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India 2015: Delhi - Ladakh - Delhi
8/8/2015
We arrive in Delhi in the evening. The impact is strong. It's hot, humid, the smell of the city certainly does not hide. We meet for dinner with some friends who have arrived there a few days before to make a trip as backpackers: their first impressions are not exciting and we go to bed a bit doubtful about what will happen the next days. It must be said that a few days before we left we read about several issues in the area: - Incidents of terrorism in Kashmir - Heavy rains in Ladakh, with many roads blocked by landslides - News of "taxi union" being aggressive towards motorbikes rented outside the region Well, not the best conditions 9/8/2015 It rains. A lot. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...2/DSCN1402.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/DSCN1403.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...2/DSCN1406.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a...2/DSCN1407.JPG We walk to Karol Bagh, the motorcycles district, where we booked a 500 Enfield. Soaked with water, we find Tony Bike Centre and make the necessary arrangements to take our bike. In the moment we take the bike, our perception of the holiday changes and with it our mood, until then not really good. "We're on a new motorbike holiday! We will solve all the problems!" https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...2/DSCN1421.JPG 10/8/2015 We start in the late morning, destination Chandigarh. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...2/DSCN1425.JPG Getting out of Delhi is not as dramatic as I thought, perhaps because we started, without knowing it, at a good time. The road is straight and boring, mostly easy. The evening in Chandigarh we have to decide: go towards Kashmir and turn clockwise or do exactly the opposite and go to Manali and then go back the other way? The situation in Kashmir seems still a little tense and go to Manali would allow us to meet some friends, who have departed before us, and who will be at the end of their trip, so they will be able to report us about road and weather conditions. Ok, Manali is the decision. 11/8/2015 We don't have time to get gas that breaks the monsoon https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...2/DSCN1441.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/DSCN1442.JPG When it finally calms down we can depart. Coffee stop at a Dhaba https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/DSCN1450.JPG There is some traffic and the road is slow https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...2/DSCN1451.JPG We sleep in Bilaspur in what we find: a hotel not exactly cozy. 12/8/2015 From Bilaspur to Manali https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...2/DSCN1458.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...2/DSCN1465.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...2/DSCN1472.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...2/DSCN1494.JPG Manali is a very touristic town, completely different from what we encountered so far. Everything here seems easy and manageable for the tourist. After the first days a little difficult, it is what we need. In the evening we meet with our friends and we receive all the needed advice: it seems that the holiday starts to take a turn for the better. 13/8/2015 Rest day in Manali. Some shopping, a visit to a couple of offices to get Rothang La permit, and finally, the sun is shining. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1...2/DSC_0278.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/DSC_0283.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...2/DSC_0288.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...2/DSC_0298.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...2/DSC_0299.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...2/DSC_0301.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2/DSC_0310.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...2/DSC_0317.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/DSC_0339.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2/DSC_0343.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...2/DSC_0344.JPG |
15/8/2015
We have some company for breakfast https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b...2/DSCN1676.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/DSCN1685.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...2/DSCN1688.JPG Then is time to depart again https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z...2/DSCN1712.JPG Some little difficult passage https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2/DSCN1726.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2/DSCN1737.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z...2/DSCN1738.JPG but sometime is very easy https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...2/DSCN1746.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...2/DSCN1750.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z...2/DSCN1774.JPG we pass BarlachaLa and we are almost at 5000 mt https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...2/DSCN1777.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2/DSCN1791.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q...2/DSCN1797.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...2/DSCN1805.JPG some rest at a dhaba to but some dry socks and a coffee https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2/DSCN1808.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/DSCN1809.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...2/DSCN1812.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...2/DSCN1813.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2/DSCN1818.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/DSCN1819.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2/DSCN1828.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...2/DSCN1838.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...2/DSCN1844.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/DSCN1853.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3...2/DSCN1868.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...2/DSCN1884.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...2/DSCN1889.JPG |
then, after the Gata Loops, Nakeela and Lachungla, there is a change of scenery, and then we reach Pang, where we decide to stop for the night.
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16/8/2015
This was our accomodation for the night https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/DSC_0362.JPG and this our room neighbor https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/DSC_0361.JPG we soon realize that the day will be easier than the previous: most of the roads in this section have been paved recently https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...2/DSCN2006.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1...2/DSCN2008.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2/DSCN2014.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...2/DSCN2017.JPG the temperature is low and the sky cloudy, so we are forced to cover ourselves with warmer clothing https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...2/DSCN2018.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/DSCN2030.JPG Tanglangla, at 5300 meters,is the last pass before Leh, and until now the highest we crossed https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...2/DSCN2051.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b...2/DSC_0367.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...2/DSC_0369.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...2/DSC_0375.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4...2/DSC_0377.JPG Climbing down the pass, we realize that we have entered Ladakh, Buddhist area. First monuments appears https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...2/DSCN2091.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...2/DSCN2106.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...2/DSCN2115.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2/DSCN2124.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...2/DSCN2136.JPG After the Upshi junction, the last stretch of road that separates us from Leh is perfectly paved, but not less spectacular https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...2/DSCN2147.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...2/DSCN2161.JPG Leh is a touristic town, and finding accommodation in a guesthouse is easy and fast. We are able to do so in time for a walk before dark. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...2/DSC_0380.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U...2/DSC_0385.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2/DSC_0394.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...2/DSC_0399.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...2/DSC_0406.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...2/DSC_0420.JPG So, summarizing: starting from Manali, we stayed 2 nights out and arrived in Leh without problems and without running the third day. We sure were lucky because we found almost always beautiful weather and never a landslide has blocked our progress. To consider is that, despite perhaps is not noticeable from the photos, like us, many tourists travel the Manali-Leh every year, both Western, both Indians. I have seen some completely unprepared departing from Manali, and then having problems on the road. If you really want to find something bad about this road, which has undoubtedly spectacular landscapes, is that compared to other routes (I think of the Pamir Highway, for example, or many parts of Kyrgyzstan), is a bit too crowded for my taste. However, we just arrived in Leh and there is still a lot to tell ... |
17/8/2015
Day dedicated to visiting Leh and obtaining permission for the adjacent valleys https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...2/DSC_0451.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q...2/DSC_0457.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/DSCN2225.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q...2/DSCN2231.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...2/DSC_0466.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...2/DSC_0493.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...2/DSC_0496.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v...2/DSC_0511.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...2/DSCN2262.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...2/DSCN2288.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2/DSC_0532.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2/DSC_0549.JPG |
18/8/2015
It's time to depart from Leh, destination Khardung La and Nubra Valley https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...2/DSCN2294.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...2/DSCN2297.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...2/DSCN2302.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...2/DSCN2310.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...2/DSCN2317.JPG impresses to see the conditions in which live and work people who maintain these roads https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...2/DSCN2318.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3...2/DSCN2320.JPG as often happens in the indian passes, a traffic jam blocks us for a while. In this case the cause is the passage of a convoy of military trucks https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4...2/DSCN2329.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J...2/DSCN2334.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...2/DSCN2337.JPG when we depart again, we understand that the first goal is near https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...2/DSCN2343.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...2/DSCN2347.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/DSCN2350.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4...2/DSCN2364.JPG Here we are: the Khardung La is ours, at 5600 meters (declared, actually seems to be in 5359), it is hard we will ever go higher in our lives https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/DSC_0563.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...2/DSCN2366.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...2/DSC_0568.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q...2/DSC_0580.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...2/DSC_0581.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p...2/DSCN2371.JPG |
after the usual pictures we start to clim down
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...2/DSCN2372.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...2/DSCN2376.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...2/DSCN2379.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...2/DSCN2383.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/DSCN2384.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...2/DSCN2394.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/DSCN2427.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...2/DSCN2444.JPG down and down and it starts to be warm, and also the sand starts https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...2/DSCN2468.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...2/DSCN2469.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/DSCN2479.JPG sand? yes, sand: in this Himalayan valley there is a small desert of sand dunes. And there are also camels. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...2/DSCN2503.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2/DSCN2504.JPG we find an accommodation in a tented camp in Hunder and we go to visit the dunes The place is obviously popular, with caravans of camels ready for the tourist https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2/DSC_0607.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1...2/DSC_0611.JPG but you can't deny it's beautiful... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...2/DSC_0612.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...2/DSC_0624.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...2/DSC_0639.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...2/DSCN2554.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...2/DSC_0673.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...2/DSC_0675.JPG |
I missed you by a couple of days. We were there doing the same road starting on the 10th August. Beautiful scenery and the people are great.
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19/8/2015
The day before we had confirmation that the Wari La, the pass that allows from the Nubra Valley to go to Lake Pangong Tso is closed due to landslides, so we are forced to go back where we came from. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...2/DSCN2586.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...2/DSCN2589.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...2/DSCN2600.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U...2/DSCN2606.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...2/DSCN2611.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F...2/DSCN2612.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...2/DSCN2645.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...2/DSCN2649.JPG Khardung La again https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...2/DSCN2661.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...2/DSCN2663.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...2/DSCN2664.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...2/DSCN2674.JPG and then back for a night in Leh https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S...2/DSCN2688.JPG |
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20/8/2015
We depart one more time from Leh, this time toward Pangong Tso https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9...2/DSCN2708.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...2/DSCN2722.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3...2/DSCN2725.JPG Today there is to climb the Chang La and then descends into a fantastic valley. I will not write too much, but I'll leave the pictures do the talking https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...2/DSCN2749.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...2/DSCN2755.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/DSCN2762.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...2/DSCN2766.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...2/DSCN2776.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a...2/DSCN2778.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...2/DSCN2790.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...2/DSCN2791.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...2/DSC_0681.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...2/DSC_0686.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K...2/DSCN2821.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...2/DSCN2829.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...2/DSCN2830.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...2/DSCN2848.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...2/DSCN2858.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...2/DSCN2859.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L...2/DSCN2864.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/DSCN2872.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S...2/DSCN2887.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/DSCN2890.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...2/DSCN2917.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q...2/DSCN2921.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...2/DSCN2927.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...2/DSCN2955.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...2/DSCN2962.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...2/DSCN2988.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2/DSCN2989.JPG |
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...2/DSCN2990.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...2/DSCN2991.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2/DSCN3008.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...2/DSCN3011.JPG Until when we get here https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2/DSCN3013.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2/DSC_0716.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F...2/DSC_0705.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...2/DSC_0706.JPG We find the usual tented camp for the night and we have a walk along the lake https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J...2/DSC_0730.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...2/DSC_0745.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K...2/DSC_0747.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...2/DSC_0751.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/DSC_0760.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2/DSC_0762.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2/DSC_0764.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2/DSCN3051.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...2/DSC_0772.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...2/DSC_0773.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2/DSC_0776.JPG The place is wonderful: just a shame that a group of Indian tourists decide that the evening is too quiet and spend the evening with the radio at full volume, transforming this magical place in a sort of open-air disco of questionable taste |
Beautiful post...beautiful pictures
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