Laddakh
Its altitude ranges from 9000 to 25000 feet. And is traversed by other mountain chains, the Ladakh range and Zanaskar range. It is rightly called “the broken moonland” and “land of endless discovery”.
Today a high-altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing clouds of the Indian monsoon by the barrier of the Great Himalaya, Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south-east plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins or lakes of Tso-moriri, Tso-kar and Pangong-tso. But the main source of water is winter snowfall.
Manali
Manali, at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, is a hill station situated at a height of
2050 m (6398 ft) in the Himalayas. Situated on the Beas river (and near its source), it is a popular tourist spot
for Indians in summer and a magical, snow-covered place in winter. A staging point for a number of treks
(Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass) and sports such as white-water rafting, Manali is also on the road to
Ladakh via the valley of Lahaul and Spiti.
Rohtang Pass
Rohtang pass (3979 m) is 51 kms. from Manali on highway to Keylong/Leh. It offers a panorama and spectacular mountain view. The pass is open from June to October each year although trekkers can cross it earlier.
It is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley just as Zojila pass is a gatway to Ladakh. There are a beautiful sight of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in the Lahaul valley.
Khardung La
Khardung La is a high mountain pass located in the Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir. The Siachen Glacier lies partway up the latter valley. Built in 1976, it was opened to motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry essential supplies to the Siachen. Khardong La is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Chinese Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen at Hundar, in the area north of the pass, mute witnesses to history. During World War II there was a futile attempt to transfer war material to China through this route.
Khardung La is widely, but incorrectly, believed to be the world’s highest motorable pass.
Taglang La
Taglang La is 17,582 feet (5,359 m), is a high mountain pass in Ladakh. It is the second highest motorable mountain pass in India after Khardung La and is reached via 21 Gata loops. It is located along the Leh-Manali Highway.
