A Promise Written in the Mountains: Priyanka’s Ladakh Journey
Some journeys begin with a plan, and others with a promise.
For Priyanka Sen and her friends, Ladakh had always been a dream they had nurtured for years. It all started on a college trip when they had gathered together under a starry sky, making a pact: One day, we will conquer the mountains together!
Years passed, life took over, and the promise remained unfulfilled. Careers, marriages, and cities pulled them in different directions. But some bonds refuse to fade, and some dreams demand to be lived.
Then, one evening, as Priyanka scrolled through old pictures, she came across a grainy snapshot of their younger selves - arms around each other, laughter frozen in time. The caption read: "Someday, Ladakh."
Her heart clenched.
Without a second thought, she picked up her phone and called one of her closest friends.
"It is time," she said simply.
Two weeks later, on 22nd April 2023, five friends from different corners of the country boarded flights from Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The mountains had been waiting.
The First Breath of Ladakh
As their plane descended into the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, the Himalayas stretched out beneath them - silent, magnificent, and eternal. But nothing prepared them for the first step outside.
A blast of icy wind hit them, sharp and unforgiving. And then - snow.
“Snow in April?” Priyanka gasped, pulling her jacket tighter.
Rahul, always the overconfident one, shivered visibly. “I think my soul just left my body.”
Altitude sickness crept in almost immediately - a dull headache, dizziness, and the strange realisation that even breathing felt like work. Their driver, Shamsu, greeted them with a knowing smile.
“First rule - don’t fight it. Let the mountains accept you.” The driver said, probably after realising their conditions.
Later, they checked into Hotel Trikaya, just a 10-minute drive from the airport. As they settled in, the warmth of the place enveloped them, and the aroma of freshly cooked rajma chawal filled the air.
Little did they know, Ladakh was about to change them forever.
High Passes, Hidden Stories, and the Magic of the Unknown
The days that followed were a blur of twisting mountain roads, ancient monasteries, and surreal landscapes that seemed straight out of a dream.
At Lamayuru, the Moonland of India, they stood in surprise at the alien-like rock formations. Upon looking at it, their minds struggle to process the sheer beauty of it all.
“This feels… unreal,” Nisha whispered.
At Magnetic Hill, they watched in wonder as their car rolled uphill without any engine power, a mystery that defied logic. And at the Indus-Zanskar confluence, the sight of two rivers meeting in a dramatic embrace left them speechless.
But it was the journey to Nubra Valley that truly tested them.
Crossing Khardung-La, the highest motorable pass in the world at 18,000 feet, was an experience like no other. The temperature dropped, the wind howled, and breathing became a conscious effort. But as they stood at the top, looking out over the endless area of snow-capped peaks, the struggle melted away.
"This," Priyanka whispered, "is what we came for."
In Nubra, the landscape changed dramatically. From ice-covered roads, they descended into a vast desert of golden sand dunes, where double-humped Bactrian camels roamed freely. They laughed as they took turns riding the gentle creatures, their childhood pact playing in their minds.
That night under a sky full of stars, they gathered around a bonfire, sipping tea and sharing stories.
“Think about it,” Arjun contemplated. “We have waited years for this.”
Priyanka smiled, watching the flames dance. “And it was worth every second.”
Frozen Lakes, Warm Hearts, and the Soul of Ladakh
Then came Pangong Tso - the lake of changing colours and the very place where Bollywood’s 3 Idiots left its mark.
As they stood by the crystal-clear blue waters, the silence was profound, almost sacred. The lake stretched endlessly, shimmering under the afternoon sun, shifting from blue to green to silver.
They spent the evening recreating movie scenes, skipping stones across the water, and absorbing the untouched beauty around them. But the real surprise came at Pangong Sarai, their campsite for the night.
They had expected a cold and sleepless night in a tent, but instead, they found cosy heated rooms, thick blankets, and even hot water at dawn.
"How is this possible?" Nisha laughed, running her fingers over the warm bed.
LADAKH IS INDEED FULL OF SURPRISES!
The next morning, they set off for Tso Moriri. Although the journey was long and the roads were rough, when they arrived, they understood why it was called Ladakh’s best-kept secret.
Sitting by the still mirror-like waters, they watched the sky turn shades of pink and gold. It was peaceful and almost meditative.
That night, as they gathered around a small fire, sipping butter tea, something settled in Priyanka’s heart.
Some places you visit. Others stay with you. Ladakh, she knew, would stay forever.
Saying Goodbye, But Never Letting Go
The return journey took them through Chumathang, where they dipped their feet into natural hot springs. It was a strange and almost magical experience in the middle of freezing mountains.
Back in Leh, they spent their final evening wandering the local markets, shopping for souvenirs, and savouring the last taste of Ladakhi cuisine.
And then, it was time.
At the airport, as they prepared to part ways, Nisha turned to Priyanka.
“Same time next year?” she asked.
Priyanka laughed, though her heart felt heavy. “Same time next year!”
As the plane took off, she looked out at the mountains one last time.
The journey had ended, but Ladakh had become a part of her.
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