Everyone has a dream destination; I have a long list of dream destinations. I am a dreamer, who believes in turning dreams into reality. I had a dream to visit Ladakh. I thought of it some 2 years back. I just wished. I honestly didn’t make any plan. All I knew was I would love to visit this place, A part, which is the jewel in the crown of India. Here I am on 19th June 2016 writing this article at 4:12 pm just 13 hours away to fly to Leh. The excitement is so much that to pass this Sunday is a task. Every second is passing like an year . The packing is the most interesting part of travelling. And since this travel’s in the month of June, there is a lot of confusion about the weather. I spoke to lot of friends, who have visited the place earlier to understand what all and what kind of clothes to carry. To my surprise there were varied opinions and experiences. Some told me that it’s very cold over there and some say it’s a moderate climate over there. So I heard everyone and ultimately did a real mix packing so as to be ready for varied weather.
Now I am continuing after I am back from the most fascinating trip ever, so far.
Planning & Cost effectiveness – I had always got to know that travelling to Ladakh is an expensive proposition. Be it by road or by air. So I did bit of research on the cost involved in this. For my trip we were two to go together, so we had to look for arrangements on time, convenience, adventure (at the same time ), safety and cost benefit. We would have loved to travel by road, the views are exquisite. Since we were two girls to travel, so we preferred to travel by air. We opted for a group package. The fun of roaming in a group on a lonely planet is an awesome experience. We wanted to make the best out of it.
We took costing from various travel advisors and also tried to cost the travel if we book everything ourselves. To my surprise when I had checked the cost of return flight only , on my own, it was costing Rs. 24,000 3 months in advance, which was a lot and when we counted hotels, dine, travel, etc the cost was coming very high. Apparently the comparison trick helped us to find the cost effective offer. We finally decided and took package from www.ezeego1.com . Where in the itinerary was perfect, the timing of flights provided created lot of time efficiency, the hotel’s standard and services were optimum. And almost all the important sites to visit in Ladakh were covered.
Ladakh- Ladakh is a region in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir that currently extends from the Kunlun mountain range to the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. Leh is a capital of this region, which connects to all the relevant places to witness the beauty of this magical place. You think of nature’s gift to us and it’s there. There is river, mountains, glacier, cold desert (white sanded) , greenery, lake, valley, snow, ice… what not. To my understanding except sea, one can see and experience every bit. From barren lands and mountain ranges to green lands, the beauty is indefinite. There are places where you can see a river flowing, white sand at the sides of the river, then greenery and a Huge mountain standing there, topping the magic of the nature.
Let’s have a look of the airport – The first look of Leh. The moment you step out of the aircraft, the chilling wind hugs you tight to welcomes you and whispers “JULLEY”, the meaning of which you will get to understand the very first day!
Day 1: First day is to relax and acclimatize- Take Dimox, each day, in order to increase Oxygen flow in your body , at high altitude and stay healthy. Its not necessary to be taken, have it only if you feel you are tired and uneasy. Consult doctor for any problem. It’s a place to relax. Not at all to run, show over enthusiasm, or hustle – it can really be problematic. Gather some sunshine, look at the flowers around, look at the mountains around you, and yes the BLUE SKY and real WHITE CLOUDS, have good food and take a chill pill.Read a book!
On Day 1 : While we reached the allocated hotel to us, to our very much surprise we didn’t find our name in the booking list, basically the hotel had no room available. The hotel manager was courteous enough to offer us breakfast, hungry us got super yum breakfast and the mess area welcomed us with Badshah song “Gucci Armani…” and the good time had started . I am a firm believer of destiny and it did show up that day. We were not okay with this, not so good a surprise, yet fortunately we happened to get a better hotel with only veg food, since most of us were vegetarian it worked in our favor. We stayed in Hotel Mandala for the entire trip. The experience in that hotel was really nice. There was an arrangement of a cultural evening, watching the performers, we truly got drawn in the land of everything – Ladakh. Here are some pics and video links – watch out the variety of dance, music, songs and performance. And the people, they are damn beautiful.
Day 2- started with the visit of Shey Palace – The mountains in Ladakh are like us- we people, from different, unique and standing together- United.
Visit to Rancho’s school – The school originally called Druk Padma Karpo school , also known as Druk White Lotus and with the epithet, Rancho’s school. Its been conferred as one of the most beautiful schools in the world by BBC, London in 2016.
3 Idiots has made this school so popular that the school has become one place to be visited by the tourist. There is Café with our actor’s pic . The school is really huge. It wasn’t allowed to click infrastructure and students’ pic, so I didn’t, but yes The 3 idiot shooting spot is here –
Day 2 – Spot 3- Thiskey Monastery : an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village
Visited Sindhu Ghat !
Visit to Shanti Stupa : Shanti Stupa is a Budhhist white-domed stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh disctrict, Ladakah. There are religious reasons and also panoramic views of surrounding landscape is really attracting. There were people, talks and happiness and peace. On the white base is a beautiful crafting with colors. Every art depicts something different. The snow filled mountain range, green valley are overwhelming to look at. I am sunset watch lover, if you too are one, you can view one of the best views from Shanti Stupa. Just dwell in it and stay. There came a time when while I looked at nature, the talks were not of importance, the smile was enough to communicate.
Look at the view… !! I wish while writing this I go there soon again.
Visit to the market – Our driver, Philbru took us to the market in Leh. The market was interesting enough to roam around. We were looking out some shawls and visited lot of shops. Finally we could find the stuff we were looking for in a shop called Zanskar Arts. There was a person/ seller named Arman who offered us Kawa, a drink of this place. We didn’t really responded to the offer but he made it and served. He was on roza, yet he had put in an effort to make it, lot of gratitude to him. It was a very tasty drink which gave lot of warmth to us. Kava, The tea is made by boiling green tea leaves with saffron strands, cinnamon bark, cardamom pods and occasionally Kashmiri roses to add a great aroma. Generally, it is served with sugar or honey and crushed nuts, usually almonds or walnuts.
Amazing treatment for the guests, the people in Ladakh give.
Day 3 – Travel to Nubra valley through Khardungla Pas
Nubra valley is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram Range and Ladakh range of the Himalayas. And Khardungla Pass is the highest motorable road in the world.
The view to Nubra
valley was just superb. While we moved from Leh to Khardungla pass, there comes
a place called South Pulu from where one starts feeling the cool breeze and
oxygen scarcity can be felt.
The driver gave us 15 minutes to stop at Khardungla Pass. The place is so much
famous and is snow clad around. We witnessed 10 feet of snow in the month of
June, melting slowly, drop by drop, creating lakes and rivers like the
collection of so much wealth through hard work gets spent on needy and
spreading happiness and getting ready for the hard work season again. The
beauty of melting snow is such that in a km one can see the melt happening only
from one point, consistently, unless snowfall occurs and it collects itself
again.
At khardungla pass when we reached while going to Nubra valley there was lots rush and everyone wanted to get a picture clicked on the sign board. And I was also one of them. Look at my picture, I am standing amongst strangers, some foreigners, I am standing in the middle in purple jacket smiling on this point of achievement, of reaching this place and celebrating the strange happiness.
One exceptional thing that we witnessed at Khardungla pass was RAINBOW. We all would have seen rainbow various times, may be double rainbow as well. What we saw none of us had ever seen before. We saw 180 degree up facing/ inverted rainbow. Beautiful to the core… It was a spell bound state to experience it. The most amazing beauty in the sky… It felt as if all the unique, special moments have got together and made up a rainbow which is open to upside and gather more uniqueness, wisdom, joyous moments and become larger and better.
From South Pullu via Khardungla pass we reached North Pulu. Ladakh has Army spread all across. The beauty of Ladakh. Look at this sign board. It’s of Siachen Brigade and they are up to help anyone for any kind of help. I feel without Army support its impossible to see Ladakh the way it is with convenience and carefreeness for a tourist. Ina barren and no man’s land one can see smiling, confident, smart, josh filled Army men, living to their best.
To our surprise yet
not much surpris , there was only one dhaba (a place to eat) and only one
washroom, in the entire journey from Khardungla pass to Nubra vlley. Other than
, of course Army services.
we met BRO on the way, there was long jam. Philbru said, that BRO is the king
of the road in Ladakh. No pangaas with him. Here is how BRO vehicle looks like.
We thoroughly enjoyed the BRO recognition in the mind of people out there.
Really big thanks to BRO who have created roads in barren and nature challenged
land.
We stopped suddenly while we saw a river, with flowing water and hip hoping with the rocks around. The tumbling sound was majestic enough to be recorded. Look at the view, it felt as if the snow clad mountain has been directly passing the water in the river, yes the mountain right in front in this pic. Another beauty to get dwelled in… The prayer flags are real catalyst to the makeup of the mountains to the river to the lake to the dessert, any and everywhere.
Sitting on the rocks, near the river was magnificent. Talking with the nature, where words are just not of importance, just the smile on the face says it all. May be that’s what is solitude called- a state where you hear yourself to the best and the talks with yourself and nature around is automatic and in silence.
We sat on the road, as if it belonged to us. We were the masters of the way and designed our destiny. Actually that’s what this trip was coming out to be, we were enjoying our freedom to live, love and be ourselves.
We reached Nubra valley and stayed in a well maintained and gardened resort called Snow leopard resort. The best part of the stay was the view from the window of our room. It reminded me of the movie “A room with a view”. The view matters so much. Look at the tall, spread out mountains, the cuts on them depicting every step of a winner and the smoothness of the mind in the middle. Look at the greenery, maintained so well, as the positive thoughts around. The grass as smooth as soft silk and trees in all sizes like our desires. We kept sitting at the window and feel the view to the best. As Rumi says : I closed my mouth and spoke to you in thousand silent ways.
We happened to have a walk in the garden area of the resort and found these pretty apple and apricot laded trees. We only clicked the pic,didn’t pluck. Some really nice variety of roses. Roses in bunches, as beautiful as a readymade natural bouquet for your beloved.
Some pink, some yellow, How can a garden get completed without red roses, like love.. Just assumed – the pick for the one you love !
Post the walk in the garden, we took a drive to Hunder, there is a cold dessert and are the rarest species of Camel – Bactrian Camel. The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a large, even- toed ungulate native to the steppes of Central Asia. Of the two species of camels, it is by far the rarer. The Bactrian camel has two humps on its back, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary camel . Its population of two million exists mainly in the domesticated form.
I feel lucky to witness them. They were friendly and cute. There were many 3-6 months old camels and then there were their father and mother- 10-15 Years old. The best part was when we had a ride on the camel, whose name was Buk, and my friend’s camel name was lucky 7 , and the camel man name was Babloo… the kids came along us. They wanted to be close to their mother, the one on which I sat was their mother. Such adorable relationship a mother and children have in any species. The kids get trained to walk and get humans sit on them with time.
The weird part of the camels was that though there were many camels, none of the camel looked healthy. They seemed hard working and having hardly any bit to eat. Out of curiosity asked Camel man about what they feed them and his reply was really disappointing that since Nubra valley is far from Leh , so there is a fight of food for the animals. I really wonder about this that though the people are making money because of these camels and the rare breed, why don’t they really take care of them… it’s so important to keep them healthy. Look at the dudes…
The white sand desert is immensely appealing. While we entered this place, there was a flow of water…. The glacier water to cross. Look the amazing view here. There is white sand, grass, water flowing and there are mountains. A breathe taking experience. As beautiful as a day dream.
The valley is such that clouds come in minutes and sunshine overlaps in another minutes. Its magical enough, to wonder and ponder and strive your thoughts and tell yourself that yes, its real.
Our Hi to all of you from Sand dunes at Hunder.
Where ever ever I go, I wanna look the way the people there do. It’s a wonderful experience to adapt the colorful aura of the people and place and yet be yourself.
This is how I tried to look Ladakhi.
It was one of the most beautiful nights I ever had, watching the moon right from the window of my room. The moon was playing with the clouds, May be the game was Hide and Seek. The bigger the cloud, the interesting the game became. It was so so mesmerizing. Watch out the view of the moon. I am a moon watch lover and this was the best I could see on a silent night, yet having the sound of water as a background music and very very slow movement of clouds, the mountains too enjoying the game with me . My friend was asleep while I watched this. And I just love it.
Day 4- The sunrise at Nubra Valley – view in between the trees and the clear sky
This morning we visited Diskit Monastery . So was view of The Lord Buddha, simply peaceful .
The super cute kids we met at Sumur sand dunes, The dude on the left in the pic asked the most valuable thing from me – A PEN. How anyone could doesn’t fulfill his need. Unfortunately we just had one at that time. The very smart kids out there , the moment with them
The drink in my hand is called Kawa – really warming , clicked at Khardungla Pass.
The scenic Khardungla Pass –
Day 5 – Visit to Pangong Lake –
The drive started at 8 am in the morning. The morning shiny enough to wake us up and get ready, for witnessing one of the amazement created by nature – Pangong lake.
It use to be cloudy in the early morning and suddenly it use to become sunny. The cold mornings use to become soothing morning in few hours. From the breakfast , for every drive we use to save 2 bananas per head to carry it for the way, for the drive which use to be at least 6-7 hours long.For the last 3 days we had listened and got exhausted with all the songs in our Philbru bhaiya’s pendrive, so we had a huge request to him to get more songs and make the drive for the day better. Though he didn’t do that last evening, he did manage to locate the spot to get songs in another pen – drive and fulfill our wish. It was so very nice of him. On the way while he was managing songs list, we managed to get some juice and energize ourselves. And click this innocent soul.
We reached an area thereafter where there was no road. Basically, there was some repair work going on, on a regular road and hence we had to take a kachcha rasta. There were bikers before us and one of them got stuck in a big pit. They tried hard but couldn’t. Our Philbru helped them with the bike movement and they got going. But we got in bit of trouble, because as per him the car movement on the steep road got ceased. He tried but couldn’t get over the pit. So finally there the trick came in his mind, he moved big stones to fill the pit and make the way drivable. Before that a couple in a Duster tried to cross the pit and got the car damaged in the bottom part. So Philbru with his trick could cross the way in few minutes. Moving forward we found a super view, the view of Lord Ganesha on a Mountain.
It was our imagination that made us, see HIM or was it really a power drawn , is the wonder, yet the view was very holy.
Entire way had some really interesting messages. Couldn’t click most of them, some are here… you must visit the roads to read them.
And there came the frozen lake, a small lake, bit risky one. The view from the top was damn nice. While we walked down to the lake, we found loose ice. The water of course super cold. The temperature must be below zero degrees that time. Yet we enjoyed the spot. From Snow balls making , to throwing them in the air , we did all. Posed and got clicked. Landing on snow/ ice whatever you call it was an ecstatic moment for us. After barren land, desert, river, we were on it :).
We found colorful clouds up in the sky, one very unique view to witness. Look at them, don’t they speak volume Marvelous volumes.
The arrival to Pangong Tso was Just Wow. It was 14000 ft. Pangong lake is 130 km in length and 6-7 km is width. It is bisected between India and China. The farther view was breath taking; the closure was scenic, pure and transparent enough to die. From multi – color water in the lake, to the exact reflection of the mountains. Look at the flow of the water and clarity , you can see the pebbles here… OMG!
A view where four colours merge in one – Green grass, white sand, blue water and sky and brown mountain range.
We jumped: super amazing moment of our lives. We were just happy, had no thoughts. We only knew laughter that time, we only knew we were posing. We knew that there is a lake, silently watching us and our activities.
What do I say ! Isn’t it mind blowing ! We sat on the sand for hours, talked, clicked, got lost, found ourselves. Its so breezy over there that we had to wear caps , romantically breezy . Damn …. I wanna go there again !!
Night at Pangong Tso-
There was brightness at Pangong Tso area till 9 PM. It was chilling. The touching wind had a push to awaken every bit in me and dance like never before. There is no electricity available in that area. Power is generated through generator. And that is possible only till 10:30 PM. They people over there say that the diesel starts freezing post that time. So after 10:30 PM, we had only shine of starts and a small lantern to spend the night with as far as light was concerned. Yet to this wonder state we got an opportunity to look at nature deeper. That’s when I happened to click the stars in the sky.
We sang song for each other. As far as I remember my friend sang – “haan hansi ban gaye…” her all time favorite and I sang “Tu de dede mera sath, tham le hath chahe jo bhi ho….”. It was such a musical and singing night, with the view of the lake right in front of the window and twinkling stars around. This is how the view looked from our room, during day!
Day – 6 – I woke up at 5:30 am and it was all bright outside… Sun was at its best, shimmering the lake through its rays. It was a transformation happening experience . It was windy all the time and morning was little cold, cozy. Look at the morning-
On the way back to Leh, we visited one of the oldest monasteries – Hemis monastery. We interacted with monks and got a pic clicked with them. The structure of the monastery is very old. It was reestablished in 1672. Amazingly peaceful place it is.
Hemis Monastery
We saw very different mountains, while drove to Hemis monastery. Hard and carved.
Day 7- Visit to Hall of Fame.
We looked around the Hall of fame – museum constructed by Indian Army. Every view inside makes one more and more proud to be Indian, the celebrating times, hard times, fighting times, and glorious times. You get to see every bit so closely. We gave our wishes to Indian Army.
Then we visited Patthar Sahib Gurudwara, nestled deep in Himalayas, which was built by the Lamas of Leh in 1517 to commence the visit of Guru Nanak Dev. There is an ultimate peaceful experience of Gurudwara one faces. Have a look…
We further moved to Magnetic hill, which is really magnetic in nature… you got to be there to experience the defying law of gravity.
Another amazing thing that was witnessed in Ladakh was the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river. Indus being green and zanskar muddy. Look at the nature’s magic here, though they meet, but both the rivers maintains their individuality, just like ideal partners, who blend yet remain with their individual self. The rocks and mountains that guide these rivers are just superbly beautifully carved and shaped. Each mountain speaking volumes and singing in chorus. You can listen to all with the blend of the music which the flow of the river creates.
Zanskar – Ladakh
I had one of the best experiences of my life in Zanskar River. I always wanted to experience rafting. Truth is that the kids with us were excited to do rafting and for them we reached the spot. But in the conversation and discussion, I happened to join the group. It was a random decision. Why I am emphasizing on this is because while this was decided and the amount was paid to do the adventure and I got dressed in rafting clothes, I was bit scared inside my heart since I had never done rafting before and I was excited at the same time. While we drove from the booking point to the rafting point the road, the view , the cuts and the curves of the mountains were no less than a historical monument, which was shining even after ages. The sound of the river was dwelling enough to question myself, if I was really ready to do rafting… !!! But I decided to do this and be brave. That day all of us would have listened to the instructions of the rafting guide very very carefully, since everyone in my raft was going to do this for the first time :D. We took risk, we played like a team, we were strangers yet we got to be united, we smiled, we laughed, we floated with the flow, we pushed and played with the river, we hit the rock and yet went smoothly with the flow, we faced rapid, we went down, we held up, we rafted with fun.
The musical sound of
the flowing water, the wind- refreshing every thought, The mountains – looked
like time, which kept changing with every movement every second, the enthusiasm
to do something new in life, the focused eyes of us, the attention that we had
– to listen to every instruction of the instructor (honestly, I was so
attentive after years ) , the fright,
that we might lose the sail, the strangers becoming a team in half an hour, the
co-ordination brought in minutes, the happiness – beyond any materialistic
pleasure, the joy of making it a success, the experience of rapid and sail
through- as if we would have won a battle, the chilled water of the river, the
warm sunlight (which has tanned us very much ), the beauty
of this journey is gonna be cherished forever. After all, the first experience
is the most memorable of its kind.
Rafting has been one adventure I always wanted to experience. Despite planning
trip to Rishikesh (I don’t remember How many times), it never materialized. So
the first ever Rafting experience was gained in Zanskar River, Leh.
The majestic view of the river and the mountains guarding it,couldn’t be experienced if we would have not dared to do this.
P.S. – It was a 14 km River Rafting experience. Look at the India Gate of Zanskar River
Visit to Alchi Monastery –
Bridge on the way to Alchi – windy it was, super windy, flying flags and the still bridge
Photography was strictly restricted at Alchi. Alchi has very very old shrines namely Lha Khang Soma (New Temple), Sumstek (Triple storied shrine), Dukhang (Assembly Hall), Lotsava Lhakhang, Manjushri Lhakhang (Temple of Manjushri), Three Chortens (Stupas).
There were very small doors too each shrine and my head had got hurt with the very first one. The door must be less that 4 ft. in height. One should be aware to get in and out of it.
At the back side, was river Indus and the nature, held us for a while. New kind of mountains everywhere.
Day 8 – We had a flight back to Delhi. At Leh airport, hand baggage is not permitted. All the baggage, except ladies hand bag had to be checked in. We had a morning flight and we really were at the airport with super fascinating memories and fantastic experience of our lives.
Packing list- If you are travelling in the month of May- June, pack the mix of clothes for normal and woolen wear. Its sunny bright , very windy in ladakh. Pangong has chilly winds and there is where you might require full warmer with layer to sweater and a jacket and a cap would be must. For rest of the points carrying layers is the best. Full sleeves shirt/ top would save you from tanning in a way. Carry suns cream for get saved from sun, Goggles are must to save your eyes from UV rays and carry kapoor, to ease the breathing where you feel oxygen is less.
MUST take away Memories of LADAKH –
1- Julley :), it means Thank you, Good morning, Good night, it’s a greeting word. You would get to know this the very second day.
2- Kawa – the warmth filled beverage.
3- BRO – The king of roads of Leh – Border roads organization, because of their efforts one can travel and witness the paradise.
4- Prayer flag.
5- Colorful clouds.
6- Inverted 180 degree rainbow.
7- Witnessing Army men all around, forever smiling, full of josh, joyful, on duty, loud and gentle at the same time.
8- Mountains of various shapes, carving and colors
Travelling is a passion. The more you travel, more you get to know about yourself. You travel solo, with your partner or with your family. Each experience is very very different, though each one leads to happiness. For me it was a travel with my partner, my friend for life. During that time, while you are away from the daily routine of your life and your commitments, you find that time when you are with just one person and yourself. The way you share your thoughts, ecstasy, sad memories which strike in the darkness sometimes (yes the same memories which have made you strong and are making you stronger everyday), belongings, and for sure your time is a lifetime experience…. You end up doing the crazy stuff which you never thought you would ever do.
Since we had a group travel, I didn’t even experience the togetherness of my
partner but also fortunately mingled and settled for a family companionship.
There was a family travelling with us. Mother- The Super woman and Gynecologist
by profession, Father- The wonder man and Orthopedist, Son- Young, dashing,
subtle, energized and challenging boy, Daughter – Naughty, bold, beautiful, and
talkative girl. Their togetherness brought the best flavor to our trip. The
best ever possible things happened there on. The warmth of family is such that
it warms people around too, so that’s what happened with us. We truly adorably
enjoyed each other’s company. Got to know how beautiful , helpful, caring,
humble, STRANGERS can be and who turn out to be friends and well-wishers. I can
say that’s the best thing that Ezeego1 gave us, each other’s company in the
lonely planet.
I would love to travel to Ladakh by road next time during early Winters, may be next year :). A dream fulfilled this year.
Please comment if you need any detail or view. If this was helpful to you, pls share this to let people know more about Ladakh. Have a beautiful journey. Keep tripping and stay merry :).-Shruti
