A Memorable Trip to Ladakh

Ladakh was a long awaited one. And Bollywood movies only added fuel to the fire (enchanting scenes from 3 Idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan). So in the first week of May, I finally got the opportunity to travel to Ladakh – a trip that has given me memories worth a lifetime, a trip that has permanently inscribed startling sights of this enchanting place in my mind!

Ladakh Here We Come

I must say that even the road leading to Ladakh has its own appeal. When you’re about to reach Ladakh, the very first glimpse of this snow laden heaven brings a twinkle to your eyes! Just imagine looking down on a silent, placid, greenish blue lake – beautiful, isn’t it?  Or imagine the sight of magnificent mountains greeting you – that was a welcome I can never forget. There's nothing more enchanting than nature's handiwork in Ladakh... And then as you enter Leh, the characteristic mountains (yes, the ones which our televisions have made very popularJ) greet you with their silent white faces.

                              ladakh snow trip to ladakh 
             Clouds, Snow and Hills - could there be a more heavenly place than Ladakh?

Listen to Logic

I would advise fellow travellers to Ladakh to spend the first day in Ladakh acclimatizing with the climatic conditions. For me, two things had an epic showdown. Logic and reason demanded that I should rest. But my incorrigible curiosity kept nagging me to explore this place some more. Thankfully, food came to the rescue (by the way, my friends who ventured out without having rested ended up feeling rather unwell and queasy). The wonderful thukpa and tsampa served by the hotel not only delighted the taste buds, but also convinced me that exploring can wait; a lazy nap cannot!

                                 road to ladakh trip to ladakh 
                                        Road to Ladakh - scenic beauty all around!

The Rustic Charm

The days where the itinerary was covered presented Ladakh in its true shining colors. It's a world of rugged valleys, snow-covered mountains, endless hills, barren lands, clean and curvy roads and the mystical Lamas where centuries old monasteries have still maintained their charm. The confluence of the Indus and the Zanskar rivers is a rare sight. One can clearly differentiate between the two waters from a distance. The rare phenomenon of Magnetic Hill leaves everyone astonished. For the uninitiated, the hill possesses magnetic properties that can pull cars uphill and compel passing aircrafts to increase altitude in order to escape the magnetic interference. And if you’re tired covering a few places on this route, you can halt at Gurudwara Pathar Saheb.  Here you will be served with hot tea. Trust me, this one cup of tea is sufficient to rejuvenate your senses for the hilly ride. The most talked about (and not without reason!) attraction of Ladakh is the Pangong Lake which undoubtedly is one of the most peaceful (and obviously beautiful) places on this planet. Can the sound of a duck moving on water ever be distinctly audible? Yes, only at the Pangong Lake! Here you can stand knowing that across the turquoise waters lie the mountains of an even more isolated  and gorgeous land – Tibet.


                                       pangong lake trip to ladakh 
                                                Absolutely mesmerizing - the Pangong Lake 
There is much to see, much to cherish and much to bring back from a trip to Ladakh. I got memories unlimited and so will you.

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