Blogs
India: Red foxes increasingly rely on garbage and food scraps In northern India, red foxes can be seen rummaging through kitchen waste. The growing dependence of wild animals on food scraps could affect ecological processes and increase conflicts with humans. The Spiti Valley, located in the remote Trans-Himalaya, is one of the least populated places in India and home to several rare and endangered wild animals. There, to see wild herbivores like the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), you might have to walk up to mountain pastures sometimes at 5000 meters (16,404 feet) high. If you want to see a snow leopard (Panthera uncia), you might have to track herds of […]
“Reaching for a Dream” by Visiting Ladakh Đỗ An Ninh’s trip to “Little Tibet” left a stronger impression than he had ever imagined. Đỗ An Ninh, 28, a Korean language teacher, recently completed an 11-day trip to India in late August. His destination was Ladakh, a region in the Jammu and Kashmir state known as “Little Tibet.” Ninh joined a group tour, which was cheaper than initially expected, with a total cost of nearly 30 million VND per person. In addition to being a Korean language teacher, An Ninh runs a travel blog named OnTheMars, where he shares his trips and personal travel experiences. Ninh wanted to fully explore Ladakh, […]
The Reference Article Fototour Ladakh A fine pass! Over 5000 meters high, with dramatic mountain lakes: The Ladakh region in the Trans-Himalayas is a photographer’s paradise—if the weather plays along. To capture perfect images here, one must rise in the dead of night. Outside the cabin window, bare rock walls rush past, then a sharp left turn. The airport at Leh, wedged among peaks over 6000 meters, is feared by Indian pilots for its altitude, which diminishes the aircraft’s lift. The small Boeing 737 rumbles onto the 3500-meter-high runway. Ladakh greets us with a deep blue sky and pleasant autumn temperatures. A Taxi brings my friend Corinna and me to […]
Ladakh, Mountains and Men: A Journey into Ladakhi Culture Perched at 3,500 meters above sea level, this ancient Buddhist kingdom harbors a heritage of astonishing richness. Discover a fascinating region within these high Himalayan valleys, where it is hard to tell if they are closer to the earth or the sky. His Excellency Raja Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal is a reserved man. With salt-and-pepper hair, dressed in a fleece jacket and blue jeans, he drives through the high Indus Valley in his small car. Sometimes he is seen in Leh, the former capital of his kingdom, overshadowed by the imposing castle built by his ancestors over three hundred years ago. But […]
Frozen Indus (Ladakh, January 2018) (Photo: Eszter Tandel) Have you ever thought about what it would be like if we didn’t track the passage of time? No calendars, no alarm clocks—just rising and going to bed when nature signals us. It may seem unbelievable, but the disappearing, yet still existing, nomadic tribes live something like this. Now, through the lens of Hungarian photographer Eszter Tandel, we can catch a glimpse into this simple, civilization-free world. Eszter Tandel was born in Transylvania in a multicultural environment that encouraged openness, curiosity, and acceptance from an early age. Although she always felt that it would be wonderful to show others the diversity of […]
Journey to Ladakh, Following the Tracks of the Snow Leopard EXTENSIVE REPORTAGE – As the Indian Himalayas’ edges are covered in snow, a flow of mantras escapes from monasteries perched on their rocky spurs. Perhaps these mantras reach the ears of the snow leopard, who takes advantage of the chill to indulge in its mountain loves without restraint. It’s barely 10 a.m., and the crowd is already pressing around the tarchem, the great pole adorned with victory flags, and even starts to occupy the high terraces of the monastery. The building, perched on its rocky spur, still bathes in its medieval essence. People, a magnificent parade of weather-beaten faces, old […]
Ladakh Explorer: This border region of Tibet is a vast valley of moorlands and rocks. Trekkers have made it their paradise. By Sacha Goussin Published on January 30, 2008, at 6:00 AM All we see are Tata trucks, from the largest Indian industrial group. For the past three days, we’ve been continuously crossing these large, colorful vehicles adorned with garlands of flowers. Three days of incessant horn blasts, which here serve as turn signals. Three days of zigzagging between cows, rickshaws, handcarts, and potholes. This bustling scene comes to a sudden halt in Darcha. It is here, in the silence of this village, at 3300 meters altitude, that our trek […]
Ladakh, India: Spoonfuls of Culture Alongside the Himalayas, its Ladakh cuisine is nourished by an immense amount of stories. A new generation is turning tradition into a tool for cultural resurgence. In the region of Ladakh, everything revolves around home, in all its senses. Even time itself moves to the rhythm set by the thap, the traditional clay oven still seen in many old Ladakhi homes. The first rays of light enter through strategically placed openings, illuminating the surface, warming it before cooking time, and turning the structure into a kind of sundial. As the day progresses, the light shifts, capturing the sinuous movement of steam, while the shadows of […]
Have you ever encountered a moment that defies explanation? Recently, I had such an experience that left me pondering long after it occurred. Back in January of this year, my friends and I embarked on the Chadar Trek, an adventure through the Zanskar Gorge. This trek is renowned for its challenges, as it is undertaken during the frigid winter months of January and February when the Zanskar River turns into a frozen pathway. Walking over the ice-covered river to reach the valley is no small feat, given the extreme cold and treacherous conditions. Yet, for trekking enthusiasts, it’s an exhilarating journey, offering a unique blend of adrenaline and natural splendor. […]
Memories and Traditions in Ladakh Over the past six years, I’ve had the fortune and joy of visiting Ladakh multiple times. I’ve come to appreciate how the people here embody a spirit of generosity and hospitality worthy of legend. The memories of my first journey are still vivid—the colorful flags fluttering in the wind, the scent of sage burning in temples, the sound of the breeze rustling through willow branches by the river, and the warmth of the expansive sky during the long summer. I was amazed to find that this community has embraced globalization within less than half a century. What surprised me is that despite accepting modernization, they […]
