Ladakh – A horizon of dreams

Text and photos:The Victory

Ladakh is described as a land of paradise, with a beauty unlike anywhere else in the world; a place with bizarre landscapes and terrains, incredibly diverse and unique ecosystems, people, and cultural life; it has an enchanting allure for anyone who sets foot on this land, even just once.

We have 15 days for our Ladakh exploration trip, with a challenging series of destinations to conquer ahead. Our journey begins in Srinagar, a major city located in the western part of Jammu & Kashmir.

Flying to Srinagar from New Delhi, we had nearly two days to explore the area before embarking on the world's most beautiful route to Leh, a city nestled in the east at the foot of the Himalayas. From there, we sought out locations higher up, scattered mysteriously behind the breathtaking mountain passes and valleys of the mystical Himalayas.

Srinaga – The Gateway to Heaven

Located in the Kashmir Valley, Srinaga is known as the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. Its inhabitants are predominantly Muslim. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1,700 meters above sea level, Srinaga, like Sapa or Da Lat in Vietnam, is an ideal resort destination in India, despite its year-round hot climate.

I was immediately impressed with Srinaga from the very first moments, as the plane soared through the clouds, gliding over the rolling valleys before landing forcefully at the airport halfway up the mountain range. A taxi took us to the center of Srinaga, through ancient streets and past unfamiliar motorized rickshaws. Srinaga was, in fact, a war zone, with a clear presence of the Indian army. However, this did not worry us.

The hotel where we stayed was one of the houseboats on Dal Lake, a famous landmark and a major attraction in Srinagar. Dal Lake is beautiful and picturesque, and the houseboats are located on the other side. Every day we crossed the lake in our colorful little boats, which added to the lake's charm.

Every morning, in a small corner of the lake, there's a fascinating floating market. Men gather to trade from their dugout canoes. The surface of Dal Lake is hazy in the early morning mist. I lie on a small boat, being rowed by the boatman across the calm, mirror-like surface. Occasionally, I spot a mother rowing her child to school in town, or other times, beautiful young women in colorful traditional clothing.

Srinaga is the most bustling city in Jammu & Kashmir, with a history spanning over 2000 years, dating back to around the 3rd century BC. Before the 14th century, it was a major Buddhist center, but after historical events, Srinaga has become predominantly Muslim. I spent over a day wandering through the streets and alleys, playing with the children, and exploring the lives of the locals. The old quarters of Srinaga are beautiful, especially when bathed in the clear highland sunlight, dotted with people in colorful traditional clothing.

The military is present in many places in Srinagar, yet life here feels very peaceful and tranquil. The market is bustling with shoppers. The streets are crowded with people. The grocery stores, tea shops, and barbershops are always busy and friendly.

Two days in Srinagar left a wonderful impression. We packed our bags and set off for Leh. The journey was long, taking several days, and relatively difficult, but in return, we were able to admire breathtaking scenery. Endless mountain ranges stretched as far as the eye could see, with winding passes and sun-drenched slopes like gateways to an enchanting paradise.

Additional information:

Fly to Srinagar from the capital New Delhi.

+ Getting around Srinagar is most convenient by tuk-tuk, costing around 30 rupees (10,000 VND) for distances between 3 and under 5 km.

+ Tourist attractions: Old Town, Dal Lake, floating market…

+ Shopping: There are many souvenir stalls and markets. You should bargain when buying.

+ Cuisine: Srinagar is a major tourist city with a rich and diverse culinary scene compared to Indian food culture in general.

+Accommodation: There are many types of hotels and guesthouses, both on the street and on the lake. Prices are good compared to the average in Vietnam.

The Thanh