Juley: Welcome to the land of lamas- ladakh

Tripoto
13th Aug 2015

Once the travel bug bites there is no antidote, and I know that I shall happily be infected until the end of my life..

The quote best describes me. Travelling was always a passion. But post my ladakh trip, it has turned into an addiction. One cannot resist falling in love with Ladakh. It has all the beauty and diversity in the world, from arid desert to snow clad Himalayan mountains. The scenery changes every moment.  

Himachal valley is blessed by nature. It is soothing to the eyes of the traveller. We start our journey from Delhi and stopped at Manali after a 12 hour journey. We reached Manali town which is no fun to be especially considering what lies in the remote villages and jungles. It can't be compared to the customary Mall road of Manali.
Photo of manali by Pradeep Choudhary
Next day, we headed towards Rohtang la pass. We stopped at Rohtang pass to relax our body after a few hours of continuous driving. It is the first pass that comes between Manali and Lahaul & Spiti at the height of 14050 feet. After Rohtang we headed towards our destination.
Photo of Rohtang La, Himachal Pradesh, India by Pradeep Choudhary
After rohtang we stopped for dinner at a small village named Koksar and enjoyed the local cusine - Thupka. It was the place where an undiscovered beauty, a magic of nature was witnessed.
Photo of koksar by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of koksar by Pradeep Choudhary
After Koksar we crossed Keylong, Baralacha, Zing Zing bar, and Sarchu to reach Lachung la, the first pass of ladakh region.
Photo of Lachung la by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Lachung la by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Lachung la by Pradeep Choudhary
After the light refreshments at Lachungla we crossed Naki-la to reach Pang- another pass which is located at a height of 17,582 feet. After Pang, around 42 kms of long tarred road at More plains gives relief to the driver who is being driving the worst roads till now. The dillema arrives after 42 kms where a diversion takes you to Tso moriri, a beautiful lake similar to Pangong Tso and heading away brings you the Leh city.
Photo of More Plains by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of More Plains by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of More Plains by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of More Plains by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of More Plains by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of More Plains by Pradeep Choudhary
After non-stop journey of 24 hrs finally we reached our desination Leh at hotel Lingzi. Next day we started our journey towards Shanti Stupa, was built for peace and prosperity and to commemorate 2500 yrs of buddhism. It is considered a symbol of the ties between the people of Japan and Ladakh as both japanese and ladakhi buddhishts helped built it. The premises of Stupa offers the spectacular views of the ladakh and himalayas.
Photo of Leh by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Leh by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Leh by Pradeep Choudhary
After that we started our journey to Nubra valley is yet another gradeur best experienced by road. As one embarks on this 150 kms long journey from Leh via khardunga pass, the heighest motorable road in the world(18,390 feet) . Variois villages and monastries en-route such as Shey palace, Hemis monastery and stok palace will surely provide you the taste of Tibetan culture and heritage.
Photo of Nubra valley by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Nubra valley by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Nubra valley by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Nubra valley by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Nubra valley by Pradeep Choudhary
After reaching Nubra valley the double humped camel of Hunder village: A only species only at the northern most part of ladakh, in Hunder village, few kms before India Pakistan border. The desert of Hunder is suitable for their living. Camal safari is a popular activity amongst the locals and tourists alike. Apart from the double hump, most notable difference with other camels is the amount of hairs its body, to protect it from the harsh winds.
Photo of Hunder Sand Dunes, Hunder by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Hunder Sand Dunes, Hunder by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Hunder Sand Dunes, Hunder by Pradeep Choudhary
A 6 hour treacherous drive from Leh town via Chang La(world's 2nd highest pass 16,788 ft) and you reach this magical place Pangong. Nestled between the mountains, the water changes its colour depending on the position of the sun. 25% of water body lies in India and the rest in China. The Indo-China broder is 28 kms far from there. The water is so freezing cold, in winters the whole lake turns into solid ice form.
Photo of Pangong Tso by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Pangong Tso by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Pangong Tso by Pradeep Choudhary
Photo of Pangong Tso by Pradeep Choudhary