Video Ladakh Impressions, India

Lakes, rivers and passes at incredible heights. The state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) consists of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as separate entities. Ladakh, the land of the high passes, separates the West Himalaya from the Tibetian plateau. The Indus Valley with its white-washed monasteries is often called 'Little Tibet' for its cultural similarities with nearby Tibet. Ladakh, once known as the end of the habitable world, saw the first car in 1948. It was an army jeep, carried in by plane. The animals were so scared that they used to run for their life when spotting the vehicle. Until the late sixties only Indian Air Force planes carried travelers to Ladakh, strapped to benches and equipped with parachutes. It was in 1974 when the region opened up to tourism.