Blogs

A Turn Not on the Map: How I Found Chiktan by Chance Sometimes, the most unforgettable journeys begin without a plan. I hadn’t meant to find Chiktan. In fact, I hadn’t even heard of it. I was on a quiet road trip through Ladakh, chasing the familiar promise of barren landscapes and craggy Himalayan passes. My destination was loosely defined—maybe Kargil, maybe somewhere farther—but fate had its own geography. A few kilometers past Heniskot, I noticed a barely visible signboard at the edge of a bend. Time and mountain winds had stripped it of most of its paint, but one word lingered like a whisper from a past life: Chiktan. […]

Introduction to Karsha Monastery Perched dramatically on the slopes above the Stod River, just 9 kilometers from the town of Padum, Karsha Monastery is not just the largest monastic complex in Zanskar — it is the spiritual heartbeat of the entire valley. With whitewashed buildings cascading down the mountainside and fluttering prayer flags catching the mountain breeze, the sight of Karsha Gompa is enough to stop any traveler in their tracks. Founded by the revered Buddhist teacher Phagspa Sherab, this ancient complex belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) order of Tibetan Buddhism. Home to around 90 monks, Karsha is more than a place of worship — it is a living […]

Where Time Begins – Lamayuru Monastery The sun rises slowly over the stark ridges of Ladakh, casting long shadows across the crumbling cliffs of Lamayuru. Here, at nearly 3,500 meters above sea level, you do not simply arrive — you awaken into a place that feels detached from time. The village of Lamayuru, often referred to as the “Moonland of Ladakh” for its oddly eroded and lunar-like landscape, welcomes you not with fanfare, but with a profound stillness. The road that brings you here from Leh is winding and cinematic — cliffs plunging into ravines, prayer flags fluttering across rocky outcrops, and sudden glimpses of ochre-colored gompas perched impossibly on […]

🗺️ Introduction to Rangdum Monastery Nestled between the stark beauty of the Suru Valley and the mystical remoteness of Zanskar, Rangdum Monastery is more than just a religious site — it’s a cultural sentinel that connects two worlds. Set at an altitude of around 4,031 meters (13,225 feet), this high-altitude monastery stands on a small hillock, almost like an island in the middle of a vast alpine desert. It’s one of the most isolated yet spiritually powerful Buddhist monasteries in the Indian Himalayas.Though geographically located in the Suru Valley, Rangdum is culturally and spiritually aligned with Zanskar. This duality is what makes it so compelling. For travelers venturing into this […]

Chapter 1: Where Silence Whispers Through Stone and Stars Long after the sun has melted behind the jagged silhouettes of the Zanskar Range, a rare hush settles over Ladakh’s high-altitude plains. This is a land where the night is not a void, but a presence—breathing through broken castle walls, rustling past prayer flags, and stretching endlessly into a sky untouched by modern light. I arrived at the ruins of Basgo Castle just before twilight. Perched dramatically on a crumbling cliff, this fortress whispers tales of Ladakh’s royal past. The walls—ochre, windworn, and cracked—seemed to absorb the glow of the fading sun. No signs. No turnstiles. Just solitude and centuries of […]

Why Choose Guesthouses and Homestays in Offbeat Ladakh? Travelers who venture into the heart of Ladakh often discover that the most rewarding experiences are not found in luxury hotels or curated resorts—but in the warmth of a family kitchen, in stories shared by firelight, and in homes perched on windswept slopes miles from the nearest town. That’s where Ladakh’s guesthouses and homestays reveal their quiet magic. Especially in the offbeat regions, these family-run stays offer something far more valuable than a soft mattress or hot water—they offer connection, cultural immersion, and authenticity. Why choose a homestay in Ladakh? Because it’s the closest you’ll come to understanding this high-altitude world not […]

A Morning in the Mountains of Ladakh Imagine waking up to the soft, golden light filtering through a tiny window framed with handwoven curtains. Outside, the majestic peaks of Ladakh stand tall, their snowy crowns glowing under the first kiss of dawn. In the crisp, silent air, the faint scent of wood smoke dances—an ancient signal that the village is already stirring to life. Stepping outside, the world feels both vast and intimate. The rugged stone paths, the mud-brick houses clinging to the hillside, and the endless sky above—all of it wraps you in a serene, otherworldly embrace. You watch as thin tendrils of smoke rise from every rooftop, twisting […]

Why Visit Rumbak Valley in Ladakh? Hidden deep within the rugged heart of Hemis National Park, Rumbak Valley remains one of Ladakh’s most captivating secrets. For adventurers seeking raw landscapes, authentic village life, and the thrilling chance to spot a Snow Leopard in the wild, this valley offers a once-in-a-lifetime journey that feels worlds away from the beaten path. Trekking through Rumbak Valley Ladakh is not just about the scenery, although the vistas are truly breathtaking. Towering peaks, crisp blue skies, and vast open spaces set the stage for an experience rooted in nature and solitude. Every twist of the trail reveals dramatic cliffs, hidden gorges, and ancient paths still […]

The First Step: Trusting the Unmapped Roads Dear Younger Me, There will come a moment when you find yourself standing at the edge of a world you cannot see on any map. No dotted lines, no reliable signposts, only a ribbon of dust curling into the far-off mountains. In those moments, you will hesitate, heart thudding in your chest, wondering if you should turn back. But I am writing to tell you: step forward. When you first arrive in Ladakh, the towering peaks and endless skies will feel overwhelming, almost too vast for one heart to hold. You will cling to your carefully planned itinerary, to the printed maps folded […]

Hidden deep within the folds of the Himalayas, Ladakh’s remote villages are more than just dots on a map — they are living legacies. While most travelers to this majestic region set their sights on Leh, Pangong, or Nubra’s sand dunes, few venture into the soul-stirring corners where real Ladakh begins. These secluded hamlets, often accessible only by winding mountain roads or dusty trails, offer something far more precious than picture-perfect views: a chance to slow down, reconnect, and immerse oneself in a rhythm of life untouched by time. Remote villages in Ladakh are not simply geographic locations — they are cultural repositories, where stories are passed down in the […]