7. January 2026     The owner of my accommodation has been in tourism for ages and takes you to places that are usually not well known. In the past, he even managed to have them successfully removed from Google Maps; nowadays, people still know about them and write about them in at least two … Continue reading Lohargal, Chirana + Kirodi – The monkey swims and dives with passion → Read more

6. January 2026     I made a stupid mistake: I neither checked the temperatures nor properly remembered how cold it can get, nor did I listen to a friend who said that Shekhawati is one of the coldest regions in Rajasthan. I was freezing—really freezing. The room was under 10°C, and there was no … Continue reading Nawalgarh – Shiva drives car → Read more

11. January 2026     Kerala and Ladakh — what a combination! I already wrote that in the blog post “Before the Trip,” and looking back now I can say: yes, it really is a special combination. From the very bottom to the very top, from quite warm to quite cold — but also from … Continue reading Kerala + Ladakh – Afterthoughts → Read more

5. January 2026     I used one day in Delhi to look at hotels. I don’t really like doing that, and it’s genuinely hard to find something good. On another day I went to visit friends who live very far away, yet still well within the boundaries of Delhi. That really makes you aware … Continue reading Delhi -> Nawalgarh – At 100 km/h there are new astonished eyes → Read more

31. December 2025 + 1. January 2026     We landed in Delhi as scheduled on December 30, drove to the hotel, were allowed to check in early—and then the group had free time. This day is always planned as a buffer day in case the flight from Leh gets canceled (which does happen, especially … Continue reading Delhi + Agra – Cold feet under grey clouds → Read more

28. December 2025     In Basgo, the only Losar celebration that was meant to take place almost in full did indeed go ahead. Only one dance by the women was omitted. I was anxious to see whether it would all really happen. Even though we had already had many wonderful experiences, I felt so … Continue reading Ladakh: Basgo – They kept their underwear on → Read more

27. + 29. December 2025     To gain a slightly different insight into life in Ladakh, we had planned a day visiting workshops in Choglamsar. There used to be a woman who carved mani stones, but unfortunately she has moved away and no one has taken over her work. In any case, we weren’t … Continue reading Ladakh: Choglamsar + Hemis – the money hangs high → Read more

5. January 2026     This afternoon I’m traveling to Rajasthan – starting with the Shekawati region. It feels like ages since I was last there, especially for actual exploration. In fact, I haven’t really been in Rajasthan for quite some time, apart from a very small part during the fam trip in April 2025. … Continue reading Rajasthan – Before the trip → Read more

21. + 26. December 2025     Appu and Appi are the “elders” who, in the week following the start of Losar, drive out the old year and ask for blessings for the new year in the village of Chuchot. Over several days, they perform ceremonies in households each evening. Chuchot is divided into several … Continue reading Ladakh: Chuchot – Appu and Appi dance around the patio heater → Read more

25. December 2025     The first ancient wall paintings we set out to see were in the Saspol caves. Unfortunately, only one cave was accessible; at the others, the entrances had not been prepared. They date from the 14th/15th century and were partially restored after severe damage (Prince Claus of the Netherlands had also … Continue reading Ladakh: Saspol + Alchi + Mangyu – old and very old and very very old drawings → Read more