9. Sept 2014

JOURNEY
Ladakh is the highest plateau of state of
Kashmir with much of it being over 9,800 ft.
It stretches the Himalayan range and the upper
Indus valley. The Indus River is the backbone
of Ladakh: Most major historical and current
towns - Leh, Lamayuru, Bodh Kharbu, Shey,
Basgo and Tingmosgang are on the Indus River.
Once it was the connection point between
Central Asia and South Asia when the Silk
Road was in use. The sixty-day journey on
the Ladakh route connecting Amritsar and
Yarkand through eleven passes was frequently
undertaken by traders till the third quarter of
the 19th century. Another common route in
regular use was the Kalimpong route between
Leh and Lhasa. These traditional routes have
been closed since the Ladakh-Tibet border
was sealed by the Chinese government. Now,
there are only two roads to link it with other
Indian territories: Leh-Srinagar road and Leh-
Manali road. Airway is the best alternatives to
go to the region.
SEPTEMBER 2014 / 41