Ladakh

Ladakh lullaby

Located at the northernmost part of the country is the newly established state of Ladakh. Visiting Ladakh was a dream come true for me. As a girl, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to travel to Ladakh by road. Let me tell you, a road trip to Ladakh is an absolute must in your lifetime. Whether by car or bike, ditch the idea of flying and embark on a road trip to Ladakh.

Today is June 12th, and exactly one month ago, I was exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Ladakh. I feel compelled to write about this experience to provide closure, if you will.

Our journey began on May 11th. We loaded up our rented car, with Mr. Rafeeq as our driver, and set off on the 422km, 10-hour road trip to Ladakh. Along the way, we passed through lush green valleys of small Kashmiri towns, with rivers flowing through the valleys and small villages and fields dotting the landscape. The picturesque views that you doodle in your notebook during a boring math class were now right before my eyes.

We made a pit stop at a dhaba near a river, offering a view that surpassed most cafes I had ever visited. Ordering a paratha and sipping chai beside the river, with mountains looming in the distance, was an essential part of the experience for me. After paying at the reception, we continued our journey and reached Sonamarg. A few kilometers ahead, we learned that we couldn't proceed further due to a one-way system in place for the day. As fate would have it, we had to halt at Sonamarg.

After searching for an hour, we finally found an affordable hotel and checked in. Once refreshed, we ventured outside to explore Sonamarg. The place was a serene beauty! The valleys, the clear skies - everything was like a scene from a movie, only it was real.

I was absolutely amazed to discover such breathtaking beauty in my own country! Sonamarg has definitely earned its spot at the top of my list of must-visit places in Kashmir. Life has a funny way of surprising us, sometimes the unplanned moments turn out to be the most incredible.

The next day, we set out early in the morning and I woke up to a stunning view of snow outside my window. Our uncle informed us that we had reached Zojila Pass, situated in the Zanskar range of the Himalayas. I couldn't believe I was actually there, a place I had only read about in my geography notes back in class 11. I made sure to capture the moment with plenty of photos, as I never wanted to forget this experience.

After taking in the beauty of Zojila Pass, we continued our journey and arrived at Dras, known for its significance in the Kargil War of 1999. Visiting the Kargil War Memorial was a moving experience, paying tribute to the brave soldiers who fought valiantly in the mountains. The quote below the Amar Jawan Jyoti ' ki chah nahi hai surbala ke gehenon mai guth jaun, chah nahi hai premi mala mai bindh pyari ko lalchaun, mujhe tod lena wanmali, us path par dena tum  phek, matrabhumi par sheesh chadhane , jis path jawen sheesh anek'  stirred up feelings of patriotism and pride, reminding me of the sacrifices made by those soldiers.

Looking back at the pictures from that day still gives me goosebumps, and I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to witness such historic and awe-inspiring places in my own country, stirred up feelings of patriotism and pride, reminding me of the sacrifices made by those soldiers.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast right next to the memorial, we eagerly continued our journey. As we drove, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful willow trees, which instantly reminded me of the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter. Passing through the bustling city of Kargil, I found myself drifting off to sleep, only to wake up surrounded by towering mountains and winding roads on the way to Ladakh. Despite being disconnected from the outside world, I felt incredibly fortunate to have a basic understanding of geography, allowing me to appreciate the unique characteristics of the mountains and rivers we passed by.

Upon reaching Khalsi, my excitement soared when I saw a sign indicating that Leh was just 97 kilometers away. The anticipation of reaching Ladakh was so exhilarating that I didn't even need my usual cup of coffee - the thrill of the journey was more than enough to keep me going. Arriving in Ladakh around 6:30 pm, we checked into our hotel room, number 102, which offered a stunning view of an apple tree in full bloom.

That evening, we ventured out to the lively Mall Road of Ladakh for dinner, where I decided to try thukpa, a famous Tibetan dish consisting of soup, noodles, and vegetables. I first learned about thukpa while working on a project about Sikkim last year, and although it was a bit overwhelming, I savored every bite. It may not have been the best thing I've ever tasted, but stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things is what makes life so exciting!  ¯⁠\⁠⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠⁠/⁠¯

After a delicious meal, we returned to our hotel around 10 pm and drifted off to sleep, eagerly anticipating the adventures that awaited us the next day  :)

The next day, I still couldn't believe I was actually in Ladakh. The fact that I would be spending the entire day there was surreal. The night before, we had arranged for a cab to take us on a local tour. We got ready by 10 and headed out to the market for breakfast. Enjoying a cup of coffee with a breathtaking view of the Ladakh range in front of us, I sat at the table with my current read. When we returned to our hotel, our cab was waiting for us. This time, I eagerly took the front seat to fully immerse myself in the experience.

Our local tour began at the Rancho School, famous for its appearance in the movie "3 Idiots." Although I was disappointed that we couldn't visit Pangong Lake, which was featured in the film, due to time constraints, I was still thrilled to be exploring the local gems of Ladakh. As a 17-year-old, being in Ladakh was a dream come true, and I was eager to make the most of it.

After visiting the Rancho School, we made our way to the Thiksey Monastery, which turned out to be the highlight of my local tour. As a history enthusiast, I was captivated by the monk's explanation that the monastery was built in the 15th century, with paintings on the walls dating back to that time. Witnessing monks creating mandalas, a form of art that helps them detach from worldly pleasures, was a truly enlightening experience.

Exploring the monastery grounds, I was mesmerized by a two-story Buddha statue, intricately detailed and awe-inspiring. Although I realized I had much to learn about Buddhism, I was determined to make it the focus of my history project this year. Ladakh had already exceeded my expectations, and I couldn't wait to delve deeper into its rich cultural heritage.Our local tour took us to some incredible places,  the Shanti Stupa. This stunning monument was inaugurated in 1985 by the 14th Dalai Lama and sits at a breathtaking height of 11,841 feet above sea level. From there, we had a panoramic view of Leh city, with the chilly wind making our ears burn as it rushed past us.

Next, we visited a monastery perched high on a mountain. When we arrived, we were surprised to find no one around. However, as we approached a small entrance, we heard chanting coming from inside. It was a bit eerie at first, but the monk inside must have sensed our presence and invited us in. The shrine housed ancient statues of Vajrayana sect gods in Buddhism, and the monk shared fascinating stories with us.

Our final stop was the Leh Palace, a majestic structure built in the 17th century during the Namgyal dynasty. This nine-story palace now serves as a museum, showcasing Ladakh's rich history, from ancient artifacts to the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism in the region. The views from the palace were simply breathtaking, and the entire experience was truly unforgettable.

After a day filled with exploration and discovery, we returned to our hotel to rest briefly before heading out for dinner. We chose to dine at the same place we had visited earlier in the day, reminiscing about the incredible sights and experiences we had encountered. It was a day filled with excitement, wonder, and new discoveries - a true adventure that we will always cherish. I might never be able to forget the road trip toward ladakh and back to ladakh . It will always be a part of me. I am 17 years old, don't know how to write a story but still tries to convey what my heart hold, i might not be able to cature the essence of what i feel but i try to show the world that i am trying. This experience of mine is more than the words that i have written in this small blog and this one day trip to ladakh is more than a memory and more like a experience forever ;)