Ladakh Range: A Himalayan Paradise of Peaks and Passes
The Ladakh Range
The Ladakh Range is a mountain range located in central Ladakh, India, with its northern extension reaching into Baltistan, Pakistan. It lies between the Indus and Shyok river valleys, stretching over 370 km. Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is situated at the foothills of the Ladakh Range in the Indus River valley.
The Ladakh Range is considered a southern extension of the Karakoram Range, stretching 370 km. from the confluence of the Indus and Shyok rivers in Baltistan to the Tibetan border of Ladakh in the southeast. In Tibet, the southern part of the Ladakh Range is referred to as the Kailash Range.
This mountain range forms the northeastern bank of the Indus River and the western bank of the Shyok River. With an average elevation of around 6,000 meters, the Ladakh Range does not feature any major peaks, though some of its summits are below 4,800 meters. Key mountain passes in the region include Chorbat (5,090 meters), Digar La (5,400 meters), Khardung La (5,602 meters), Chang La (5,599 meters), and Tsaka La (4,724 m.)
Geography
Ladakh is the highest plateau in India, with much of the region situated over 3,000 meters above sea level. It stretches from the Himalayan to the Kunlun Ranges and encompasses the upper Indus River valley. Historically, the region of Ladakh encompassed the Baltistan valleys (now mainly in Pakistani-administered Kashmir), the entire upper Indus Valley, the remote districts of Zanskar, Lahaul, and Spiti to the south, much of Ngari (including the Rudok region and Guge in the east), Aksai Chin in the northeast, and the Nubra Valley to the north, accessible via Khardung La in the Ladakh Range.
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Today, Ladakh borders Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti regions to the south, the Vale of Kashmir, Jammu, and the Baltiyul regions to the west, and the southwestern corner of Xinjiang, China, across the Karakoram Pass in the far north. The historically unclear boundary between Ladakh and the Tibetan Plateau begins in the north, in a complex network of ridges east of Rudok, including Aling Kangri and Mavang Kangri, and extends southeastward toward northwestern Nepal.
Leh is the largest town in Ladakh, followed by Kargil, with each serving as the headquarters of a district. The Leh district encompasses the Indus, Shyok, and Nubra river valleys, while the Kargil district includes the Suru, Dras, and Zanskar river valleys. Most of the population resides in these river valleys, though the mountain slopes also support pastoral Changpa nomads. The major religious groups in Ladakh are Muslims (mainly Shia) at 46%, Buddhists (mainly Tibetan Buddhists) at 40%, and Hindus at 12%, with the remaining 2% following other religions. Ladakh is one of the least densely populated regions in India, and its culture and history are closely linked to Tibet.
Ladakh became a union territory of India on 31 October 2019 following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. Prior to that, it was part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. It is both the largest and the second least populous union territory in India.
How to reach Laddakh Range
Reaching the Ladakh Range requires careful planning due to its remote location and high-altitude terrain. Here are the main ways to access the Ladakh Range:
The most convenient way to reach Ladakh, particularly if you’re traveling from other parts of India or internationally, is by air.
Leh Airport (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport) is the main airport serving Ladakh, located in the Indus Valley near Leh, the largest city in the region. It is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Srinagar, and Jammu.
From Delhi: Flights to Leh from Delhi take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. There are several daily flights. From Srinagar or Jammu: You can also fly to Leh from Srinagar or Jammu, with a flight time of around 1 hour.
Reaching the Ladakh Range by road involves traveling through some of the highest motorable passes in the world. Depending on the time of year, road access can be challenging due to snow, landslides, or road conditions, but it offers a scenic journey.
From Manali (Himachal Pradesh): The Manali-Leh Highway is one of the most popular routes to Ladakh. This road is open from June to September. It passes through high-altitude passes like Rohtang La, Baralacha La, Naki La, and Tanglang La, offering spectacular views of the mountains. Distance: About 475 kilometers, travel time: 2-3 days depending on stops.
From Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir): The Srinagar-Leh Highway is another option, open from May to October. It is considered less challenging than the Manali route and passes through scenic areas like Sonamarg, Zojila Pass, and Drass (the second coldest inhabited place on Earth). Distance: Around 430 kilometers, travel time: 2-3 days.
