Ladakh

Ladakh is a magical place known for its gorgeous mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and rich cultural traditions. This is my second visit to the land of passes. This time Mani and I came a month early to capture the Apricot Blossom Festival in Ladakh that celebrates the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The festival takes […]

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Ladakh, the Stok Palace & Monastery stands as a profound reflection of the rich cultural heritage of this remote Himalayan region. Visitors can also get to see some of the unique collection of crowns, royal attires, and other significant materials inside the palace.

Perched atop a rugged hill overlooking the ancient city of Leh in Ladakh, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa stands as a timeless sentinel looking over the city of Leh. Constructed in the early 15th century by King Tashi Namgyal, it houses a diverse collection of ancient manuscripts, murals, and intricately crafted statues.

We are at the edge of Pangong Tso in the outer reaches of Ladakh at a height of about 4,350 m above seal level. The colors of Pangong lake change dramatically from a vivid blue to aqua green depending on the angle of the Sun. The beautiful lake is shared between the countries of Tibet and India.

Today, we embark on a journey to Nubra, a cold desert situated at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level. The climate in this remote village can be quite unforgiving, particularly when the sun retreats behind the clouds. The robust breeze sweeps through, continuously rearranging the fine sands and reshaping the dunes in this rugged landscape.

The drive from Leh to Nubra Valley goes through Khardungla Pass, said to be one of the highest motorable road in the world. Goes without saying the view was just mesmerising as we motored along the golden mountains towards snow capped peaks. I’ve always had this desire to travel the world – but nothing beats exploring your own country.

We hiked to the Shanti Stupa, one of the iconic structures in Leh. Located at a height of almost 12000 ft – overlooking the city, it was commissioned in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Gyomyo Nakamura with the aim to promote world peace. The stupa is always surrounded by enthusiastic tourists and its next to impossible to take a photo without one.