Is the snow leopard watching, I wonder, as I walk. They say you may never see this most elusive of cats, but that does not mean he is not around.
Easier treks that do not include a high mountain pass are possible. Spituk to Stok is one of the easier ones, though it also includes a pass.
All treks should include a guide. There are no signages en route, the villages are far flung and isolated.
Trekkers are expected to stay with the villagers who are supported by government organisations. Rates per person are pre- fixed.
Some villages have camping sites. But trekkers must carry their own tents.
Do not feed the marmots. They are greedy and unafraid.
Travel light. The knapsack will seem to get heavier as the air gets thinner.
The sloping mountainside shows nothing but sky ahead. I become a girl in pigtails. For the first time, I reach the top ahead of everyone else.
The nine-storey Leh Palace is among the top sights in Ladakh. It is a dun-hued edifice, which is an architectural icon. (Source: Lonely Planet)
Coffee lovers can unwind at Coffee Culture in Zangsti and sample a wide variety of lattes as well as brewed coffees. (Source: Condé Nast Traveller)
Those travelling with family can put up at The Grand Dragon Ladakh hotel for a comfortable stay. (Source: TripAdvisor)