After leaving Agra we got the train to Delhi and then we flew to the very north east of India to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. In August and September most of India is experiencing the monsoon, so we decided to focus on areas that weren't too hot and/or wet. Ladakh is next to turbulent Kashmir but it's a safe and stunning place to visit. Leh is above 3000 metres and surrounded by huge mountains so the flight was pretty spectacular. Due to the high altitude it took us a few days to get used to the lack of oxygen and we suffered from all sorts of side effects including loss of appetite, headaches and lethargy, however it was all worth it as the landscape in Ladakh is mind blowing. The air is also so crisp and clean (i.e. unpolluted) that the sky looks very different and much bluer than anywhere else that we've every been
Ladakh is a Buddhist area and there are many Tibetan people here who fled from Tibet in 1959. There are numerous ancient fortified monasteries clinging onto the sides of mountains, which adds to the beauty of the landscape.
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| Likir Gompa |
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| Likir Gompa |
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| Ancient Basgo Gompa |
We went to a Gompa in a nearby village and watched part of an all-day Buddhist festival with masked dancers. The monks play the music and perform the dances in elaborate and colourful costumes.
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| Striking hat |
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| Traditional shoes |
During our stay here the Dalai Lama was also visiting the area and we were lucky enough to see him.
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| Crowds gathered to see and hear the Dalai Lama |
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| Happy Dalai Lama pilgrim |
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| The Holiest of Holies |
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