The Ladhak Journey

July 2014 

While reading and hearing numerous stories which referred to ‘Himalayas’ since my childhood, were all imaginary scenes of mountains, snow, river, the blue sky with birds which usually was transferred into my drawing books and to color itself was exciting.

Today, my dreams have come true. I have been blessed with a boon granted by the God of Himalayas, still relishing the delicious food of nature for my soul LIVE! Thanking God for providing me opportunities to experience such spectacular journeys of life by visiting the Land of multi-colored and snow-clad mountains, deserts, unique translucent lakes which were all visual treat to our eyes and soul.

I often have the habit of not doing the google for images and always love giving my eyes and soul surprises! No wonder often it is heard and spoken by people about the feeling of magic to revisit Himalayas and wishing to never return. Lucky to be born here and witness these amazing places in our beautiful Country.

Our flight landed at Chandigarh and we reached Manali in the night to start our journey with other friends from Manali to start our journey of visiting places in Ladhak. Places covered were Chandigarh-Manali-Jispa-Baralachala-Rohtang-Pang-Tso Moriri-Pangong Tso-Nubra Valley-Lamayuru-Turtuk-Kardung la-Leh-Wakha-Kargil-Dras-Zojilla-Sonamarg-Srinagar.

Weather varied from warmest, pleasant and  coldest too. On the way, we witnessed  number of small streams and waterfalls  formed due to the melting of snow. 

Along the  way, one can see herd of yaks  across  mountain streams. There are lush  green fields, army cantonments and even small lakes left behind by retreating  glaciers.

Jispa

Jispa with a elevation of 10,500 ft is a village in Lahual and Spiti district in the Indian state of HImachal Pradesh. It is located 20 km north of Keylong along the Manali- Leh Highway. Ladakh comes from la (meaning pass) and dakh (meaning related to). It is part of the State of Jammu & Kashmir in the northernmost tip of India sharing borders with Pakistan, China and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. 'Ju-Ley' was how they said Hello, Bye, oftentimes Okay and its the kind of unique identity of a Ladakhi.

Baralachala la  

Bara-lacha la is a high mountain pass in Zanskar range connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladhak in Jammu and Kashmir situated along the Lah-Manali Highway. A beautiful lake or Tal was surrounded by stunningly beautiful snow capped hills. 

Rohtang pass

Rohtang Pass, is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, India

Tso Moriri Lake

Tso Moriri lake, in Korzok and a part of Changtang, was a spectacular site amidst mountain ranges. The lake measures about 28 km in length and about 4-6 km in breadth and about 100 feet average in depth.

However, had a mild headache which was due to lack of oxygen I was told and often couldn’t walk few decent steps too. However, I made up my mind to climb a hill behind from which one could get a better view. Had to take about 10 steps on count and sit for a while before I continued to reach the view point

Nubra Valley

The journey was more beautiful with green oasis villages surrounded by thrillingly stark scree slopes, boulder fields and harsh arid mountains than the destination. Monasteries, Stunning sceneries and multi-coloured mountains of the valleys, Meadows and deserts and the double humped camels was unique.

It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers drain Nubra. The flat part of the river is sandy & occupied by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty with greenery, willow & poplar trees

The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form a large valley that separates the Ladakh and Karakoram Ranges. The Shyok river is a tributary of the Indus river.

Camel Ride at Hunder

The double Humped camel were looking good, personally I had no interest to trouble them and did not want to differ from others hence loaded myself on to one of them. The colors of kilometers of sand dune was purely magical. The ride on the Bacterian Camels over Sand Dunes of Hunder around  the sunset increased the charm of our vacation.

Tso Kar Lake 

A small lake on the way to Pangong was stunning too.

Pangong Tso Lake

Had heard of Pangong Tso lake a lot, this was one serene place located at a height of 14,000 ft in the eastern part of Ladakh. Despite the saline water, heard it freezes completely in winter and the lake is accessible only in summer as the roads are blocked by snow in winter. Sixty per cent of the 134-km lake is belongs to China and the rest is of India.

We planned to carry sarees and have a photoshoot, which was exciting for all of us. Though very cold besides the lake we wore sarees with sports shoes and soon after the clicks we hurried to wear jackets and returned to our tents. Memories forever!

This lake was truly unbelievable and I was  dumbstruck at its view, insisted and got down  from the vehicle to walk for about a Kilometer  and every step I took towards the lake, I  witnessed an astonishing combination of colors in the lake like the emerald green, ink blue, sky blue and so on.

The lake itself is like a picture postcard.Once  you embark on its shores, you will not tire of  sitting and enjoying the vast canvas i in front of  you. The domineering mountains, snow-clad  peaks in the distance, soft cotton clouds  floating above the lake of Emerald colors is  a festive  for our eyes.

Hall of Fame Museum

Hall of fame has displays on Ladakhi culture on the ground floor and the war with Pakistan over the disputed Siachen Glacier and Kargil on the first floor. It has been built by the Indian army to pay homage to its fallen heroes. Hall of Fame was worth visiting to witness and salute our Martyrs who have laid down their lives for our Country. Military folks, their vehicles and their basecamps were the usual sights on border roads, Hats off to all the Martyrs and to who are still safeguarding us and our Country.

 

The Shanti Stupa

The impressive white-domed monument was built by a Japanese order keen to spread Buddhism by building temples throughout the world. With some financial assistance from the Japanese government, the Shanti Stupa was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. A beautiful three-km winding drive takes you to the top of the hill where it is located. 

The breathtaking view from the top, especially of Leh below and the Indus Valley is worth a visit. The view is particularly remarkable,the stupa looms above Leh is impressive. Visiting Thikse monastery,which is one of  the  most vibrant monasteries in the region.  It dates back to the 16th century and is part   of  the Gelug-pa Sect.  The monastery is 12  storied and painted in deep shades of red and white.

Leh

Leh is the second largest district in the country after Kutch, Gujrat.

Leh was an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and also between India and China for centuries.

The main goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas or cannabis resin from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocade. I also bought a deep red Pashmira stole which was very unique, soft and silky :) 

All the beautiful roads and destinations that came straight out of the ‘world of fantasies’ in the Ladhak region is a must visit place. Best thing happened was to pillion ride on bikes that helped view the places ‘better’ and felt the power of being free rather than in a 4 wheeler. Thanks to the bikers who agreed to carry my weight throughout on their bikes for about 1500kms..Oops that was quite some, but was worth every bit! I bothered the bikers by shaking on bad roads couple of times while riding to take pictures.

Friends forever

Met strangers who are now friends, cant forget the fun, dance, songs, walks, bike rides we all had. The Moonlight was my favorite and the sounds of the river flow just next to our stay is unforgettable. It was an excitement to wake up early to go to a different place and also listen to the next day's program every night before winding up!. A life time friends and experiences :

I was so tempted to turn left and right to click pictures bothering Amol who was riding the bike. His voice still echos 'HILNA MAT 'you have 30 seconds' while i quickly got ready with my hand and leg guards :)  Also, can't forget Nirav, who was simply riding without any knowledge of whereabouts of other bikers and we returned all the way 20 kms :p And his unforgettable dialogue when I asked if I can be his pillion 'Zyada senti mat ban Batja' 

Enjoyed the pillion ride that I got addicted and was feeling uncomfortable and trapped in the car!

We all had a great time, get together at Leh relaxing after days of journey. Satsang by Nirav was ultimate and I realized the meaning of REAL 'ROFL' that time. Unforgettable!  Friends forever, the great sense of humor which I will cherish for life which no money in the world can buy :) 

Kardung la(Pass):The highest Motorable Road in the world (18,379 ft)

The pass on the Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Built in 1976, it was opened to motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen any automobile, motorbike and  mountain biking expeditions.

Turtuk Village

A remote village of about 4,000 residents, inhabited by ethnic Muslims, a few kilometres from the 'line of control' (the de facto border) between India and Pakistan, on the Indian side. Very close to the Line of Control, this village is a pictureqsue Village, with silvery mountain peaks and golden barley farmlands- both run together presenting a great picture.

Lamayuru

11th century LAMAYURU MONASTERY, which was spectacularly was located along the valley plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides. It was a beautiful site to see wherein the houses were constructed within the mountains which was strangely beautiful. According to legend, the Arhat Madhyantika, a disciple of Buddha offered "torma' (sacred food) and water to the spirits inhabiting the site to satisfy them. A handful of rain spilled on the soil which caused barley plants to sprout in the shape of Yung-drung (swastika).

Some of the beautiful places we passed through were Kargil, Zozila pass, stayed at Wakha Village on the way to to Srinagar.

Kargil

Zojila Pass

Wakha Village  

Next morning we left to Srinagar and the NH-1 route Leh to Srinagar Highway was excellent with stunning different landscape of mountains at every turn. This is a must take route atleast once in life time!

     

Srinagar

Back in Srinagar after 2 months in a beautifully carved boat-house surrounded with water, shopping early morning on waters just outside from the Shikaras (small boats) was an unique experience) Not remembering the days and dates without network connectivity were in disguise for a humanly life.

The Challenges

Friends, beware and mentally be prepared of the severe after affects hangover of the places we visit. It has atleast become a biggest challenge of late to get back to the reality. I have arrived quite sometime back and and still cant get over it! The pictures takes you back and one tends to relive often and is extremely addictive :) 

Slippery roads for bikers due to many streams overflowing on the roads, Road blocks due to which we may lose of time to travel, Narrow roads for to and fro,

Altitude sickness is something one should be prepared mentally and physically to enjoy the nature. 

Thanks to Badri who started giving us instructions to improve our lung power by exercising and various other activities like continuously drinking water so that we get enough oxygen and do not get dehydrated. At high altitudes and with low levels of oxygen, I personally had severe headache at times and dizziness too!

Couple of them needed to take oxygen on the way too. Our military folks and the Medical camps on the Border roads were very helpful. Precious things comes with its costs, it was worth and one of the best places worth millions to visit!

This would be one of my most cherished journeys of life, which I owe to Badari and his team for organizing through Burn Boundaries to such beautiful routes and places!

For more pics click here-

Pics of The Ladhak Journey