Getting to Kashmir involves one of the most adventurous trips in the world: a journey across the fantastic Leh-Manali Highway. We were up for this adventure and after a two day trip (479 kilometres from Manali) across the Himalayas, we arrived in the beautiful town of Leh – exhausted, tired and with a headache.

Leh lies at an altitude of 3.524 metres and due to the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism, the city is also known as Little Tibet or the Land of Lamas. Although not as high as some of the passes across the Leh-Manali Highway, the atmosphere and especially the sky is exceptional. You’re closer to heaven and not only can you see, but feel it! Leh radiates something I can’t quite nail down. Something peaceful and mysterious at the same time. We felt like staying in an old western town with a gold-rush mood… the next three days would let us explore this amazing town and the beautiful surrounding Gompas.