An Unforgettable Journey to Leh: A Psychedelic Experience in an Ancient Tibetan Town

Table of Contents


  • Introduction
  • Arrival in Leh
    • First Impressions
    • The Hotel and the Tibetan Monk
    • Leh’s Unique Geography
  • The Decision to Experience LSD
    • Preparation and Expectations
    • First Dose and J’s Involvement
  • The Trip Begins
    • The Cemetery and the Call to Prayer
    • Walking Through the Streets of Leh
  • A Profound Psychedelic Experience
    • Sensory Overload
    • The Mirror Incident
    • Shared Laughter with J
  • Reintegrating into Reality
    • A Walk Through the Marketplace
    • Reconnecting with M
  • Reflections on the Experience
    • Emotions, History, and Camaraderie
    • J’s Heroic Story
    • Lasting Impact of the Journey
  • Conclusion: A Lesson in Life Choices


Introduction


In the summer of my youth, I embarked on a journey that would become one of the most profound experiences of my life. Traveling with my father, we reached the ancient town of Leh, nestled deep in the Himalayas, where the altitude and sparse vegetation gave it a desolate yet striking beauty. This journey was not only an exploration of a remote Tibetan town, but also an exploration of the mind through an unforgettable LSD experience.


Arrival in Leh


First Impressions


Leh was unlike any place I had ever been. It felt ancient, timeless, and on the cusp of being touched by the wave of tourism. The town sat perched on the edge of a mountain, overlooking a vast, barren plain, its greenness sustained only by irrigation in an otherwise desert-like landscape. This oasis of life in the middle of an arid expanse was like an emerald set against the dry backdrop of Ladakh’s moonscape.


The Hotel and the Tibetan Monk


We found a modest hotel in Leh, where the rooms opened into a beautiful garden. This garden, serene and quiet, became our refuge during the trip. An ancient Tibetan monk, dressed in full traditional garb, sat there every day, chanting and spinning his prayer wheel. He was a constant presence, so much so that we never saw him eat, drink, or even leave his spot. His quiet persistence added to the mystical atmosphere of the town.


Leh’s Unique Geography


At such an altitude, there was little water and very little vegetation. Leh’s greenery was solely due to its careful irrigation, and the town seemed like a rare jewel in a dry, almost alien landscape. Surrounded by mountains and with a distant view of an empty, desolate valley, the place felt like a threshold between two worlds—an ideal setting for the inner journey I was about to embark on.


The Decision to Experience LSD


Preparation and Expectations


My father and I decided that Leh was the perfect place for me to experience LSD for the first time. While my father had taken LSD before, he was concerned about his heart palpitations and decided against joining me on the trip. However, our Irish friend, J, decided to partake in the experience with me. My uncle had advised me to take the LSD in stages, starting with a quarter of a tab and waiting before taking more.


First Dose and J’s Involvement


Following my uncle's advice, I took a quarter tab and waited for the effects. After 45 minutes, I felt nothing, so I took another quarter. This continued until I had consumed the full tab with still no noticeable effects. It was then that J, who had never tripped before either, joined us and took a full tab at once. Together, we set out to explore the town, my father accompanying us to a small, ancient cemetery above the town.


The Trip Begins


The Cemetery and the Call to Prayer


The cemetery was filled with crumbling, white-washed stupas, a haunting reminder of the town’s long history. From this vantage point, we could see the town below us, alive with activity, while the valley beyond stretched out endlessly. As we stood there, the Muslim call to prayer echoed through the town, amplified by a distant loudspeaker. It was at that precise moment that the LSD hit me like a wave. I turned to my father, grinning, and declared, “It’s on!”


Walking Through the Streets of Leh


What a place to experience LSD for the first time! As we descended back into the town, the streets came alive in ways I had never imagined. Camels plodded along the roads, Tibetan monks walked in silence, and emaciated European backpackers mingled with locals at chai stalls. Truck drivers bustled about, while Tibetan women smiled warmly, their faces radiating kindness. I was overwhelmed with a sense of connection to everything and everyone around me.


A Profound Psychedelic Experience


Sensory Overload


Back in the tranquility of the hotel garden, where the old monk continued his endless prayer ritual, J found us again. Together, we sat in the garden, letting the sensations wash over us. The effects of the LSD heightened my senses to an almost surreal degree. I could hear the creak of a gate hinge from 100 yards away. The simple act of lighting a cigarette became an hours-long journey in my mind, yet when I looked down, only a small bit of ash had formed at the end of it.


The Mirror Incident


One of the more vivid experiences from that day was when I went into the bathroom and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I had heard stories from my father about seeing one’s face melt while on LSD, and sure enough, my flesh seemed to peel away, revealing a grinning skull beneath. Lifting my shirt, I watched as my torso appeared to decay, exposing my ribs. Instead of being frightened, I found it hilarious and struggled to keep from laughing uncontrollably.


Shared Laughter with J


J and I spent hours in the garden, talking and laughing uncontrollably, each infecting the other with fits of giggles. It was pure joy—an uninhibited, almost childlike happiness that seemed to flow effortlessly between us. Every sensation, every thought, was amplified, making the simplest moments feel extraordinary.


Reintegrating into Reality


A Walk Through the Marketplace


At some point, we ran out of cigarettes, and I volunteered to venture into the town’s marketplace to buy more. Still fully immersed in the trip, I wandered through the crowded streets, smiling at everyone I passed. To my surprise, they smiled back, creating a sense of universal connection. Buying the cigarettes was a challenge, though. I struggled to understand how the money worked and how to complete the transaction, but eventually, I managed to navigate through the haze.


Reconnecting with M


Meanwhile, J’s partner, M, was upset with us for staying in town instead of exploring the nearby temples as planned. However, as the effects of the LSD gradually faded, we felt the need to reconnect with her and make amends. We ended the day by taking her to a "fancy" restaurant (by Leh’s standards), where she had wanted to try some Tibetan cuisine. By the time we sat down for the meal, the trip had mostly worn off, leaving behind a lingering sense of peace.


Reflections on the Experience


Emotions, History, and Camaraderie


The emotions I felt that day—happiness, love, respect—were unlike anything I had ever experienced. I was acutely aware of the historical significance of the place, the people around me, and the weight of the moment. The sense of camaraderie with J, my father, and even the strangers I encountered left an indelible mark on me.


J’s Heroic Story


Several years later, J would become a national hero in his country for rescuing a fisherman who had been stranded in the "horse latitudes" for weeks. Though he and M are no longer together, we still keep in touch, and I often wonder how much that day in Leh influenced his future path.


Lasting Impact of the Journey


The clarity with which I remember that day is startling, given that I usually don’t consider myself to have a strong memory. The experience remains etched in my mind, and I often wonder if it changed the course of my life. Perhaps it opened me up to new ways of thinking, or maybe it was simply a moment of pure clarity in an otherwise chaotic world.


Conclusion: A Lesson in Life Choices


Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have had such a profound experience at a young age. My father had given me a choice: a car or a trip to Asia. I chose the trip, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. To this day, I encourage others—especially young people—to prioritize experiences over material possessions. When it’s graduation time and you’re faced with a similar choice, choose the adventure.