Ladakh’s Apricot Blossom is just as spectacular; when to go ..
Apricots are a big deal in Ladakh.
For generations, folks living along the Indus and Shyok river valleys have relied on the fruit for both food and income. Therefore, those first blossoms indicate that finally the planting season has arrived and the brutal winter is over.The event also highlights the Raktsey Karpo apricot. It is a special local variety famous for its white seed stone and incredible sweetness.
It even bagged a Geographical Indication (GI) tag recently, which emphasises its unique tie to the area and helps local farmers get the recognition they deserve.
You won’t find this festival stuck in one spot. Instead, it moves around Ladakh to match the natural blooming cycle of the orchards. The trees in the lower-altitude villages flower first, and as the weather warms up, the bloom slowly makes its way higher into the mountains.
Sham Valley If you are looking for the best spots, the villages in Sham Valley are huge favourites, right alongside Turtuk in the Nubra Valley and the historic settlements in Aryan Valley. These blossoms usually spread for a very short window, between late March and mid-April. And it really is quite a sight, bright clouds of pink and white flowers popping vividly against the stark brown mountains and snowy peaks.
It genuinely looks like something out of a painting.