LADAKH – The Ultimate Destination

It was for quite some time now that a journey to Ladakh was on my mind. Finally this June I had the chance of visiting the place….. a long awaited trip. This journey was a revelation in itself, a test of physical endurance as well as of mental toughness. But once these impediments were overcome, the entire experience culminated in a feeling of triumph and in an admiration for the exquisiteness of nature.

Our journey started on the morning of 23^rd July, when we took a flight from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. The flight was short, and took just 50 minutes to reach the Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport, in the beautiful city of Leh.
   

  

The initial view of the huge barren mountains with all their folds and crevices explicitly visible created an impact which no electronic media can duplicate. After a break of one day, which was necessitated due to the fact that we had ascended a height of 3500m above sea level in about an hour and needed to acclimatize to the low oxygen level prevailing there, the adventure began.

The next day we visited three important and quaint monasteries: the Shanti Stupa, the Hemis Gompa and the Thiksey Gompa. The presence of myriad monasteries dotting the city can be explained by the fact that the population of Leh comprises of about 77% Buddhists.

On the 25^th of July we ventured out for the most exciting and adventurous part of our trip which was to reach the world’s highest motorable road (now the second highest, after the Mana Pass), the Khardung La (La meaning Pass in Tibetan) situated at a height of 5602 m above sea-level. After the initial 24 kilometres or so, the road consisted of primarily dirt, loose rocks and intermittent rivulets of melted snow. Altitude sickness medicine is a must which has to be taken along, as no medical facilities are available at the top. After about three hour drive on the treacherous route we reached the Khardung La.

The excitement on reaching the summit after undergoing such hardship was worth celebrating. The scenic beauty along the entire journey climaxed into even more beautiful surroundings on reaching the Khardung La. Snow covered peaks glowed in the afternoon sun and created a magical sight. We were overwhelmed by the effort put in by the Border Roads Organization and the Indian Army, who work under such challenging conditions throughout the year for the construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges. This pass is strategically important as it is the only supply route to the Siachen glacier.

After passing the Khardung La we reached the picturesque Nubra valley interspersed by the Shyok and the Nubra rivers. We stayed at the comfortable night camps (Desert Himalayas) in the midst of the natural magnificence.

The second most important part of our trip was the visit to the famed Pangong Tso (Lake), the route to which passes through the world’s third highest motorable road – the Chang La located at a height of 5360m above sea-level. The road to Pangong Tso was even worse than what we had experienced en-route Khardung La. The Chang La, like the Khardung La, has extreme cold weather with chilly winds blowing all through the day, but the breath-taking views from the pass leaves one speechless.

After crossing the Chang La we reached the Pangong Tso in about two hours. The first view of the lake interposed between the magnificent mountains was inexpressible, as if heaven itself had descended on the Earth. The lake makes one forget the adversities faced on the way. The lake which stretches 134 km long, being one third in India and the rest in China, reflects the various shades of blue in such a splendid manner that very few places on the earth can parallel. Even though I tried to capture its brilliance through the camera, but the effort paled in comparison to what the eyes had witnessed.

As I bid farewell to this amazing land of beautiful mountains, splendid lakes and high passes, a part of my heart refuses to return, and I silently promise to myself to visit the place again….