India is a country with myriad and unique landscapes having absolutely captivating scenes to behold. Every corner of the country allures one to something distinct and enthralling.
The Indian Himalaya covers a vast area along the northern boundary of India, spanning five states including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradech. For the people of the Indian Himalaya, the mountain range continues to dominant their lives as it has done for centuries and marks the divide between three of Asia’s main religions; Kashmir is largely influences by Islam, whereas the foothills of Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh follow Hinduism and from Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) through Tibet and onto the eastern state of Sikkim, the dominating religion is Buddhism.
Ladakh translates to “Land of the High Passes’ – and it certainly merits this name with its multitude of towering mountain ranges, river valleys and high plateaus. Unique and remote, the traditional culture of Ladakh derives from Tibetan Buddhism evidenced in the many centuries-old monasteries that are found in almost every village throughout Ladakh. As well, wildlife is abundant in the mountains, and it’s very common on our treks to see the Blue Sheep, Ibex, an occasional wolf, wild yaks, marmots, chukors, and birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle and the Iammergier. Ladakh is also home to the elusive Snow Leopard.
