Arriving in Ladakh is possibly one of the greatest adventures in the world. Whether you travel on bus through the land of high passes from Spiti or take a flight through the majestic mountains as I did. Nothing quite describes the flight into Ladakh. As the airplane ascends through the largest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas seem to change color at every angle as the plane swoops between these giant peaks. Your flight comes to an abrupt end on the shortest runway and the highest elevated airport in the world. Welcome to Ladakh. My breath is immediately taken away when I walk off the plane. Not in a metaphorical sense but literally as it is hard to breathe from the lack of oxygen at 11,500 ft. The purple mountains glow in the background as your head starts to feel dizzy. After arriving at your hotel it is necessary to take a day of rest before seeing the sites to acclimate to the altitude.
Time passes differently in this world. It is a relaxing and yet exciting pace slow and easy but not boring. I am not certain why, maybe the altitude, or the magic felt from the scenery, or even from the mysterious Tibetan Religion that presides in these mountains. Many people from Pakistan, India and China meet in Ladakh peacefully sharing the city of Leh. Perhaps this city could be a lesson for the rest of the world as friends walk together hand in hand one a Sikh, another a Brahman, a Buddhist monk, and a Muslim. For in this part of the world it is not seen as being gay nor does it have any connotation of other than brotherly love if men walk hand in hand, In fact it is quite common and seen as a normal gesture of friends. As you walk the streets avoiding crazy cars, harassing street vendors, and sleeping cows you pass many joyous elders spinning prayer wheels, and greeting travelers with the Ladakhi saying “Ju-Lay”.
There are many things to do and see in Ladakh, but in order to get to many of these places one must travel along small mountainside roads often passing the Holy indigo colored Indus River, luscious green steppes, and many military convoys. Tibetan refugee camps open ones eyes, as many ancient Buddhist temples teach one lessons of history and enlightenment. A two-day trip to Lake Tso Moriri enchants and meeting the local Tibetan nomads, the Changpas, creates life changing perspectives and friendships. Nothing is quite like sipping butter tea while making hand gestures to communicate with these new friends. Lastly a trip to the highest drivable road at 18,380 ft puts you on top of the world. It is impossible to spend only a few days in Ladakh, as there are so many sites to see and not enough room in this post to write. If one is looking for adventure and life altering experiences, Ladakh is the place to go.