Before the Next Chapter Begins: Siddharth’s Bachelor Adventure in Ladakh
Siddharth Verma sat on his balcony in Chennai, staring at his wedding invitation. The golden letters of the bride and groom shimmered under the light. It was happening. In less than a month, he would be married and stepping into a new chapter of life - one filled with responsibilities, shared dreams, and a partnership built on love.
He was excited. His fiancée was his best friend, his biggest supporter, and someone he truly wanted to spend his life with. But before he said “I do,” there was one thing he had to do for himself.
LADAKH.
So, he made a decision. He packed his bags, booked his trip, and set off on a solo bachelor adventure - one last journey before marriage.
Travelling into the Wild
The journey began in Delhi, where he met his fellow travellers. Some were wandering solo like him while others had come in groups, but all shared the same hunger for adventure. A quick round of introductions, some chai, and a late-night conversation about past trips later, he already felt like he was part of a brotherhood of travellers chasing the unknown.
When they reached Manali, he could feel the shift. The mountain breeze carried an unfamiliar thrill, and the sight of endless peaks in the distance reminded him that this was not just another trip.
The drive from Manali to Jispa was like entering another world. The lush green valleys of Himachal slowly gave way to barren landscapes, lined with gushing rivers and icy peaks. The air smelled of pine and fresh earth, and with every twist and turn, the road seemed to promise something new.
As they sat by the campfire that night, one of the travellers turned to him and asked, "Why Ladakh? Why now?"
Siddharth smiled, taking a sip of his chai. "Because after this, my life changes. I am getting married next month. I don’t know when I will get a chance like this again."
Through the Roof of the World
The next few days tested everything Siddharth thought he knew about travel.
The journey from Jispa to Sarchu was where reality hit. The altitude kicked in and made every breath feel heavier. The biting cold seeped through his gloves, and exhaustion settled in after hours on the road. This trip was indeed a survival. But with every challenge, he felt more alive.
By the time they reached Sarchu, the view made everything worth it. Under the vast night sky, scattered with a million stars, he lay outside his tent, thinking about his wedding.
The next morning, they went towards Leh, crossing the mighty Tanglang La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The landscape changed every hour - glacial rivers, rocky cliffs, and stretches of road that looked like they led straight to the sky.
When they finally reached Leh, it felt like a victory. The journey had pushed his limits, but he had made it. That evening, as he walked through Leh Market, he picked up a small prayer flag. A reminder that adventure never truly ends - it just takes new forms.
Into the Heart of Ladakh
Leh was beyond what words could describe.
He spent the day exploring Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, and the Hall of Fame. He even tried butter tea, which, to his surprise, he actually liked.
But the real thrill began the next day.
They set off for Nubra Valley, crossing the famous Khardung La. It was the kind of place every traveller dreamed of conquering. The roads were rough, and the air was thin, but when he finally reached the top, standing at 18,000 feet, he felt invincible.
He pulled out his phone and took a selfie. "My solo adventure before the big day!" he captioned it and sent it to his fiancée.
Nubra was surreal. Sand dunes in the middle of a cold desert, double-humped camels lazily wandering, and the silence of the mountains wrapping around him. That night, as he sat under the starry sky, he thought about how much life would change in just a few weeks.
Would he miss this kind of freedom? Would marriage mean the end of such adventures?
The next morning, he went to Pangong Lake. The first sight of its endless blue waters sent shivers down his spine.
A fellow traveller asked him, "What is the first thing you will tell your wife about this trip?"
Siddharth smiled. "That sometimes, you need to lose yourself to find yourself again."
The Journey Home, But Never the Same
The journey back was bittersweet. The roads felt familiar, but Siddharth felt different.
By the time he reached Leh, Manali, and finally, back to Delhi, he knew that he was not just returning as Siddharth, the solo traveller, was. He was returning as Siddharth, the soon-to-be husband, who had found something precious in these mountains - clarity.
When he finally landed in Chennai, his fiancée was waiting at the airport.
As he hugged her, she whispered, "So, was it worth it?"
Siddharth smiled. "Every single second."
And with that, he stepped into his next adventure - a life filled with new journeys, shared dreams, and endless possibilities.
Because some adventures you take alone, and some you take together.