India — Ladahk

Ladahk, the land of high mountain passes, is one of the most unique and awesome areas of the world. It is part of the Trans-Himalaya, a vast complex of mountain ranges between the main Himalaya range and the Tibetan plateau.

Often referred to as Little Tibet, its topography is arid and lunar-like. Ladahk is dotted with centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and forts perched high atop craggy mountain peaks. See the world's highest mountain ranges — the Himalaya and Karakorram. Explore ancient monasteries and experience one of the last places on earth where Tibetan Buddhist culture has not been disrupted.

Ladahk is the most western of Tibetan Buddhist lands. Although it is part of the Tibetan Buddhist world culturally and spiritually, it has never been subject to the Dalai Lama's government in Lhasa. For centuries Ladahk was an independent Buddhist kingdom. It became part if India in 1834 and, as a result, did not experience the violent destruction of its culture as happened in Tibet at the hands of Communist China.

The Buddhist culture in Ladahk has flourished untouched for centuries. It provides a rare opportunity to see one of the last remaining Tibetan Buddhist cultures. Ladahk is a treasure trove of sacred Buddhist art, especially Alchi, a great jewel of the Buddhist world. Alchi has one of the few remaining examples of Indian Buddhist art from the 11th century.

Come join us on this fantastic journey into the remarkable world of Ladahk — with its moonscape terrain, ancient monasteries, and one of the most astounding cultures in all of Asia.