Through Villages and Passes: A Three-Day Journey Across Sham Valley By Elena Marlowe Introduction: Where the Valley Opens Like a Whisper The First Glimpse of Sham Valley Arriving in Ladakh, one feels the altitude before the mind can catch up with the landscape. The air is thinner, lighter, almost translucent, and the mountains rise like silent sentinels above the Indus. Among the many treks that tempt travelers here, the Sham Valley Trek is known affectionately as the “Baby Trek.” Yet, for all its simplicity, it carries a depth that lingers long after the final step. This three-day journey through Ladakhi villages and passes is not simply about crossing distances; it […]
Springtime Journeys Through Ladakh’s Blossoming Valleys By Elena Marlowe Introduction: When Apricot Blossoms Whisper to the Himalayas The First Petals of Spring There is a certain hush that falls upon Ladakh in March, as if the mountains themselves are holding their breath. Along the Indus River, where villages sit like pearls strung across the high desert, apricot trees begin to reveal their tender blossoms. The transformation is sudden and almost theatrical: one week the branches remain bare and unyielding, the next they are dressed in soft shades of white and pink. For those who journey here, the effect is intoxicating, a reminder that even in a land defined by its […]
A Golden Season on the Roads of Ladakh By Elena Marlowe Introduction: When the Mountains Wear Autumn’s Cloak There is a moment in October when the Himalayas seem to exhale a softer breath. The harsh light of summer gives way to a glow that feels almost painterly, as though each valley has been brushed with shades of gold and copper. Driving through Ladakh during this fleeting season is not merely a journey from one place to another; it is an immersion into landscapes transformed by autumn’s hand. Trees along the rivers shimmer with amber leaves, the air grows crisp, and monasteries stand silent under skies that are at once endless […]
Running Thin Air — Inside the Ladakh Marathon 2025 At over 3,500 meters above sea level, every breath counts. Here’s your beautiful, practical guide to the six courses, how to prepare, and one intimate finisher story from the high Himalayas. Why it’s special: Ladakh Marathon is among the world’s highest-altitude road races. Expect crisp mornings, big skies, prayer flags, and climbs that test both legs and lungs. The event typically unfolds across multiple categories over a long weekend centered on Leh. Acclimatization is essential: Arrive in Leh early (5–7 days is common) to help your body adapt. Respect the altitude: Hydrate, protect from sun and wind, pace conservatively, and listen […]
Echoes of Tradition in the High Himalayas — Ladakh Festival 2025 Complete Schedule (Days 1–4) Every time, venue, and highlight — nothing omitted. Use this page to plan your festival days in Leh. 📅 Day 1 — Sunday, 21 September 2025 Do not miss: Cultural Parade, Inaugural Ceremony, “ERA OF ECHOES” Live, Celestial Journey. Time Programme Venue / Notes 11:00 AM From Ruins to Revival — ASI Conservation & Archival Treasures Exhibition Leh Palace 12:00 PM onwards (till 10:00 PM) Exhibition of Handicraft / Handlooms / Cuisines / CHANG-KHANG; Live skills: pottery, basketry, shoe making, etc. Eco Park, Leh 02:30 PM The Ladakh Culture Parade — dignitaries, guests, monks, tourists, […]
Discover the Vibrant Spirit of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2025 Step into the timeless world of Zanskar, where culture, heritage, and breathtaking landscapes meet. The Zanskar Festival is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of identity, tradition, and community spirit. Experience two unforgettable days of dances, rituals, and festivities in the heart of Ladakh. 10th Edition of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2025 Theme: “Celebrating and Showcasing the Rich Cultural Heritage of Zanskar” Dates: 20th & 21st September 2025 Venue: Sani, Zanskar – Ladakh Time: 10:30 AM onwards The Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2025 is back with its grand 10th edition, promising an unforgettable cultural journey into the heart […]
Living with Ladakhi Families in the High Himalayas By Elena Marlowe Arriving in Leh: The Gateway to Homestay Adventures First Impressions of Leh’s Old Town The airplane descended over a plateau of ochre mountains, their craggy ridges glowing beneath a startling blue sky. When I first stepped off the plane in Leh, the thinness of the air stole my breath. It wasn’t just altitude—it was awe. The town revealed itself in layers: prayer flags strung across alleyways, whitewashed stupas leaning against rocky slopes, and the quiet dignity of the Leh Palace perched high above. Unlike other Himalayan gateways, Leh’s old town felt intimate, almost secretive. Narrow lanes twisted past crumbling […]
Why Thiksey Monastery is Worth Waking Up For As the sky over Ladakh begins to blush with the first light of day, a hush falls over the Indus Valley. The mountains, silent and ancient, witness a ritual that has been repeated for centuries. Thiksey Monastery, perched on a hilltop like a whitewashed sentinel, comes alive with the soft murmur of morning chants. There is no rush here. Just rhythm. And a sense of timelessness that clings to the cold air like incense. Thiksey Monastery is not just a place to see — it is a place to *feel*. A place where time slows, where every breath of mountain air carries […]
Are you ready to stand on one of the highest non-technical trekking peaks in the Indian Himalayas? We are excited to announce the Kang Yatse II Expedition, scheduled from July 18 to July 28, 2025 — a breathtaking 11-day journey into the heart of Ladakh, combining high-altitude trekking, glacier travel, and an unforgettable summit push at 6,250 meters (20,505 ft). Kang Yatse II is known as a perfect introductory peak for those dreaming of Himalayan climbing, offering stunning panoramic views of the Markha Valley, Zanskar range, and beyond — without requiring technical mountaineering experience. Several adventure-seekers from around the world have already confirmed their participation. Now, we are looking for […]
Introduction — Stones That Tell Stories The first time I saw Basgo Fort, it didn’t look like a fort at all. There were no polished courtyards, no sweeping staircases, no fairy-tale towers like the ones I’ve walked through in France or Austria. Instead, it clung to the cliffs like a weathered prayer—mud-brick walls etched by time, a landscape more silence than structure. And yet, I knew instantly: this was not emptiness. This was memory pressed into stone. Coming from the Netherlands, where castles stand as proud reminders of royal dynasties and European might, I had always seen them as symbols of control—built to assert, to defend, and to dazzle. In […]
