The trip to Leh in Ladakh was the greatest experience I ever had and my best trip till date. I had packed up everything right from sunglasses,scarves,hats and few woollens and ready to board an early flight from Delhi on 2nd June 2014 with my family.Reaching Leh shortly, the pilot announced. I was thrilled as from my window seat I could view the mighty Himalayas and Mountains covered with snow and the Indus river.On reaching Leh I could feel the fresh Ladakhi cold breeze.I could see the clear sky and mountains all over and the sight of snow capped mountains really made my spirit soar .My friends advised me that to get acclimatised, one need complete rest for 36 hours as Leh is a high latitude location with an altitude of more than 11,000 feet above the mid sea level and to have vitamin C regularly....which I really hate to take,but I have to as i can't take risk of getting sick and spoil my vacation...!!!
Driving through the zojila pass
@Zojila Pass
Leh ladakh is predominantly a Buddhist region and everywhere you can see old ruins of Buddhist stupas and shrines which are supposed to be very religious.A walk through the Leh market reminds me of Shillong market..narrow lanes with tourists like us hanging around for souvenirs and local delicacies like momos and thupka...my favourite pastime hanging around in the market from one shop to another,bargaining.Happy to see the Sale tags(50% Discounts).Infact some shopkeepers really gets irritated with the way we females bargain things.
confused what to buy and sometimes land up with a sulking face. .The people out here are very simple and soft hearted.For our sight seeing we hired a vehicle and next day we visited the HEMIS MONASTERY which is a world heritage sight of India.It is one of the wealthiest and biggest Gompa of Ladakh which has few gold statues and stupas,decorated with precious stones and has superb collection of Tankhas.The route to Hemis Monastery was simply beautiful as you are surrounded by hills and mountains and far away one could view the lovely sight of snow clad mountains and the nearby hills were rocky and sandy which felt like a high altitude desert. The drive was even more memorable as we were driving all along the Indus river....Always wonder how the life would be in the mountains,for me I would barely survive.
confused what to buy and sometimes land up with a sulking face. .The people out here are very simple and soft hearted.For our sight seeing we hired a vehicle and next day we visited the HEMIS MONASTERY which is a world heritage sight of India.It is one of the wealthiest and biggest Gompa of Ladakh which has few gold statues and stupas,decorated with precious stones and has superb collection of Tankhas.The route to Hemis Monastery was simply beautiful as you are surrounded by hills and mountains and far away one could view the lovely sight of snow clad mountains and the nearby hills were rocky and sandy which felt like a high altitude desert. The drive was even more memorable as we were driving all along the Indus river....Always wonder how the life would be in the mountains,for me I would barely survive.
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| HEMIS MONASTERY Another finest example of Ladakhi architecture is the THIKSEY MONASTERY where the majestic two storey statue of Maitreye Buddha is there.Entering the premises I could hear the Buddhist chanting,young and old monks all were chanting together with peace and harmony .I myself too felt as a part of it.It was a great spiritual experience.No doubt Ladakh is also known as the Land of Lamas. |
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| THIKSEY MONASTERY |
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| STATUE OF BUDDHA AT THIKSEY MONASTERY Ladakh is a place for adventure sports where tourists from all over the world come for rafting,trekking and mountaineering.I too experienced the thrilling adventure of white water rafting at Zanskar river,it was really a fantastic experience for me as we rafted all the way through tough gorges and torrential waves.we almost covered 20 km.Felt like a teenager within my heart,screaming and shouting amongst the waves.Our team leader was a good looking guy who was witty and jolly enough to keep our mind diverted.The fear factor of being washed away...After being done...I was numb..my shoulders were stiff,I can feel a pang of pain in my body.. 
Rafting at Zanskar river
Interesting and unbelievable phenomenon is the MAGNETIC HILLS,located 30 km from leh on the leh-kargil-batalik highway .the hills suppose to have magnetic phenomenon.It sounds weird isnt it..but yes its weird and unnatural ...!!!Our vehicle moved uphill defying the law of gravity on its own when we switched off the engine.Seeing is believing so try out when you visit leh...!!!
ladakh trip won't be completed without visiting the Pangongtso lake and experiencing the zig-zag never ending road towards Changla pass which is at a height of 17458 feet.
 
Changla Pass
Our drive through the CHANGLA PASS was breathtaking,Changla pass is covered with snow throughout the year and is the third highest motor able road in the world.The pass is guarded by the Indian Army due to the proximity to Chinese border.wow....I am on the top of the world now..!!! The temperature is almost Zero degree,extremely freezing cold with chilly winds,due to high altitude and lack of oxygen you really can't stay more than 10-20 mins.A thrilling experience for me...A girl like me from plains of mighty Brahmaputra is now at the top of the world at leh....freezed....!!!
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| CHANGLA PASS After changla pass we viewd the most awaited location THE PANGONG TSO LAKE. pangong Tso means"Enchanted lake".One of the most beautiful lake located in Ladakh at the hight of above 14270 feet above the sea level and known for the shooting of popular movie- 3 idiots.Stepping down I felt myself in a paradise.This beautiful lake with hues varying from emerald to turquoise in colours is simple breathtaking and mesmerising.A perfect place for painters and photographers.The lake is 134km long and extends all the way to china(more than 50% of the lake is within Chinese territory).The breeze,the lake,the mountains the beauty of the nature is breathtaking...!!! |
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Pangong Tso Lake  |
Soon after a good stay at Leh for a week,our holidays were almost over and we moved down to Srinagar by road.On the way we crossed MOONLAND AT LAMAYURU.Only place on earth with a surface like Moon.A beautiful and magnificent creation of nature. Moonland is apparently a meteorite impact crater.One can feel the essence of being in Moon because of the structure and formation of rocks.Feeling myself like a astronaut ..why need to be there on the moon...when the paradise is itself at Ladakh...???
Moonland,Lamayuru
we stayed over night at KARGIL because the traffic was not allowed during night at Zojila pass and will be open at the dawn hours so we got up at 2 pm and moved towards Zjila pass.One can see thousand of vehicles lined up.Around 3 am we got the clearance to move.
Zojila pass is known to be one of the riskiest and dangerous passes of the ladakh region.one can see the steep gorges down and a single narrow road for the traffic to move.No over taking and besides enjoy the beauty and drive carrying beautitul memories of ladakh.
