Ladakh ‘Land of Many Passes’

As the world shrinks, with even the planet’s most inaccessible corners now generally accessible within a single day’s travel, there are fewer and fewer experiences that are still able to inspire a genuine sense of discovery and exoticism. Ladakh however is one such experience for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, until the advent of air travel and the construction of roads, Ladakh was only accessible for four months of the year via an arduous journey traversing some of the most impenetrable mountain ranges in the world. Secondly the area was placed off limits to travellers until 1974 due to sensitive frontiers with China and Pakistan. Thirdly accommodation in Ladakh was still relatively limited and fourthly, Ladakh’s centuries of isolation had in effect perfectly preserved its ascetic, purist and essentially medieval approach to the practise of Buddhism. It is indeed a country of ancient monasteries, including the Hemis monastery set in a beautiful valley of fast flowing streams, Liker, Alchi  and Lamayuru monasteries with wondrous collections of Buddhist artefacts.

Our overland journey to Ladakh is dramatic and scenic with en route visits to Amsitsar, home to the Golden Temple, the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan and Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj), a former British hill station which is now home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile.

Special Event - The Hemis Festival
The Hemis Festival is one of the Buddhist world’s oldest and most colourful celebrations. Ladakhis attend the celebrations in huge numbers dressed in their finest traditional costumes for two days of music and animated dance dramas that illustrate the struggle of good against evil. The itinerary will be changed to allow one day’s participation at the festival. Due to restricted space, visitors either stand or sit on the ground for the event. Dates are still subject to change. The Ladakh Festival is a 15-day cultural event with a programme of polo, archery, music and dance. Click here for more exclusive arrangements by VJV.