Leh Leh is the headquarters of Leh District and the largest town of Ladakh. For a long time Leh remained the capital of the Rajas of Ladakh. It lies at an altitude of 10,800 ft above sea level.

Polo being played in Leh. Credit: Discover India

It is situated in a relatively open valley along the Indus River in the shadow of the Ladakh range. The tract around Leh is cultivated. However, as the mountains are devoid of vegetative cover, there is a perpetual scarcity of fuelwood at Leh.

Leh can be approached by air from Delhi and Srinagar. Landing in Leh is quite an experience: not only is the airfield at 11,000 ft above sea level, the landing operation also involves a turn within the valley. The aircraft finally clips past the monastery of Spitok to land on a runway that actually slopes down!

Film maker Karamjeet Singh, a frequent traveler to Ladakh, tells about his experience of flying to Leh:

High Summer. Near Nun Kun, on the way to Zanskar from Ladakh. Credit: Luke Powell

"If you come in from Delhi via Chandigarh in the Indian plains, the route takes you straight across the Parvati valley, over the peaks of Indrasan and Deo Tibba, to finally cross the Great Himalaya over the Kunzum pass. Beyond is the Trans Himalaya, and soon the great lake Tso Morari can be seen, an azure jewel amidst the auburn landscape. Beyond, the aircraft meets up with the valley of the Indus, which it follows till Leh. "

"Coming in via Srinagar offers some sensational views of Nun and Kun, both twenty-four thousanders, after which come the deeply shadowed gorges of Zanskar. From above Parkachik the plane banks to the right and crossing the Zanskar range, meets up with the valley of the Indus."

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