Ladakh is a region, officially designated a Union Territory of India in 2019, located within the boundaries of the Indian sub-continent. It borders Tibet, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir. This region spans across a fairly large area, sandwiched between the Karakoram Mountain range in the North and the Great Himalayas in the South. Because of this picturesque positioning, this region was named Ladakh, which translates to “land of high passes”. There are two major districts in Ladakh: Kargil and Leh, the latter of which is the second largest district in the entire country. Ladakh is an extremely popular destination for travelers, with most roads and passes remaining open throughout the year and an endless number of valleys, monasteries, sub-districts, and mountain ranges within it to visit. Ladakh is also known for its ecotourism activities which include everything from awareness workshops to on-road adventures across the territory. These breathtaking images of the scenery across this mountainous region are just a glimpse of what Ladakh has to offer. 

1. Panikhar village, in Suru Valley near the town of Kargil

(By Narender9, Wikimedia Commons)  

2. Sheep graze in the fields of Rangdum village in Suru Valley

(By Narender9, Wikimedia Commons)  

3. The sun rises over Rangdum valley in Suru-Zanskar Valley

(By Narender9, Wikimedia Commons)  

4. The Shyok River (The River of Death), running through Northern Ladakh

(By Eatcha, Wikimedia Commons)  

5. Thiksey Monastery

(By Michael Hardy, Wikimedia Commons)  

6. The nine stupas at Thiksey Monastery 

(By Mufaddal Abdul Hussain, Wikimedia Commons)  

7. Likir Monastery, Leh

(By John Hill, Wikimedia Commons)  

8. Statue of Maitreya at Likir Monastery, Leh

(By Payal Vora, Wikimedia Commons)  

9. Jama Masjid of Leh next to the Leh Palace 

(By Motti Karniel, Wikimedia Commons)  

10. Leh Palace

(By Incomposition, Wikimedia Commons)  

11. Phyang Gompa

(By Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons)  

12. View of Leh from Stok 

(By KennyOMG, Wikimedia Commons)  

13. The town of Leh from Khardung La Road, in Stok Kangri 

(By Reflectionsbyprajakta, Wikimedia Commons)  

14. Himalaya Highway 3, also known as Ladakh Highway 3

(By babasteve, Wikimedia Commons)  

15. A Farm in Suru Valley

(By Motohiro Sunouchi, Wikimedia Commons)  

16. Sunset over a farm in Leh Valley

(By Karunakar Rayker, Wikimedia Commons)  

17. A farm in the area of Lamayuru

(By Hamon jp, Wikimedia Commons) 

18. Padum, the Doda plain in Zanskar

(By hamon jp, Wikimedia Commons)  

19. Indus River and Zanskar River Confluence

(By Gopal Vijayaraghavan, Wikimedia Commons)  

20. The Doda river to Zanskar river

(By hamon jp, Wikimedia Commons)  

21. Camping sites beside Zanskar River

(By hamon jp, Wikimedia Commons)  

22. 'Sangam' or the confluence of the river Zanskar and river Sindh

(By Incomposition, Wikimedia Commons)  

23. The Zaniskari or Zanskari, a breed of small mountain horse or pony from Ladakh

(By Eatcha, Wikimedia Commons)  

24. The Town of Leh and surrounding landscapes

(By sushmita balasubramani, Wikimedia Commons)  

25. Ladakh’s Lake Tso Moriri

(By Margarita, Wikimedia Commons)  

26. The Protected Monument of Alchi, a village in Ladakh

(By Sumita Roy Dutta, Wikimedia Commons)

27. Carved stone tablets, each with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" along the paths of Zanskar 

(Wikimedia Commons)  

28. Cham dance performed during the Dosmoche festival in Leh Palace

(By Sumita Roy Dutta, Wikimedia Commons)