Two Friends, Two Bikes, and One Amazing Journey to Ladakh

 Hey there, "The Traveller's Companion" audience, I'm Virat, from Uttar Pradesh.

Actually this is a guest post and i'm thankful to "The Traveller's Companion" for giving me this wonderful opportunity to share my experience.

Actually,

I recently went on a Leh Ladakh bike trip with only best friend of my life Kavya. She's my best friend not just in terms of friendship but also with as a the one who realizes my mistakes and my strengths.

The Backstory 

I met her in high school.  I was actually the only person sitting quietly at my desk.  In short, I'm an introvert.  Don't have too many friends, in fact I don't feel comfortable making new friends.  And during group debates when all eyes were on me, I still remember how badly I used to tremble.

A total disaster for me!! Leave alone talking to girls.  I don't even have the courage to match my eyes with them.

I still remember that day, that sunny day, when she came into my life.  When the girl with long hair, small adorable eyes and wearing blue glasses entered the classroom.  All of a sudden,  the boys suddenly went speechless 😂.

But she was in total attitude, not giving a damn to anything.

Without making the story too long, let's come to the point,

She was also an introvert, never came out of the house much.  She liked to stay in her zone and me too. First time I talked to a girl openly, without any hesitation.

Even after talking for the first time, I felt like I know her from long time ago, really felt like i am talking to someone really close to me.

Today when I ask her about it she says she felt exactly the same.

Anyway, for the first time I found someone with whom I could talk openly. She and I have been friends ever since.

The Ladakh Journey

Our journey starts from Manali - leh highway although we started from Noida but the real journey started from Manali leh highway. 

It's more fun to drive under the open blue sky. Riding through some of the highest motorable passes in the world created an unforgettable experience for both of us. The roads there were really very winding.  Our skill and endurance were put to the test as we passed through curvy roads and steep mountain passes like Khardung La and Chang La.

After some time, we reached the Wanla Gompa Monastery. Wanla Gompa is a beautiful monastery located in the village of Wanla, about 30 kilometers from Leh. The monastery is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Indus River Valley, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

We explored the charming monasteries, and the peace there was really unlike any other place. 

The Tent Village

Like the Rann of Kutch, there is also a whole village of tents. The tent villages are often located near rivers or lakes, and they provide a welcome respite from the harsh desert landscape. The villages are usually small, and they are home to only a few families. However, they are a vibrant and welcoming community, and they are always happy to welcome visitors.

The tent villages in Ladakh are a beautiful sight. They are located in the high-altitude desert, and they offer a unique and unforgettable experience. We surprised to see that the tents are made of yak wool, and they are traditionally used by nomadic herders. 

The people in the tent villages are friendly and hospitable, and they are always willing to share their culture and traditions with visitors. They are also experts in the art of survival in the harsh desert environment, and they can teach you a lot about how to live off the land.

If you are looking for an authentic and unforgettable experience in Ladakh, then a visit to a tent village is a must. You will get to experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the Ladakhi people, and you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

The Night Sky 

The night sky in Ladakh is one of the most beautiful in the world. Due to its high altitude and remote location, there is very little light pollution in Ladakh, which allows for stunning views of the stars.

The night sky of Ladakh is a breathtaking sight that leaves one in awe. Imagine standing beneath a vast, dark expanse, free from the urban glow, and being embraced by a celestial symphony of stars. 

Kavya took out her camera and took an amazing picture which left me stunned too!!

The original picture took by kavya

The night in the tent village of Ladakh is a magical time. It is a time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the natural world. It is a time to spend time with loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Campfires are a great way to experience the beauty of Ladakh and to create lasting memories.  Families and friends gathered there every night around the campfire.

Enjoying the night. This is actually an one time experience. Some friends had come there.  Seeing us alone, he invited us to join him.  They were 5 people, they actually came from South India. 

So the next time you're in Ladakh, be sure to build a campfire and enjoy the experience.

As soon as morning comes, there is fog everywhere.  The morning view was really lovely.

The next morning we left for Sesamol School. The same Secmol School where Mr.  Sonam Wangchuk teaches. If you still don't know then you must have seen 3 idiots.

I guess you know who I'm talking about.

One thing that I got to see there is that the children studying there are really very talented. If you ever go there, you will get to see such inventions which you have never seen in your life. 

It is good and strange to see that the children living in such a barren area are more talented than the children living in the cities. Why is it that a school in a remote area is producing more talented children?

Why is it that the schools in the cities are unable to produce such children?

One thing that we notice there that children are taught everything through practical examples.

So, whatever...

Without making it too controversial, coming back to the topic.

The nearest place from there was a place called Likir Monastery. Just about 3 kilometres from Secmol School, it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Ladakh. It is also a  UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery is also a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Ladakh.

The Nubra Valley

If someone does not visit Nubra Valley after visiting Ladakh, then he has not seen anything in Ladakh. 

The scenery in Nubra Valley is simply breathtaking. The valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, including the Shyok Mountains and the Karakoram Mountains. There are also a number of sand dunes in the valley, which are a rare sight in the Himalayas.

Nubra Valley is also a home to a number of Buddhist monasteries, including the Diskit Monastery and the Hunder Monastery.

These monasteries are a great place to learn about Buddhist history and culture.

After spending a few days like this we left for home. As soon as we entered the city, again the same noisy life.

But one thing has to be said, you will not get to see the real beauty of India in any city.

After retirement, I say that I should buy a house in Ladakh and spend the remaining moments of my life in the service of those monasteries.

That's all...

I would like to thank "The Traveller's Companion" team, and this amazing audience. 

Thank you all

Visit Ladakh once in a lifetime for those moments which you will not get to see in any other place.

For once let yourself feel the peace of those monasteries, take my word you won't regret it...

The End

The story of Virat & Kavya is a bit romantic at the first but the experience they shared with us is just wonderful. 

IF YOU ALSO WANT TO SHARE YOUR WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH US THEN E-MAIL US AT- spotlightmedia.mail@gmail.com

Thanks for reading...