The Ladhak Odyssey

Part 1
Srinagar to Drass


Despite ongoing agitation in Srinagar we decided to reach Ladhak via Srinagar, our aim was to travel the famous National Highway 1 D and visit the famous townships of Kargil and Drass enroute.

In addition to that it was my long held desire to visit Kashmir and some agitation was not going to scare me from visiting a part of my own country.

Thankfully my other trip mates agreed with my sentiments.

So finally the D Day arrived and I caught the Goair flight to Delhi , landing at close to midnight pleasantly surprised to find my other trip mate Ashok waiting for me at the airport , his flight from Hyderabad has got delayed so instead of reaching hours before his flight reached Delhi around about the same time as mine.

We took a cab to Mahipalpur and took an accommodation for night there, our much anticipated flight to Srinagar was scheduled 6am next morning .

As a school going kid I had stayed in Mahipalpur years back when it was a quite village, now years later I was amazed at the change that has happened here , sadly for someone looking at nostalgia nothing around was familiar

Srinagar Airport

Beautiful house at the edge of the lake - taken from inside the lake

Lake traffic - nearing the main commercial region of the lake

Inside the gullies of the lake

That's Nishant bagh - didn't like the gardens much

Shikara ride what else

Due to recession keeping the job options open

The famous Hazratbal in its usual peaceful state

Living room of the houseboat

Trip mates - Ashok and Santhosh

On the way to Gulmarg

Its a beautiful place

Ah! the famous Gondola

nearing the top

Caught in a snow storm at the top (off course...

With Gulmarg behind me

Sonmarg Jumping base to Batalik Sector

Beautiful sonmarg or should I say sonamarg - 1000 times better than Gulmarg

some people are addicted to photography - I was still cosing up inside my sleeping bag - with temp in single digits thats the best thing to do or is it ?

On the way to the gateway into Batalik sec tor - Zoji La (pass) If i remmber correctly that's the Baltal region below famous for Amaranth yatra

First signs that we are nearing the treacherous pass

India gate - The scene of the famous Zoji La operation against pakisthan

Zoji La

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The Ladhak Odyssey 2

Part 2
Kargil to Lamayuru ( Via Panikhar -Zanashkar)

Tiger Hills - The scene of famous Tiger hill battle - Tololing hill is just opposite


Another View of Sonmarg


Enroute to Zoji La


Treacherous road to Zoji La


All in a days work


Zoji La


Zoji La in all its splendor


Photography session in Drass - Capturing Tiger Hill


Drass village - prominent battlefield during Kargil war


Vibrant children on their way to their teacher's wedding





Ashok taking a well deserved rest after a tough climb


Reminds me of Tintin in Tibet


Drass Village - At 3230m ASL is the Second coldest inhabited region in the world


On route to Kargil


Towards Panikhar (Zanskar district ) One of the most isolated regions in world


Nearing Panikhar


Trip Mates - Ashok , Santhosh and Ajay


Tangloe - Base camp of Mt. Nun Kun


At the foothills of Mt. Nun Kun


Majestic Nun Kun - someday I'll be back to climb her ( as long as I get a 3 month leave)


Mountain Stream near Tangloe


Perspective on how really big the stream is


Oasis in desert - one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever seen.


Back on road to Leh


Mulbek - Famous for ancient rock carving of Matriya Buddha ( Future Buddha )


National Highway 1 D


Rock caves - didn't have time to investigate


It was big decision to attempt Leh from Mulbek - with darkness fast approaching and Fotu pass to cross


Caught in hailstorm on top of Fatu La (pass) 13,480 ft ASL


Definitely not a pleasant feeling getting caught in a bad hailstorm at night with only one way to go - Down


Long way to safety

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