Apricot Blossom Festival

Ladakh offers stunning scenery no matter which season you visit. But this time of the year, parts of the region come alive as apricot trees blossom with soft pink flowers. You can catch the mesmerising season before it’s gone with the Apricot Blossom Ladakh festival this April. Organised by Ladakh Tourism, the festival lasts from 04-17 April and promises cultural programmes and exhibitions featuring local handicrafts. Along with the breathtaking views of apricot blossoms, you can even get your hands on local apricot products like jams, juices and syrups. Ladakh is home to some of the sweetest apricots in the world—a variety known as Raktsey Karpo. In Turtuk and several other parts of Ladakh, almost every house has apricot trees in their yard and residents harvest the sweet fruit to eat as is, sun-dry or turn into jams or simple desserts. Locally known as chuli, the apricots have been consumed by Ladakhis for decades, and it was only in 2013 that researchers discovered that the Rakstey Karpo varietal is unique only to Ladakh. Now, the region is celebrating its fruit with the Apricot Blossom Ladakh festival. In Leh, you can enjoy the festival in Lhardo (04 April), Saspol(05 April), Udmaroo (10 April), Sumoor (11 April) and Takmachik(13 April).