Ladakh was a place I had dreamt of visiting for years. But every time I planned it, fear held me back — fear of low oxygen levels, altitude sickness, and the harsh terrain. I had even dreamt of doing the famous Chadar Trek and experiencing winter Ladakh someday, but countless warnings from people made me postpone it again and again.
Finally, this summer, on April 20th, that dream became reality — one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
What made it even more special was deciding to take my son along. Before making that decision, I spoke to numerous people who had already travelled to Ladakh, asking endlessly about safety, precautions, and how children cope with the altitude. After a million conversations, reassurances, and careful planning, my close friend and I finally booked a customized package in March at a surprisingly good deal. Once the advance was paid, the countdown to the day began.
Yet, even after booking, there were moments when I wanted to cancel everything. Ladakh felt like a high-risk expedition rather than a vacation. But somewhere deep inside, I also felt confident that we could manage it. We mentally prepared ourselves for the worst-case scenario — if anything felt wrong after landing, we would immediately return.
The Flight Into the Himalayas
We boarded our early morning flight on April 20th and were scheduled to land in Leh by 6:30 AM. One thing I had planned carefully was our seats — left-side window seats towards the back row — purely for the mountain views. And honestly, that effort was worth every second.
As the aircraft flew over the Himalayas, the sight outside was surreal. Endless stretches of snow-covered peaks glowing under the golden rays of the rising sun looked like shimmering ice dunes. It was truly magical — the kind of beauty that leaves you speechless.
Day 1 — Acclimatizing to the Mountains
The landing temperature -13°. We were picked up from the airport by the travel agents and driven to our hotel. In Ladakh, the first day is strictly meant for rest and acclimatization because of the high altitude. We avoided any exertion and stayed indoors for most of the day.
As a precaution against AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), we had started taking Diamox, and thankfully, Day 1 went smoothly for all of us.
Day 2 — Exploring the Beauty Around Leh
Our second day was dedicated to sightseeing around Leh, and every destination felt unique and memorable in its own way.
We began with the famous Hall of Fame, a place that deeply moved us. Built in memory of the brave soldiers who fought in the Kargil War, the museum beautifully showcases the sacrifices and challenges faced by the Indian Army. The sections explaining life in Siachen Glacier and the extreme hardships soldiers endure there filled us with pride and gratitude. It truly reminds you that the peaceful sleep we enjoy every night comes because someone is standing guard in unimaginable conditions.
Next came the fascinating Magnetic Hill — a surreal stretch where vehicles appear to move uphill even in neutral gear, giving the illusion that gravity itself is being defied. Experiencing it firsthand was both strange and exciting.
We then visited the breathtaking Sangam Point, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet. The contrasting colors of the two rivers flowing side by side without immediately mixing created a mesmerizing sight.
At Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, we heard the legendary story of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, where a giant boulder hurled by a demon is believed to have turned soft like wax upon touching the Guru. The sacred rock preserved there still bears the impression.
The day ended with visits to Shanti Stupa and Spituk Monastery. Both required climbing uphill paths, but the effort was rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding mountains. The peaceful atmosphere and stunning landscapes made it feel almost unreal. Our first shopping venture began here! 😀
After enjoying lunch at the vibrant Leh market, we returned to the hotel, carrying with us memories that already made the trip feel extraordinary.
Day 3 — Snow, Adventure, and the Magical Nubra Valley
Day 3 was undoubtedly the most exciting day for Dhrupad. It was finally the day he would see snow for the very first time — and not just that — he would also get to visit one of the world’s highest motorable passes, Khardungla.
After breakfast, we began our drive through the winding mountain roads. Even before reaching Khardung La, Dhrupad had already made a checklist of things he absolutely wanted to do in the snow:
- Taste and feel snow
- Slide on it
- Roll in it
And the moment we spotted snow on the way, the adventure began.
Dressed head-to-toe in waterproof winter gear, my little boy looked exactly like a tiny snowman. The excitement was beyond words. He rolled in the snow, threw snowballs, touched it endlessly, examined its texture, rubbed it on his skin, and kept experimenting with how it melted — or sometimes didn’t. Watching his curious little mind explore snow for the first time was truly priceless.
Since we had been advised not to stay at Khardung La for more than 15 minutes due to the risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), I initially thought these lower snow points would be enough for him to enjoy. But clearly, Dhrupad had bigger plans.
Khardungla, standing at around 17,988 feet, the excitement only intensified. Dhrupad proudly rounded it off to “18,000 feet” and suddenly decided he wanted to “summit” the nearby mountain. To my surprise, he climbed uphill like a professional climber while I constantly pulled him back in panic. This was also where he finally fulfilled all his snow dreams — not just sliding and rolling in it, but actually tasting and eating snow too!
What was meant to be a quick 15-minute stop stretched into almost 50 unforgettable minutes. Thankfully, we all managed well.
The journey downhill toward was equally breathtaking. Massive glaciers appeared alongside the roads, and towering walls of snow — nearly four feet high — lined our path. It felt surreal.
Another delightful part of the drive was reading the hilarious and creative road safety signboards put up by the (BRO). Some of our favorites were:
- “Be gentle on my curves”
- "Don't be a gama in the land of lama"
- “Blood donation is better in a bank than on roads”
- “Better to be late than late Mr.”
Those witty messages brought plenty of laughter during the long mountain drive.
Finally, we reached the beautiful Nubra valley along the Shyok River and stopped for lunch, where we tasted Thukpa for the very first time — warm noodles and dumplings in a comforting soup that felt heavenly in the cold weather. I absolutely loved it.
However, around that time, Dhrupad suddenly started feeling uneasy. We suspected mild AMS symptoms. His oxygen saturation had dropped to around 80, which naturally worried us a little. We immediately gave him ORS, helped him practice deep breathing exercises that we had trained for before the trip, and monitored him closely. Thankfully, his oxygen levels gradually improved back to around 90, and he started feeling much better. We had also carried a portable oxygen cylinder as a precaution, which gave us additional reassurance during such moments. We later learned that oxygen fluctuations are fairly common even among locals at such altitudes.
And then came the magic cure — adventure sports!
The very mention of ATV rides instantly transformed Dhrupad’s “goodness level.” According to him, his energy and happiness suddenly shot from “10 million to minus180”! The moment he sat on the ATV, all signs of discomfort disappeared. By the time the ride ended, he dramatically announced that his sickness level had dropped to “minus 100.” He even warned us that the uneasiness might “increase again anytime,” so we had better quickly move on to the next activity!
Next came ziplining — claimed to be among the highest and longest ziplines in the world. Once again, Dhrupad’s “health meter” performed miracles. According to him, it went from “5 to minus 80 to minus 10,000” after the ride!
And then it was time for one of Ladakh’s most iconic experiences — the famous double-humped Bactrian camel ride.
The camel ride turned into one of the funniest memories of the trip.
The camels moved in pairs — a mother camel and its young one. Dhrupad sat on the younger camel ahead while I rode the mother camel behind. At one point during the ride, Dhrupad made a strange sound, and immediately the mother camel leaned forward and stared directly at him, almost as if warning him to behave. Poor Dhrupad got genuinely scared and instantly apologized sincerely to the camel. For the rest of the ride, the camel seemed to keep a close eye on him — and honestly, I kept a close eye on the camel too! Our motherly instincts were scoring high!
The surroundings there were unbelievably beautiful. A gentle stream flowed through the cold desert landscape, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and even a distant waterfall. The fresh mountain air, the earthy smell of the place, and the peaceful silence created a feeling of complete serenity and contentment.
On the way to our hotel, we visited the magnificent Disket monastry, which once again offered stunning panoramic views and a deeply calming atmosphere.
By evening, around 7.30, there was still some day light left we stopped mid way on the banks of the river just for the feel of the place. Then we finally headed towards our stay for the night — a beautiful property nestled amidst the mountains. The hospitality there was exceptional. One of the highlights of the night was a guided stargazing session on the hotel terrace. Under Ladakh’s crystal-clear skies, we could see stars, constellations, shining brighter than ever before. Sirius sparkled like a diamond in the sky, alongside another brilliantly glowing star whose name I sadly can’t recall now. Finally we even got the most clear high resolution telescopic Pic of the moon !
Standing there under the infinite night sky, the nursery rhyme “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” suddenly made more sense than it ever had before.
After a delicious dinner, we finally settled into our cozy heated beds — the perfect ending to a long, adventurous, and unforgettable day in Ladakh.
Day 4 — The Dream Journey to Pangong Lake
This was the day I had been waiting for the most — the day we would finally visit the legendary Pangong Tso.
After watching countless videos and photographs of the lake over the years, visiting Pangong had remained high on my bucket list for the longest time. And finally, that dream came true.
We started after breakfast on what turned out to be one of the most thrilling road journeys we had ever experienced. Calling it a “road trip” almost feels wrong because, for long stretches, there were barely any roads at all! Much of the route was pure off-roading adventure through rugged mountain terrain.
Throughout the drive, the beautiful Shyok River accompanied us like a guiding spirit, flowing beside some of the narrowest roads imaginable. At several points, our vehicle crossed the river directly through shallow waters, while at other places we crossed over hanging bridges swaying gently amidst the mountains.
And surprisingly, Dhrupad absolutely loved every bit of it!
At a couple of places, he even got down for nature breaks and ended up trekking around the nearby rocky slopes like a little explorer. Watching him climb around fearlessly made me realize that an adventurer was slowly being born.
We stopped midway for lunch, and one thing I must mention about Ladakh — even the tiniest roadside eateries serve incredibly delicious food, mostly with a simple homemade touch. Every meal felt warm and comforting after the long drives.
However, for curd lovers like me, Ladakh can be slightly heartbreaking! One day, I even had an amazing veg biryani served with all the ingredients of raita separately in a bowl… except the curd itself, which existed only in my imagination that day!
By around 3 PM, we finally caught our first glimpse of Pangong Tso.
And oh my God… what a sight it was.
The lake was partially frozen — my very first experience seeing a frozen lake in real life. It is impossible to describe the feeling of witnessing something so magical for the first time. Mid-April, I realized, is truly one of the best times to visit Ladakh because you get to experience the beauty of both winter and summer together.
As we drove closer, the scenery became increasingly surreal. Before we could fully absorb one breathtaking view, another even more beautiful one appeared. There was never a moment where the landscape stopped amazing us.
The lake initially appeared as a vast frozen white sheet stretching endlessly into the mountains. Slowly, patches of melted water emerged, revealing the most mesmerizing deep turquoise shades I had ever seen — nature’s most exquisite artwork.
Just then, Dhrupad suddenly started complaining of severe stomach pain again. Naturally, I became worried. We stopped near the frozen part of the lake and checked his oxygen saturation immediately, which thankfully showed a reassuring 94. The doctor had already warned us that the rough roads could trigger motion sickness, so we gave him some medication and let him rest inside the vehicle.
At that moment, he refused to even step out and see the lake. Honestly, I felt heartbroken. But prioritizing health, and I had mentally prepared myself to stay back in the car with him if needed.
Then I casually suggested that I wanted to throw stones on the frozen lake to check whether the ice was strong enough to walk on. That tiny spark was enough. The adventurer inside him suddenly woke up again.
Slowly, Dhrupad stepped out of the car, and almost magically, his “wolf numbers” — as he liked calling his energy meter — returned to normal! Soon, he became completely absorbed in experimenting with the ice. He started throwing stones of different sizes and weights onto the frozen lake, carefully “analyzing” whether the ice could support human weight.
Unfortunately, the ice did not seem thick enough for us to safely walk on it. So we wisely decided to admire it from a distance and continue our little experiments from the shore instead.
But what a sight it was!!
For a moment, I completely forgot about everyone around me and literally jumped in joy like a child. It felt magical. Surreal. Dreamlike.
Near the lake were the famous scooters and seating arrangements inspired by the movie 3 Idiots, and we ended up playing musical chairs, laughing endlessly, and simply soaking in the beauty around us.
As evening approached, the winds became sharper and the cold intensified rapidly. It was finally time to say goodbye to the frozen lake and head toward our stay located along the banks of Pangong on the other side.
We had been warned repeatedly about the extreme cold during Pangong nights, but our stay turned out to be one of the coziest and most beautiful places imaginable.
The room had been preheated before our arrival, and stepping inside felt incredibly comforting after the icy winds outside. It was a tiny yet perfect little space — with a warm bed, a massive glass window opening directly toward the lake and mountains, and even a transparent roof panel with shutters for stargazing. It honestly felt like heaven.
At that moment, I truly felt that a tiny cozy home amidst nature like this was worth far more than huge luxurious houses people spend years chasing.
Dinner was served fresh, hot, and delicious as always. One thing that pleasantly surprised us throughout Ladakh was how easily available rice and rotis were everywhere, making food very manageable even during long trips.
Later in the evening, we visited the lake once again. The winds were freezing cold by then, and the chill pierced right through us, but the beauty of Pangong under the fading evening light made every second worthwhile.
Back in the room, we settled comfortably beneath warm blankets and stared endlessly at the night sky through the transparent roof. Sleep simply did not feel important anymore.
The sky in Pangong looked completely different from anything I had ever seen before — unbelievably clear, vast, and alive. We even spotted a few meteor showers streaking across the darkness.
And just like that, another extraordinary day in Ladakh passed far too quickly, leaving behind memories that would stay with us forever.
Day 5 — Hanle, Rezang La, and a Journey Through History and Harsh Realities
The next destination on our journey was Hanle Observatory — home to one of the world’s highest astronomical observatories and one of India’s most sophisticated telescopes.
For someone like me, who deeply loves astronomy, Hanle felt nothing less than a temple. Visiting this remote village had been one of the biggest highlights on my Ladakh wishlist. The area is also recognized as the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR), India's first, to minimize light pollution.
From Pangong Tso to Hanle, there were two possible routes:
One via the lake region, another through Rezang La near the Indo-China border
Naturally, my first choice was the scenic lakes route. However, fate had other plans.
While stopping on the way to photograph a group of yaks, I suddenly developed a severe back sprain. The pain was so intense that even moving became difficult. Seeing my condition, our driver immediately suggested taking the Rezang La route instead, as it had comparatively better roads and avoided the heavy off-roading terrain of the previous day.
That unexpected decision turned out to be one of the best choices of the trip — because otherwise, I would have completely missed the incredible experience of Rezang La.
Rezang La is not just another mountain pass. It is a deeply emotional place that stands as a memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the Sino-Indian War near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Standing there, listening to the stories of the war while actually being on the very land where history unfolded, was a goosebumps-inducing experience. The soldiers pointed out the surrounding terrain — showing which hills belonged to India, which lay across Chinese territory, and how strategically significant the entire region remains even today.
Reading about the 1962 war is one thing. Standing there and imagining the courage, sacrifice, and unimaginable hardships faced by those soldiers is something entirely different. It fills you with immense pride, gratitude, and humility.
The soldiers we met also spoke about how much infrastructure and logistical support in these extreme terrains had improved over the years. Listening to them made us realize how difficult life truly is for the people guarding those borders day and night.
As we continued our journey, we passed through the beautiful village of Chushul. Concerned about my back pain, our driver took me to a government healthcare center operating under the Pradhan Mantri Ayush scheme. I must honestly say — the experience left a deep impression on me.
The center was fully functional, active, and extremely efficient despite being located in such a remote high-altitude region. The doctors immediately checked my vitals, prescribed medicines, and even suggested an injection for faster relief. While waiting there, I noticed several small children calmly standing in line for vaccinations with incredible courage and discipline.
One thing that amazed me throughout Ladakh was the absence of flashy private hospitals. The locals primarily depend on government healthcare services, and surprisingly, the system seemed to work with sincerity and trust. The people there genuinely help one another without the constant commercial mindset we often see elsewhere.
After the treatment, medicines, and sprays, they charged me only ₹10 and even provided emergency contact numbers in case I needed any further assistance.
Such warmth, simplicity, and grace are difficult to forget.
I must also specially appreciate our driver throughout the trip. He noticed even the smallest signs of discomfort and constantly suggested ways to make our journey easier. At one point, he calmly mentioned that almost 8 out of 10 visitors to Ladakh experience AMS in some form. And honestly, I understood what he meant.
Ladakh is raw and powerful. If you slow down, respect nature, and move peacefully with it, the mountains embrace you. But if you push too hard, the land can quickly become unforgiving.
By evening, we finally reached Hanle — and that was when the real cold hit us.
Unfortunately, our stay there turned out to be the least comfortable experience of the trip. There were no proper heaters initially, and the freezing temperatures became extremely difficult to handle. Thankfully, we had carried body warmers, which we spread across the beds to make sleeping possible.
Although the host eventually arranged a heater around 9 PM, the electricity was switched off by 10 PM, making it practically useless.
The biggest disappointment, however, was missing out on stargazing.
Hanle is world-famous for its dark skies and astronomical observations, but that night the moonlight was extremely bright, creating too much natural light pollution. As a result, proper stargazing became impossible.
That evening itself, we made a difficult but practical decision — to cut short our Hanle stay by one day and return early to Leh.
Looking back, it was absolutely the right call.
It also meant skipping Umling La, currently considered one of the world’s highest motorable passes at nearly 19,000 feet. Under different circumstances, skipping Umling La would have deeply disappointed me. But by then, both physically and mentally, we were exhausted. Even Dhrupad, who had earlier been wildly excited about snow and mountains, no longer seemed interested.
That night in Hanle felt unusually long. The cold, discomfort, and sleeplessness made it seem as though dawn would never arrive. And yet, despite the hardships, the day still carried unforgettable memories.
We had bid goodbye to the magical Pangong Lake, watched it gradually stretch into Chinese territory, stood at the historic grounds of Rezang La, travelled through endlessly changing desert mountain landscapes, and experienced another raw, unpredictable side of Ladakh.
Not every day in Ladakh was comfortable. But every single day was unforgettable.
Day 6 — Tso Moriri, Hot Springs, and the Journey Back to Leh
Day 6 began with relief more than excitement.
The moment dawn broke, we woke up quickly, packed with the bare minimum effort, and were more than ready to leave Hanle behind. After a quick breakfast, we headed toward the famous .
A short uphill climb later, we finally stood before the sophisticated telescope I had dreamt of seeing for years. The observatory housed the 2-meter Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) and the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Telescope (MACE). For an astronomy lover like me, simply being there felt deeply special. Surrounded by stark mountains and endless silence, the observatory carried an almost sacred aura.
After clicking a few memorable photographs, we began our journey toward our next destination — Tso Moriri, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
And once again, Ladakh unfolded like poetry.
The landscapes changed constantly, almost like flower petals slowly opening one after another. Along the route, we crossed frozen rivers, tiny frozen lakes, vast cold deserts, and even swirling whirlwinds dancing across the barren plains.
At some moments, the scenery felt so surreal that it almost seemed impossible!
By around 1 PM, we finally reached . Thankfully, the sun was shining brightly, though sharp cold winds swept across the lake every now and then.
Compared to Pangong, Tso Moriri felt smaller and quieter — but equally breathtaking in its own unique way.
What fascinated us most was the condition of the lake itself. Along the edges, the water had partially thawed into crystal-clear transparency. Peering into it, we could actually see icicles suspended beneath the icy surface. Further ahead, sections of semi-frozen textures appeared, while the middle remained covered in solid sheets of ice. It was absolutely gorgeous.
There was something incredibly graceful and gentle about Tso Moriri. Unlike Pangong’s dramatic grandeur, this lake felt softer, calmer, almost feminine — like looking at an extraordinarily beautiful woman draped in silence and elegance.
On the way back, we also visited a smaller lake called kyagar Tso.. This one was fully fully frozen and what a beautiful sight ! It seemed all the way that the road led directly into the waters of Kyagar Tso! Had a small pit stop here too!
Our next stop was Puga Hot spring!
When we first arrived, all we could see was a vast grassy plain with wild horses peacefully grazing around. The actual hot spring, however, was located nearly one or two kilometers away. And walking on those were treacherous ! At that altitude, even walking short distances felt exhausting, with every step demanding heavy breathing and extra oxygen.
So we admired the springs from a distance.
And what a sight it was.
The boiling water shot nearly five feet high into the air, spraying warm steam all around. Watching steaming hot water erupt from the frozen cold landscape felt beautifully contradictory — almost oxymoronic in nature’s own magical way.
The freezing winds outside and the warmth rising from the springs created an unforgettable contrast.
By then, we were all starving and desperately looking for lunch. Luckily, we reached , another beautiful hot spring region - Chumthang valley.
Right across the small hotel where we stopped for lunch, bubbling geothermal water flowed actively beside the road. The atmosphere itself felt warm and comforting — made even more fascinating by the icy cold flowing just a few inches away.
Experiences like these stay with you forever.
Even the animals there looked extraordinary. Their thick furry coats were so dense that at first glance, one could easily mistake a cat for a tiny leopard!
At the small eatery, a young girl served us steaming hot rice with freshly prepared rajma curry. After days of travel food, that simple homemade meal felt heavenly. We ate wholeheartedly, and Dhrupad too finished his meal with complete satisfaction.
And the most surprising part?
That soulful meal cost only ₹30 per plate.
Ladakh quietly teaches you that the best things in life do not always come with a heavy price tag.
After lunch, we finally began our long drive back toward Leh . Somewhere during the return journey, Dhrupad jokingly announced that his “health levels” had improved to “minus 10 million” — his dramatic way of saying he was completely fine at home after days of adventure. Right from TsoMoriri to Leh, the entire journey had the Indus river flowing right next to us and the colors of the river were different shades of blue, calmly going on a journey from China to Pak via Ladakh and Kashmir!
By around 7 PM, we finally reached the same hotel where our Ladakh journey had begun. But the river had a long way to go!
And strangely enough, returning there truly felt like coming home.
Completely tired, emotionally full, and carrying countless memories from the mountains, we quietly called it a day.
Yes this day we did nothing. Just changed rooms eat, sleep, repeat! That was wonderful! Yes Ladakh needs to be explored slow! Hurrying up is digging our own grave!
The day spent doing nothing was also a rare things which is impossible way back home! How nice it is just to vile away time eating food readily served, sleeping through warm cozy sheets watching your favorite series , which was 1 piece - Dhrupad s fav then! I to enjoyed watching it and he had so much to share and explain about the characters, story etc in that , reminded me of someone who used to do that before Dru was born!
A day of relaxation came to a peaceful end!
Day 8 - A Final Day in Leh Before Goodbye
Our last full day in was reserved for the sightseeing we had missed after deciding to skip earlier in the trip.
To his credit, our driver was extremely kind and accommodating throughout the journey. He honestly adjusted the itinerary wherever possible and made sure we could still experience the important places we had hoped to visit.
Our first stop for the day was the beautiful Thiksey monastery, one of the oldest and most iconic monasteries in Ladakh. However, after climbing quite a few monasteries earlier in the trip, both Dhrupad and I decided to skip the uphill climb this time and instead simply enjoy the surrounding landscapes and atmosphere.
And honestly, that turned out to be wonderful in its own way.
While my friend and her son explored the monastery, we spent time soaking in the vibrant energy around the place. There were passionate bikers arriving in groups, travelers from different corners of the world, and even an energetic group of people in their seventies who were travelling with unbelievable enthusiasm and adventure spirit.
Watching them was truly inspiring.
We also ended up making a few lovely acquaintances there. One solo woman traveler even taught us some creative photography ideas, while a few other photography enthusiasts turned out to be even more obsessed with clicking pictures than I was! Until then, I had always believed I was the most camera-happy person around — but clearly, I had competition. Somehow, that realization felt oddly comforting and funny!
Our next stop was the famous Druk padma karpo school , popularly known as the “Rancho School” from the movie . Visiting the place instantly brought back memories from the film. We spent some relaxed time at a nearby café enjoying beverages, picked up a few souvenirs, and simply enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere.
From there, we headed to what is often referred to as Leh mall- the world’s highest mall and cinema complex in the world. After days of mountain travel and local cuisine, our taste buds suddenly craved familiar comfort food, and we happily indulged in pizzas and KFC there! Even our driver joined us this time, and the entire meal felt more like friends casually hanging out than a typical tourist outing.
Post lunch, we visited the magnificent Leh Palace.
What fascinated me most about Leh Palace was that it wasn’t grand or luxurious in the traditional royal sense. Instead, its beauty lay in its thoughtful architecture and simplicity. The palace reflected intelligent planning — designed to accommodate large numbers of people while naturally retaining warmth in the harsh climate.
I especially loved the extensive use of reusable and natural materials in the structure, along with the elegant paintings, artwork, and simple decorative elements throughout the palace. Nothing felt excessive, yet everything carried beauty and purpose. In many ways, it perfectly matched my own taste — simple, practical, and graceful.
Exploring the palace was an experience in itself, and the views from the upper levels were absolutely stunning. By the time we reached the 11th floor, the panoramic view of Leh and the surrounding mountains felt like the perfect final glimpse of the city.
We concluded the evening with shopping at the lively Leh Market, especially the charming Tibetan colony area.
One thing that consistently stood out throughout Ladakh was the honesty of the people.
At one shop, while I was searching for fresh apricots, the shopkeeper smiled and casually remarked:
“Ma’am, you must have seen apricot blossoms everywhere recently. Come back in August for the real fruits!”
Instead of trying to sell old stock, they honestly admitted that only dried apricots were available and that the fresh ones wouldn’t be good yet. That straightforward sincerity felt refreshing and rare.
The colorful wind chimes hanging across the shops instantly caught my attention too. They were so beautiful that I simply couldn’t resist buying them. One of them is still waiting to reach its intended receiver… though perhaps it may remain with me forever.
On the way back, we stopped near blooming apricot trees to click a few final photographs. The soft pink blossoms transformed the rugged Ladakh landscape into something almost magical.
And just like that, Day 8 came to an end — slow, peaceful, reflective, and filled with gratitude.
Day 9 - Back home!
Started by 8am after breakfast, directly to the airport! And you are all familiar with the airport stuff! 🙄
And finally back home!!
In summary, we 4 had a great time, my friend and her son were a great company, though silent in nature, Dhrupad got them into the mischievous mode with his own mischief! They quickly caught up with Dhrupad's slangs and used them given a chance! Dhrupad was so pleasantly surprised to hear back his own words, expressions and the iconic statements, OMG!!! All in all, a great trip !
All is well!!!
