Postcards from the terrains of Ladakh

Posted on by Parul Thakur

If you have ever traveled to the Himalayan region, I am sure you are yearning to go back again. As we are planing our 2018 travels, the Ladakh region keeps showing up now and then. You can never get enough of the views and perspectives the mountains provide. It changes with Sun light and the time of the day. The angle and the vantage points change how the mountains look. Sometimes only a hundred meters on the road can take you by surprise.

I am way behind on penning my travel tales from Ladakh but I haven’t yet stopped looking at my archives. I don’t think six months is a short time so this longing is new and a good feeling. A feeling that we have to go back again. The pictures remind that though the tourist influx has grown, the region has a lot more to offer.

Let me take you through the terrains of Ladakh. Some pictures of the roads from our 12-day road trip.

Terrains
Enroute Leh after crossing the Magnetic Hill
The cold desert showing its colors
Somewhere close to Kargil
Enroute Turtuk – one of the most remote villages of India
First glimpse of mountains enroute Srinagar
As you go closer to the passes, the mountains get closer.
Rocky terrains that don’t leave you
When the roads tell you that a city is at the end of the long road. Leh was around 30 kms from here.
Think of army men who defend this land. Very close to the small and warm city of Kargil.
Prayer flags are hope and faith. They are the colors in the barren lands

Some tips to keep in mind while driving in Ladakh:

  • Drive carefully and give way to traffic that is moving uphill.
  • Go slow. Speed does more damage than good.
  • Know your vehicle. When you need to let go of the clutch and give a raise is important.
  • Use the handbrake.
  • Watch out for the roads. The ones that are smooth too may have bumps that you miss.
  • Leave early to account for unexpected delays.
  • Don’t think a 40km/hour is easy to achieve. On some days you may have to drive a mere 30 kms in 2 hours.
  • Do not litter on the road.
  • Stop for photography only where you don’t obstruct the traffic.

A slightly wordy post for WordlessWednesday #56.

18 thoughts on “Postcards from the terrains of Ladakh”

  1. Ladakh is like heaven, so other-worldly! The photos are beautiful, Parul! Hoping to visit sometime, perhaps next year! I imagine that the terrain is quite dangerous and fraught with landslides. I’ve also heard that one may plan to visit but until the last minute, one can never be sure of actually making the trip!

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    1. Thank you Vidya! The terrain is dangerous but isn’t impossible. If you travel, the cab guys know the area so do a good job. VT drove and he was good there. Landslides usually have a season but yes, uncertainties are there.

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  6. Lovely photos Parul and inspiring me to do a similar post as I have tonnes of pics from my trip there too and each one evokes such longing in me to go there again!!! Soon soon soon!!!!

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