Before this trip, the thought of being an “avid traveler” wasn’t even on my radar. My idea of travel was limited to childhood visits – a trip to Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, visiting family in Vadodara, or long summer vacations with cousins in Pune. That was my world.
Then came Leh Ladakh in 2013 – my first big trip with office colleagues who turned into lifelong friends. To this day, the WhatsApp group from that trip is still alive (even if it’s mostly memes now 😅). Life has happened, jobs have changed, people have moved cities, but the memories of that trip have stayed forever.
Something shifted inside me on that journey. For the first time, I thought: maybe this is something I want to keep doing. And that thought hasn’t left me since.
The trip that changed me forever was also full of firsts: my first time on a flight, my first long holiday, my first snow experience and my very first self-funded trip. And let me tell you, there’s something about funding your own adventure. You don’t just feel independent, you feel accountable. Every meal, every hotel, every cab ride feels earned. For a bunch of early-twenties corporate rookies, it was a “budget trip.” In reality, we spent just under ₹50,000 each, which, at the time, felt like a fortune but today feels like a priceless investment. Luckily, one of my friends had it all figured out with his smart travel hacks, so we stretched every rupee. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade a single bit of it.
Rewinding the Tape
While writing the blog, I went back to the 1,000+ photos from that trip, getting lost in the nostalgia of it all, grainy pictures on old cameras, awkward group poses, and yet, such vivid memories that it felt like 2013 all over again.
Our trip began in Srinagar, where a shikara ride on Dal Lake and a walk on the promenade felt like stepping straight into a painting. The city, with its houseboats and calm waters, felt like a perfect beginning to my journey.
From Srinagar, we drove to Kargil. I’ll never forget visiting the war memorial there, standing in front of the names of soldiers who gave their lives for the country. It wasn’t just moving; it was humbling. To be there just before the Independence Day, to feel the weight of sacrifice and pride, gave me goosebumps that I can still feel a decade later.
People Who Make the Place
From Kargil, our journey to Leh introduced us to Ramazang, our driver. He wasn’t just a driver; he was a storyteller, entertainer, and guide rolled into one. With every turn of those winding Himalayan roads, he shared anecdotes about the land, his people, and his life. It’s often said that people make places memorable and for us, Ramazang was proof of that.
And then came the moments that stay etched forever:
The journey to Leh kicked off with more drama than any of us had signed up for. We left early, trying to dodge the curfew. Just when we thought we were in the clear, news hit, a landslide up ahead. So there we were, stuck in the middle of nowhere for 4 – 5 hours, a bunch of clueless rookies wondering if we’d made the worst decision of our lives. Ramazang (our savior through this trip). He somehow managed to arrange another vehicle waiting on the other side. The catch? We had to pick up all our boria-bistar, sling it on our backs, and literally walk across the landslide on a wobbly wooden plank. Peeche curfew, aage landslide — too big an adventure for us rookies, but that’s exactly what made it unforgettable.
The beauty of Leh Ladakh!
- Nubra Valley – The views were stunning, but what truly stayed with me was the warmth of the homestays. The food, made with veggies straight from their gardens, was so comforting, no fancy restaurant can ever match that kind of love and simplicity that came from each meal.
- Khardungla – This is where I saw and touched snow for the very first time. It might sound small, but to me, it was pure magic. There’s a childlike happiness in watching snowflakes fall on your jacket for the first time.
- Pangong Lake – A place so unreal, it felt like stepping into a dream. The shades of blue, turquoise, sapphire, and everything in between, left me speechless. It’s true what they say: ‘The world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only a page.’ That day, I felt like I had turned a new page.
- Tsomoriri Lake – Calm, vast, and almost otherworldly. The sky refused to settle for just one color, it kept shifting through at least four shades at once. Standing there, it felt like I wasn’t just looking at a view, but at God’s very own canvas.
The Small Things That Stay Big
What I remember most about Leh Ladakh are not just the big postcard moments but the little ones: celebrating Independence Day with schoolchildren in Nubra, sipping tea with likeminded travellers, and simply sitting still, letting the silence of the mountains wash over me.
Those 14 days in the northernmost part of India changed me in ways I couldn’t put into words then. They lit a spark one that grew with every journey since. And it’s that very spark that brings me here, to this little corner of the internet, finally writing my stories down.
Because every mile really is a memory. And for me, Leh Ladakh will always be the first, the most life-changing one.
Stay tuned, as this is where I share stories of Love & Wander, one travel at a time.
Quick tips on travelling to Ladakh:
Start slow, acclimatize well – Spend at least a day or two in Leh before heading to higher altitudes.
Carry camphor – A simple but effective hack for easing breathing at high altitudes.
Listen to your body – Altitude sickness hits differently for everyone. Don’t push yourself.
Keep oxygen cylinders handy – Better safe than sorry; you never know when they’ll come in handy.
Stay flexible with your itinerary – Landslides, roadblocks, and weather surprises are part of Ladakh’s charm. Embrace the detours.
Soak in the journey – Roads can take 5–12 hours a day, but every mile is a memory waiting to be made.
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