IITian spends 3 weeks in Ladakh but skips Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. Here's what she did instead

Most travellers head to Ladakh with a checklist — Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, monasteries, and Instagram-perfect spots. But Kanak Agrawal, an IIT alumna, turned her trip into something entirely different. After spending three weeks in Ladakh, she hadn’t ticked off a single “must-see” attraction. Instead, she immersed herself in the rhythms of local life, discovering experiences that most tourists miss. Her story on LinkedIn has sparked conversations about slow travel and what it really means to connect with a place.

For Kanak, Ladakh wasn’t about chasing postcard views but building a sense of belonging. In her three weeks there, she found herself knowing where to get the best thukpa, chai, and even a plate of chole kulche. She could navigate the streets of Leh without relying on Google Maps, and shopkeepers began greeting her by name as she passed by.

She shared how her homestay host treated her like family, dropping her to places like an elder brother. A local aunty once invited her for a pooja, while strangers she met on the road became trusted companions during hitchhiking rides. When the internet and phone networks went down, Kanak knew exactly where to go to stay connected — knowledge only locals usually carry.

These small but meaningful moments shaped her trip far more than sightseeing could. She attended langars at a temple where people already knew her story, ate budget-friendly meals at her favourite lunch spot, and slowly wove herself into the fabric of Ladakh’s daily life.


Reflecting on her experience, Kanak explained why she chooses to travel this way: “None of this happens when you rush through a place." She does not want pretty pictures, but stories, and to become a part of them in every place she travels to. For her, slow travel isn’t just about extending your stay, but about living small, ordinary moments that turn into extraordinary memories.


Netizens react
Some readers admitted they were a little envious, saying Kanak’s approach mirrored their own love for slow travel — even hinting that such habits had once affected their relationships. Others shared similar experiences, like spending weeks in a small Himachal town where even the local momo vendor remembered their usual order. Many felt her story beautifully captured the essence of Ladakh, reminding them that the true magic of a place often lies in its people rather than its monuments.