The Himalayas are not just a destination for me. They are home. Despite their popularity, I have found hidden delights, and discovered beauty in places, cultures and people from fresh angles. In my attempt to get off the beaten path, I discovered that Ladakh is not only its landscapes, it is indeed the beauty you find in its heart and soul.
1. Share a roof with descendants of Alexander The Great.
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| The Brokpa people. |
The Brokpa (or Drokpa) community is spread across five villages – Dha, Hanu, Biama, Garkon and Darchig, and claimed to be the purest Aryans in the world, direct descendants of Alexander the Great. Brokpas have distinctive features and culture. They are tall, well built and fair complexioned, with blues eyes. Their traditional dress and way of styling is also very distinctive. They speak their own Brokpa language and follow Islam. They are shy, but like all Ladahkis, warm and welcoming. The custom of marrying within the community to retain the purity of their Aryan genes, has however, limited the population of Brokpas. The community hardly numbers over 2000. So do visit them while you still can.
2. Participate in India’s very own ‘Tour De France’.
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| The cyclists from Bangalore. |
Mountain biking in the land of high passes is something else. I met 15 people from Bangalore, who cycled from Manali to Khardungla Top in 11 days. The sheer joy of having a cup of black tea and Maggie at 18,380 ft after cycling for 516 km, is something MasterCard can’t buy, only human spirit can earn. If you don’t want to exert yourself that much, you could try downward mountain biking – less taxing on body but great test of nerves and control. Time to junk that SUV and get on the bicycle!
3. Visit what was once the LOC battleground.
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| Turtuk. |
4. Treat yourself to mesmerizing views at the lakes.
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| Tso Moriri Lake |
While Three Idiots put Pangong Tso Lake on every Indian’s bucket list, Tso Moriri is still relatively quiet. Pangong Tso is shared between India and China but Tso Moriri is all ours. The first view of the lakes left me completely spellbound. Flat, calm, unending; they were so impossibly beautiful that I wondered if I was daydreaming. This is where nature gets to paint its own verse on its own canvas. The romance of the sun, sky, mountains and water is such a spectacular sight, you’re bound to be left awestruck.
5. Rejuvenate your tired soul at Shanti Stupa.
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| Shanti Stupa at night. |
Many people visit Leh-Ladakh to assess and rediscover life. And what better place than Shanti Stupa? The Japanese Buddhist organization constructed Shanti Stupa to promote world peace and prosperity, and to commemorate 2,500 years of Buddhism. It offers panoramic views of the entire Leh city. And if you are a photographer, look no further than the magnificent views of sunrise and sunset from up top.
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| The Hemis Festival |
7. Rafting in the icy cold Zanskar River is the real deal!
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| Rafting in the Zanskar river. |
8. Find a home away from home.
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| Shashipa homestay. |
9. Don’t just visit Ladakh, get involved.
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| The Himalayas on Wheels program. |
Who says holidays are just meant for clicking pictures for Facebook? You could create everlasting memories instead, and help bring a bright future and happiness in someone’s life. Picturesque Ladakh is one of the most difficult terrains to live in, and people here have limited resources and education avenues. Volunteer your time and skills with an organization that needs it. PAGIR for instance, works for people with disabilities; their program ‘Himalaya On wheels’ promotes tourism for people on wheel chairs and senior citizens.
How did Ladakh help you reconnect with yourself?
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