Flying into the Ladakhi capital of Leh, the shapely peak of Stok Kangri (6121 m) is prominent on the southern skyline. Spending several days acclimatizing, we will visit the colorful monasteries of Shey, Thikse and Hemis before setting off on the lovely trek through the Markha Valley. Our route leads by way of several [...]

TSOMORIRI & TSOKER LAKE TO MANALI :
This region has recently been open to travellers and has super trekking possibilities. The high Changthang plateau of east [...]

LOSAR
How Ladakh got its New Year
This New Year festival has an interesting history. In the 17th century, King Jamyang Namgyal decided to lead an expedition against [...]

GALDEN NAMCHOT
Tsongkhapa’s Birthday and Buddhahood
This socio-religious event is celebrated to observe the birthday and the Buddhahood or Tsongkhapa - the Tibetan saint-scholar who [...]

PHYANG TSEDUP
Phyang is one of the two Dringungpa Monasteries in Ladakh.
This monastery, 17 km west of Leh, holds its festival in July/August. [...]

YURU KAGBYAT
An awesome spectacle
This 2-day festival is celebrated during July, in the spectacularly situated monastery of Lamayuru, about 127 kms west of Leh.
The masks worn by the lamas during the dances represent [...]

HEMIS TSE-CHU
The festival of Padmasambhava
The 10th day (Tses- Chu) of the Tibetan lunar month is celebrated as the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of [...]

MATHO NAGRANG
The festival of the blindfolded acrobatic oracle monks
On the 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month Monastery - the only Saskyapa monastic establishment in Ladakh. During this festival, the two [...]

STOCK GURU TSE-CHU
When even laymen can predict the future
Yet another festival of oracles, this is held in Stock, the present seat of royal residence. The two Stock oracles - unlike [...]

DOSHMOCHE
Masked dances in the royal courtyard
An ancient tradition started by the Kings of Ladakh, Dosmoche is till celebrated every year in February with great pomp and fervour. [...]