Ladak

Ladākh Essentials

Ladakh’s landscape is defined by the high-altitude Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, featuring ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and royal residences. This selection includes Thikse and Stakna monasteries, known for their Gelug and Drugpa heritage, alongside the 17th-century Shey and 19th-century Stok palaces. Geographical landmarks range from the 5,540-meter Karakoram Pass on the ancient Silk Road to the base camp of K2 and the Godwin Austen Glacier. These sites represent the region's spiritual history and its position as a gateway between Central and South Asia.

Thikse Monastery

Thiksey Monastery or Thiksey Gompa is a Buddhist monastery affiliated with the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Broad Peak

Broad Peak is one of the eight-thousanders, and is located in the Karakoram range spanning Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and Xinjiang, China.

Gand La

Hemis National Park is a high altitude national park in Ladakh, India.

Stakna Monastery

Stakna Monastery or Stakna Gompa is a Buddhist monastery of the Drugpa sect in Stakna, Leh district, Ladakh, northern India, 21 or 25…

Karakoram Pass

The Karakoram Pass is a 5,540 m or 18,176 ft mountain pass between India and China in the Karakoram Range.

Godwin Austen Glacier

High-altitude glacier in the Karakoram range that flows from the base of K2 to join the Baltoro Glacier at the Concordia junction.

Stok Palace

Built in 1820 as the residence for the Ladakhi royal family, this palace features a museum housing royal crowns, traditional attire, and 16th-century thangkas.

Shey Palace

The former summer capital of Ladakh, built in 1655. It is known for its 12-meter copper and gold-plated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Gilkey Memorial

The Gilkey Memorial is a memorial and tomb for those who have died while climbing K2.

K2 Base Camp

The primary staging site for expeditions attempting to summit K2, situated at 5,150 meters near the confluence of the Godwin-Austen and Baltoro glaciers.