Summer is almost here, and many of my friends are planning to go to Ladakh, is anyone here planning to go as well ? Wow!

Wow! That's a lot

Had I asked this question in the winter months, how many of you would still have say yes ? Not many huh?

Ladakh in winters is a dreadful thought for some, but for others, it is an adventure paradise. How many of us would have thought that Ladakh and winter tourism is a thing!

Juley everyone! Today, I bring you warm greetings from the cold places of Ladakh.

Ladakh gets an overdose of tourists in summer months. roughly 5 lakh people descend in an area of 5 sq kms in Leh city in a matter of 5 months. This is toxic tourism & just not sustainable.

Neither of environment nor for the people over there who cater to you.

And that is why here I am, sharing with you - The Best kept secret of Indian Tourism - Ladakh in winters!

Many think that Ladakh in winters might be extreme and unbearable. Infact its not! It is very pleasant and sunny in the day, just like this. it gets chilly in the nights

Summers are beautiful! There is hustle and bustle in the towns, you will see people dressed in colourful warm clothes! Just that the overcrowds of summers won't be there

With less crowds and this gives you even more chance to meet and interact with the locals, have the authentic local delicacy and live a life the Ladakhi way.

Plus! There are festivals that you can enjoy!
The winter festival at Hemis Monastry
The Losar festival celebrating Ladakhi new year
The Spituk festival near Leh City
The Matho Nagrang with its blindfolded oracle.
There are many such festivals that are promoted from time to time by the local govt!

Another marvel for you to enjoy is the Ice Stupa artificial glaciers by various youth groups which happens in the northern part of Leh

The locals also prepare ice climbing slopers for youth in the winters

Can anyone here guess the local sport of ladakh? The king of all sports - Its the ice hockey! Throughout Dec, jan and Feb, you can see national tournaments happening in Ladakh!

Many think that you can only do Ice Hockey in Switzerland and other cold countries. We have it here in our motherland!

Finally, we have the pride of Ladakh. This one is for all the wildlife enthusiasts.

The widely known snow leadpord that is so hard to find, becomes a tourist attraction from around the world to just have a glimpse of them.

Ladakh in summers is for tourists.

Ladakh in winters is for explorers and adventurists.

In our trip to ladakh we spoke to a lot of local people. It was saddening to know that the cost of living in Ladakh is not less compared to any city in India,

and they only get to earn during the 5 summer months . What about the winters? How do they survive? Is this even sustainable?

Ladies and gentlemen. We are all leaders in our own way. We all are the roots of this country.

I am not here to inspire you to bagpack and run to ladakh this winter.

I am here to tell you that Ladakh is a part of our beautiful country. People there welcome us with open hearts because that is how they survive.

This is the place where I have seen people with cheeks as red as apples and foreheads without any wrinkles because they are happy with what they have.

I am only here to revive the leader in all of you. Let us all take pride in our own country. Increase the tourism of such places. Pick these places even in winters.
Because a Winter romance with nature more beautiful than what you can imagine.