There are, of course, a list of things you must remember before travelling to Ladakh. You must remember the basics- acclimatisation, warm clothes, making sure you have a post-paid cell phone, permits etc. However, here's a less common list of things to remember while travelling to Ladakh, a list that I personally think is more...

Part II Sometimes, our hearts are in the right place but the consequences of our actions, especially when one is not cognizant of context, can cause more harm than good. I'm not trying to start a philosophical discourse here but this is the first thought that comes to my mind when I think of tourism...

The Himalayan Brown Bears Snow leopards and migratory birds are probably what first comes to mind when one thinks of wildlife in Ladakh. However, Himalayan brown bears, ancient cousins of the enormous grizzlies, seem like a secret best kept by the high-altitude alpine meadows of western Ladakh. Brown bears, or "dren-mos" as they are called...

Museum of memories and stories of separation Hunderman is a deserted, abandoned village inhabited by a plethora of stories- each stone representing a journey, each house reminiscing about a past. The war of 1971 between India and Pakistan resulted in Hunderman and Turtuk becoming a part of India overnight. Conflicts with neighbouring countries resulted in...

Other than its beautiful landscape Ladakh also offers the most mystical and colourful annual festivals. Some festivals that are associated specifically with some Buddhist monasteries of the region are known as "gustors". Among the gustors celebrated in the region, the Spituk gustor, in particular, has a special place in the hearts of many locals. It...

Berry Berry! Leh Berry! Leh Berry Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) of the family Elaeagnaceae, known as Leh Berry is a thorny shrub growing from nine to twelve meters in height. These plants with ample branches have a life span of 100-150 years, can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -43 degrees Celsius and summer temperatures...

Turtuk, the last outpost in Ladakh is a village situated at the Indo-Pak border beyond which lies the Gilgit Baltistan region. The village became a part of India after the war of 1971 and Turtuk has been open for tourists since 2009. The beautiful Shayok river flows through Turtuk and into Pakistan to merge with...

"Home-grown tomatoes home-grown tomatoes What'd life be without home-grown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy That's true love & home-grown tomatoes." -Guy Clark This couplet from the song "home-grown tomatoes" by Guy Clark captures so beautifully the feeling that home-grown tomatoes really evoke. The whole song describes his love for home-grown tomatoes and...

Vernacular architecture is a source of history, a standing archive of how people lived in the past. The connection one feels to an old house is inexplicable and enigmatic. Traditional architecture plays an essential role in connecting a person to their heritage and culture. However, apathy towards our history and historical legacies have made these...

When most people think about Ladakh in the winter they imagine soft, absolutely white snow swaying through the air and falling softly on the ground, only to make it onto a thick untouched light blanket of what looks like … clouds. Beautiful and enchanting can be two words that describe perfectly the visual landscape of...