night temperature touches the minus mark of 25 to 30 degrees.

The resourceful among the Ladakhis prefer to take a break and holiday in warmer places lie Delhi and Chandigarh among other places.

LADAKH ICE HOCKEY TEAM FELICITATED FOR WINNING IIHF GONG

In a rare honour, the Indian Ice Hockey team was felicitated on its return from Abu Dhabi (UAE), where it participated in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Challenge Cup of Asia.

Ajit Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner, Leh in Jammu and Kashmir did the honours.

This was the first time that the ice hockey team led by Tundup Namgyal had gone abroad to participate in an event of such a scale
Terming the step as a beginning, Gyal Wangyal, the team manager, said, "More than the performance, the exposure which the players have got has been good. We would have been playing here at district level. We would not have been aware about the rules of the game nor the manner in which the game is played or the approach of the coach to instruct the players."

Ice hockey as a sport is popular in the region, but due to lack of adequate facilities its development and progress has been slow.

This first ever-international exposure has acted as a morale booster for both the players and the game.

"When we played our first match against Thailand, we did not know how the game was played. But in the 2nd and 3rd match, we played much better scoring a goal and played a very good game against Macau," said Aman Ali, player of the team.

The players are hopeful that the sport from here would only get better. With the formation of a District Olympic Association, things should get better from here. (ANI)

LADAKH NO MORE TOUGH FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED TOURISTS

Leh, August 11, 2010 “Himalaya on Wheels” is perhaps a novel concept in Tourism in the country that the Tourism and Culture Minister Rigzin Jora has launched in Leh recently. The concept is made keeping in mind the disabled tourists who too wish to visit places like Ladakh.

Ladakh being a mountainous region the tourist’s spots are located on hills that demands lot of walking which for the physically challenged gets quite tough to access. But under Himalaya on Wheels the disabled people right activists of Leh are starting to organize specific tour for disabled tourists.

Tourists with physical challenged visiting Ladakh, where most of the tourists spots are located on hill and needed to walk, can avail better accessibility here as disabled people right activists of Leh are starting to organize specific tour for disabled people under Himalaya on Wheels. “To convert the existing tourist’s spots accessible and disabled friendly, PAGIR has been approaching the owners of the tourist’s spots, hotels and guest houses since last two months requesting them to build ramps and make wide doors etc. The responses that we are getting are overwhelming,” told Kunzang Dolma, General Secretary of PAGIR, a Leh based NGO formed by physically challenged people who has initiated it in collaboration with Travel Another India Group.

Kunzang added that the main objective is to provide equal opportunities to the disable people willing to visit Ladakh because normally they cannot not tour here due to hilly and difficult terrain. “Also, it is to create a source of income generation for the disabled people of Ladakh”, she said.

10% HIKE IN HOTEL AND TAXI RATES IN LADAKH

As confirmed by sources, the Ladakh Taxi Operators Cooperative Ltd. has made a 10% rise in the taxi rates for the year 2011-2012. The President LTOCL told that the increment in the taxi rates have been made primarily because of none revising of the rates over the last three years and also considering the price hike of diesel. However, the rates will be applied from the month of April, 2011.

Following the suite, the Hotel Association of Ladakh too decided to increase their hotel rates by 10%. “The increase in taxi and hotel rates should not make the tourists give a second thought over their visit to this region because it is a very reasonable increment considering the inflation in general and expenses in particular pertaining to the geographical location of Ladakh,” said Tundup Dorjey, a leading travel agent in Leh.

HORN BILL FEST FUNDS TO AID LEH VICTIM

200 FOREIGN TOURISTS TO ATTEND WEEK-LONG NAGALAND EXTRAVAGANZA

Kohima, November 30, 2010
This year’s Hornbill festival will raise funds for the flash flood victims of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Commissioner and secretary of Nagaland’s department of tourism, Himato Jimomi, said, "the festival would raise funds for the victims of the flood that claimed hundreds of lives. The collections from the Hornbill Ball charity show will be given to the Prime Minister’s relief fund." Jimomi said that this charity programme would be held annually during the Hornbill festival for the needy and this year’s festival would have a plethora of entertainment shows for tourists.

A World War II rally, organized for world peace, will be flagged off from Dimapur on December 7. It will culminate at the WWII museum at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. The rally is to honour soldiers killed during World War II.

A Naga women pipe band will perform Amazing Grace at the museum. An international photo exhibition, international motor rally, Hornbill national rock contest and Naga shadow play (projecting the rich Naga culture and tradition), American musicians playing country, blues and jazz, Miss Nagaland contest, the Northeast fashion show and Northeast cultural shows will also be organized.

Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar will inaugurate the programme, expected to attract 200 foreign tourists, tomorrow at 10am. Doordarshan will telecast it live. Delegates from Thailand, Laos, Norway, Britain, Israel and the US will participate in the festival, for which the state government has allocated Rs 1.4 crore.

Jimomi said the main purpose of the festival is to help the local people to earn from it. "We spent money on facilitating the people to generate revenue," he told The Telegraph. The officials of the tourism department said that the festival would be a confluence of Naga tradition and culture.

The festival is the collaborative celebration of all Naga tribes at one venue and is considered the "festival of festivals". It is also a tribute to the hornbill, the bird most admired and revered for its qualities of alertness and grandeur in Nagaland.

"The awe and admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all tribal traditional headgear worn during the festival and it indicates the unity of the Nagas," Jimomi said. This festival is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage.

LADAKHI GALS PROVE THERE FEAT ON ICE IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS.

Leh, January 21, 2011
Diskit C Angmo (15) studying in Ladakh Public School in 9th standard and her compatriot Shabina Kawsar (14) of Saint Peter School in 9th standard have proved their abilities beyond academics in international speed skating, long trek events of winter sports.
To begin with they first took part in Dehradoon Open Championship in the last week of December in which both were given prize money of 30000 rupees each in 300 and 1000 meters speed skating events. Soon they left for Simla to take part in National championship in the same events where they achieved gold, silver and bronze medals.
First South Asian Winter Games in Dehradoon followed suite and again they proved their talents in demonstrations of synchronization for which they were lauded for their style and rhythm and received special citations. It was cool…says Diskit as they got all facilities from Indian Winter Sports Federation and happy to get the support from parents and Ladakh Winter Sports Federation.
Next on the card are trips to Poland, Finland and Canada where camps will be held and they will also get the rare chance to participate in International events of speed skating. “To achieve more and more successes and then to be a pride for people of Ladakh, Diskit” says with great hope and enthusiasm. Kosar too feels extremely happy and proud to have achieved so much and hopes for much more in future.

NEW TOUR CIRCUITS OPENED FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS IN LADAKH

Leh, April 22, 2010
Tourism in Ladakh this season has in stored for foreign travelers brand new sites to visit after opening of some of the restricted areas in Changthang, Nubra and other places in Leh and Kargil districts. The decision to open these border areas, for the first time since Ladakh was opened for foreign tourists in 1974, came about after J&K Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora vigorously pushed for it.

ICE HOCKEY TEAM FROM LADAKH FAILS TO MAKE IT TO ASIA CHALLENGER CUP FOR FUNDS PROBLEMS.

Ice Hockey team from Ladakh fails to make it to Asia Challenger Cup for funds problem
Leh, Monday, March 29, 2010 : Asia Challenger Cup for this year began today at Chinese Tapai, but this time team from Ladakh representing India failed to make it in this event for want of funds on the part of main organising body the Winter Sports Federation of India.

CAMPS OF LADAKH HIMALAYA

Ladakh…. The Land of Endless Discovery!

When the rest of India is reeling under extensive heat of summers or heavy rainfall during the monsoon and you have no other place in mind for your holidays, Ladakh is the perfect destination for you.

Located at an average altitude of 11500 ft above sea level, Ladakh is the perfect getaway from the oppressive heat of the plains.

Popularly known as Moon land for its outlandish landscape of vast barren mountains, Ladakh also has the bluest of skies and beautiful lakes that change different colors during the day.

Also known for its unique culture, monasteries & people, Ladakh no doubt is becoming one of the hottest destinations of India.
More infomation.
www.campsofladakh.com
mountaintrails.in
himalayainsight.com

HIMALAYA HOME STAYs

Homestays offer you a unique opportunity to stay with, and share the culture of Ladakhi people in remote villages, while trekking through rugged habitat of the endangered snow leopard. It allows you to enjoy the rhythm of life in hamlets where farming and livestock herding has been the way of life for centuries. These homestays are offered along trekking routes in Sham, Hemis National Park and Zanskar.

By using for a Himalayan homestay, you help local people generate income from tourism activities in their areas. This additional income helps in many ways; Increase local communities stake in conserving wildlife, Support local conservation actions that protect cultural and natural heritage (10% of the Homestay proceeds go to a village conservation fund supports activities like garbage management, tree plantation, better animal husbandry practices, restoration of cultural features like Mani walls.

Homestay provide you a clean, comfortable room (with candle or solar light), furnished in Ladakhi style, traditional Ladakhi meals, cooked hygienically, using eco friendly methods, boiled spring water to drink, a clean dry compositing toilet and local nature guides in some of the villages.

The three trekking routes are: Sham route takes you along the villages of Tarutse, Yangthang tokpo, Ule, Hemis Shukpachan and Ang.

The route through Hemis National park goes through Rumbak, Urutse, over the Gandala Pass, down to Shingo, Skyu Kaya and across the Zanskar River to Chilling.

The Zanskar route commences after a drive to Padum and takes you through Karsha, Pishu and Pidmo along the Zanskar River.
more information
www.himalayainsight.com
www.mountaintrails.in

FIRST SHOWFALL OF THE SEASON

Leh, October 19, 2009
Leh town and its surrounding areas have experienced snowfall in the morning for the second consecutive today. It was the first major snowfall of the winter season leaving the mountains and trees cladded with snow amidst greenery. The Leh town looked enveloped in white blanket of fresh snow and every one was enjoying it, especially the tourists.

According to Leh Police Control Room, there had been more than two inches in the low lying areas and about one ft at Khardongla pass.

Today, due to snow fall, the Leh- Manali highway was suspended for traffic to avoid untoward accidents. Khardong la pass was remained closed for traffic due to snowfall in the morning and cloudy weather at the pass. This pass is the only gateway to the Siachen Glacier where the defense personnel are posted and to the Nubra valley sub division.

Following snow fall, the cold wave started to intensify in the region with day temperature plummeted to minus 3 degree celcius and the maximum temperature was 6 degree celcius.

MUHARRAM IN LEH-LADAKH

Leh, December 28, 2009
Beating their chests, flagellating themselves severely on foreheads shouting religious slogans hundreds of Shia Muslims carried out their Muharram procession through the Leh bazaar today.

Many of them were seen carried away to the ambulance after falling unconscious. A large number of spectators also turned up to witness this religious sense of mourning over the sufferings of Imam Hussain on the day of Ashurah known among Shia Muslims as 'the day of grief', and which is called Yaumu-l 'Ashurah.

Shia Muslims in Leh are mainly concentrated in the Chushot village of the Indus River belt, which is about 12 kilometers from the Leh town.