When Our Dream Trip to Leh-Ladakh Didn’t Take Off — Our Experience with Veena World

 There are some journeys you plan not just with your calendar but with your heart. Our much-anticipated group tour to Leh and Ladakh with Veena World, scheduled for May 2025, was one such trip. Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Ladakh has long stood as a symbol of peace, beauty, and inner reflection. For us, this was meant to be more than just a holiday — it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As someone who usually avoids making expensive travel plans too far in advance, I was already stepping out of my comfort zone. The unpredictability of life is something I’ve always been wary of, and unfortunately, this time, that uncertainty proved justified. Just weeks before our departure, the cowardly Pahalgam tourist attack shook the nation. What followed was a rapidly escalating response from the Indian government — Operation Sindoor — an initiative that soon snowballed into a war-like situation in parts of Jammu & Kashmir.

We were left with a mix of emotions: concern for national safety, confusion about our travel plans, and sadness that our dream vacation had to be reconsidered.

During this turbulent time, I stayed in close communication with Veena World’s office. From the very beginning, they showed exceptional sensitivity and professionalism. They not only acknowledged the gravity of the situation but also assured me that there would be no financial loss to us — a relief that is rare in the travel industry during crisis.

While our travel plans clearly fell under a force majeure situation, Veena World never hid behind policy language. They offered support, empathy, and practical help.

In parallel, all flights to border zones were suspended by IndiGo Airlines, which initially drew public criticism for increasing fares — a blatant attempt to capitalise on a crisis. Thankfully, after public backlash, IndiGo reversed course and offered full refunds to all existing passengers. This action made it easier for Veena World to issue us a note, which we can now use for a future holiday.

During this time, I observed something both disturbing and disheartening. While the government was dealing with an extremely volatile situation in the valley, a few so-called "patriotic" tourists and even celebrities made deliberate trips to Jammu & Kashmir — right in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Their intent? To showcase a form of nationalism that, frankly, felt more like social media showboating than actual solidarity.

In moments of crisis, true patriotism lies in acting responsibly — supporting the government, safeguarding lives, and not adding further burden to already strained systems. Unfortunately, many tourists today seem more interested in clout-chasing than preserving the sanctity of sensitive areas.

Though our journey to Ladakh didn’t take off, we walked away from this experience with something far more valuable than photographs or souvenirs — a sense of respect for the integrity and care shown by Veena World.

Their honesty, transparency, and customer-first approach during the unfolding of Operation Sindoor have left a lasting impression on us. And while we missed the surreal landscapes of Leh this time, we’re confident that we’ll explore them someday — with Veena World.

To anyone reading this, let this be a reminder: travel is a privilege, not a right. And responsible tourism is not just about where you go, but when you choose to go.