Ladak is the northernmost province in India, bordering by Pakistan and China’s Tibetan plateaux. The capital Leh is above 3000 metres and you feel the effects of the altitude the moment you step off the plane.
The landscape is desolate but striking and punctuated by oasis of green where apricot and almond trees flourish, and the river runs quietly.
As part of a guided photo tour, we were given numerous opportunities to view things it would have been difficult to find as an independent traveller.
We visited many Buddhist Monasteries generally perched, what appeared to be precariously on the top of rocky hillsides, their building clinging to the hillsides. Young monks in deep burgundy robes wandered about happy to pose for us and older monks quietly went about their days.
Getting from one place to another was a challenge, maintaining roads in the exceptionally harsh climate presents unique challenges. We watched women sitting at the side of the road breaking up rocks to fill potholes. We were blessed with an amazing scout who rode his trusty Royal Ensign motor bike ahead of our convoy of four station wagons to let us know the state of the roads…. Including their being closed due snow and rock falls.
I had not anticipated the physical effect of the altitude would have on me. While I had once previously experienced it, this was a great deal more challenging. Sadly, the altitude had its biggest impact on the day I had most looked forward too. Visiting a camp where the nomadic people live and farm cashmere goats.
To see the harsh conditions not only for the goat…..I have no idea what they can find to eat on the apparent barren hillsides, but the resilience of the people, in such a harsh climate. The day we visited it was “summer” up to zero degrees and no wind. We were made exceptionally welcome and invited into peoples tents and offered a cup of salted yak butter tea while this may never be adopted into west as a culinary delicacy there was such a great pride in their hospitality. It was also one of those experiences you never forget.
Everywhere we had the opportunity to meet people, kind hearted people who would smile and let make a photo.
“A smile is the same in any language and the majority of situations people are people no matter where you meet then and the first reaction is to engage with one another.”