War Tourism in LadakhBy Aby Aneja — Alpha 01
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The wind in Drass doesn’t whisper — it howls. It howls with stories of sacrifice, struggle, and unmatched courage. Standing on the ridges of Tololing or staring into the distant silhouette of Tiger Hill, you don’t just witness history — you feel it. This is not an ordinary destination. This is a battlefield turned sacred, where the Indian tricolour flew high against all odds. War tourism in Ladakh, particularly in Drass, is not a walk — it is a pilgrimage of remembrance and reverence.
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The 1999 Kargil War: Peaks That Defined a Nation’s Grit
The Kargil War of 1999 is etched into every rock and snow ridge around Drass. Fought at dizzying altitudes — often above 16,000 feet — the conflict tested the limits of the human body and spirit. Indian soldiers scaled near-vertical cliffs under enemy fire, with little oxygen and temperatures dipping to -20°C even in May and June. Strategic points like Tololing (15,000 ft), Tiger Hill (16,700 ft), and Point 4875 (Batra Top) weren’t just geographical objectives; they were the crucibles of heroism.
These peaks now stand silent, but once roared with the thunder of artillery and the war cries of our soldiers. From stealth night ascents to inch-by-inch progress under gunfire, the Indian Army's approach was one of extraordinary endurance and ingenuity — relying heavily on mountaineering skills, surprise maneuvers, and raw courage. The mountains witnessed bravery of an almost mythological scale.
Among the fiercest warriors were the 18 Grenadiers and the Ghatak Platoons, who played a pivotal role in reclaiming key peaks in the Drass sector. The 18 Grenadiers led the charge on Tololing, launching relentless assaults under heavy fire, often fighting hand-to-hand in brutal close combat. Their bravery turned the tide of the battle in India’s favor. The elite Ghatak commandos, known for their aggressive reconnaissance and assault tactics, operated in some of the most perilous terrains, making daring night-time climbs, and neutralizing enemy bunkers with sheer resolve. Their actions in Tololing and surrounding ridges displayed the unmatched courage and tactical superiority of India's finest.​​
Drass: The Village That Stood with the Army
But it wasn’t just the soldiers who fought this war.
The people of Drass — a humble, close-knit community — became the invisible backbone of Operation Vijay. Entire families vacated their homes for soldiers to take shelter. Civilians turned porters, risking their lives to carry food, ammunition, and stretchers across enemy fire zones. Many shifted to safer valleys like Goshan, while silently praying for the Army’s success. Patriotism here wasn't performed — it was lived.
And yet, when tourists visit, they often see just the memorial. The terrain, the tactical genius, and the human cost remain a faint echo in the distant hills.​
Being Alive: Bridging the Gap Between History and Experience
At Being Alive, we believe that remembering the fallen requires more than just visiting a war memorial.
Our guided war tours are a tribute to the unspoken legacy of the Kargil War. We trek to adjacent mountains — Tesar Spang (3,210m) and Pandrass Ridge (3,849m) — to get a clear, reverent view of the legendary Tololing and Tiger Hill peaks. These vantage points offer more than just breathtaking views — they offer perspective.
When you climb just 321 meters and stand breathless at the summit, looking up at the towering 16,000-foot battle heights beyond, you begin to grasp the impossible odds our soldiers overcame. You feel the altitude in your lungs, the burn in your legs, and yet you’re only scratching the surface of what the Indian Army endured. It creates a visceral understanding — not just of geography, but of courage. It gives civilians, tourists, and patriots a reason to believe — to believe that what seemed insurmountable was made possible by sheer will, strategy, and sacrifice.
We walk along the LC Road, not as thrill-seekers, but as witnesses to history. Each route is designed not just to challenge your body but to awaken your sense of national pride. These aren’t just treks — they are narratives on foot.
And leading them is myself, Alpha 01 — not just your guide, but a storyteller of sacrifice.​​
My Bond With the Battlefields
Before Being Alive was born, I was a filmmaker. But my journey brought me to Ladakh, and Ladakh gave me a new mission.
For the past few years, I’ve lived in Leh during summers and Drass during bone-crushing winters — even when temperatures plunged to -30°C. I’ve filmed, mapped, climbed, and stood still on peaks that once echoed with gunfire. My love for the Indian Armed Forces is personal — my admiration shaped by the stories I’ve heard firsthand and the frozen trenches I’ve visited alone. Every guided route I curate has been walked by me first. Every war story I tell has been validated by my time on the ground.
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Porter of the Kargil War | The Untold Story
Watch the film to get a visual perspective on the war stories of Drass. Plot: In 1999, during the Kargil War, a brave porter climbed 17,000 feet to Tiger Hill, carrying ammunition and supplies to our soldiers amidst extreme conditions and enemy fire. His courage and sacrifice played a crucial role in India’s victory, yet his story remains unheard.
Beyond Kargil: Rezang La and Siachen — The Silent Sentinels
Our war tourism offering doesn’t end at Kargil.
We also honour the Battle of Rezang La — a lesser-known but equally valiant stand in 1962, where 120 soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Regiment held their ground against thousands of Chinese troops. Rezang La, near Chushul, is not just a battlefield — it's a symbol of grit till the last bullet, the last man.
And then there's Siachen, the world's highest battlefield. While it isn’t open for civilian trekking, its legacy can be felt in the chilling winds of Nubra, and in every Army post you pass on your way to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These are not frontiers — they are lifelines guarded day and night, without rest.
Why War Tourism in Ladakh Matters Today
In a world flooded with digital distractions and synthetic experiences, Ladakh offers something primal and pure — a confrontation with reality, and a connection with something greater than ourselves. War tourism isn’t about glorifying conflict. It’s about understanding sacrifice, honour, and duty. It’s about realising what it took — and still takes — to keep the nation safe.
And maybe, just maybe, as you stand at the foot of Tiger Hill and feel the wind strike your face, you’ll understand what it means to be truly Alive.