Leh is beautiful. It is dominated by strange dry and barren, yet mind-blowingly beautiful, mountains, which, in their signature style, vary with each other in textures and shades. It is a place where nature has expressed herself in myriad moods.
Most Memorable Moments:
Driving on the world's highest drivable road provides the closest feeling of attaining Nirvana on the shores of serene Pangong Lake. I enjoyed the simplicity of mystical monastery and finally navigating through one of the most difficult terrains on one of season's worst day.
Best Campgrounds or RV Parks:
The Tsokar lake, Pang region, and Sarchu area offer great camping with descent facilities.
Best Sights and Activities:
I enjoyed navigating through the world’s highest roads - Khardung la (World's Highest: 18,380 feet), Taglang la (World's Second Highest: 17,800 feet), and Chang La (World's Third Highest: 17,580 feet). There is Leh's barren, yet strangely enigmatic, mountains and Pangong lake's too-good-to-be-true, breathtaking views. There are also mystic monasteries, friendly llamas, and their unbelievable, yet true, religious customs and related stories.
Best Dining and Entertainment:
A rooftop restaurant situated in the market place of Leh.
Most Scenic Route(s):
Leh and its neighboring areas are full of scenic routes. You go towards Lamayuru Monastery and will be spellbound by the different textures each mountain has of its own. Visit Khardung La and experience how it feels to be on the world's highest drivable road or how much nerve it takes to cross one of the world's most treacherous routes while passing Chang La. However, nothing could be as serene as sitting on the shores of the Pangong lake, watching its crystal-clear blue water glimmering with the reflection of snow-clad mountains.
Favorite Cities and Towns Along the Way:
Srinagar, Kargil, Leh, Keylong, and Manali.
Helpful Resources, Directories, Maps, and Guides for This Trip:
Although websites act as the most important depository of information available on Leh and the Ladakh region, contacting SECMOL (Student's Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh) for specific queries isn't be a bad idea at all. SECMOL serves the noble clause of funding education in Leh and Ladakh by offering tour programs to all in the most cost-efficient, friendly, and genuine manner (email: info@secmol.org/website: www.secmol.org). If you plan to drive from Delhi to Leh, “Lonely Planet Roadmap: India and Bangladesh” is a bible.
Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Do not exert yourself. Avoid booze and keep Leh clean. After all, you are fortunate enough to be at God's own resort.
3 comments:
The whole journey is expressed & described so beautifully that a person can think himself travelling on all the places along with .
Ur leh by road part 1 and 2 were amazing. the best material i have come across on the net.
But i was disappointed to find there was no part 3 to talk about kargil to leh...
i was planning to go the reverse way.. leh to srinagar..and fly back from there. I was wondering.. didnt u feel a little nervous. i mean, all of us have heard of kargil for all the wrong reasons..and actually staying there must be a little wierd.
Wow.. you did what I have been planning to do in months.... damn cool... thank you for the all information as well.. i will be referring to your blog when i decide to embark upon this journey...
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