Magnificent Ladakh

Leafing through a Class VIII geography book, I once came across a chapter on Asia titled “The Continent of Contrasts.” I found this phrase equally fitting for our beautiful nation—India.

Ever so often, as I scroll through my Facebook feed, I see friends vacationing across the globe. Yet, when you consider it closely, you realise that all those worlds come together right here in India. From some of the best beaches in the world to the highest and mightiest mountains; from the driest deserts to the wettest places on earth—in a nutshell, India is one country with a remarkable collection of superlatives.

Not to forget, India also offers experiences often compared to other countries: the Scotland of the East (Shillong, Coorg), the Switzerland of the East, and many more. India is truly a land for all seasons. If the cold winters of the North overwhelm you, head to a warm beach. If the summer heat becomes unbearable, the hill stations welcome you. Too dry in the West? Travel across the country to the wettest place on earth. Need a break from the madness of city life? There are dozens of destinations you can reach within hours.

Thanks to the internet, these places are now accessible at the click of a button. Travelling, they say, opens the mind to different cultures. Here is one destination among thousands you could consider for your next family holiday.

Ladakh

To me, Ladakh is like a newborn to a parent—everything it does leaves you in awe. With every passing day, the parent discovers something new that makes them want more. Ladakh feels exactly like that.

The place never fails to leave me amazed. With every visit, I walk away with an experience entirely different from the previous one. This is why I have visited Ladakh twice and would jump at the very next opportunity to go again.

Ladakh is magnificent—far beyond what pictures on travel websites capture or even the final scene of Three Idiots, which, incidentally, caused tourism in Ladakh to grow by leaps and bounds after its release.

Getting There

The challenging terrain makes Ladakh a popular destination for bikers—which is how I travelled on both my trips. You could fly to Ladakh (after paying through your nose) and miss out on the journey’s breathtaking beauty, or you could take a road trip that promises an experience of a lifetime.

The popular route is:
Delhi – Manali – Leh – Srinagar – Chandigarh – Delhi (or the reverse).

The highway from Manali to Leh crosses several prominent mountain passes. In Ladakhi, “La” means pass, and along the way you’ll encounter Rohtang La, Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachung La, and Tanglang La. Past Leh, you reach what is often called the highest motorable road in the world—Khardung La.

Conquering a mountain pass gives you an incredible adrenaline rush and truly makes you feel like a conqueror. Keeping Leh as your base, you can easily make day trips to several surrounding locations.

Must-See Places

One cannot claim to have visited Ladakh without seeing Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri—two breathtaking lakes, one along the Indo-China border and the other close to it.

The turquoise-blue colour of the water will leave you speechless and in awe of our magnificent God. The purity and depth of the blue take time to comprehend—it feels almost unreal.

Heading north from Leh, a two-day trip to Nubra Valley is worth every penny. Nubra is a cold desert—not as vast as the Thar, but the experience far outweighs its size. Famous for its double-humped Bactrian camels from Mongolia, Nubra offers camel rides through sand dunes.

The rare combination of desert sands, snow-capped mountains in the distance, and double-humped camels creates an unforgettable sight.

Back in Leh, you can trek up to the Leh Palace, a nine-storey structure that was once believed to be the tallest building in the world during its time.

Must-Eat Experiences

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
— Saint Augustine of Hippo

No holiday is complete without experiencing the local culture—much of which is reflected in its food.

With strong Tibetan influences, Ladakhi cuisine offers delectable momos, scrumptious chowmein, soothing honey-ginger-lemon tea, and butter tea, which is locally churned butter mixed in hot water. Other favourites include thukpa (noodle soup) and several comforting local dishes.

Leh also caters to international travellers with Israeli, Continental, French, Indian, and Tibetan cuisines available across the town.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Ladakh is between June and September. After this period, the roads are blocked due to heavy snowfall.

That gives you a few months to plan your journey—so go ahead and make it a one-of-a-kind holiday for your family. After experiencing magnificent Ladakh, you won’t be able to help but sing:

“How great is our God!”