Ladakh

Ladakh, the “Little Tibet” of India, is set between the Himalayas and Karakorum, along the upper valley of the Indo river in a magnificent scenario of white, eternally snow-capped mountains, the ancient road for access to Chinese Tibet. It is one of the last territories where the “Chiru” still live in the wild, that is the Tibetan antelopes from the precious coats of which the local peoples once derived the Shahtoosh shawl

We cannot fail to be enthralled by this country with its ancient history, its breathtaking landscape and its unique monasteries, authentic townships organised under a chief Lama, traditionally and still today the representative of religious and temporal power.

Heading towards the Valley of Nubra, the ancient route for the caravans along the southern silk road, we encounter the nomad peoples and their herds.

This territory, rendered mythical by the stories of the great travellers of the past, and still well off the beaten tourist track, has only in the last few years opened up to international tourism, subjected for centuries to the rival claims of India, Nepal and China.

Ladakh is not an important territory for the raising of the “Cashmere” goats, but it represents the origin of the history of this fibre, when the caravans coming from Tibet travelled through these valleys heading towards Shrinagar. As well as other products, they transported the Cashmere fibre destined to the craft production of Kashmir. Leh, a frontier city in bygone times, represents the starting point for excursions in the surrounding areas. Not to be missed, visits to Shey, Tiksay and the monasteries of Hemis and Lamayuru.

Zanskar

Zanskar is the most remote region of the Indian Himalayas, rarely penetrated by visitors as a result of distance and logistics. It is a completely isolated desert region with landscapes of fabulous immensity and austerity, where the ancient Tibetan traditions live on. Cut off for up to 9 months a year by the snow, it lives in solitary autarchy on account of the isolation caused by the impossibility of connections.

Over the course of its history Zanskar has had periods of independence, but in general the destiny of the territory has been linked to that of Ladakh, with an autonomy effectively granted by its isolation. The king of this Himalayan feud still lives in the village of Zangla, a figure who is respected and authoritative as a result of his personal charisma, but without any objective powers. 

In this remote territory, life is extremely harsh; in order to grow a little grain to make Tsampa, at the first signs of heat the peasants scatter earth over the snow to speed up the melting, otherwise the brief summer would be insufficient even to ripen the cereals essential for the preparation of what is the predominant staple foodstuff throughout Tibet! However, the harsh conditions do not appear to affect the serenity and the open smiles of the people you meet, possibly because they are inspired by a profound religious faith.
Visiting these places is an overwhelming experience; it is like going back in time to the heart of the Middle Ages. A tranquillity and peace reign here which we Westerners have completely forgotten, or which perhaps we never knew.

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