Passes of Ladakh
Breathlessness and Ladakh go hand in hand. If the views do not stun you with their stark harsh beauty, the heights will definitely make you go breathless. It is little wonder then that Ladakh is called the land of the mountain passes . Through out our many journeys around this mountain kingdom, we pass through several passes, however three of them stay in my mind .
Khardungla is apparently one of the the highest motorable mountain road at 18,380 feet in India . This is the gateway to the Nubra and the Shyok valleys and although the pass is hardly 39 kms from Leh, it would take you at least a couple of hours to reach to the top.
It was bright with blue skies when we reached there and filled with people, who presumed its a picnic spot, despite warnings not to stay outside for than 20 mins
Changla is the next, which I crossed on the 5th day of my stay in Ladakh. This pass , named after a saint is at 17590 and is enroute to Pangong Tso. We had our breakfast somewhere on the mountain roads, just before we climbed uphill towards the pass. You would meet a few nomadic tribes here, who are known as Changpa .The weather was already cloudy and foggy with chill breeze giving us a shiver now and then. We quickly used the rest rooms, which were tented pits and rushed to have breakfast as we climbed downhill.
Tanglang la , which is on the Manali – Leh route is almost as high as Changla and we crossed this pass on the last day of our trip when we were returning to Leh from Tso Moriri via Tso Kar. After ten days of sunshine and rain, it decided to snow, just as we were entering the pass and within minutes of us crossing the pass, we encountered a snow storm and a road block. A combination of prayers and some dare devilry by our driver Dorjee, brought us safely home to Leh. You can read about our misadventure here
Here are some of the skies from at high altitudes..To see more wonderful skies, visit Skywatch
Nice! It must have been fun during the snowstorm and foggy conditions. Good to know that you made it to Leh safely.
Amazing place and incredible pictures!
Lakshmi: You did a beautiful job of capturing the sky over the high mountains. It is a marvelous pass so high up in the sky.
Breathtaking shots. One day I would love to visit this place.
Truly breathtaking indeed, Lakshmi! Absolutely amazing! And what incredible captures! Glad you had a safe trip! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia
Breathtaking photos.
Joyce M
The pics made me want for another trip up north this year. 🙂
Great photos – I hope to see this for myself someday, before I’m too ancient to climb the passes 🙂
Mast –Mast ! La–Javaab !
The view of the first picture is just stunning !
Wow….that has increased my knowledge of the place up north there. (One day I intend to visit this place)
Breathtaking post! But I could never dream like being there unable to breath. I’m so glad to view your ladakh pictures in detail. These are great passes to cross!
such breathtaking photos! i’m just glad that you shared them with us 🙂
The first few pictures are amazing!!
that’s really a fantastic post ! added to my favourite blogs list.. I have been reading your blog last couple of weeks and enjoy every bit. Thanks.
Breathtaking!!!
Wow!!!
Now I would love to take that cab service… ;))
Spellbinding landscapes! Its a place I want to visit with my son.
love the first photo….
JO
Wow Lakshmi,
A lovely blog you have out there. Keep at it. It’s great.
Best,
Shail
ALl pictures are superb.
Great to know that at the height of 18,380 feet you can have a motorable mountain road like that. It is also must a see place. There will be a time that I will visit Khardungla.
lovely place and amazing snaps
i liked snaps much
There is Awesome passes in Leh Ladakh. I would love to join ladakh bike trip.