Ladakh Diaries 2 - Manali to Leh, Day two

We continue our adventure in the hills of Ladakh. If day one of our journey was memorable, day two turns out to be charming. 

Sarchu @ 14,000 feet is a high altitude destination in itself. The altitude, strange yet beautiful surroundings and mild AMS kept us awake the whole night at Sarchu. Even the sun did not miss out on the beauty of this wonderful place and was up and running at about 4.30 AM!

 We were ready for the second day’s experience by 6 AM.


Mesmerising morning colours as we leave Sarchu

As we leave Sarchu, Tsarap Chu river gives us company. We drive along side the river. We cross the river which has created canyon like structures all along its course.


The road and landscape turn barren and desert like with snow capped peaks at distance




You see the canyon like structures which are nothing but wind weathered sand dunes




Pang is the last habitat of Army establishment you see till you reach on the outskirts of Leh

The road begins to climb again. We leave Pang and cross Nakee la and Lachlung la Passes and notice the terrain changing into desert like as we enter the vast plains surrounded by mountains. We find ourselves in a “wild west” kind of a landscape where we see rocky outcrops, natural arches and tall mountains.


Barren landscape looks beautiful with snow capped peaks in the horizon

Brinda @ Nakee La

Crossing Tsarap Chu waterway as a convoy


From Pang it is all along climb till Nakee La


The landscape is so barren it resembles wild west of USA


Natural Sand arch - Nature at its best 


Close up shot of Sand Arch


Streams flowing between huge rocky terrain


This stretch is just beautiful - look at the sculpted sand walls


Sculptured sand walls


Moreh plains.......extending for miles



We leave Moreh plains behind and head for our final climb is towards Tanglang la, which is over 17,000 ft. This is a continuous, relentless climb. This is the second highest motorable pass in the world. You can feel the rarefied atmosphere here where the oxygen content is less in atmosphere which makes you tired very fast. 


The ascent begins


Breathtaking landscape as the ascent to Tanglang La begins






Brinda @ Tanglang La - Second highest motorable pass in the world

As soon as we start our descent towards Leh, we find “Indus” river flowing all along till Leh. The mountains suddenly become more colourful and we find shades of red, amber, violet and brown. It is like driving through a multi coloured tunnel.The Indus brings with it more life and green and we find mustard fields and other crops in the valley.


From Tanglang La it is descent to Leh. You are given company by fast flowing Indus river and the mountains turn colourful.




Mustard fields in Indus valley 

We now get a glimpse of “gompas” on hilltops and the mountain air seems to carry with it soothing “Buddhist chants”. The road towards Leh becomes more desert like and we notice “white chortens (stupas)” at various places on the road. The army camps make an appearance and the road is now “alive” with long convoys of army vehicles which are moving towards Leh and Kargil. After Upshi, Karu, Thiksey and we enter Leh.


Welcome to Leh

As we sip tea in a cafe in Leh, we could not help but recall the beautiful moments on the road- the memory of this drive will linger along for years after the road has gone - It’s an experience of a lifetime!

Post Script

Manali - Leh road journey is one of the beautiful one can think of. Travel to Ladakh can not be complete if you do not experience this journey. You cross four passes of different heights, you go through snow, streams and precariously narrow stretches at places. The landscape changes every few KMs. It is a photographer's paradise indeed. We did the trip in two days and i highly recommend it be done in three days (details in my previous post on this road trip).

Please look at travel tips given on my previous post Ladakh Diaries 1 - Manali to Leh, Day one and be well prepared. Always keep a buffer day when you plan for this trips as there may be chances of landslides or snow blocking the passes.

Glosaary

Gompas - Buddhist monasteries
Chorten - Stupa

This is the Second post in "Ladakh Diaries" series of nine posts in this blog. If you want to explore earlier/later posts - click on the link in this series, please click this link below. Clicking "older posts" at the end of the page will take you to previous posts in the series.

Ladakh Diaries - Our experiences in Ladakh

Did you like this post? Please share the link by clicking on buttons on sidebar. Do you need help in planning a trip to Ladakh and Manali? Please write to poorna62@gmail.com.

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A Travel Blog from India: Ladakh Diaries 2 - Manali to Leh, Day two

Saturday 28 July 2012

Ladakh Diaries 2 - Manali to Leh, Day two

We continue our adventure in the hills of Ladakh. If day one of our journey was memorable, day two turns out to be charming. 

Sarchu @ 14,000 feet is a high altitude destination in itself. The altitude, strange yet beautiful surroundings and mild AMS kept us awake the whole night at Sarchu. Even the sun did not miss out on the beauty of this wonderful place and was up and running at about 4.30 AM!

 We were ready for the second day’s experience by 6 AM.


Mesmerising morning colours as we leave Sarchu

As we leave Sarchu, Tsarap Chu river gives us company. We drive along side the river. We cross the river which has created canyon like structures all along its course.


The road and landscape turn barren and desert like with snow capped peaks at distance




You see the canyon like structures which are nothing but wind weathered sand dunes




Pang is the last habitat of Army establishment you see till you reach on the outskirts of Leh

The road begins to climb again. We leave Pang and cross Nakee la and Lachlung la Passes and notice the terrain changing into desert like as we enter the vast plains surrounded by mountains. We find ourselves in a “wild west” kind of a landscape where we see rocky outcrops, natural arches and tall mountains.


Barren landscape looks beautiful with snow capped peaks in the horizon

Brinda @ Nakee La

Crossing Tsarap Chu waterway as a convoy


From Pang it is all along climb till Nakee La


The landscape is so barren it resembles wild west of USA


Natural Sand arch - Nature at its best 


Close up shot of Sand Arch


Streams flowing between huge rocky terrain


This stretch is just beautiful - look at the sculpted sand walls


Sculptured sand walls


Moreh plains.......extending for miles



We leave Moreh plains behind and head for our final climb is towards Tanglang la, which is over 17,000 ft. This is a continuous, relentless climb. This is the second highest motorable pass in the world. You can feel the rarefied atmosphere here where the oxygen content is less in atmosphere which makes you tired very fast. 


The ascent begins


Breathtaking landscape as the ascent to Tanglang La begins






Brinda @ Tanglang La - Second highest motorable pass in the world

As soon as we start our descent towards Leh, we find “Indus” river flowing all along till Leh. The mountains suddenly become more colourful and we find shades of red, amber, violet and brown. It is like driving through a multi coloured tunnel.The Indus brings with it more life and green and we find mustard fields and other crops in the valley.


From Tanglang La it is descent to Leh. You are given company by fast flowing Indus river and the mountains turn colourful.




Mustard fields in Indus valley 

We now get a glimpse of “gompas” on hilltops and the mountain air seems to carry with it soothing “Buddhist chants”. The road towards Leh becomes more desert like and we notice “white chortens (stupas)” at various places on the road. The army camps make an appearance and the road is now “alive” with long convoys of army vehicles which are moving towards Leh and Kargil. After Upshi, Karu, Thiksey and we enter Leh.


Welcome to Leh

As we sip tea in a cafe in Leh, we could not help but recall the beautiful moments on the road- the memory of this drive will linger along for years after the road has gone - It’s an experience of a lifetime!

Post Script

Manali - Leh road journey is one of the beautiful one can think of. Travel to Ladakh can not be complete if you do not experience this journey. You cross four passes of different heights, you go through snow, streams and precariously narrow stretches at places. The landscape changes every few KMs. It is a photographer's paradise indeed. We did the trip in two days and i highly recommend it be done in three days (details in my previous post on this road trip).

Please look at travel tips given on my previous post Ladakh Diaries 1 - Manali to Leh, Day one and be well prepared. Always keep a buffer day when you plan for this trips as there may be chances of landslides or snow blocking the passes.

Glosaary

Gompas - Buddhist monasteries
Chorten - Stupa

This is the Second post in "Ladakh Diaries" series of nine posts in this blog. If you want to explore earlier/later posts - click on the link in this series, please click this link below. Clicking "older posts" at the end of the page will take you to previous posts in the series.

Ladakh Diaries - Our experiences in Ladakh

Did you like this post? Please share the link by clicking on buttons on sidebar. Do you need help in planning a trip to Ladakh and Manali? Please write to poorna62@gmail.com.

Happy to help Smile 

Share the post

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12 Comments:

At 7/31/2012 , Blogger Unknown said...

The Pictures are so beautiful.Is there any facility of Spa there? Wonderworldresort is best place to visit in Dharamshala Where Fun and Food Never Ends. We provide Spa Dharamshala, swimming pool Dharamshala and much more.

 
At 8/04/2012 , Blogger snehak said...

This is just the kind of information that i had been looking for, i'm already your rss reader now and i would regularly watch out for the new posts, once again hats off to you! Thanks a ton once again, Regards, Via.com offers Cheap hotel booking, and Hotels in india Tickets, For more information’s on online hotel booking Please check on via . com

 
At 8/07/2012 , Blogger Brinda said...

Hi Adam,

Thanks for your feedback. I am not sure f there are any spas in any hotels there. No major chains have started their operations and i am sure they will be there soon.

 
At 8/07/2012 , Blogger Brinda said...

Thanks Snehak for your feedback. Glad that it has been helpful to you.

 
At 8/14/2012 , Blogger Tours and Travels said...

Thanks for the post nice picture and post keep it up.


Hotels In Manali

 
At 8/23/2012 , Blogger Unknown said...

The Ladakh tour packages is only for those who want an interesting and charming holiday to the most wonderful and mesmerizing place of the World.
India Tours

 
At 6/07/2013 , Blogger Unknown said...

the pictures made my day...thanks

 
At 9/05/2013 , Blogger Unknown said...

Hey, nice site you have here! Keep up the excellent work!





Andaman Tour Package from Chennai

 
At 3/18/2014 , Blogger Unknown said...

I would like to know the approx cost of car rental from Manali to Leh!

Your feedback would be a great help!

 
At 3/18/2014 , Blogger Unknown said...

Your post have enriched my knowledge! I would be extremely grateful if you could mention approx cost of car rental from Manali to Leh and Leh and its surroundings.

 
At 3/31/2014 , Blogger Brinda said...

Thanks Abhijit. The transport cost in Ladakh is very expensive. Weh we went in 2010 we paid 15K for transport between Manali to Leh.

 
At 6/02/2014 , Blogger Unknown said...

Hi,

The information given above is very usefull. Thanks a ton

I am planning a tripo with my friends for week 1 of September. can you tell us if this is reight for us to plan the trip.
Also can you share what are the stay arrangments at Sarchu?

Thanks

 

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