Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh

Threaded with rivers and dotted with lakes, the lovely state of Himachal Pradesh spans five Himalayan mountain ranges—the Shivalik, Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, Great Himalayas, and Zanskar. Except for the capital, Shimla, and the overpopulated towns of Dharamshala and Manali, Himachal is a land of alpine villages, speckled with thousands of Hindu and Buddhist temples and monasteries.

As for the former Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, it's effectively cut off from the rest of the world, as it has been throughout history, by a formidable, 6,000-foot-plus boundary made up of the lofty Great Himalayas, the Karakoram Range, and the Kunlun Mountains. It's not surprise, then, that life on this 13,000-foot-high plateau, through which the Indus River meanders, has an almost celestial flow to it. Indeed when you fly into "the land of the high passes," across towering ranges, you are welcomed with a ringing, deafening silence. This soulful stillness is only an introduction to the charm of this beautifully stark and remote land. Even more alluring is the simple eternal rituals and rhythms of living in Ladakh. With the major exception of Leh, most of Ladakh has not changed much from medieval times and still peacefully revolves around Buddhism and the gompas (Tibetan monasteries), farming, and eking an existence, cheerfully and contentedly, in spite of terrific odds.

If you're headed for the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, you may find Amritsar a worthwhile cultural detour. The largest city in the predominantly Sikh state of Punjab, Amritsar is the holiest city to the Sikh religion, its massive Golden Temple is an inspiring destination in its own right. History buffs may also want to visit the site of the infamous Amritsar Massacre, a turning point in the fight for Indian Independence.

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