Pangong
Pangong Tso: 143 km away, is a huge brackish water lake the hues of which change with the passage of the sun. Partly in India and partly in China, the lake can be visited in one hectic day. The other option is to make an overnight halt on the banks of the lake at Spangmik, the last village where visitors are allowed. Take your camping equipment as the infrastructural facilities are scarce. Tourism department has a Hut at Tangtse.
Related Travel Information
AKHNOOR:
Situated 32 km to the west of Jammu, the historic town of Akhnoor is situated on the banks of the mighty Chenab river. This town is associated with the legendary love story of Soni-Mahiwal. Ruins of the Indus Valley civil¬isation can be seen along the riverbank.
The Drokpa Circuit
: On the banks of the Indus near Khaltse live the Drokhpa, a pure Aryan race. Ethnically, linguistically, religio-culturally at variance from the rest of Ladakh and those in the surrounding villages, this 2,000-strong race occupies five villages two of which, Dah and Biama, 160 km from Leh, are in the circuit. Include these two villages with your visit to the j Likir, Alchi and Lamayuru monasteries.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Many of the annual festivals of the go¬mpas take place in winter, which is a rela¬tively idle time for a majority of the people. These take the form of dance-dramas in the gompa courtyards. Lamas, attired in colour¬ful robes and wearing masks, perform mimes symbolising various aspects of the religion such as the progress of the individual soul and its purification or the triumph of good over evil. Local people flock from near and far to these events.The biggest and most famous of the
monastic festivals is that of Hemis, which falls in late June or early July, and
Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley, a sub-division after Khardungla, at 18,300 feet has the world's highest motorable road, also the highest point tourists pass unless they trek or gomountaineering. So popular is the drive to this pass that there is a taxi route upto Khardungla - and the guarantee to see snow even during the summer. Sightseeing in the valley involves three nights. In the peak season tented accommodation is available. Reservations must be made at Hotel Shamba-la in Leh (« 52067). Nubra Valley is located on either side of Shyok river. Deskit the main village, and Sumur have two of the
Jammu & Kashmir
Set let like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the sea J sons - always extravagantly beautiful.
Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range and the Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and the south respectively. JK
The Mughals aptly called Kashmir 'Paradise on Earth' to vjtere they journeyed to enjoy cool environs in summer.
Kashmir is a land where myriad holiday ideas are realised. In winter, when snow carpets the mountains, there is skiing, tobogganing and sledge-riding along the gentle slopes. In spring and summer, the
