Ladakh Luxury Expedition: Geoffrey Kent’s Unforgettable High-Altitude Journey of Culture

We touched down in Ladakh—a place unlike any other on Earth.” Coming from Geoffrey JW Kent, founder and chairman emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent, and one of the world’s most travelled men, the statement carries weight. After visiting 171 countries across seven continents and spending six decades shaping luxury travel, it was Ladakh that left a lasting impression on Kent.

Kent visited Ladakh in 2024 as part of his 26-day Inspiring Expedition by Private Jet, a $1,84,000 (R1.7 crore) journey he curated for 46 guests aboard a chartered Boeing 757. Among the eight stops made on the trip, Ladakh stood out. In Leh, the check-in was at The Grand Dragon Ladakh. “Our three nights in Ladakh, marked by a private audience and high tea with the (titular) king at Stok Palace, watching polo and immersing ourselves in Ladakh’s art and culture, were among the most memorable moments of the journey,” says Kent to Robb Report India from Monaco. It was the land’s spirit that lingered. Buddhist chants rising from centuries-old gompas at dawn, prayer flags fluttering against an unbroken blue sky, and the Indus River winding through valleys shaped by time. Beneath the watchful gaze of the ancient Leh Palace, the experience felt intimate and deeply personal.

Tea at Stok Palace, perched above the Indus Valley, came with sweeping mountain views from the 200-year-old royal residence. History, conversation, and stillness unfolded in equal measure. 

The journey had been years in the making. For over 25 years, Kent maintained a close friendship with Ladakh’s titular ruler Gyalpo Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal, exchanging handwritten letters long before instant communication became routine. Meeting in person lent rare intimacy to an already exceptional expedition.

Arriving at 11,750 feet above sea level at the age of 83 did not faze Kent. “At this altitude, the air is thin, but the spirit is strong,” he says.

At the Shagaran polo ground in Chuchot village, a Central Asian polo match was arranged for the group. Kent had the honour of throwing in the opening ball before posing with the riders. A former captain of the Rolex–Abercrombie & Kent team and a two-time U.S. Open Polo Championship winner, the moment revived memories of playing alongside polo greats, including then-Prince Charles—now King Charles III—when he captained the Windsor Park team. “Polo has always been close to my heart. Seeing it here, in such a dramatic setting, was truly special,” shares Kent. The following day in Rumbak village, the group spotted a snow leopard—widely considered the most elusive animal in the wild. It became a highlight of the trip, followed by a visit to Thiksey Monastery to witness the masked Cham dance. At The Grand Dragon Ladakh, artist Ghulam Mustafa presented Kent with a portrait.

Equally enriching was a session led by Monisha Ahmed, co-founder and executive director of the Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation. She traced the evolution of Ladakhi textiles and pashminas, culminating in a presentation celebrating craft as a living culture shaped by geography and trade.