Ladakh is a high altitude desert bounded by mighty mountain ranges in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in Northern India. The vast area offers breathtaking natural beauty with the mountain ranges, placid lakes, valleys, and high altitude rivers captivating tourists. The altitude of the region varies between 2750 meters to 7672 meters, and the thin air requires acclimatization for at least one day. Following a carefully planned tour itinerary of Ladakh is the best way to explore this magical place. Rise in interest in the area and increase in the number of customized tour packages have resulted in a steady growth of tourism in Ladakh.

Destinations covered:

Any standard tour itinerary of Ladakh spans over 15 � 21 days. However, some operators offer shortened tours of 6-7 days in duration. The area is vast, and there are many tourist attractions in Ladakh, so the longer the tours the better the sightseeing options. Tourists have to acclimatize before setting outdoors, due to the thin air and arid climate that can cause mountain sickness and other health complications. The process usually takes one or two days. The tourist attractions in Ladakh can be broadly divided into Lakes, Passes, Valleys, Monasteries and palaces.

Lakes: the lakes of Ladakh are situated in amazingly beautiful surroundings. The lakes are also revered by the locals and pilgrims for religious reasons. The chief lakes in terms of tourist interest are � Pangong, Tso Moriri, and Tso Kar.

Passes: the passes of the region are perfect locations for trekking and camping. The most important passes included by any standard tour itinerary of Ladakh are Khardangla and Changla.

Valleys: the region is surrounded by the Karakoram, great Himalayas, Ladakh, and Zanskar ranges. These ranges bear many important valleys that have supported human settlement for centuries. These valleys also provide visual treats to the tourists, with their breathtaking scenery. The main valleys covered by the Ladakh tours are � Markha, Matho, Rupshu and Lahaul.

Monasteries: Ladakh is one of the major centers of Buddhism in India. The Tibetan monasteries in the region serve as both religious and historical buildings. The major monasteries covered by the Ladakh tours are Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Alchi, Lamayuru, and Namgyal Tsemo Monastery.

Tourism in Ladakh also includes wildlife packages and adventure tourism. The region supports many wildlife species that can survive on minimum vegetation in harsh climates. These species include Yak, Churu, Snow Leopard, Bharal and the Ibex. A large number of birds, including migratory species are found around the lakes.

Adventure tourism in this region is growing in popularity. Adrenaline rushing sports like river rafting, trekking, cycling and mountain climbing are also covered in specific tour itineraries.

Popular Ladakh tours:

Ladakh Wildlife Tour

Touristplacesinindia offers customized itineraries to cover all the major tourist attractions in Ladakh. The itineraries may vary in terms of duration and accommodation facilities depending upon the destinations selected.

Touristplacesinindia.com offers complete tour itinerary of Ladakh and other tourist places in India.

Tourist Map of Jammu and Kashmir