A Winter Sojourn in Nubra: A Photostory

After spending almost 13 hours in the Delhi airport lounge, I finally made my way to Leh. Since I was traveling during what’s usually considered the off-season, a short detour was inevitable before reaching Nubra Valley. Hitchhiking was fun—strangers turned into brief companions, and the winding roads carried me deeper into the silence of the mountains. Hospitality check.

Nubra Valley

Standing on the vast, empty road, my suitcase beside me, it hit me—this was it. The start of something peaceful, something different. The barren beauty of the landscape was both isolating and inviting, a quiet promise of the retreat ahead.

Stepping into Lchang Nang Retreat felt like entering a dream—a cozy stone-and-wood haven set against towering mountains, where warmth wasn’t just from the sun but from the place itself. The open-air seating invited me to slow down, to sit, to breathe. And so, I did.

Lchang Nang Retreat - The House of Trees - Nubra Valley

The afternoon light unveiled the raw beauty of the valley. The peaks stood still, indifferent to time, while I watched in awe. It’s humbling to be surrounded by something so ancient, so untouched.

Then came the best part—a hearty bowl of pasta. Comfort food in the cold, a reminder that sometimes, happiness is as simple as a warm meal in an unfamiliar place.

As evening set in, the air turned crisp, and the view from my window framed the fading light just right. A cup of tea by the fireplace felt like the perfect way to end the day—warm hands, warm heart.

And then, the grand finale—the sky. A deep canvas of infinite stars stretched above, untouched by city lights. It made me feel both small and infinite at the same time. A quiet moon peeked from the darkness, much like this retreat—hidden, yet radiating its own kind of magic.