No place I have ever visited touches me as much as the Himalayas. That's where I go when Delhi's heat rises and I need some silence to think, away from the busy life in the capital.
Ladakh is what brings me the best memories and every time I go back there, my heart is filled with peace and joy. The stunning mountain scenery, the history of the Silk Road and Buddhism, and most importantly, the people, are what touch me most.
Located in northern India, between Kashmir, Pakistan and Tibet, it was a place of incredible cultural and religious confluences. To this day, we have crossed paths with countless ethnicities, from Uighur, Kashmiri or Tibetan descendants. In the capital Leh, it is still possible to meditate in an almost thousand-year-old Buddhist monastery, hear the muezzin singing prayers in the mosque or see children leaving the Christian missionaries' school.
The cultural richness is incredible for such a small place, where Silk Road caravans crossed every summer towards Kashgar. Bactrian camels are still found in the Nubra Valley, at an altitude of more than 4500 meters! And, if you are persistent, you will be able to find some turquoise used for more than 300 years in an antiques store to collect.
The monasteries are of stupendous beauty and silence, the monks are super hospitable, always inviting us to sit among them in the "gompa". And I have fun with the child monks, who are so young, can't concentrate during prayers and are always looking at me and offering more butter tea than I can drink!
The people there live an ultra simple life, they don't have access to all the comforts or technology we have, they spend a winter covered in snow, but they are happy and full of contentment. They feel united in their communities and through their religious and cultural ties, they live in peace and respect each other even though they are different. This lesson always comes as a gift in my suitcase. I bring silence and recharged batteries, and I always make new friends. Friendships made in places like this seem to have another quality, perhaps it is the quality of time we dedicate to them that makes the difference, because in the Himalayas the clock seems to stop, the cell phone doesn't matter so much, the focus goes inward, the right connections happen.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, it is just a 40-minute flight. Stay very still for the first few days, the altitude deceives everyone, Leh is almost at 3500 meters.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: June to October.
VISIT: Old Town in Leh with a visit to Museum and Palace. Nubra Valley, where Bactrian camels still live, reminiscent of the Silk Road, and to get there you pass through the highest road in the world; 5600m, Pangong Lake, there is more than 4500m altitude on the border with Tibet (today China), Monasteries Hemis, the oldest with its incredible collection of antiques and curiosities, Lamayuru with its caves where monks still meditate inside, Thiksey, Phyang, Stacna... just being on the road enjoying the stunning view of the Himalayas is the best program.
TREKKING: Zanskar Valley
HOW TO GET AROUND: If you're adventurous like me, rent a Royal Enfield motor bike and feel free, but if you prefer comfort, a SUV with a driver...!
STAY at @Nimuhouse
EAT: @namzadining and discover local cuisine interpreted by the best chef with organic ingredients. For a super brunch that day when you returned from trekking: Grand Dragon Hotel. Free day at the bazaar, a cafe with home made apricot cheese cake and don't miss the Walking Heritage Tour of the Old Town that leaves from the tiny Lala's Art Café.
SHOPPING: for special clothes with touches of history, design and high-quality textiles visit @namzacouture. And of course, don't forget to shop at the traditional Main Bazaar: pashminas, antiques, Kashmiri kawa and saffron tea, lots of organic apricot jam and pack tons of Sea Buckthorn and Rose Hips Oil for your skin! (harvested at this altitude they have much more antioxidants!)
For more insider tips, send me a DM on Instagram :)
Bon Voyage!
