So you have finally chosen Ladakh as your destination!!. Good, we are all set to take you there. Congratulations to you since you are going to see one of the most beautiful and expensive places on Earth. The biting cold will not deter you from visiting the most beautiful monasteries made on the face of the planet earth. The much laid back and friendly Ladakhi people are always ready to welcome you to this Himalayan desert. Nestled between Pakistan on the west, Afghanistan on the northwest and China (Tibet) on the north and northeast, Ladakh became geographically strategic during the silk route era. Buddhism reached Tibet itself only after 600 A.D. and almost after 300 years to Ladakh. The Tibetans who settled in Ladakh between 500 A.D. to 600 A.D. practiced Bon religion. According to the chronicles, the fifth king, Lhachen Gyalpo, founded the monastry of Likir (11th century). His succesor, Lhachen Utpala devoted himself to strengthening the hold of Buddhism, while at the same time absorbing Zanskar, Kulu and Purang