Ladakh - An Intrepid Dream

We knew it was a long way to go, through the barren lands, mightiest of mountains, furriest of waters, the excitement and thrill however overpowered all the fears one must have had.

Mountains are always a thing of wonder and where else can one feel more close to them than the Himalayas. Lofty as they seem immensely patronizing, as if talking to the heavens. The roads no different, make you pass through the yawning valleys and the roadside dreading waters coming out of the glaciers seem to personify all your imagination. The heights you reach are just astounding, makes you feel at the top of the
world with no parallel mountains and peaks you would wish to go.

Zojilla Pass

Zojilla Pass

Zojilla Pass

The start of the Ladakh Region

The road to Leh passes through Zojilla pass, the most dangerous of all passes (peaks), which is followed by more or less hassle free road upto leh. Of places worth mentioning are the Drass, Kargil, Lamayuru (alongside Fotella mountains), Drass being the second coldest inhabited place on earth.

                                                                 

Drass

Ahead of Kargil our travel was mostly under a charming full moonlight. The experience was mesmerizing as the moonlight only added to the glamour the landscape had in store for us. The moon full bright just at the exact tip of the mountain made it feel like a journey from a fairy tale.
                                                           

Road to Kargil

 
Leh, a desert, a desolate open land is carved in amongst the barren, stony and haughty mountains. The air is dry, no wonder you would find moisturizers and lip guards immensely useful. It wasn’t long until I realized what I had read about the place. Leh is a place to sit back, stop all you have been doing and just wonder how amazing the creation can get. It’s a place where the time stops, life slows down. This sparsely populated place is all about adventure. Not much different from ones thinking of a chinese or a tibetian culture this place has the same Buddhist architecture, religious beliefs though with less exotic food.

Leh City

We managed to find a good place for our stay, a small lodge owned by the most generous lady we could find in the entire region. Lucky as we got we found the home like food and all sorts of pampering we could ask for. Things got a lot easier for us then onwards.

It started off with a wonderful morning, with a stint of chill and sunshine. Quite excited as we were we made our way to explore the local places. Aiming professionalism we hired bikes to tour the city. With what I call the most amazing experience I have ever had, a bike in ladakh (on rent) is the best thing you can have to roam around, although you can hire a bicycle too.

The Leh city is a lot about tourist assistance, shops and vendors selling the traditional clothing, kitchen ware, and local food. Tourists, of course are in profusion, bustling around the streets on their bikes producing the typical guttural sound.                            

At Hall Of Fame

                   

Bike Rentals

Bike Ride to Magnetic Hill

                                                                     
Life is about exploring places, and with the world famous Pangong in mind our excitement knew no bounds. The lake known for its colours and vastness was perhaps what made us to plan the whole trip. A 150 km drive from Leh, tiring and hypoxic as it gets as you keep climbing up slopes of mountains one after the other to reach Tchangla Pass. 

Chang La Pass

Its hard to believe but the first view of Pangong Lake would make you screech out of excitement. Darker than the sky as it seems, the blue colour made it glow and the slanting rays of sun made it to sparkle. A peculiar of its kind as it was, we camped along the banks of the lake, though setting up of tent was much of difficult task and even wasn’t allowed in the area. But determined as we were, ready to confront all uncertainties, we put up a tent in a very short span of time.

We experienced the sunset along the banks of a salty lake stretching a long way along the mountains into China. It wasn’t long until darkness fell and the only people you could find there where us. Much to our delight, we lit a bonfire which followed a night of relishing food prepared on fire and storytelling. Even more amazing was to see the moon rising behind the mountains, dispelling the darkness both on the land and within us. With stars appearing brighter and bigger than ever, the night was unlike any other night we had in our lives. The sunrise being equally mesmerizing with the birds flying high and low, swift and slow, all praising the same creator.

First view of Pangong Lake

Along the Banks of Pangong Lake

Pangong Lake

A stay at Pangong Tso

Bonfire- Pangong Tso

All about story telling - Pangong Tso

Ever heard of double humped camels? Well, we got to ride them. The Nubra valley has a lot offer. The Hunder silver deserts are a treat to watch. The silver white squandering sand, the galloping wind, the sand dunes all are worth seeing. The camels very peculiar, with double humps are only to be found here in whole of asia.

Camel safari - Hundar

Camel Safari - Hundar

Of the commonest things you would see in Leh and surrounding places are the small places of worship, the monasteries. Quite peculiar as they seem, they reflect thoughtfulness and devotion of the people of Leh.

Symbols Of Devotion

Art and Tradition

The Fat Ladakhi Rotti

Of what we found out, Ladakh is all about

the mighty hills and the deep valleys, 
       of Gods very presence and the divine feel, 
 of barren lands and mysterious waters, 
   of generous people and incredible food. 
Its also about the lessons you learn, for it teaches you the virtues of consideration, partaking, teamwork, appreciation and few which words can’t describe.

The Final Goodbye