Frozen lakes, snow mountains that you can touch from you car window while crossing world's highest motorable roads, chill that freezes you and the water in the washroom, rivers that follow you for hours and humans that you see for a hundred kilometers. That's Ladakh for you
Frozen lakes, snow mountains that you can touch from you car window while crossing world's highest motorable roads, chill that freezes you and the water in the washroom, rivers that follow you for hours and humans that you see for a hundred kilometers. That's Ladakh for youu00a0
Whatever limited number of stories that I have written, I have tried to do justice to them but this time when I'm writing about Ladakh, I have a feeling that I would fail miserably because even the most potent experiential clichu00e9s like splendid, picturesque, beautiful and amazing can't define what it feels like when you're travelling to Ladakh. My friend Amit (now my office colleague) and I had been planning this trip since the time when we shared the back benches at our Pune college but something or the other always went against our plans. Finally, this year on June 3, we pushed off for our dream holiday along with a couple of like-minded people, and we couldn't be happier.
Delhi to Manali
Ladakh is known to be a paradise for driving fanatics because the trip feeds you with adventure, uncertainly and splendour that's found nowhere else. That's why it's in your interest to take a road trip rather than a flight to reach Leh, the capital of Ladakh. But don't just hire or pick any car, opt for a SUV or high capacity vehicle like a Toyota Innova, Ford Endeavour, Maruti Gypsy, Mahindra Classic or a Chevrolet Tavera so that the bumps on road don't force you to return midway. We started fom Delhi at two in the morning for Manali, which is over 450 kms from the capital. As per our plan we reached Manali the next evening by around eight and within an hour we retired to our beds because next day we had to start early, very early.
Manali to Sarchu
From Manali it's a 24-hour drive to Leh, which should be covered in two parts Manali to Sarchu (250 kms) and Sarchu to Leh (250 kms).u00a0 The real fun of the journey begins once you move towards the outskirts of Manali to reach Rohtang Pass. The roads become uneven, valleys become pleasantly scary and you get the first sight of snow capped mountains. Thought the pass remains crowded most of the time, if you want some moments of peace, drive a few kilometers on the same road where you can go up the ice covered hills. It's just ice and sheep that you see from here. If you spot some shepherds, talk to them. They have some real interesting stories to share about their lives. On your way, don't miss the long stretches of river that follow you most of the time, restaurants that allow you to sit in the middle of the watercourse, small monasteries, stone arts that're literally thrown everywhere near the small villages. As you go up everything starts becoming costly. You pay Rs 40 for a plate of noodles that costs just Rs 15 here. A one-liter bottle of mineral water costs Rs 25.
You'll have to pay over 250 to buy a dozen of banana. So be ready with that kind of money. It shouldn't take more than six hours to reach Kailong, which is 108 kms from Manali. You can take your lunch here, and if tired probably you can even stay overnight so that you acclimatise to the high-altitude atmosphere. Don't test your immunity here; even the strongest would surely have a constant headache, which will take a day to subside. Another eight-hour drive will take you to Sarchu, where you'll have to stay in tents, the only options available.
This over night stay will cost you around Rs 6,000 for one three-seater tent excluding food.
Sarchu to Leh
Don't consume liqueur, because it will add to the headache and next day you'll have to start early again so that you cross the roads, which submerge in water at noon after the damn gates are opened. When we reached Leh, after a 12-hour-long journey, we were so disappointed because there is nothing beyond few monasteries to see in the capital. Yes, there are lakes and some spots that you can see there but you'll have to travel a bit for it. We could have spent some more time on our way. Since many of us had fallen sick, so we regretted our decision to not stay overnight at Kailong. " It's not about the destination, it's the journey that matters," we should have probably understood it earlier.
MUST VISIT
>>Zanskar
>>Padumu00a0
>>Stongdeyu00a0
>>Zangla
>>Pangong Lake
>>Shanti Stupa
>>Kharlanga Pass
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SUGGESTED TREKS
>>The Passes of Spitiu00a0
>>Spiti to Ladakhu00a0
>>The Rupshu
>>Salt Lakes: Changtangu00a0
>>The Nubra Valleyu00a0
TRAVEL TIPS
>>Carry heavy cash, there's just one ATM in Leh
>>Carry identity proofs, which you'll have to produce at many places.
>>Carry a mobile with postpaid connection.
>>Take rest on first day, when you reach Leh
Stay at
Reeyork House, Opposite Women's Alliance Office, Chubi, Leh
Ring: 09419658881
For details visit
https://www.ladakh-tourism.com/
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