Ladakh is a mountainous region nestled in the Indian Himalayas. Ladakh means “land of high passes”. The 270,000 inhabitants live at an altitude between 2,800 metres and 4,500 metres above sea level. Several peaks in the Ladakh mountain range are above 6,000 metres. Ladakh has an area of 88,000 square metres and a population density of only three inhabitants per square kilometre.
The main town is Leh and it is at an altitude of 3,500 metres. It has a population of 30,000 with a majority of Buddhists.
Kargil is the second largest town with 11,000 inhabitants, mainly Muslim. It is located at an altitude of 2,680 metres above sea level.
When planning a trip to Ladakh, one must take into account the altitude of the places that will be visited in order to avoid the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness. The altitude of the main places of interest in Ladakh is listed hereafter.
| location | elevation (metres) | elevation (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| altitude of Alchi | 3,100 m | 10,170 feet |
| altitude of Basgo | 3,290 m | 10,790 feet |
| altitude of Batalik | 2,800 m | 9,190 feet |
| altitude of Chang La Pass | 5,360 m | 17,590 feet |
| altitude of Chemrey | 3,650 m | 11,980 feet |
| altitude of Chilling | 3,200 m | 10,500 feet |
| altitude of Dhad | 4,300 m | 14,110 feet |
| altitude of Dha-Hanu | 2,700 m | 8,860 feet |
| altitude of Digger | 3,970 m | 13,030 feet |
| altitude of Diskit | 3,150 m | 10,340 feet |
| altitude of Durbuk | 3,840 m | 12,600 feet |
| altitude of Hanupatta | 3,720 m | 12,210 feet |
| altitude of Hemis | 3,680 m | 12,070 feet |
| altitude of Hemis Shukpachan | 3,630 m | 11,910 feet |
| altitude of Hinju | 3,780 m | 12,400 feet |
| altitude of Hunder | 3,160 m | 10,370 feet |
| altitude of Jispa | 3,200 m | 10,500 feet |
| altitude of Kanji | 3,850 m | 12,630 feet |
| altitude of Kargil | 2,680 m | 8,790 feet |
| altitude of Khalsar | 3,270 m | 10,730 feet |
| altitude of Khardung La Pass | 5,602 m | 18,380 feet |
| altitude of Lamayuru | 3,370 m | 11,060 feet |
| altitude of Leh | 3,500 m | 11,480 feet |
| altitude of Likir | 3,520 m | 11,550 feet |
| altitude of Magnetic Hill | 3,500 m | 11,480 feet |
| altitude of Manali | 2,050 m | 6,730 feet |
| altitude of Martselang | 3,480 m | 11,420 feet |
| altitude of Matho | 3,550 m | 11,650 feet |
| altitude of Nimmu | 3,170 m | 10,400 feet |
| altitude of Nurla | 3,030 m | 9,940 feet |
| altitude of Panamik | 3,200 m | 10,500 feet |
| altitude of Pang | 4,500 m | 14,760 feet |
| altitude of Pangong Lake | 4,250 m | 13,940 feet |
| altitude of Photoksar | 4,140 m | 13,580 feet |
| altitude of Phyang | 3,550 m | 11,650 feet |
| altitude of Rizong | 3,400 m | 11,160 feet |
| altitude of Rohtang La Pass | 3,978 m | 13,050 feet |
| altitude of Rumtse | 4,240 m | 13,910 feet |
| altitude of Sarchu | 4,300 m | 14,110 feet |
| altitude of Shang Sumdo | 3,680 m | 12,070 feet |
| altitude of Sonamarg | 2,800 m | 9,190 feet |
| altitude of Srinagar | 1,580 m | 5,180 feet |
| altitude of Stakna | 3,310 m | 10,860 feet |
| altitude of Stok | 3,550 m | 11,650 feet |
| altitude of Sumur | 3,130 m | 10,270 feet |
| altitude of Taglang La Pass | 5,328 m | 17,480 feet |
| altitude of Takthok | 3,900 m | 12,800 feet |
| altitude of Tangste | 3,940 m | 12,930 feet |
| altitude of Temisgam | 3,230 m | 10,600 feet |
| altitude of Thiksey | 3,300 m | 10,830 feet |
| altitude of Tsaga La Pass | 4,660 m | 15,290 feet |
| altitude of Tso Kar Lake | 4,530 m | 14,860 feet |
| altitude of Tso Moriri Lake | 4,530 m | 14,860 feet |
| altitude of Turtuk | 2,820 m | 9,250 feet |
| altitude of Ulley Tokpo | 3,070 m | 10,070 feet |
| altitude of Wanla | 3,150 m | 10,340 feet |
| altitude of Yangthang | 3,680 m | 12,070 feet |
| altitude of Zara | 4,620 m | 15,160 feet |
| altitude of Zingchen | 3,400 m | 11,160 feet |
| altitude of Zoji La Pass | 3,528 m | 11,580 feet |
| altitude of Spituk | 3,200 m | 10,500 feet |
