LADAKH 
LEH
Leh, the capital of Ladakh is situated at a height of 3505 meters and is towards the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir . The region is watered by the Zanskar River , which flows into the Indus River just below. Spilling out of a side valley that tapers north towards eroded snow-capped peaks, the Ladakhi capital sprawls from the foot of a ruined Tibetan style palace - a maze of mud-brick and concrete flanked on one side by cream-coloured desert, and on the other by a swathe of lush irrigated farmland.
Ladakh Religion and Culture
Origin
Twelve centuries after the Buddha attained 'nirvana' the Tibetan King Songstsen Gampo (Sron-bTsan Sgam-Po) who ruled from 618 to 649 AD, married Wen Chen from the court of China's Tang dynasty and Bkrikuti Devi, a Nepalese princess. Under their influence, Buddhism slowly developed in the Central Himalayan and Trans Himalayan regions of Tibet , Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh till it became the predominant faith.
Glimpses of present Life
Buddhism is the way of life in Ladakh. There are ancient Buddhist rock engravings all over the region, even in areas like Dras and the lower Suru Valley which today are inhabited by an exclusively Muslim population. The divide between Muslim, and Buddhist Ladakh passes through leh (on the Kargil-Leh road) and between the villages of Parkachick and Rangdum in the Suru Valley , though there are pockets of Muslim population further east, in Padum (Zanskar), in Nubra Valley and in and around Leh.
Work culture
The demeanor of the people is affected by their religion, especially among the women. Among the Buddhists, as also the Muslims of the Leh area, women not only work in the house and field, but also do business and interact freely with men other that their own relations.
Composite Heritage
Of the secular culture, the most important element is the rich oral literature of songs and poems for every occasion, as well as local versions of the Kesar Saga, the Tibetan national epic. Buddhists and Muslims.
How to Reach Ladakh
By Air
Airline service operates regular scheduled flights to Leh from Delhi , Chandigarh , Jammu and Srinagar . From Jammu there are two flights in week and from Srinagar one in a week.
By Road
The 434-km Srinagar-Leh road, which remains open for traffic from early June to November is the main land route to Ladakh. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet /3,505 m high Zoji-la. Recently, the 473-km Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second land approach to Ladakh.
Ladakh Travel Tips
Best time to visit Ladakh
Ladakh is open for tourist throughout the year, while the best period for tour and trek is from June to October. Most of the trekking routes are closed after November due to heavy snowfall.
Climate
Temperature in summer (June to September) can touch 30C and -20C in late December and January. Annual rainfall is 6".
Permit and Passport
Tourist don't require permit for Leh; however, all foreigners are required to registered at Drass, Rumtse and Sarchu if they are traveling by road. Those traveling by air get themselves registered at the airport. The tourist are required to get a permit for restricted areas like Tsomoriri, Tsokar, Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, which can be obtain through registered travel agencies. Make it sure to carry six photocopies of the permit while traveling, to submit at the Checking points.
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