Ladakh, a land which can be described only in speclative expanse. Geographical, historical and human factors have endowded in this region, known earlier as Manyul-the land of men with its unique character and place in the world.

One of the far western flank of Bhutan and India's Himalayan Mountains another great range runs nearly parallel from southeast to northwest. The highest peaks of the Zanskar Mountains like those of the Himalayas are perpetually covered in show and threaded by glaciers. Further to the East, the Ladakh Range parallels the Himalayas and the Zanskars. Eventually all three ranges run into the Karakorum Mountains that from the northeastern boundary of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. The land between and among these ranges is known as Ladakh. It covers nearly 4,000 squre miles and is seperated from the Changtang wilderness region of Tibet to the east by a disputed line on the maps of India and China.

Ladakh's capital of Leh is a town of nine or ten thousands people lying in the broad valley of the Indus River a day or two's journey from the Tibetan border. The valley floor is about 11,500 feet and most of the region rises to higher altitudes, Scattered throughout this valley are a number of prominent Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The temples of Thikse Monastery are visiable for miles, perched on the tops of rocky outcroppings with monks' living quarters cascading down and around them turning the whole hill into a sacred city.