Ladakh – the land of high mountain passes
Mariusz Jachimczuk

Ladakh, popularly known as Little Tibet, is a region located in north-west India, in the upper reaches of the Indus Valley.

While traveling along the Indus river, we will visit the most interesting Buddhist monasteries; we will take a look at the mandala pouring ceremony and the ritual dance of Buddhist monks at the famous Hemis festival. We will also visit small mountain villages and take a look at the lives of Ladakh residents. In the area of Lake Tsomoriri high up in the mountains (4522 m a.s.l.), we will meet the Changpa nomads. In the western part of Ladakh, we’ll come across the legendary Brokpa – an Indo-Iranian population from northern Pakistan and Kashmir.

The Markha Valley is one of the most beautiful trekking trails in Ladakh. While wandering through several villages we will have a chance to meet some hospitable and warm-hearted people. We will make multiple crossings over high mountain passes. We will take the time to admire the mountain panoramas – for example, the Zanskar mountains and the six-hundred-thousand Himalayan peaks of Kang Yatze. At the end of our hike we will reach Stok Kangri – a mountain measuring about 6150 m a.s.l., towering over the Indus Valley.

Mariusz Jachimczuk – IT specialist and photographer who also works as a publisher.

For 15 years he has been travelling the world and photographing the places he encountered. He witnessed a wedding in Eritrea, searched for the highest mountain in Gabon and, when he has a few days off, he goes to the Tatra Mountains or to Georgia. He loves trekking in the Beskidy Mountains as well as in the distant Himalayas. Photos from his trips are presented during slideshows and themed exhibitions. He was the finalist in several photography competitions, such as WKF National Geographic and Travel Photographer of the Year.