Part two of the journey was spend around the city of Leh. The area around Leh is home to a lot of beautiful monasteries, most of them on the top of small hills looking out over the landscape. The first day we spend in Leh was a rest day so in the morning we visited the Shey monastery, beautifully situated on the top of a hill just south of Leh. Again the weather was fantastic which made the views from the monastery nothing short of spectacular. The valley was long and dry with sand, rocks and mountains in the shades of grey, brown and yellow. But around all the villages trees were planted which became a beautiful contrast in the otherwise barren landscape. The monastery itself was a bright and colourful place standing out of its surroundings. The afternoon we spend shopping in Leh.
The next day we left early on our way to Pangong Lake, the worlds highest salt lake at 4250m. It was slightly cloudy but dry. As we left the valley the green patches grew less and the landscape turned barren again. The roads also turned from good to bad as we approached Chang La pass. A pass that was 5360m high according to the sign, something that sparked some confusion as to why this was not called the second highest motor able pass in the world, since it was higher than Taglangla pass with its 5328m that we passed a few days earlier.
On our way down from Chang La the roads slowly got better until the curvy road brought us into another beautiful valley. A high and dry valley, but surrounded by beautiful snowcapped mountains. We had lunch in a small town on the valley floor and carried on towards the lake. When we approached the lake we entered a relatively flat and slightly declining valley. It looked as if it was an outflow for the lake when the water levels would rise. At the end of the valley we reached Pangong Lake. The weather had turned a bit more dark, but it was still dry. The surroundings of the lake were surreal, again almost Martian landscapes with its bald and relatively smooth mountains. We drove alongside the lake for about 30km towards our camp for the night. This camp was a bit more luxurious with roomy tents on concrete foundations. Almost like small cabins. At night I went out to take some photographs of the stars, but it was really dark so the surroundings would barely show up in the pictures.
In the morning I woke up just before sunrise to capture the landscape. The weather was beautiful and the look of the nature around the lake had transformed completely in the warm morning light. The water in the lake had changed into a deep blue color and the mountains turned brown, yellow and red. After breakfast we packed our bags and left on our way back to Leh.
The next day would be another high point in the journey. A literal high point, driving over the highest motor able pass in the world: Khardung La Pass with it’s 5602m. It was a clouded morning when we left. After a short drive over good roads we reached the road towards Khardung La. The roads on the mountain were bad and they were working on them all along the way so it was a hard drive. The weather had turned to light rain and at some places heavy fog which made it even harder. The temperature dropped until the rain turned into snow close to the top. No chance for pictures along the way because we had to endure and focus on just getting there. But we made it. At the top it was freezing and we quickly took some pictures with the sign proving we reached the top. It was snowing and we were in the middle of the clouds, so unfortunately we didn’t get a view of the surroundings. We went into the little cafe to get some warm tea and then we had to leave again because staying at this altitude for a longer time could cause some discofort due to the lack of oxygen. The way down the mountain came with more snow most of the descend. It was a very cold drive but we were al very satisfied that we had made it to the top!
When we woke up the day after it had rained more in Leh. And rain in the the valley means snow in the mountains. And when there is snow on the roads you can’t drive a motorbike so we had to wait one more day in Leh while road workers were cleaning the snow from the roads and passes along the way. But the next day we could leave on our way back to Manali.
To be continued…
 //Jelle
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The Shey Monestary
The Shey Monestary
A view from inside.
The views from the monastery were spectacular!
The views from the monastery were spectacular!
The views from the monastery were spectacular!
The views from the monastery were spectacular!
The views from the monastery were spectacular!
My Dutch friend Chiron.
Leaving Leh towards Pangong Lake.
Just before reaching Chang La Pass.
Chang La Pass
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake by night.
Pangong Lake by night.
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
The campsite at Pangong Lake.
With my trusty companion at Pangong Lake.
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake
Returning to Leh.
Returning to Leh.
Returning to Leh.
The highest motor able pass in the world!
The highest motor able pass in the world!
The journey of a lifetime, part 2 Part two of the journey was spend around the city of Leh. The area around Leh is home to a lot of beautiful monasteries, most of them on the top of small hills looking out over the landscape.