Ladakh is just so beautiful, you don’t really have to engage in any activity to enjoy it. The sky is a brilliant shade of blue unlike anything I have ever seen. And the mountains are breathtaking especially at sunrise and sunset.
But if you must venture far, Tsomoriri Lake and Pangong Lake that borders China and India are not to be missed, although we did cos we’re assholes. Or you can go on an organised trek. Or white water rafting on the Indus or Zanskar Rivers. For people like me who prefer gentler activities, like watching people and scouring markets and visiting monks in monasteries, you’re in luck.
We hired a car to take us to the Hemis monastery and Thiksey monastery and Shey Palace. They were bold structures with smiling monks and remarkable heritage with lots of little nooks to explore. I especially loved the prayer halls in the monasteries. They were filled with beautiful light, coloured rugs and gold statues, and the comforting smell of warm milk and incense. Wonderful to meditate in.
Leh is a cute little town, covered in colourful prayer flags with a great marketplace full of interesting faces to see and things to buy. I bought some satin pants, a shopping bag and some crazy hair ties and befriended two adorable little girls drawing Tibetan flags. Tibetan markets are full of both literal and metaphorical gems. I bought a few pretty trinkets including three perfume bottles, fashioned out of old coins or pure silver and turquoise.
And when you’re ravenous, find a little garden or cheery rooftop cafe to eat momos and soup.
