The long stretch of mountains and the silent water flowing past it has always brought a traveler to life. These are the people that never get lost in their journey, just find a new path to explore more. And there’s no better place to find solace while lost in Ladakh. 

With its magnetic hills, Ladakh pulls you to its mystic places both figuratively and literally. 

Kashmira is a doctor by profession and without any justification, she badly deserves an adventure now and then to maintain a sane life. So let’s dive into Kashmira’s 7-day expedition to India’s Little Tibet- Ladakh.

The journey began with landing in Leh on Day-1 and following a non-hectic routine throughout the day as it was declared to acclimating into the new atmosphere. She sipped on some Kawah and admired the heaven around her as it is the most effective mantra to relax and unwind.

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Now that she had blended into the lifestyle of the city, she began the next day with a list of places to visit. The first destination was the enchanting Buddhist monastery of Hemis. Here, you can unfurl through the Tibetan architectural beauty and discover the prayer wheels along the halls. She also visited the Thiksey monastery which is a magnificent structure perched at the hilltop. These places are a way to connect with the culture of Leh in the most authentic way.

Leh

After a morning of serendipity and prayers, she went to Shanti Stupa– the most picturesque place to witness the panoramic view of the city’s night sky. Taking in the stunning sunset of her first day exploring Leh, she strolled through the local markets and called it a day.

It was just the beginning of her travel and there were so many things yet to be unraveled. With flourishing spirits, she started the next day by visiting the pride of the Indian Army- the Hall of Fame. Being a memorial to the soldiers of India, it gives a ton of stories for history lovers to explore. Next, she paid her tributes at the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, which not only has a historically significant site at Leh but also has an interesting origin story.  

Moving ahead she hired a bike and traveled to the scientific wonder of Magnetic hills. And saw the enchanting confluence of river Indus and Zanskar at Sangam. Where the two rivers meet along the valley yet do not collide with each other. Since it was her last day in the city, she made sure to create some unforgettable memories throughout the day.

Nubra village

The western valley of Ladakh was her next destination.  ‘Hire a car with an experienced driver, and if you travel on a motorbike make sure to wear gears’, says Karishma. This is because she believes it to be a cold and risky path. She traveled to Nubra via Khardunga pass (the highest motorable pass) and found peace in the nature surrounding the village.

 Kashmira’s fifth day at Ladakh was filled with snow-clad mountains, meadows, and forest slopes. She navigated to the cold desert of Hundar and didn’t miss the opportunity to ride on the double-humped camel. Followed by a visit to yet another monastery on her list- Diskit Monastery. High up in the Himalayas, she made her way to the infamous Maitreya Buddha statue atop. With a tiring day of exploring, she ended the day by munching on some local food.

Lastly, the very next day she entered the paradise of Pangong lake via Changla pass. The plan was to experience a camp stay by the lake at the hidden gem in the lap of the mountains. While enjoying the evening, it was unimaginable how the most amazing week of discovering Ladakh had come to an end.  

Places to stay-  Himalayan retreat (Leh), Nubra ecolodge (Nubra), Pangong camps (Pangong)

Vehicle on rent- Royal Enfield (INR 1200-1500 per day)

Photos & Videos shot with- Go Pro 9 and iPhone 11 Pro

Additional tips by Kashmira for a smooth journey

• Since Leh is a dry place with thin air, remember to stay hydrated.
• Apply sunscreen but enjoy the tan.
• Always carry an emergency medical kit (paracetamol, antiemetic, anti-motion sickness)
• Try local food and cuisines, and don’t forget to shop for some colorful shawls.
• A permit is required while traveling to Nubra. Apply online on a tourism website for the same.

For more details and photos, check out Kashmira’s Instagram handle:- @dr_karshmirakumawat

And follow @indiachalk for more such thrilling travel stories!