Music With Altitude The 2023 Ladakh International Music Fest Is Back

Wake up to the sun and crisp mountain air at one of the highest music fests in the world. The second edition of the Ladakh International Music Festival (LIMF) 2023 is back with more opportunities to celebrate local music, art, culture, and community in the heart of the Himalayas.

The festival, set to take place from August 23 to September 3, is part of a collaboration between the Ladakh Art and Entertainment Alliance (LAEA) and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh.  

This year's event will also feature the Ladakh International Fashion Runway, a fashion show held at the world's highest motorable road, Umling La, at 19,022 ft. The fashion show will feature women leaders from the G20 and guest countries, as well as beauty queens from across the world, including Miss Earth India Vanshika Parmar, Miss Earth Italy Giulia Ragazzini, Miss Earth USA Lindsey Coffey, Miss Universe Japan Yuumi Kato, Miss Earth UK Luissa Burton, Miss Earth Germany Annabella Fleck, and Miss World Bangladesh Rafah Nanjeba Torsa.

The 2022 event featured several well-known bands and musicians from across India, with performances by famous rock bands and rock band competitions among the local talent. Bands like Indian Ocean, Parashara, Joi Barua & his band, Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland, EDM DJ Ali Burrni and DJ Anna Radko are some of the names that enthralled the audience at the festival from April 30-May 4 at Sonam Wangchuk Stadium in Leh.

LIMF 2022 also saw a beautiful moment when the Rezang La Anthem was launched at the Rezangla War Memorial as a special tribute to the brave war veterans of the Indian Army at Rezang La (18,045 ft). On November 18, 1962, the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, led by Maj. Shaitan Singh fought a Chinese attack at Rezang La Pass in Ladakh, laying their lives for the country.

Other Things To Do

Go On Treks

Ladakh, the land of the cold desert mountains, has many trekking trails to offer an adventurer. If you have time, trek to the various passes. Ladakh literally means 'land of the high passes'. Here you will find Khardung La. At 5,602 m, it is said to be the highest motorable pass in the world. Just under 40 km north of Leh, the pass leads to the Shyok and Nubra valleys and was opened to vehicles in 1988. Historically, traders used the pass from Leh to Kashgar in Xinjiang Province. The second highest pass, Taglang La (5,328 m), is crossed on the famous 485 km drive from Manali to Leh. The pass is 109 km from Leh. Chang La (5,270 m) is the third-highest pass and is the approach to Pangong Tso.   

Check Out Nubra Valley

The stunning valley lies between the Ladakh and Karakoram ranges, with its borders touching Pakistan and China. It was on the Silk Route, but China stopped the caravans that passed along the Shyok and the Nubra rivers. The double-humped Bactrian camels that roam the white sands near Hunder are the only reminder of the ancient trade route. Hunder, the last point up to which travellers are allowed to go, is a small village in a green valley known for the white dunes that come a little before it. 

The Gompas

Ladakh's most imposing edifices are all monasteries. At Stakna, Shey, or even Lamayuru (the oldest living gompa), you may be content to admire the massive hilltop complexes from a distance. But up close, the monasteries are full of ancient atmosphere, ritual, and artistic treasures. Do not miss the large Chon-Kor Maitreya at Thiksey. The main hall (du-khang) of the thriving Hemis Gompa is impressive, but even the ruins of Basgo are arresting, and perhaps the greatest works of Ladakhi sacred art are the surviving murals on the crumbling 12th-century walls of Alchi.  

RELATED Handmade In Ladakh Local Brands To Shop From

ALSO READ How A Remote Ladakhi Valley Transformed From Hunting To Conserving Wildlife