Backpacking Northern India 35/45: Flight to Leh India Journey to Leh, Ladakh

Backpacking Northern India 35/45: Flight to Leh India Journey to Leh, Ladakh

When talking about Northern India, many might think of big cities like Mumbai or Bangalore, but for me, mr.hotsia, this trip focuses on Leh, a highland in the Himalayas filled with Tibetan culture and stunning nature rarely found elsewhere in India.

I started by booking a domestic flight from the big city I had visited before, Bangalore (Bengaluru). For those interested in the tech city atmosphere and cleanliness of Bangalore, I have written about it inBackpacking Bangalorealready. This time, I planned to head north to Leh by a small plane that quickly and excitingly soared above the mountains.

On the travel day from the departure airport, the plane climbed higher and higher. The sky was clear, soft white clouds floated around. Looking down, the towering Himalayas stretched as far as the eye could see. It felt like entering another world, different from the hustle of the big city I left behind.

When the plane landed at Leh airport, I felt the fresh coolness and peacefulness completely different from other cities in India. Ladakh, hidden high up, has a dry and rocky landscape but holds the deep charm of nature and Tibetan culture.

After settling my bags, I quickly explored the small market around the airport. Here, there are souvenir shops and small local food stalls, such as Butter Tea, popular among Ladakhis. Its rich and warm flavor suits the cold weather here perfectly. I, mr.hotsia, tasted it immediately and felt the difference from the South Indian tea I had tried in Bangalore.

Leh is a city that blends the simplicity of locals with Tibetan Buddhist faith perfectly. Temples like Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Monastery are peaceful and beautiful, making me feel like stepping into another era.

I also met friendly locals willing to share stories about life at high altitude. The hardships of living amid thin air and challenging terrain reminded me of my journey in Namchi, a city full of religion and nature in Northern India as well.Traveling NamchiThere, I visited Buddha Park and Ngadok Monastery, experiencing the Buddhist faith similarly.

One memorable experience was walking through Leh’s central market, filled with local clothes, silver jewelry, and handmade crafts. The items here have a unique character unlike anywhere else in India. There are also small eateries selling authentic Ladakhi food like Momo, meat and vegetable dumplings, with fresh and mild flavors.

For me, mr.hotsia, this trip was not just tourism but a deep learning of different life and culture. Although it was a short flight from a big city to a small highland town, the feelings and experiences gained were long-lasting and impressive, comparable to long-distance travels.

If anyone wants to experience Northern India uniquely, try traveling to Leh, Ladakh. I guarantee you will find peace, natural beauty, and warm friendship from the Ladakhi people here just like me, mr.hotsia.

For those wanting to experience more diverse lifestyles of Northern India, I recommend reading about the journeyJourney to Darjeelingwhich I have recorded. It helps give a clearer overview of this region, showing the differences and beauty of various cities and nature in Northern India.

Before ending, I would like to sharethe clip Flight to Leh India Journey to Leh, Ladakhthat takes you flying over the views and experiencing this journey live from the airport to Leh city.