LIVING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

Ladakh is a small mountainous region in the north of India, situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, bordered by Tibet to the east and Pakistan to the west. At 4,000 meters, it's one of the highest places on the planet. This region, also called Little Tibet, is known for its remote mountainous beauty: a high altitude desert with immaculate landscapes, with very little vegetation in the mountains and large rocks of a thousand colours. The Ladakhis are hospitable, friendly and straightforward. The majority being Buddhists. The culture is similar to Tibetan, in fact, their appearance seems more Tibetan than Hindu. There are areas in Ladakh inhabited mostly by Muslims too, like Kargil and in the surrounding areas; Hindus and some Christians as well. Daily Brief “The reason for this journey was my desire to do a photographic report of this unique corner of world, alongside visiting a friend who is writing down the grammar and making a dictionary of Zanskari, an unwritten language that is in danger of disappearing from the area. The plane first took us to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, at an altitude of 3.650 meters, where we made circles as we descended, then landed on a small runway in the middle of the mountains. We stayed in Leh for a few days to acclimatize ourselves to the altitude, get acquainted with the people and prepare for our journey that led to Padum, 464 kilometres across a road that's only open from June to September. We travelled on spoiled buses crowded with people from the country, crossing irregular and dusty roads but in the midst of stunning landscapes and villages with amazing monasteries hanging among the rocks. Wherever we went we found ourselves captivated by our surroundings, the strength of the land and the warmth of the people. Sensations and emotions overwhelmed me: I often had the feeling that time had stopped, living with the simplest of things, no hot water, bathing with buckets and simple meals, feeling the light and the freshness of the land on my skin. And always being surrounded by stunning landscapes and experiences, with warm, friendly people, that spread out their humanity for you to serve yourself with cordiality and nature. I invite you to get to know these people and the places where they live through some pictures so you can discover the charm of living on the roof of the world.”