Junaid's 6 days trip to Ladakh
19 days agoIt was 26th of May: air was hotter than usual days in Delhi and I was ready to depart from T2 (GoAir) for my destination i.e. Leh.
Early in morning I alighted at Kaushik Bakula rimpochee airport and mobile was a device to check time only because I had Vodafone postpaid. As I came out from arrival lobby, a young chap of 26 year was waiting outside with placard of my name and I felt there more cold there than peak cold of new Delhi during winter. Young chap i.e. Ashgar was familiar with local road and address of hotel but he was not candid. So I started conversation with him and he told me that my hotel Arya is 15 minutes away from airport and within 15 minutes I was at my hotel. This hotel Arya is situated at Karzoo road and little inside from road but close to main leh market area. Hotel staff was humble and their food is homely. I checked in hotel and start to feel suffocating due to lack of oxygen, consequently my migraine catalysed then I took my first pills and a healthy sleep to acclimatized with local weather conditions. In late evening I visited local Leh Market which was 15-20 minutes away from hotel then came back for dinner.
Next morning after breakfast journey begins to explore leh Ladakh, MAGNETIC HILL, GURDWARA SHRI PATTHAR SAHIB,CONFLUENCE OF THE ZANSKAR & INDUS,ALCHI GOMPA and Hall of Fame were eye-catching spots of day but Hall of Fame was a place where we can see the memories of our brave soldiers. Next day i.e. 29th May was the day of long-lasting memories of Khardungla where you feel proud on BRO because it's difficult to construct a motorable pass in such a variable terrain and weather conditions. Hats off to BRO members for construction and maintenance of high altitude road. Frozen mountains and snow fall were mesmerizing events of the Khardungla Pass. At Khardungla Pass, I vomited like common human being because there was lack of oxygen and I was facing breathing problem though the untouched natural beauty were capable enough to heal anyone. Road from downfall of Khardungla Pass to Hunder Village was parallel to Indus (?) river and anyone can fall in love with Turquoise blue river, white snow peak, cold breeze and meandering roads.
Same day in the evening I visited DESKIT GOMPA situated in DESKIT Village where colourful Stupa of Buddha look like rainbow in rainy days. My next excursion was camel riding at Hundar and camel riding on whitish sand dunes was a pleasant memory of the evening then after I checked in Ladakh Summer Camp at Nubra valley. Ladakh Summer Camp was very clean, green and staff were also decent but food quality may be improved. After awaking early in morning and taking breakfast at Camp, I left the camp for my next destination i.e. Pangong lake but the natural views in between Nubra valley and Pangong lake were leaving deep imprints. Twist and turn of roads, colourful river at road side,shadow of clouds and white sand dunes were much more beautiful than my above narrations. After leaving behind the white sand dunes you will get a chance to see the first look of Pangong lake and you can't control yourself without praising the lake beauty. There I stayed at Ladakh Summer Camp but this camp was better than previous one due to its location near to lake where you feel cold air. Crystal clear Turquoise Blue Water of Pangong lake, earthy brown mountains, white clouds, clear blue sky, snowy mountain peaks, rapids of cold air, local ladakhi music and tranquility of nature were perfect ingredients for Leh Ladakh trip.
Next morning I left Pangong for Leh and checked in hotel Arya in afternoon.
Tips:
1) Carry one woolen coat in cabin bags.
2) Carry medicine for headache, vomiting, fever etc
3) Carry some camphor to avoid cold, headache
4) Take full rest on first day of arrival otherwise your upcoming days will be spoiled
5) Don't eat too because destinations are far from each other which involves lot of traveling.
6) Carry a sunglass compulsory
7) Don't carry babies or children below 10yrs
8) carry one or two light shade cloth or summer clothes for Nubra valley
9) Don't eat at Magnetic hill restaurant and at Hundar village restaurant because they serve third quality food.
10) Don't spend too much time at single place so that you might cover and see all destinations enthusiastically
11) Carry postpaid Airtel or BSNL sim cards only otherwise your mobile will be larger size clock and smaller size camera
12) Carry medicine for altitude sickness but don't take unless emergency situation
13) Don't exhaust yourself physically because lack of oxygen may screw you more.
Thanks to Travel Triangle and Amazing India for providing assistance to me and other travelers.
Junaid Ahmad