From Monasteries to Mountains: Our Final Leh Day

The photographers had to leave a day before us to get back to work in Delhi, so it was just me, T, her friend, and her mum staying behind in Leh for our last day. One of the dresses we’d planned to use for the shoot hadn’t arrived—T was still recovering—so we decided to make the most of it and spend the day exploring parts of Ladakh on our own, turning it into a mini personal vlog of sorts. T was skeptical with the idea of exploring, but I found a “way” to convince her… well, technically, I asked her mum to do it.

Our first stop was the Thiksey Monastery, one of the largest and most impressive gompas in Ladakh, perched high on a hill overlooking the Indus Valley. Climbing up the stairs was a real challenge for T and her mum—remember, cardio levels comparable to a snail. But slowly, with plenty of complaining and a few little jokes along the way, we made it to the top. The monastery itself was breathtaking. Its whitewashed walls and golden rooftops glimmered in the sunlight, and inside, intricate murals and statues told stories of Buddhist teachings and legends. The central prayer hall housed a massive, gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha, which seemed even more imposing in person. From the terraces, the view stretched across the valley below, with the Indus River snaking through and the mountains rising on all sides—a perfect combination of spiritual calm and natural beauty Naturally, I found plenty of ways to annoy T along the way. An hour of playful teasing, dodging complaints, and keeping her engaged later, she was still with me. Anything to stop her from getting sick or bored.

Next, we visited what ended up being my favourite part of the whole trip—the school from 3 Idiots. Oh My God, everything about it was amazing. From the classroom windows to the pictures of the actors, the wall art, and my absolute favourite—the café, covered in drawings and doodles—it was all so immersive. This time, I even convinced T to sit with me on the iconic bum seats. It was hilarious, and I couldn’t stop grinning. Every corner of the school brought scenes from the movie to life in my head, and I loved every second of it. Seeing it all in person after having visualised it for years felt surreal. I was so excited I forgot to to give T her purse back whilst taking my pictures. I am only now realising this whilst posting the blogs! Oops...

Next, we headed to Shanti Stupa, a striking white-domed structure built to promote world peace and prosperity. Sitting high above Leh, it offered panoramic views of the town below, the surrounding mountains, and the winding roads leading up to it. The golden sunlight hit the valley just right, making the white stupa glow against the deep blue sky. Being so high up, the altitude was really starting to get to me too, my breaths coming a little quicker than usual. By this point, my Insta360 camera had run out of battery. After exploring the stupa, taking in the intricate carvings and statues inside, and enjoying the view of Leh from above—trying to spot our hotel from up there—I decided it was time to play my secret card: “It’s okay, babe, let’s go home. I know you’re not feeling well.” In reality, my camera had died, so we skipped Leh Palace. Hand in hand, we slowly walked down, sharing jokes and laughs, stopping for a few photos along the way. I even perched on the edge a couple of times, just to get her a little scared and laughing at the same time. It was the perfect way to end the day—lighthearted, a little silly, but full of the joy of being together in such a stunning and peaceful place.

Ladakh had been an extraordinary trip, and I enjoyed every single moment. My fifteen-year-old self’s dream of visiting this place had finally been fulfilled. Once we landed back in Delhi, T couldn’t stop smiling. She kept saying, “I’m not one for the mountains,” but kept adding, “as long as the mountain is a straight road up.” Both her friend and I couldn’t stop laughing, replying, “What mountain road is straight up?” And then came the airport chaos. I hadn’t laughed this much all year. Her friend’s duffle bag was stopped at security for a nail clipper she didn’t even know was in there. Meanwhile, my bag sailed through despite a spare mobile, and T’s purse with some liquid was let go—but the nail clipper? Not a chance. Her entire wardrobe had been stuffed into that one bag, and trying to empty it out to find the tiny clipper had me in tears. Repacking it was an ordeal too—it took two people, squeezing and zipping bit by bit. The shape of the bag after it was finally closed looked ridiculous, and I could barely breathe, laughing so hard I even got a cramp in my chest. And then came her friend’s perfect line: “Can you please laugh at me later?” That’s when I completely lost it. Hands down, an absolutely priceless way to end an unforgettable trip.