Mother-Daughter Trip to India: 10 Ladakh Highlights & Iconic Taj Mahal Visit!

Ladakh, India continues to be my favorite place on Earth and this Summer I was lucky to share a special trip to this destination with one of my favorite people – my 17-year-old daughter!    

This enriching adventure together was a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of this Himalayan region. From exploring ancient monasteries and engaging with local communities to experiencing the serene beauty of the high-altitude deserts, this mother-daughter trip to India was a memorable bonding experience, which also allowed us to deepen our understanding of Ladakh's spiritual traditions, sustainable living practices, and the resilience of its people.  

Below are the highlights of our meaningful mother-daughter adventure to Ladakh, India. Our journey included immersive experiences with community partners from heartfelt organizations:

1. Sand Mandalas & Buddhist Goddesses: An Auspicious Welcome to our Mother-Daughter Trip to India! 

After acclimatizing for a day, we were blessed to spend our second day in Ladakh with our dear friend and Buddhist Nun, Ven Tenzin Dasel at Saboo monastery, where roughly 20 monks were doing a sand mandala puja, honoring 37 Buddhist goddesses! 

The mandala is considered a sacred realm and an aid to meditation, as well as a visual prayer that helps the devotee achieve the perfect self and an enlightened mind, in emulation of Buddha. It is also believed that each grain of sand is charged with the blessings of the ritual process! 

2. A Fun Day Exploring Leh on a Mother-Daughter Trip to India!  

A visit to Ladakh is not complete without visiting Old town Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The diversity of Leh is a reflection of the city’s historical position as a crossroads of trade, cultural exchange, and migration.   In fact, Friday prayers at Jama Masjid Mosque had just ended and people were filing out on the streets (along with the cows 🐮!)  

A wonderful introduction to Leh is a visit to Leh Palace, a former royal palace offering panoramic views of the town and surrounding mountains.  Later we explored the markets, including doing some damage at the local Tibetan market, a vibrant place to explore local crafts, jewelry, and Tibetan artifacts.   

A must see place in Leh is the Shanti Stupa: A white-domed Buddhist stupa that provides stunning views, especially at sunset. 

3. Exploring Stok Village in Ladakh,  my favorite place on Earth!  

Exploring the picturesque village of Stok village was another highlight of our Ladakh adventure.  Known for its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and historical significance, we love staying in this village where our roots began in 2010! It is also home to the Siddhartha School, a school that is near and dear to us at Global Family Travels.   

We enjoyed a lovely hike around the village exploring these sights below, which is what makes Stok so special: 

Stok Monastery: This Buddhist monastery is an important religious site in Ladakh, known for its beautiful architecture and spiritual significance. It hosts an annual festival featuring traditional music, dance, and rituals. 

Stok Palace: The village is home to the Stok Palace, a 200-year-old royal residence of the Namgyal dynasty, the former royal family of Ladakh. The palace houses a museum that showcases royal artifacts, including ancient Thangka paintings, royal attire, and jewelry. 

The village also has a special connection to Stok Kangri, one of the highest peaks in the Stok Range of the Himalayas. A trek to the summit offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, however, in December of 2019, Stok villagers and the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association announced that Stok Kangri is closed for trekking and climbing from 2020 to 2024 because of over tourism and climate change impacting the mountain.

4. Siddhartha School Celebrations in Ladakh

One of the highlights of our visit to Ladakh was reconnecting with our friends and students from Siddhartha School! We had the privilege of celebrating the inauguration of the new dining hall for boarding students and attending the school's first-ever alumni event. It was a special moment when we encountered one of the students we've been sponsoring since 2014, when he was just 10 years old!

This remarkable school was founded by Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan in 1995 with a mission to provide quality education to children in this remote Himalayan region while preserving Ladakhi cultural heritage. 

Kudos to the   Siddhartha School Partnership (SSP) and the local Ladakhi board, staff, and teachers for their hard work and dedication in making this school such a tremendous success! 🎉👏 

5. A Mother Daughter Join A Compassionate Adventure with Buddhist Nuns in Ladakh, India   

We were fortunate to participate in a few days of Global Family Travels' unique Sacred Pilgrimage with Buddhist Nuns, led by the esteemed Ven. Tenzin Dasel. We enjoyed visiting nunneries and the Ladakh Nuns Association, where we learned about the dedication of Ladakhi nuns in supporting their communities and the environment.

This adventure included cultural and mindfulness experiences at various nunneries and monasteries in Ladakh. We'll be offering this enriching experience again next year, so keep an eye on our website for updates or contact us for more information! 

6. A beautiful day at Thiksey monastery, with a special visit to the Library  

A visit to Thiksey Monastery, perched atop a hill with a breathtaking panorama of the Indus Valley, is always a must when exploring Ladakh. Before heading to the monastery itself, our group had the privilege of meeting with the monastery's librarian, who guided us through the library, where we learned about the many ancient prayer books preserved there. He also shared some of the art and ancient prayer books, enriching our understanding of the monastery's role as a center for learning and spiritual growth. 

7. Joy of Reading – Bringing books to Ladakhi Students! 

Another highlight of our trip was an initiative led by my daughter in collaboration with the Joy of Reading organization. We spent several special days working on two projects, delivering books to students at both the Ngari Institute and the Siddhartha School.  

It was a meaningful and rewarding experience for both of us! And, it was indeed a JOY to read the books together with the students too!

8. A Special Visit to Ngari Institue and Monastery in Ladakh  

We arrived in the late afternoon at the beautiful Ngari Temple and Institute, where we had a wonderful visit with the children and monks. This organization offers modern education, guided by ancient Buddhist teachings, to underprivileged children and young monks in India's Ladakh region. After spending time with the children, we explored the temple and delved into Buddhist philosophy and Ladakhi history with one of the Monks who founded Ngari. Our visit concluded with a delicious meal shared with this warm and welcoming community! 

9. A lovely last stop at the iconic Taj Mahal on a Mother-Daughter Trip to India! 

To end our trip, we traveled from Ladakh to New Delhi on a quick one-hour flight and then were transported to Agra by car to visit the Taj Mahal and see the Red Fort.   It was my third time visiting the Taj Mahal, but it never ceases to amaze me!)

During our visit, we had the opportunity to spend time at Akbar International, learning about the Parchinkari, also known as pietra dura, is a sophisticated art form involving the inlay of semi-precious stones into marble, as seen in the decorative elements of the Taj Mahal. (we will be including a workshop here on our 2025 Art Adventure to India, so join our mailing list to stay informed!)

10. Expanding our Family Circle in India 

Throughout all my travels, Ladakh remains my absolute favorite place on the planet, and I am blessed to share this special adventure with my daughter. It's not just the stunning scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture that draw me in, but also the dear friends we've made there.

When I asked my daughter what her favorite part of the trip was, she shared that it was the meaningful, "adult" conversations she had with our hosts and fellow travelers. With each visit, our family circle grows, encompassing even more of the region's compassionate people who graciously share their cultural traditions with us!   

More about Ladakh, India 

Listed among the New York Times Top 52 Places to Go in 2024, Ladakh, India is known for its awe-inspiring scenery and rich cultural heritage. Filled with snow-capped mountains and crystalline lakes, as well as Buddhist monasteries and stupas, Ladakh is also a destination that has a special place in the history of Global Family Travels: It was the first destination that we took travelers to 15 years ago!   

Learn more about Ladakh in other blogs written by Global Family Travels and contact us today to learn about travel opportunities to this beautiful destination!  

• Discover Magical Ladakh: 10 Amazing Travel Highlights! 

• Travel Highlights filled with Culture and Community Experiences. 

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