Ladakh had been on my bucket list for years. Only well into my sixties could I make it to my dream destination. My spouse and I received unsolicited advice from friends, relatives and casual acquaintances against going on this trip as we were senior citizens. We consulted a doctor to ensure all is well before starting on our most unforgettable vacation.
Ladakh is all about awe-inspiring landscapes, picturesque green oasis, mesmerising monasteries and quaint hamlets. Landing at the Leh airport is an experience to cherish. We stayed in a village called Saboo, 6 km from the main market. There is lot of greenery — apricot and apple trees and vegetable gardens. It was a lovely place to get acclimatised on the day of arrival among the greenery. For a city person sipping morning tea while viewing the snow-clad mountains from the balcony is the ultimate in luxury.
It struck me when I visited the confluence of the Zanskar and the Indus that not many are aware that Ladakh is the only place in India where the Indus flows. The confluence is nestled between barren mountains. Looking around anywhere in Ladakh will offer the sight of many prayer flags, colourful rectangular cloth strung along treks and peaks high in the Himalayas.
