The Ladakh Experience

26/08/2021

Chrobat Valley : A Piece of Baltistan in Ladakh !

Including a peek into the Village of Thang.

16/09/2020

Work From Wilderness

08/09/2020

Launching Tommorow at 12

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CAN'T KEEP CALM !

After more than a month of discussions, days of pondering, our new kid is finally on the block.

LAUNCHING TOMORROW right here at 12 PM (9th Sep'20).

Stay tuned. We are excited beyond words for this one. Keep supporting.

14/07/2020

Nun 7136 m

Pic from April 2018. Suru Valley, Kargil District, Ladakh

14/07/2020

Follow our Work From Mountains Page for the ideal Long Stay Properties in the Mountains !

Getting away from it all.

With a Mountain Cottage all to your self.

Our Listing coming soon for Long Stay Work and Stay options !

13/07/2020

The Geography of Ladakh Simplified

Ladakh, the name comes from “ La Dvags” which means the Land of the High Passes. Most of us are well aware of the fact that it's a Trans Himalayan Desert. But there are other finer parts of the Geography which make it more interesting.

If you are driving to Leh whether from the Srinagar side or from the Manali side you have to cross the first major Range which falls in the way. These are the Pir Panjals. From the Srinagar side you cross it before coming into the Kashmir Valley through the Banihal Tunnel which was built under what used to be the Banihal Pass. You can also come from the Mughal Road and on that Road you cross the Pir Panjals at the Pir Ki Gali Pass. In case you are coming from the Manali side you cross the Pir Panjals at the famous Rohtang Pass. But the Rohtang Pass will soon meet the fate of the Banihal Pass as the Rohtang Tunnel is expected to be operational by the end of the Year. But it might survive as a Tourist attraction for people who want to see and experience Snow. Though the Passes on the Pir Panjals are not as high as some of the higher Passes further afield yet they are notorious as they get the maximum amount of precipitation in the Western Himalayas in the form of both Snow and Rain.

After crossing the Pir Panjal Range it's time to now cross the big Daddy. The Great Himalayan Range itself. From the Kashmir side you do it from the Zoji La and from the Lahaul side you do it via the Baralacha La. Both of these Passes are quite notorious and give a hard time to many though in recent years they have been tamed to some extent. There is talk of a Tunnel itself under the Zoji La but I guess that is many years away for now. After crossing the Great Himalayan Range from the Manali side after passing over a couple of passes you need to cross the Zanskar Range and this is does at the Tanglang La. While coming from the Kashmir side you cross the the Zanskar Range at Namika La and Fotu La.

And then if you want to go further North you have to go across the Ladakh Range which is crossed over at the famous Khardung La and now you come face to face with the most perpendicular of all the Mountain Ranges in the World. The Karakorams. Standing atop the Khardung La you can see the difference. The nicely rounded Peaks of the Zanskar and Ladakh Range in deep contrast to the craggy Towers of the Karakorams. Of course you can cross the Karakorams also (in a perfect world) over the Karakoram Pass but that's quite out of the question as of now.

Traditionally the Indus has been considered the dividing line between the Karakorams and the Himalayas. The Ladakh Range is considered by some to be a part of the Karakorams. Even the Encyclopaedia Britannica says its a part of the Karakorams but a majority of researchers consider it a part of the Himalayas as the Ladakh Range (and its sub Range the Changthang Range) along with the Kailash Range and the Nyeng-Chin-Thanla Range run almost parallel to the Great Himalayan Range all the to its Eastern extremity and hence its considered a part of the Himalayas rather than the Karakorams.

Most people who visit the fact are usually oblivious to the fact that Ladakh is located within the Karakoram Range and the Great Himalayan Range. One marks the Northern Boundary the other makes up the Southern Boundary. And most actually miss seeing the Great Himalayan Range up close from the other side. We all usually see the Great Himalayan Range from this side ie the side which faces the Indian subcontinent but seldom do we see it from the other side and Ladakh gives the perfect opportunity to do the same. Infact this is the only Place where you could have Breakfast under the shadows of the Great Himalayan Range and have dinner in the shadow of the Karakoram Range (or one of its Muztaghs as its sub-Ranges are also called). But in order to view the spectacular Great Himalayan Range you have to come down to Kargil and head into the Suru Valley. Its here in the Suru Valley sandwiched between the Zanskar Range and the Great Himalayan Range is where you get spectacular view of the Great Himalayan Range with its craggy Peaks quite different from the ones of the Zanskar or the Ladakh Range. Ah to look at the Nun Kun Peaks from Panikhar is one of the most spectacular views in the Himalayan Region but most just miss it.

And of course you get great views of the Karakorams from the Khardung La but the views from Nubra Valley and beyond are not so spectacular but there are areas in Ladakh from where you can get great views of the Karakorams but these areas are off limits due to reasons which do not need to be elucidated here. But hopefully they will be opened someday and the beauty of the Karakorams in all their vertical glory is revealed to all of us.

11/07/2020

The Chocolate browns and the Blue and Whites in the background.

In the land of the Passes. This was approaching Fotu La I think on the Leh Kargil Highway.

Pic from April 2018. Ladakh.

08/07/2020

Umba Pass : Drass to Suru Valley

Many of us have travelled to Ladakh. Many of us more than a few times. But there are parts of Ladakh which still remain offbeat and dont really feature in any "Ladakh" usually. To put it in simple terms as per the current status these are the main Valleys that make up Ladakh :

1. The Indus Valley

2. The Nubra Valley

3. The Drass Valley

4. The Suru Valley

5. The Zanskar Valley

The Indus Valley and the Nubra Valley are the most visited and for some people this is Ladakh. They simply forget or aren't even aware of the other 3 and the wild beauty they hold. Of course the Zanskar Valley gets some attention due to a wretched Winter Trek. However Drass and Suru which can stand up on their own to any place in the Mountains anywhere. Especially the mind blowing Suru Valley.

Here is a Video from yesterday of us descending from the Umba La which connects Suru and Drass Valley. In the Video you see below Drass town and the mountains on the LOC including the Tiger Hill. And you see some other Mountains around such give you an idea of the wild beauty this place holds. And this is also the coldest inhabited part of India. More on the coldest part of Drass Valley itself later.

In the meantime enjoy the Video with Pink Floyd as the back ground music.

Video from yesterday. Kargil Sector, Ladakh

07/07/2020

The Changthang.

A place of immense beauty amidst desolation of the Tibetan Plateau. A place devoid of most human in habitation except for the Pashmina Goat rearing Changpas. With an average altitude of above 4000m it stretched from Tibet into Ladakh.

The Changthang is home surprisingly to a large number of wildlife species including the Snow Leopard, the Tibetan Wild Ass, the Chiru etc. The legendary Indus flows through the Changthang and it includes a number of wetlands and marshes which attract migratory birds such as the Black Necked Crane and the Bar Headed Geese.

The Changthang always fascinated the Western Explorers few of whom ever stepped into its splendid isolation. The unpredictable weather, the Artic conditions in the Winters and the paucity if human in habitation didnt help either.

I happened the drive from Pangong Lake to the Tso Moriri, two Lakes which lie within the Changthang. And to keep it simple it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The legendary Changthang. The home of the Changpa who produce the finest Pashmina bearing Goats. Pashm which for centuries bought neighbouring Kingdoms to War with each other.

Pic from this week. Some where on the Changthang between Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.

06/07/2020

A beautiful Mosque in Drass.

Besides being famous for being "The Second Coldest Inhabited Place in the World" (I often wonder where they came up with this stupidity ; it could well be the coldest inhabited place in India, which I would agree with) it also holds a unique place in the Geographically of Ladakh. Traditionally Dras was known as Hembabs with the word "Hem" meaning the same as it does in "Him" of the Himalayas. Basically a place which gets a lot of snow as this area got the most snow in the whole region.

And also Hembabs is also the place with the most influence of Kacheeyul, which is the traditional Tibetan/ Ladakhi word for Kashmir. And a number of Kashmiris have traditionally come over here and settled here.

And most interestingly the language spoken in Drass is Shina unlike the Purigi version of Balti spoken in Kargil and Suru Valley. The same language is spoken in the Gurez Valley in Kashmir as well. Shina is a one of the major languages of Gilgit Baltistan as well with 40% of the population supposedly speak Shina.

For most people this is just a cold place in way to Leh. But this place holds much more than that.

01/07/2020

The Illustrated Mountain Geography Of Ladakh

Ladakh, the name comes from “ La Dvags” which means the Land of the High Passes. Most of us are well aware of the fact that it's a Trans Himalayan Desert. But there are other finer parts of the Geography which make it more interesting.

If you are driving to Leh whether from the Srinagar side or from the Manali side you have to cross the first major Range which falls in the way. These are the Pir Panjals. From the Srinagar side you cross it before coming into the Kashmir Valley through the Banihal Tunnel which was built under what used to be the Banihal Pass. You can also come from the Mughal Road and on that Road you cross the Pir Panjals at the Pir Ki Gali Pass. In case you are coming from the Manali side you cross the Pir Panjals at the famous Rohtang Pass. But the Rohtang Pass will soon meet the fate of the Banihal Pass as the Rohtang Tunnel is expected to be operational by the end of the Year. But it might survive as a Tourist attraction for people who want to see and experience Snow. Though the Passes on the Pir Panjals are not as high as some of the higher Passes further afield yet they are notorious as they get the maximum amount of precipitation in the Western Himalayas in the form of both Snow and Rain.

After crossing the Pir Panjal Range it's time to now cross the big Daddy. The Great Himalayan Range itself. From the Kashmir side you do it from the Zoji La and from the Lahaul side you do it via the Baralacha La. Both of these Passes are quite notorious and give a hard time to many though in recent years they have been tamed to some extent. There is talk of a Tunnel itself under the Zoji La but I guess that is many years away for now. After crossing the Great Himalayan Range from the Manali side after passing over a couple of passes you need to cross the Zanskar Range and this is does at the Tanglang La. While coming from the Kashmir side you cross the the Zanskar Range at Namika La and Fotu La.

And then if you want to go further North you have to go across the Ladakh Range which is crossed over at the famous Khardung La and now you come face to face with the most perpendicular of all the Mountain Ranges in the World. The Karakorams. Standing atop the Khardung La you can see the difference. The nicely rounded Peaks of the Zanskar and Ladakh Range in deep contrast to the craggy Towers of the Karakorams. Of course you can cross the Karakorams also (in a perfect world) over the Karakoram Pass but that's quite out of the question as of now.

Traditionally the Indus has been considered the dividing line between the Karakorams and the Himalayas. The Ladakh Range is considered by some to be a part of the Karakorams. Even the Encyclopaedia Britannica says its a part of the Karakorams but a majority of researchers consider it a part of the Himalayas as the Ladakh Range (and its sub Range the Changthang Range) along with the Kailash Range and the Nyeng-Chin-Thanla Range run almost parallel to the Great Himalayan Range all the to its Eastern extremity and hence its considered a part of the Himalayas rather than the Karakorams.

Most people who visit the fact are usually oblivious to the fact that Ladakh is located within the Karakoram Range and the Great Himalayan Range. One marks the Northern Boundary the other makes up the Southern Boundary. And most actually miss seeing the Great Himalayan Range up close from the other side. We all usually see the Great Himalayan Range from this side ie the side which faces the Indian subcontinent but seldom do we see it from the other side and Ladakh gives the perfect opportunity to do the same. Infact this is the only Place where you could have Breakfast under the shadows of the Great Himalayan Range and have dinner in the shadow of the Karakoram Range (or one of its Muztaghs as its sub-Ranges are also called). But in order to view the spectacular Great Himalayan Range you have to come down to Kargil and head into the Suru Valley. Its here in the Suru Valley sandwiched between the Zanskar Range and the Great Himalayan Range is where you get spectacular view of the Great Himalayan Range with its craggy Peaks quite different from the ones of the Zanskar or the Ladakh Range. Ah to look at the Nun Kun Peaks from Panikhar is one of the most spectacular views in the Himalayan Region but most just miss it.

And of course you get great views of the Karakorams from the Khardung La but the views from Nubra Valley and beyond are not so spectacular but there are areas in Ladakh from where you can get great views of the Karakorams but these areas are off limits due to reasons which do not need to be elucidated here. But hopefully they will be opened someday and the beauty of the Karakorams in all their vertical glory is revealed to all of us.

The pics below show some of the things mentioned above. The magnificent Nun Kun Peaks as seen from the Suru Valley, a pic from a Flight showing the transition from the Great Himalayan Range to the Zanskar Range, a Truck astride the Great Himalayan Range near Zoji La, a pic of the mighty Karakorams as seen from Khardung La and lastly a Map for guidance on the Himalayan Range

01/07/2020

The Trans Himalayan Silk Route Trade

Our special Curated Tour in 2021 to take you in the footsteps of the Century’s old Silk Route over the Himalayas which connected the Northern Plains of India with Central Asia, Tibet and China. This Route which went over the most formidable chain of Mountains in the World was an epic Journey which took months and was fraught with danger. Though the Trade came to halt in 1949 due to the closing of borders and territorial disputes there are still enough reminders and landmarks continue to exist today.

Through our Research over the Years we have now established a Trail by which we give you a taste and a history of this most historic and daunting of Trade Routes. The Worst Trade Route in the World as someone aptly put it.

Drop your Email for more details.

30/06/2020

Cows vs Indus

We were on the last leg of a tiring "Ladakh Odyssey" where in we had clocked over 1500 kms in around 5 days. And i was lucky enough to do most of it in a Gypsy. And we were coming back from Tso Moriri via the Chumathang Route driving along the Indus.

And while driving along the Road I casually noticed a couple of Cowherds walking their Cows along the Indus. There was nothing extra-ordinary except that I was looking at the Path they were going on and at one point there seemed to be no Path at all. Just a sheer Rock face with no visible Path through it. And I wondered how they would negotiate that. It looked almost suicidal that they would even Venture there.

So we decided to stop and see what would happen. We could see the Village also ahead and it was clear that they were headed to the Village. And then we watched what happened and recorded it on our Devices. Of course what happened next is something that needs to be seen to be kinda believed.

Note : The Video contains Strong/ Offensive language, think of it as something you are seeing on Netflix. NSFW. But that goes with the emotions that were going around in our head at that time. Viewer Discretion is advised. You have the option of watching it with the Audio switched off as well.

Video from August 2018. On the Road between Chumathang to Leh.

https://www.facebook.com/travelthehimalayas/videos/158212282201960/

29/06/2020

The Ethereal Pangong Lake

25/06/2020

The Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh

24/06/2020

The Tiger Hill and the Town of Drass in the Valley below in the Kargil District of the UT of Ladakh.

22/06/2020

The Pangong Lake, Ladakh

15/06/2020

Relevance of Traditional Ladakhi Dry Compost Toilets

Many people visit :Ladakh every year but few of them are aware of the acute Water shortages and contamination of Ground Water that Ladakh is facing. We need to remember that Ladakh is a Cold Desert with very deficient Rainfall / Snowfall. And with the Tourist footfalls growing every year its only a matter of time before the sitiuation would turn drastic.

One of the most eco friendly ways for the same is to use the traditional Ladakhi dry compost Toilets. Not only do these Toilets save Water they also help re-cycle the Human waste by using it as Compost for the fields.

This is a great little Documentary which highlights the problem and the Solutions being worked on.

So next time go for a place with a Traditional Ladakhi Dry Compost Toilet instead of a regular Water wasting one.

You have shown enough symbolic love for Ladakh and now put your words into action and actually do something about it. You owe it to Ladakh!

Please Share as much as you can. Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/travelthehimalayas/videos/311803416474839/

14/06/2020

Starchey's Ladakh 1851

One of the first accurate Maps of the Ladakh region was created by Strachey in 1851.

interestingly he used the Ladakhi names for the neighboring Regions. It also gives an idea of what places were thought of as important as that point of time from a Ladakhi point of view.

Note these are the Ladakhi / Tibetan names for the regions which bordered Ladakh ( Got them from an old Map that I happen to come across ) :

Kashmir - Kachee Yul
Kulu - Nyungti
Kinnaur - Kunu
Drass - Hembaps
Marwah Warwan - Maru Wardwan
Chamba - Chamba
Kishtwar - Kishtwar
Padar - Paldar
Badarwah - Badarwar
Pangi - Panga
Bharmour - Barmaur
Lahaul - Garzha

All these places are the Cathedrals of the Himalayas and in my view one of the most intriguing Mountain geographies on the Planet. With an amazing array of ethnic, cultural, lingual, religious and societal diversities.
May we all get a chance to visit these places.

12/06/2020

The Flight to Leh

Many of us have visited or plan to visit Ladakh and the easiest way to do so is to Fly. But unlike any other Flight it gives us a chance to Peek into the Wilderness of the Highest Mountains on the Planet.

A flight to Leh from the Plains gives you an actual opportunity to view the awesomeness of the mightiest Mountain Range on the Planet especially just as Winter gives way to Spring and the Peaks have the maximum amount of Snow which accentuates the appearance of the Mountains.

The endless Plains first give way to the lower Hills and the Shivaliks. Its just ahead and coming out of these lower Hills are a number of Rivers as they enter the Plains. And the effect of man's work is also visible as you see the Reservoirs of various Dams appear once into the lower Hills.

The lower Hills give way to the Lesser Himalayan Ranges like the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjals. These appear as big mountains with craggy tops and snow higher up with a some small Glaciers.

Once across this suddenly you see an elevation in the lay of the land and till the eyes can see are visible craggy Peaks all white with massive Glaciers between the Massifs. This is the sign that you are now on the Great Himalayan Range itself. The main and the highest Spine of this Mountain Range. And it goes without saying this appears as the most dramatic part of the Range as its a virtual Ocean of thousands of Spires.

But like all good things must end so does this this.And then you start noticing that the landscape gets browner with lesser Snow and the Mounatins appear to be rounder rather than craggy. These are the Trans Himalayas. And also making their appearance are certain large water bodies that exist on this Trans Himalayan desert. In the pic below you can see the dramatic change as you cross from the Great Himalayas over to the Trans Himalayas with a River acting like a border. The Mountains to the right of the River are craggier and whiter than the ones to the left. Also in the left corner you see a large water body which is the Tso Moriri Lake.

However the Trans Himalayas dont last long as soon appearing on the horizon are Mountains ever craggier than the Great Himalayan Range. These are the what were called in Turkic language as the Black Rock Mountains and even today we use that term for them, the Karakoram, arguably the most impenetrable Range of the whole system. From the Leh flight as it starts its descent on the first view of the Karakaorams they appear even more formidable till they disappear behind the Ladakh Range and the plane lands along the Indus River.

However if by some luck we were able to continue to fly northwards we would cross the first line of the Karakorams and come across the formidable Deosai and the Depsang with the Changthang of the Tibetan Plateau further afield on the right alongwith Changchenmo. Soon we would be flying over the mighty K2 and the Trans Karakoram Tract. But the fun doesnt end until you run into the spires of Kun Lun and the Pamirs at the point they meet and converge. Another great Mountain vista awaits you you cross another of these Great Mountain barriers which seperate the Indian sub-continent from Central Asia. And finally our imaginary flight would land at Yarkand at the edge of the Tarim Basin.

You have just flown over the most formidable Mountain barrier on the Planet. Now think of the Men who crossed these barriers on foot. And let me know if a chill passes down your spine when I tell you their stories on a day I decide to tell that story :)

Do walk the Mountains someday instead of flying or driving over them

Pic from April 2018. Delhi to Leh flight.

10/06/2020

Antiquities from Ladakh at the British Museum

The Collection of Antiquities and everyday use Items from Ladakh at the British Museum Collection.

https://travelthehimalayas.com/kiki/2018/10/28/antiquities-from-ladakh-at-the-british-museum

The Collection of Antiquities and everyday use Items from Ladakh at the British Museum Collection.

09/06/2020

High Altitude Gear From The Hall Of Fame In Leh

The Hall of Fame Museum near Leh in Ladakh has a section dedicated to the Equipment used by High Altitude Mountaineers generally and the Indian Army specifically while guarding the high frontiers in the Himalayas and the Karakorams. We have a look at some of the great Gear on display.

https://travelthehimalayas.com/kiki/high-altitude-gear-from-the-hall-of-fame

The Hall of Fame Museum near Leh in Ladakh has a section dedicated to the Equipment used by High Altitude Mountaineers generally and the Indian Army specifically while guarding the high frontiers in the Himalayas and the Karakorams. We have a look at some of the great Gear on display.

08/06/2020

The Disputed Shaksgam Valley

The Shaksgam Valley situated beyond the Karakorams, and also referred to as the Trans Karakoram Tract is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth and as of now its disputed Territory, claimed by India but illegally ceded to China by Pakistan. Few people have ever ventured in the one of the last remaining wildernesses of the World.

https://travelthehimalayas.com/kiki/the-shaksgam-valley

The Shaksgam Valley situated beyond the Karakorams, and also referred to as the Trans Karakoram Tract is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth and as of now its disputed Territory, claimed by India but illegally ceded to China by Pakistan. Few people have ever ventured in the one of the last

07/06/2020

The beautiful Black Sheep Bed & Breakfast at Kargil.

A great new place in Kargil for your next visit.

07/06/2020

The Colors of the Suru Valley, Ladakh

Our favourite part of Ladakh by far. Lying between the Zanskar Range and the Great Himalayan Range, the enchanting Suru Valley.

It's the sort of place that's a Mountain lover's dream come true. Bounded by the 7000 er Giant Twins Nun Kun the highest Peaks of the Himalayas in Ladakh. You just don't get this kind of vertical elevation anywhere else in Ladakh and the Valley lies at an amiable altitude of around 10,000 which makes it more human friendly than any other place in Ladakh as well.

The spectacular Valley where Kashmir meets Tibet. Suru Valley is the perfect Tribute to both.

How can people even miss this when they visit Ladakh?

Pics from April. Suru Valley, Kargil District, Ladakh

06/06/2020

The Pioneers of Ladakh Travel.

The Nest and Wings Ladakh Guide from 40 years back. One of the best written Guides about Ladakh back in 1979.

And Ads of some of the Travel Companies which were operating in Ladakh.

06/06/2020

The Village of Thang

The Village of Thang is the last Village on the Indian side of the LOC in the Turtuk Sector. It lies beyond the Village of Turtuk and Tyakashi and Civilians are only allowed till a point before the Village.

These are exclusive pics from inside the Thang Village where entry is restricted but we managed special permission to Visit the Village. Sharing some pics of the same.

05/06/2020

Gurez to Dras : An Alternate Route to Ladakh !

A Road which connects Gurez to Drass via the Kaobal Gali. This provides an alternate Route from Kashmir into Ladakh via Gurez instead of the Zoji La but as of now the Road remains Off limits for Civilians and only Military Vehicles are allowed. Presenting some exclusive pics of this beautiful Road and hoping one day its opened for normal Civilian traffic.

https://travelthehimalayas.com/kiki/2018/10/13/gurez-to-drass

A Road which connects Gurez to Drass via the Kaobal Gali. This provides an alternate Route from Kashmir into Ladakh via Gurez instead of the Zoji La but as of now the Road remains Off limits for Civilians and only Military Vehicles are allowed. Presenting some exclusive pics of this beautiful Road a

04/06/2020

The Inter-State Himalayan Boundary Dispute at 14000 ft

An Inter-State Boundary dispute at 14000 ft beyond the mighty Baralacha La between the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The dispute involves the marking of the actual Border between Lahaul on the Himachal side and Ladakh on the Jammu and Kashmir side.

PS : This article was written before Ladakh was made a separate Union Territory in August 2019.

https://travelthehimalayas.com/kiki/The%20Inter-State%20Himalayan%20Boundary%20Dispute%20at%2014000%20ft

An Inter-State Boundary dispute at 14000 ft beyond the mighty Baralacha La between the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The dispute involves the marking of the actual Border between Lahaul on the Himachal side and Ladakh on the Jammu and Kashmir side.

03/06/2020

Kailash Sacred Landscape

Spread over an area of about 31,000 km2 the Kailash Sacred Landscape is an ecologically diverse, multi-cultural and fragile landscape. It is located in the remote southwestern portion of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, with parts falling in the far-west of Nepal and northeastern flank of Uttarakhand in northern India. This landscape has distinct biophysical features and historical and cultural significance, which are well documented.

Across the three countries, the landscape is characterized by a fine network of religious places and sacred sites, high-altitude lakes, snow peaks and permafrost areas. Its network of religious sites spreads across the three countries sharing the landscape. Most important among these are Mount Kailash and lake Mansarovar (both within the Tibet Autonomous Region), which are the ultimate pilgrimage destinations for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and Bonpos.

The landscape is also the origin and headwater of four of Asia’s major rivers: the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra and Karnali. The Sutlej ultimately meets the Indus and Karnali, and through many other river systems, flows into Ganges. These rivers support the lives and livelihoods of a million people in the Kailash Sacred Landscape alone and have a great significance for ecosystems (rangelands, wetlands, and forests) and their interfaces, megahabitats, and biodiversity, while also safeguarding the cultural linkages and sustainable development of local populations.
Year: 2015

From collection: The Himalayan Climate and Water Atlas

Cartographer: Riccardo Pravettoni