Chasing the Himalayas: Reflections from Our India Expedition

We just wrapped our 2026 India Expedition. To say our adventure was a success would be an understatement. Over the course of ten days, we experienced something that most people will never come close to seeing, feeling, or even believing.

Some experiences are difficult to describe once we're home. This was one of those experiences.

After a short flight from New Delhi, we landed in Leh, a city more that sits at 11,500 feet. We met one of our guides immediately and began the three-hour journey to our eco-lodge.

About 30 minutes into the drive, we'd already passed an ancient monastery, a royal palace, and a famous Hindu shrine, before reaching the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. As we stepped out to take in the cluster of mountain ranges surrounding us, some of us were already in tears. It was a theme that would repeat throughout the trip.

Our eco-lodge sat in a quiet valley about eight miles off the main road. The village of Hemis Shukpachan was ringed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks and dotted with centuries-old Buddhist stupas. At the top of the village stood a massive Buddha statue, watching over the peaceful settlement below.

The backyard of our Eco Lodge.

Our front yard.

Over the next five days, we practiced breathwork and meditation, visited ancient caves, explored ruins, and lounged in hammocks in a garden just below our lodge. We journaled, engaged un interpersonal exercises, visited Buddhist monasteries deep in the mountains, and so much more.

Dr. Rigzin joined us to lecture on the region's history and culture, an unforgettable experience that felt almost like a rollercoaster ride. If you love history the way I do, you left the room carrying his passion with you, not just in his words but in his tone and body language. Exactly what any teacher should strive for.

Dr. Rigzen

The next afternoon we ate lunch down the road at Sonam's (the eco-lodge owner) family home. The traditional Ladakhi house was over 150 years old. Sonam's brother, mother sister, sisters in law, and a few other family members all lived in the large multi-story home.

After enjoying an amazing lunch of momos, soup, lentils, and more, they decided to show us what their traditional wedding outfits look like. No only did they show us, we wore them!

On day four, a Buddhist monk taught us the basic concepts of meditation, then sat with us as we practiced together. Outside our windows, the snow-covered Himalayan peaks stood in view, a sight that only pulled us deeper into reflection.

From the rooftop, we could see a sky full of stars, the kind you only get to glimpse somewhere this free of artificial light. Ashley, our photographer, captured some incredible images from up there.

On day seven, we left the eco-lodge for the Yuru Kabgyat festival, hosted at the legendary Lamayuru Monastery, also known as Moonland. This 1,200-year-old festival brings masked monks dancing in circles, horns sounding, and locals dressed in the same traditional attire their ancestors wore hundreds of years ago.

From there, we made our way to our campsite, tucked into a small valley along a narrow mountain passage. The village was called Wawa.

Our first night there was spent getting the lay of the land, making friends with the local livestock, enjoying the incredible food Sonam and his team prepared for us, and playing the group's favorite game: Big Booty.

The next morning, we set off along the river and deeper into the mountains. The landscape's beauty was made even more striking by the complete isolation, and the total absence of tourists, zero, to be exact. Some said it reminded them of Patagonia, others said New Zealand. Others were certain they'd never seen anything like it.

Our last night was spent around a fire for a special ceremony months in the planning. Several in the group called it their favorite moment of the trip. For others, it was the first time they'd experienced something so moving.

We miss the mountains already, and we're endlessly grateful for our time in the Himalayas. I hope everyone came home with at least one lesson learned, one new friendship, or one new perspective to carry forward.

As for me, I'm forever grateful to everyone in the group. They let me live out a lifelong dream: bringing fellow travelers into one of the most serene, beautiful regions on earth. Now my only question is, when do we do it again?

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