Blogs

Ladakh Winter Travel: Unveiling Ladakh’s Winter Majesty: A Journey Through Snow and Solitude In the heart of winter, Ladakh transforms into a realm of ethereal white—a landscape not meant for the faint-hearted, but a paradise for those who crave the extremes. Gone are the days when this remote corner of northern India lay isolated from the world between October and April. The winter season, once a time of hushed solitude, has now become an alluring invitation for the adventurous souls willing to brave its challenges. Today, Ladakh’s winter landscape offers a new kind of allure to the intrepid traveler. As the snow blankets the terrain, it beckons explorers with its […]

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Ladakhi Cuisine When we think of Ladakhi food, the images that often come to mind are momos and thukpa. Yet, this is only the surface of Ladakh’s rich culinary heritage. It’s time to look beyond these familiar dishes and delve into the diverse flavors that define this region. Like many, I once associated Ladakhi cuisine solely with momos and thukpa. This narrow view changed dramatically during a traditional feast at the king’s palace, where I discovered the depth of Ladakhi culinary traditions that had eluded me. Food is more than just a necessity; it is a reflection of a region’s history and culture. Exploring a […]

Embarking on a Journey to Ladakh’s Changthang Pashmina: Unveiling the Origins of the World’s Finest Pashmina In the face of freezing temperatures and challenging altitudes, our adventure took us deep into the Changthang region of Ladakh, where we sought to uncover the origins of the world’s most exquisite pashmina. Braving the harsh cold and thin air, our path led us to the heart of Changthang, a remote region in Ladakh, where the journey of the world’s finest pashmina begins. As I stood surrounded by sheep and goats, I could sense their exhaustion after a long day of trekking. However, sleep eluded them. In the midst of fatigue, fear, and cold, […]

Sustainable Tourism in Ladakh –Dolkhar: A Sustainable Oasis in Ladakh’s Rugged Beauty, Founded by Rigzin Wangmo Lachic Dolkhar is a unique luxury retreat in Ladakh, embodying the vision of its founder, Rigzin Wangmo Lachic. With deep roots in the region and a profound respect for its natural environment, Rigzin has crafted Dolkhar into a place where luxury meets sustainability.  Rooted in her heritage and driven by a desire to preserve Ladakh’s rich cultural and environmental legacy, Rigzin Wangmo Lachic has woven sustainability into every fiber of Dolkhar. For Rigzin, sustainability isn’t just an ideal; it’s the foundation upon which Dolkhar is built. The resort reflects a deep connection to the […]

Ladakhi Fashion Revival: Discover Padma Yangchan’s Journey in Revitalizing Ladakhi Heritage Through Fashion and Cuisine Introducing Padma Yangchan, the visionary co-founder of Namza, dedicated to resurrecting the rich traditions of Ladakh through both haute couture and culinary delights.  Born and raised in Ladakh, Padma Yangchan’s early life was steeped in the vibrant culture of the region. Her educational journey took her from a boarding school in Chandigarh to higher studies in Delhi and London. With an insatiable curiosity for diverse cultures, Padma’s travels have always been guided by a love for local cuisines, indigenous traditions, and traditional crafts. In 2016, she and her partner Disket established Namza with a clear […]

The Ladakh trekking experience began for me twenty years ago, a journey now etched in the sun-bleached rocks of the Himalayas. Back then, I was a weary traveler venturing into an unfamiliar world, arriving on a rickety bus that creaked and groaned over treacherous mountain passes, depositing me into a landscape both harsh and sublime—a place where parched deserts meet the gleaming white of ancient monasteries. I was too exhausted to grasp the gravity of where I had landed. Now, I return to this high-altitude realm, no longer the sole domain of wandering backpackers but a region transformed. What once took days of bone-jarring travel is now reduced to a […]

“Little Tibet”: A Journey into the Enchantment of a Ladakh Monastic Festivals In the northern reaches of India, nestled between the towering Himalayas and the rugged Karakoram, lies a realm steeped in profound Buddhist heritage. The essence of this heritage comes alive during the monastic festivals, where the air thrums with a unique magic that captivates all who attend. Leh—the town where the journey begins—is alive with a palpable sense of anticipation. An elderly man, with a face etched by time and experience, stands as a testament to the land’s harsh beauty. His smile is knowing, and his weathered features mirror the rugged landscape around him. Gaps in his teeth […]

Climate change impact is profoundly shaping the isolated expanse of Ladakh, where life clings to the edges of an unforgiving landscape. The region’s glaciers, once majestic sentinels of ice, are receding at an alarming rate, threatening the vital water sources that sustain millions. In the isolated expanse of Ladakh, life clings to the edges of an unforgiving landscape. Tsering Angchuk, a shepherd with deep roots in the barren village of Kharnak, remains steadfast amid the growing exodus of his people. His sons, like many others, have sought the conveniences of urban life, leaving behind the age-old traditions of herding in these harsh mountains. Angchuk, however, has chosen to stay, tending […]

Life among the Nomads of the Ladakh Plateau—High Plains Drifters On the desolate and breathtaking Changtang Plateau in India, shepherds carve out their existence amidst an environment that is as unforgiving as it is majestic. Near the shimmering waters of Tsomoriri Lake, the Changpa nomads graze their livestock. Zhering Dolkar, a 60-year-old Changpa woman, sits on the floor of her tent, her face lit up with a radiant smile. She skillfully rolls a bloated sheep’s stomach back and forth on her lap, churning fresh milk into butter. It is just past ten in the morning, and most of the six families residing in this small settlement have already ventured out […]

Snow Leopard Tours in Ladakh: An Encounter with Elusiveness In the towering embrace of the Himalayas, a grassroots initiative showcases a harmonious existence between humanity and the most elusive of creatures, making a poignant argument for community-led conservation efforts. What does elusiveness signify in the realm of wildlife? When an animal is so elusive it seems to shun human eyes, does nature issue an unspoken “Do Not Disturb” directive? And when this elusive being inhabits a fragile ecosystem endangered by human encroachment, what are the ethical considerations of venturing into its domain, even if such exploration might foster conservation? These were the contemplations that accompanied me as I gazed out […]