(Ladakh)

This 20-day medical/dental expedition is designed to reach underserved people of the Trans-Himalayan regions of Ladakh and Chang Thang Plateau. Himalayan Health takes you on an overland adventure to the Tibetan Borderlands over one of the most rugged Himalayan terrains. We start our journey from New Delhi with a spectacular flight to Leh (11,495 feet), the capital of Ladakh.

After rest and acclimatization, we set up our medical camp at clinics in the Tibetan refugee colonies and provide free medicines and medical care to the patients. After camp at Leh, we set out on an overland adventure to our two remote campsites right along the Tibetan Borderlands – Tangste and the village of Karzok located on the shores of Tso-Morari lake. Due to its remoteness, Karzok has very limited access to health care service and facilities.

People of this region are called Changpas - nomads from western Tibet who have lived here for hundreds of years. An ancient culture inspired by religion and karma, rules the lives of these gentle, hardworking people. The Chang-Thang region is so remote that there is little or no recognition of it on maps. Its altitude and remoteness have provided a safe refuge to its exotic wildlife. This is the only place in the Himalayas where Lamagier (bone crusher) or the Himalayan eagle soars the skies and the shy and rarely seen snow leopard roams the rugged terrain. Herds of untamed Tibetan horses are often seen galloping down the high plains around the lake. Rare and exotic birds, like the bar headed geese, brahmini ducks, the great crested grebe and the Tibetan crane, migrate and nest on the shores and islands of Tso-Morari.

"Elective to Ladakh, India"
Article by Usha Murria
4th year Dental Student, University of Birmingham, UK
E-Mail: ushamurria@hotmail.com

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