A Peripatetic In The Land Of High Passes

The Pangong Tso (Tso in the local language, Bodhi, or Ladakhi means lake)

ROUTE MAP OF LADAKH

LOCATION

Country: India

Union Territory: Ladakh

MAIN CITIES AND TOWNS (one must be acquainted with them to plan the itinerary)

1. Delhi, the Capital of India

2. Srinagar, Capital of Jammu and Kashmir

3. Leh, Capital of Ladakh

4. Chandigarh

5. Shimla

6. Manali

HOW TO REACH 

One can plan an itinerary of various combinations of flight, train, bus, personal/Hired vehicle, or treks.

By road

The route is marked on the map above.

Route 1. Basing Delhi as a starting point one can take the route via Manali, Keylong, and Sarchu to Leh.

Delhi to Manali: 574 Kms approx. takes anywhere between 9 hours, depending on the road condition.

Manali to Leh: 473 Km approx takes around 13 hrs, depending on the road conditions.

It is advisable to break the journey once at Manali and then at Sarchu.

Route 2: Basing Delhi as the starting point one can take a route via Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Kargil to Leh

Delhi to Srinagar: 860 km and takes about 14 hrs in the best conditions.

Srinagar to Kargil: 204 Kms

Kargil to Leh: 234 Kms

It is advisable to break the journey once at Srinagar and then at Kargil.

By flight

The various airports on this route are:

1. Delhi (DEL) (International Airport)

2. Chandigarh Airport (IXC)

3. Jammu Airport (IXJ)

4. Srinagar Airport (SXR)

5. Shimla airport (SLV)

6. Kullu-Manali airport (KUU)

7. Leh Airport (IXL)

View of the Himalayas from the airplane on the way to Leh

I traveled to Leh via flight from Delhi and took me about an hour. From the airport, I joined two Japanese co-passengers to share a room at a local homestay. I was told it was one of the oldest homestays in Leh. Honestly, it wasn't great but it cost me just a couple 100 rupees and I was shocked that one could find accommodation for this price. I moved to a hotel the next day. It was not expensive either.

View of Leh Palace from the terrace of Old Ladakh Guest House

One word of caution: When traveling directly to Leh by flight it is advisable that one spends the first day at rest,  getting acclimatized to the altitude and pressure change. Leh is at an altitude of 3500 m (11500 ft) above sea level and hence lower oxygen level which causes breathlessness and altitude sickness that lasts for a few hours. There are healthcare workers who provide the required assistance in case of severe health issues. People with heart conditions and pressure problems should take the required precautionary measures. 

My Japanese roommates went out right after keeping their bags at the homestay for a city tour and came back pretty sick with breathing problems. They had to return back to Delhi the very next day. Hence, it is absolutely necessary to relax at the hotel on the first day and go out for site seeing only when you feel at ease.

By train
One can travel a part of the journey by train.

1. Delhi to Kalka and then the toy train to Shimla or take a bus or car to Shimla.
2. Delhi to Jammu

WEATHER and WHAT TO WEAR

Ladakh experiences extreme temperature variation. Peak summer could reach up to 35 C and peak winters can go as low as -30 C. I visited Ladakh in mid-July and stayed there till early October. The temperature was warm to pleasant. Some friends who visited in June mentioned that the weather was freezing cold at higher altitudes. Summer lasts between April and September end. Peak winter sets in around mid-November and stays till early February. The ice on the passes begins to thaw around March end.

The terrain is dry and dusty due to barren mountains and scanty rainfall. The sun can be extremely strong here. Cotton clothes with long sleeves, and a loose fit, are the most comfortable wear in this region. It is advisable to carry a warm jacket at all times cause the weather is unpredictable and it can get pretty cold even in peak summer. 

Sunscreens, sun shades, and closed shoes are absolute carry-alongs. If visiting monasteries it is preferred that one wears clothes that cover the arms and legs. No one openly objects but it is not considered respectable to expose. This dress code applies to both men and women.

WHERE TO STAY and WHAT TO EAT

There are luxury hotels to inexpensive guest houses in Leh. One can even find another traveler to share a room with. I think the minimum I spent was Rs. 300 for a room in one of the oldest guest houses in Leh and the maximum I spent was Rs. 600 at a small hotel near the city center market. Not the best rooms but good enough (according to me) for a night's stay! 

There are good restaurants and bakeries in the city center market. Leh is very small and any part of the city can be reached easily by walk. The main market was a 9-minute walk from the Old Ladakh Guest House. Later in the trip, I moved to a hotel in the market area.

Maggi was my staple diet in Ladakh for most days. Day 1 Dinner Maggi, Pineapple juice, munch, and orange wafer. It was 14th August and 'Indian Summer' was the perfect book to start that night.."When midnight struck in Delhi on the night of 14 August 1947, a new, free Indian nation was born. In London, the time was 8:30 p.m. The world's capital would enjoy another hour or two of a warm summer evening before the sun literally and finally set on the British Empire"

ACTIVITIES 

As mentioned above, Leh is quite small and one can easily access the main points of interest on foot. There are no public transportation facilities. At least there were none when I visited in 2012.

There are travel agents who can arrange vehicles for your sightseeing tours. One can also rent Motorcycles and cycles to travel around.

Main activities in the region, meditation at meditation centers, visiting monasteries, trekking, sightseeing trips to the lakes, and river rafting.

PLACES TO VISIT

Lakes

1. Pangong Tso - It takes almost a day to visit Pangong Tso from Leh and back but there are options to stay at Dhaba camp on the bank of Pangong and home stays at Spangmik Village but the availability is not guaranteed and the facilities are very basic. 

I went on a day trip to Pangong Tso with a group of local tourists on a jeep arranged by a local travel agent. We did not stay back, since we had plans to head for Nubra Valley the next day.

About to reach Pangong Tso

2. Tso Moriri - Traveling to Tsomoriri also takes an entire day if one wishes to come back to Leh but there are homestay options at Korzok village near the lake. Visit to Tso Moriri was also a day trip on a jeep. 

Tso (Lake) Moriri 

Valleys in Ladakh

1. SURU and ZANSKAR VALLEY
2. SHYOK and NUBRA VALLEY
3. DRAS and MUSHKOH VALLEY
4. INDUS VALLEY : 

The Indus Valley gets its name from the River Indus that flows through this region. The main attractions here are:

INDUS VALLEY ROUTE MAP

Confluence of Zanskar and Indus. In winter this gets frozen and adventure seekers and local travelers walk on the frozen river to Zanskar Valley down south. The trek is called Chaadar (sheet - sheet of ice) Trek

Day 1

Leh

The first day was spent resting, reading, and sightseeing from the terrace at the guest house. Leh is the administrative capital of Ladakh and the biggest city in the region. Most people base their trips at Leh. Major attractions in Leh include the Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa. 

On the way to Leh Palace

Day 2

Leh Palace was hardly a 5-minute walk from the guest house we were staying at. We went there on the second day. One can see the mud houses of Leh from the top floors of the Palace. From Leh Palace, I went to the local market and shopped for some handicrafts and also visited the museum. The Shanti Stupa was not very close, so I took a ride to it. From there, we headed back to the guest house. We were still getting acclimatized and hence were getting out of breath after walking a short distance.

View of Leh from Leh Palace

Shanti Stupa

Day 3

On the third day, we felt a lot better and decided to head for the monasteries. We booked a vehicle through a local travel agent we met in the market the previous day. He came along to guide us through the trip. He did tell us that there would be a lot of walking and we should proceed only if we felt fit and fine.  We were so fascinated by the monasteries and their architecture, that altitude sickness took a leave of us. We walked to every nook and corner of the monasteries which surprised the guide. He said most visitors just click a few photographs and head back, we were one of the few who went to every single room, floor, and corner of all the monasteries, and palaces we visited.

To the southeast of Leh are Shey, Stok, Thikse, Stakna, and Hemis monasteries. It might take a few hours to a whole day to cover this stretch depending on how enthusiastic one is to explore every nook and corner of the monasteries. 

We started early at 5:00 a.m. and reached Thiksey Monastery around 5:30 a.m. where the monks start the morning prayers by blowing long Tibetan horns/trumpets called Rag-dung

The travel distance from Leh City center is just 1 hr 35 mins but we spent the entire day exploring the palaces and monasteries and returned pretty late in the evening after participating in the evening prayers at the Hemis

The Shey Palace

The Thiksey Monastery

The Stakna Monastery

The Hemis Monastery

The Stok Monastery

Day 4

On the fourth day, we visited the monasteries on the northwest side of Leh, which include, Spituk, Alchi, Lamayuru, Likir, and Basgo monasteries among many others. My special mention would be Alchi. Beautiful wood carvings and amazing wall paintings adorn this gompa. On the way to the North West stretch, one may also visit the Nanak sahib Gurudwara which is considered a very sacred pilgrimage shrine for the Sikhs. The drive itself is scenic and it often feels like a painted landscape.

We started the day earlier on the fourth day and returned a lot later as well. Must Mention Lamayuru and Alchi took my breath away:)

5:00 a.m. morning prayer at Spituk Monastery

Flower offerings at Spituk Monastery

The Spituk Monastery

The Basgo Monastery

The Lamayuru Monastery

On the way to Lamuyuru, there is a stretch of rough badlands called Moonland

There is a stretch of land on NH1 called the Magnetic Hill where vehicles get pulled against gravitation. I was not convinced but I guess it happens cause everyone there said so :)

India's northernmost highway NH 1

The Likir Monastery

Gurudwara Patthar Sahib at 12000 ft above sea level is one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world

A Journey To The Enchanting Tawang

Sungester Lake (Madhuri Lake) in Tawang

Sungester was a small lakeside village that was destroyed after a strong earthquake in 1971. The lake remained as its only witness. In the 90s Senior Roshan (Cinema director) decided to shoot a song, 'Tanhai Tanhai' for his film Koyla, at this fitting dream location. Mesmerized by the film's gorgeous heroine Madhuri Dixit, the locals rechristened the lake as Madhuri Lake.

Route Map To Tawang From Guwahati Via Tezpur and Bomdila

Tawang is only 35/37 km from Bum La Pass (la in the local language means pass) which is the nearest pass to the Indo-China border. The nearest major Chinese town Tsona Dzong is 45 km from Bum La.( And I thought China was far :P). To reach Tawang one has to cross one of the highest passes in India - The SE LA PASS at 4170 m above sea level.

LOCATION

Country: India
State: Arunachal Pradesh
Region: Tawang District

MAIN CITIES AND TOWNS (one must be acquainted with, them to plan the itinerary)

1. Guwahati/Dispur, Capital of neighboring state Assam
2. Tezpur, Nearest airport/Heli-ped
3. Bhalukpong, border town (love this name :) - it means where the bear comes to drink water)
4. Bomdila, a local holiday destination, and midway stopover

HOW TO REACH

The nearest big city is Guwahati/Dispur Capital of Assam. Most tourists, begin their Arunachal journey from Guwahati. One can fly or take a train/bus/private/rented vehicle from Guwahati. For Indian nationals as well as foreign nationals, an inner line permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh is a must. The permit is checked at the entry ports. The entry port for the Guwahati Tawang Circuit in Bhalukpong. One can get the permits done at Delhi Arunachal Bhavan, Guwahati Arunachal Bhavan, and Tezpur Arunachal Bhavan. The Guwahati Arunachal Bhavan is at Rukmini Gaon, GS Road. The form for Indian nationals is Rs.5 plus Rs.25 for the inner line permit. Two passport-size photographs and a copy of an ID card/passport are a must. There is a weird rule :P women of all age groups married or single - must bring a 'No objection certificate' from their Father or Spouse or any male guardian. In the absence of either, I have no clue who is supposed to give the so-called NOC. My friend and I found it quite annoying that we couldn't be responsible for our travel plans at our age ( way above 18) :P but alas no arguments with them worked, we had to call our respective fathers and have them speak to the officer at the Bhavan. Men, however, have no such requirements. Talk about gender equality in the 21st century :P.  One gets the permit the next working day. It's a simple process and there is no need to pay extra to the travel agents. For foreign nationals, the fee may be higher. I am not sure!

From Guwahati, there are a few options to reach Tawang.

1. Bikers and those traveling in private/rented vehicles, can follow the route NH 52 till Bhalukpong then take NH 229. It takes around 2.5 hrs to 3 hours to reach Tezpur, then another 5 to 8 hours to Bomdila. The road is pretty good till Tenga Valley. It starts getting closer to Bomdila. It is advisable to stop over at Bomdila or Tenga and start early the next day since the road from Bomdila to Tawang is really unpredictable!!!! If lucky the journey can be completed in 9 hrs. If not, it can take 18 hours or more. We started on an unfortunate rainy day in the month of June and met with two big landslides and scary, slippery, muddy roads. It took us exactly 18 hours to reach Tawang! Hard luck that is! :)

One can start really early from Guwahati, say 3 am, and if all goes well, with no long halts, no bad roads, no rains, and no landslides, one can reach Tawang in 18 to 19 hrs. Well! The mountain roads can get crazy. Therefore, it is better to avoid any risks.

My suggestion would be, to stay at Eagle's Nest camp near Bhalukpong for a day or Tenga or Bomdila and then proceed ahead. Between  Bomdila and Tawang there is just one small village Dirang with limited lodging facilities. 

There are amazing waterfalls right on the road in the stretch between Bhalukpong and Bomdila. We went during the monsoons and were lucky to see them at their full flow but again, if not for the gushing waterfalls, that one can almost stand under, monsoons are not the best time to travel to this part of Arunachal!! 

2. One can also take a helicopter ride from Tezpur to Tawang. It's an irregular service and depends on the weather conditions. Guess one way takes anywhere around 3K - 5K.

3. ONe can opt for a bus from Guwahati which takes around Rs. 170 to Tezpur. Be aware there are two routes to Tezpur, a shorter route that takes 3 hours and a longer route that takes 5 hours or more.  The buses leave from Paltan Bazaar Guwahati, Khanapara Guwahati, and ISBT, Guwahati. Other than buses there are small tempo services which take about the same price. The buses and tempos run throughout the day. There is one bus that leaves at 6am from ISBT which goes directly to Bomdila. 

There is also an early morning bus from Tezpur that goes directly to Tawang. At Tezpur, one can find trekkers/jeeps traveling to Bomdila throughout the day. There are trekkers going to Tawang as well but they start very early in the morning. The price ranges from Rs. 500 to 800. We paid Rs. 450 to Bomdilla and Rs. 600 to Tawang but I guess it can be bargained and depends on the number of passengers the trekker is carrying.

Note: If you are there on a rainy day, please ensure that your bags are properly covered with the tarpaulin sheet on the trekker top, otherwise you will end up with a bag full of soaking wet clothes and spend a day drying them in the hotel room using room heaters :P (says the experienced me :P)

WEATHER and WHAT TO WEAR

It gets quite cold once you reach Bomdila. We were there in June/July and It was quite cold in fact freezing cold at the lakes. Woolens are an 'absolute' must. If going in monsoon, an umbrella, and raincoat is essential. It rained 24 hrs every day during our stay. Sneakers and boots are preferred footwear. Again if you are risking a visit during the monsoon, wear galoshes if you can :P. We were stuck in the landslide and had to cross the muddy mountain road on foot. My slippers got stuck in the mud and it was quite a task retrieving them.

Stuck in a landslide

BEST TIME TO VISIT 

I think one can avoid the monsoon in June and July unless you are the adventurous kind and don't mind going beyond your scheduled itinerary. The good thing about June and July is that the waterfalls are in their full flow and way up near the lakes, you get to see beautiful flowers. It's almost like a valley of flowers. In fact, it is a valley of flowers and the mist around the lakes gives an ethereal feel. Oh well! now that I think, the monsoon was a little messy but definitely beautiful.

Peak winter is a bad time too because of snow blocks and unsafe roads but again if you are adventurous enough, the beauty of Tawang and the lakes in winter is as enchanting (as seen in photographs).

The absolute safe time to go there is between September and November (till the onset of snowfall) and between March and June (till the onset of monsoon)

WHERE TO STAY and WHAT TO EAT

There are many hotels and restaurants in Tawang. One can go there and book rooms. One can also bargain. We got a decent hotel for Rs. 1000 but I think one can get better deals if smarter :P. One note of caution all hotels close around 8ish. Better reach there early if you have not booked ahead. We reached midnight and no hotels were open or willing to open.

Also, be very careful about thieves. We heard about a lot of thefts in the town and we got robbed ourselves. The thief entered our room at night and carried our bags, cameras, and phones. He took all the cash and left our bags near the entrance. Not sure why he was that considerate. We suspected the hotel owner but had no proof. We did lodge an FIR at the local police station but not much got done. The best thing is to stay alert. Ensure the doors and windows of your room are locked and you keep all your cash and expensive items under your pillow :P It was a sad experience but I guess there are good and bad people everywhere and well such things can happen anywhere, so one must be alert and careful. There are ATMs, so do not carry too much cash! Here's the detailed story.

ACTIVITIES

Trekking, Site visits, Scenic drives

PLACES TO VISIT  

1. Tawang Gompa - One of the  largest monasteries in South Asia

2. The Gurudwara SahibTeesri Udasi, is quite a trek up the mountain

3. The lakes and the valley of flowers. There are a number of lakes in Tawang. Ptso, Kyo Tso, Sungester, and many other small ones, Sungester or Madhuri Lake as it is locally called after an Indian Actress Madhuri Dixit who filmed a dance sequence here is the main attraction and an absolute must-visit.

Arunachal Pradesh, The Land Of The Dawn Lit Mountains

Tourist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh

LOCATION

Country: India

State: Arunachal Pradesh

Arun in Sanskrit means the 'first rays of the sun' or 'dawn' or the reddish hue of the dawn. Achal means 'mountains'.

MAIN CITIES AND TOWNS (of tourist interest)

1. Itanagar, the administrative capital of this state
2. Bomdila
3. Tawang
4. Ziro
5. Roing
6. Guwahati/Dispur, the capital of Assam is the main entry port of Arunachal.

HOW TO REACH 

One needs inner line permits to enter Arunachal Pradesh. The Inner line permits can be obtained from Arunachal Bhavan in Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, and Lilabari. For Indian nationals the form + inner line permit fee is Rs. 5+ Rs.25. The application requires two passport-size photographs and a copy of Identity proof. All females married and single are required to provide a permission/no objection letter from their Father/Spouse/Local Guardian.

Address:

1. Resident Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, New Delhi, Arunachal Bhawan, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

2. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Kolkatta, CE-109, Sector-1, Salt Lake City, Kolkatta.

3. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Guwahati, Rukmini Gaon,  R.G. Baruah Road, Guwahati-781021.

4. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt Arunachal Pradesh, Shillong, Pin-793001, Meghalaya.

5. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Parvati Nagar, Tezpur, Assam.

6. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Mohanbari, Dibrugarh, Assam.

7. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Lilabari, North Lakhimpur, Assam.

By Air

The nearest airports to Arunachal Pradesh are:

1. Lilabari, Assam. Itanagar is about 2 hours from here.
2. Tezpur, Assam. Helicopter services to Tawang are available from here as well.
3. Guwahati, Assam
4. Shillong, Meghalaya

By rail 

Harmuty is the nearest railway station to Itanagar.
Other railheads close to the Arunachal border are Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Tinsukia, and Guwahati.

By road

The final entry into Arunachal is by road. Either by buses or private/rented vehicles. Assam and Meghalaya is well connected to Arunachal through Bus services and Trekker services.

WEATHER and WHAT TO WEAR

Arunachal weather ranges from very cold tundra climate to tropical climate depending on the area being traveled to. The highest at the foothills in peak summer could go up to 40 C and the lowest at the foothills could go up to 15 C. At higher altitudes, it gets pretty cold even in summer. Monsoons are pretty much wet all across the state.

It is advisable to carry a mix of woolen and cotton when planning a statewide trip.

WHERE TO STAY and WHAT TO EAT

Most places in Arunachal have decent hotels and restaurants. In smaller villages the choices are limited. There are homestays and food mainly consists of rice, vegetable, meat, and fish.

ACTIVITIES 

Trekking, Site seeing, Scenic drives, boating, river rafting

PLACES TO VISIT

There are about 10 tourist circuits in Arunachal

1. Tenga, Bomdila, Tawang Ciruit via Guwahati and Tezpur 
2. Itanagar, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalo, Pasighat
3. Roing, Anini
4. Namdapha National Park via Margharita
5. Aalo to Mechuka
6. Ziro to Koloriang
7. Pasighat to Tuting
8. Seijosa, Itanagar, Doimukh, Segalee. Seppa
9. Daporijo to Siyum
10. Tezu to Hayuliang via Tinsukhia

STORIES

1. Mr. Bell

On The Way To The World's Highest Battlefield

On the way to Nubra - Zaniskari or Zanskari are an endangered species of wild horses/pony breed

Shyok and Nubra Valley

SHYOK VALLEY is the region fed by the river Shyok and NUBRA VALLEY is the region fed by the Siachen River.

LOCATION

Country: India
Union Territory: Ladakh

MAIN CITIES AND TOWNS (one must be acquainted with them to plan the itinerary)

1. Delhi, the Capital of India
2. Leh, Capital of Ladakh
3. Diskit, the main town in Nubra Valley

HOW TO REACH

The distance from Leh to Diskit is around 125 km.

From Leh, one can hire a private taxi or a shared taxi. The taxi can be arranged by a local travel agent or one can go to the taxi stand near the main bus terminus. Privately hired vehicles may charge around Rs. 7000 or more. If shared the fare gets divided among the passengers.

There are buses that travel between Leh and Diskit but they are usually quite irregular and don't run every day. One must visit the bus terminus to inquire about the bus timings. Traveling by bus is the cheapest option and the fare is pretty nominal.

One can even hire motorbikes or simply trek.

To check the various options to reach Leh and Srinagar Click Here

WEATHER and WHAT TO WEAR

Summers are warm during the Day (20-30 C) and cold at night (5-15 C). I was there in the month of August. I needed some light warm clothes for the day. On warmer days cotton wear is the best. In the evenings it can get pretty cold and a jacket or a pullover is essential. It is a dry, dusty region and the sun can be pretty strong, therefore, cotton clothes are best suited for Ladakh. Full sleeves, long pants, a stole to cover the head, and woolen jackets for the evenings are good add-ons. Also, monasteries prefer that visitors cover their legs and arms. I was told by a local that short dresses are considered disrespectful in this region, especially when visiting the gompas (monasteries). Carrying sunshades and sunscreens is strongly advised. Also, covered shoes are a must. My feet were literally charred in my three-month stay there. Thanks to the open sandals. The terrain is rough and hence sneakers are the best option.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summer is the best time to visit Nubra. In winter the passes get blocked by snow making travel extremely difficult. To reach Nubra one has to cross the Khardung La pass.

May through October is a fairly good time to visit Nubra Valley.

WHERE TO STAY and WHAT TO EAT

Nubra Valley has options for homestays and the rent is pretty inexpensive. There are decent hotels and camping sites as well in Diskit, Hunder, and Sumer.

Dhabas and restaurants are also available in the region with decent food.

ACTIVITIES

Trekking, camping, biking, camel rides, and visiting monasteries are the main activities there.

PLACES TO VISIT 

1. Diskit

Maitreya Buddha near Diskit Monastery

2. Sumer

The Samstanling Monastery

3. Hundar

Double-humped camel or Bactrian Camel ride (a little overrated in my opinion but still an experience - On second thought, it really depends on how comfortable one is on a camel. I wasn't)

4. Yarab Tso Lake
Most people miss out on this lake since it's almost hidden and one has to take a short trek to reach but it is worth the effort. On the way to Panamik, one must take the unpaved dusty road to the left just before entering Panamik. At the end of the road, there is a trek route. Takes around 20- 30 minutes to reach the lake.

5. Panamik (hot water spring)
Well! I guess, it can be skipped if time is limited. The springs are not that great but the route is quite scenic. I enjoyed the drive.

Dust storm on the way to Panamik

6. China border, Siachen glacier

The Siachen glacier is to the north of Panamik, almost about 45 km. Foreigners are not allowed to travel beyond the Panamik village. It is considered one of the highest battlefields in the world at 18000 ft above sea level. One requires special passes to visit this area.

Back to Ladakh