The Road Journey

From Sonamarg in Kashmir, the road climbs towards Zojila, some 25 km away at a height of 11,500 feet. Zojila is historically of great interest since tanks for a major battle were used here at such a height for the first time, in 1948. The pass at Zojila marks dramatically the boundary line between Kashmir and Lardakh. Dense green forest clad slopes give way tobare.multi-coloured mountains of stark beauty. Even the air is colder, dryer and purer through percetibly lower in oxygen content. The intensity of light doubles while the sky becomes an incredible blue.

From Zojila the road descends to the flowering meadow of Minamarg a botanist's paradise, abounding in a wealth of exotic alpine flora. Matyan, on the other end of the meadow, leads to Dras, where temperatures drop to below minus 50°C. Enormous snowfalls and severe winds during winters completely immobilise its inhabitants. Ethnically a Dard settlement, the populace practices Islam.

Along the Dras river, passing Kaksar, one moves towards Kargil, the journey showing remarkable evidence of indigenous engineering - water channels cut deep into the granite slopes, rising terraces of carefully nurtured soil preciously preserved between vertical walls of rocks and boulders, several plantations and green fields at Channi Gund and Kirkit Chu with groves of poplar, willow, apple and apricot orchards, barley and buckwheat fields, all lending an air of serenity to the area.

Situated on the bank of river Suru at a height of 9,000 feet, midway between Srinagar and Leh, Kargil provides an overnight stop. The second largest town, it is an important junction of the historic routes leading to Kashmir, Baltistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Sinkiang, Tibet and via Zanskar to Jammu and Himachal. It was and continues to be an important trade and tourism centre. All treks to Zanskar, Himachal, Jammu and the Indus valley, as well as mountaineering expeditions to Nun and Kun (twin peaks at a height of over 7,000 metres) begin from Kargil.

Climatically, Kargil enjoys a distinct advantage over the rest of Ladakh. Food, fruits, fuel and timber are more easily available with two crops being harvested every year.

Kargil retains the characteristics of a medieval town with narrow alleys cobbled streets and curios right out of the Arabian Nights. A predominantly Balti Shia Muslim settlement, the two mosques here are superb examples of Turkish architecture.

Zanskar - Passing up the Suru valley through Pensi La (which is open for 3-4 months: July-October), one arrives in Zanskar. Twice a week bus services link Kargil with Padam in Zanskar. For the price of a bus ticket one can also take a ride on cargo trucks on other days. Over Pensi La is the 5,000 sq km vast expanse of concentrated mountains and long valleys of Zanskar, an ancient kingdom with a better preserved cultural entity. Primarily Buddhist, Padam is a sub-district headquarters with several accessible monasteries and 8th century rock edicts with significant carvings and inscriptions. Other places of interest in Zanskar are Karsha with its large and wealthy monastery and Zangla. Treks commence from here for Lamayuru and Hemis. Nothing can beat the excitement of a walk down the rope suspension bridge at Zangla, while Phugtal and Zongkhul are two famous cave monasteries in Zanskar. To savour a typical experience of western Ladakh, a trip to Sanku, Panikhar and Parkachik is a must.

Leaving Kargil, crossing the Suru river, one climhs a high, flat plateau to descend to Pashkyum, a verdant meadow and wealthy village in the Wakha Rong valley. From here the next important habitation is the fertile valley at Mulbekh with its high monastery perched on a rock. From Wakha a 13,000 feet climb to Namik La (pillar in the sky) begins. A beautiful chocolate brown landscape of rounded hills and snow sculpted rocks gives way to the Budhkharbu valley leading to Photu La, another 13,000 feet high pass. A tantalising glimpse of the mysterious monastery of Lamayuru, set amidst the grandest mountain scape of a drained lake invites the traveller to examine it closely. Resuming the journey, the traveller descends to the Indus valley at Khalsi over a series of long loops. Here one can see the fantastic panorama of the Ladakh range: grey to chocolate, yellow to russet, and brown to green, all a vivid contrast of highs and lows.

Downstream from Khalsi is the road to Batalik through the Drogpa area of Hanuthang, Garkhun Da, Da Hanu and Darchick. Upriver from Khalsi, the road travels along the river Indus right up to Leh. Saspol, with its caves, and the Alchi monastery, lead the way to the Likir monastery, finally descending to the fortress of Basgo, the Chargyal Thang plain with its enormously large chortens, mane walls and the village of Nimu.

From Nimu, the road again climbs to yet another bare plateau, where you get the first glimpse of Leh, 30 km away. 15 km short of Leh is Phyang and then comes the Spituk monastery from where the Tsemo Namgyal peak, the fort, palace and gompa can be seen clearly, presiding over Leh, guarding the route to Khardungla and dominating the Indus valley. You arrive at last, at the most exciting destination, to view a millenia old civilization, the culmination of the mingling of the culture, religion and commerce of high Asia.

Leh - amidst starkly beautiful and majestic mountains, gradually merging into an oasis of green fields, Leh is situated, on the banks of the Indus, at a height of 11,000 feet. For seven months a year, Leh airport is Ladakh's only link with the outside world.

Transport, tour operators, boarding and lodging facilities are available to suit every pocket and there is sufficient novelty, antiquity, hospitality and bargains to satisfy the quest of all types of visitors.

With a population of 10,000 people, mainly Buddhist, some Argoos (Muslim descendants of Yarkandi traders) and a small Christian community, Leh bears the distinct stamp of its history as the administrative, commercial and cultural capital of Ladakh. A memorable sight of the Leh bazar is the group of women, traditionally attired, selling fruits, vegetables and household articles spinning and knitting, and exchanging gentle banter between themselves and with passersby.

The mosque, city palace, the bazar and the gompas are all within walking distance. Shey, Spituk and Phyang are quite close while Stok, Mashro, Thikse, Stakna, Chenlrey, Hemis, Likir, Basgo and Alchi are all a day's touring distance with regular bus and taxi services plying daily. Rumbak and Markha offer exciting treks, while Stok Kangri is the best for a climb. Boating and river running too is possible on the Indus.