Sun and snow paint the sunset over Ladakh.

Nguyen Thanh, currently living in Viet Tri (Phu Tho), with an adventurous spirit and an insatiable curiosity about the culture, people, and nature of Ladakh (India) through photos on social media, chose it as his destination in early October.

To reach Leh, Nguyen Thanh transited through New Delhi and was quite surprised by the airport's size and the large number of tourists. He spent a day exploring New Delhi, and the real journey began the following day: New Delhi - Leh - Kargil - Leh - Khardung La - Hunder Sand Dunes - Nubra Valley - Pangong Tso - Tso Moriri - Tso Kar Salt Lake - Leh - New Delhi.

Leh Ladakh is located in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. With its vast desert landscape and undulating snow-capped mountains, Ladakh is not a place for those who like relaxation, but only for those who are passionate about exploration.

"The interplay between day and night becomes an infinite spectrum of colors; the sunsets and sunrises in Merak village by Pangong Lake evoke a profound feeling in me," Nguyen Thanh shared his impressions of Ladakh with Travellive.

Initially, standing at Pangong, the filming location for the movie "3 Idiots," the wind was strong, huge gray clouds rolled in, making the space seem gloomy. The cold, mixed with the humidity of the lake, made his body shiver, a stark contrast to standing at the snowy Khardung La pass. Nguyen Thanh's group got into the car and returned to Merak village to rest. As the sun set and darkness gradually enveloped the land, the colorful sunset rekindled his emotions.

Nguyen Thanh recounted: "I woke up at 6 a.m. The temperature here was below freezing. I had a restless night because of the cold, even though I was covered with thick, heavy blankets, and heat patches weren't enough to keep me warm. Stepping outside, the village was still silent and freezing in the darkness. A guy in the group and I decided to climb the hill behind the village to get a panoramic view of the surroundings. The sun was just beginning to rise. The contrast was striking between the dark water, the yellow grass, and the exposed land when viewed from above. The sunlight illuminated the snow-capped mountain peak behind the village like a candle, gradually sliding down to awaken and warm the village. The air was cold, but the sunlight was strong and warm. I gazed at the sky in amazement, took a deep breath, and then moved down the hill."

Nguyen Thanh was fortunate enough to sit in the front seat of the bus and admire the magnificent scenery throughout the 10-day journey. The winding roads, the high snow-capped mountain peaks, the faces etched by ice and sunlight of the local people, and the joy shared with his travel companions are all beautiful memories from this trip.

Fortunately, Nguyen Thanh didn't experience much reaction or altitude sickness throughout the journey, so his physical and mental state remained good. However, he still suffered from low energy and fell ill during the last two days of the trip.

"For long trips, you should prepare a detailed itinerary. Consider your health condition; altitude sickness is a common symptom here, so prepare plenty of medication if you're traveling independently. The weather in Ladakh is very harsh. Pack warm, warm clothing and necessary accessories to keep yourself warm for a truly enjoyable trip," Nguyen Thanh added.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao - Photo: Nguyen Thanh