The Land of Aryans in Ladakh

The land of Aryans in Dah-Hanoo is situated to the south west of Leh around 160 Kms passing through the beautiful villages down from between confluence of Shayok-Indus rivers Damkhar and Skurbuchan. There are many small villages but there are few villages as Takmachi, Skurbuchan, Dah and Hanoo are open for tourist formerly it closed for foreigners due to international borders and now it opened for the tourist but you need the Inner line permit from Leh to visit the villages in Dah.

The main attraction of this place is coming across the Drokpa Community considered to be the last race of Aryans confined to the valley. Their features are pure Indo Aryan and they appear to have preserved their racial purity down the centuries. They are known for fair complexion and for blue coloured eyes.  Men and women folk adorn headers made handpicked fresh flowers, every single day. The practice has earned the women 'the sobriquet of flower women of Ladakh'. Men and women both dance together for days during spring time in Ladakh.

Their culture and religious practices are more akin to ancient pre-buddhist animist religion known as Bon-chos than to Buddhism as practised in the rest of Ladakh. They have preserved the saga of their ancient traditions and way of life. The villages of the Drokpas are also famous for their scenic view and lush green landscape. The people of Drokpa community looks different from the Ladakh peoples and also have different dressing style.

The climate in day time during summer in the villages reached up to 40º Celsius higher than in other parts of Ladakh. Here you will find main crops of Apricot and Apples orchids. Especially in Dah the Apricot are sweet and tasty and they use the apricot seeds for producing oil. In these villages don't have hotels and guest house therefore most of the tour operator carry the mobile Alpine tents for camping or start early morning with packed lunch from Khalatse to visit Dah and Hanoo for same day tour.

The celebration of the triennial Bono-na festival towards the end of October, through traditional songs and hymns. They celebrate this festival in small field and all peoples from Drokpa villages come with their tradition dresses made of sheep skin and wear flowers on their hats.