Blogs from Nubra, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India, Asia

Day-5: 27-08-2021 - Hunder to Turtuk and back: Turtuk is the second northernmost village of India, captured from Pakistan during the 1971 war. Prior to that it was a part of Gilgit-Baltistan. Four villages of Baltistan are now part of India and Turtuk is one of them. The Line of Control is just about 2-3 km from this village. This entire region is very crucial from the military point of view. Warriors in Siachen glacier (world’s highest battlefield) are maintained through this area. The tip of Ladakh is sandwiched between Pakistan on one side and China on the other. Road from Hunder to Turtuk passes through strategically very important Partapur, forward air base of Thoise and Chalunka. Turtuk (9800 ft) is a small village with beautiful green surroundings. It is the lowest point in Ladakh. Most ... read more

The previous day was exciting and eventful. We rode our bikes on the SriNagar Leh highway, crossed the Magnetic Hill, visited the Patthar Sahab Gurudwara (one constructed and maintained by the Army), the Sangam (where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet); rode back to Leh and then took the Leh Manali highway and visited the Hemis monastery. Of course, earlier in the day we took the wrong turn and headed for a military camp; we were stopped at the entry gate itself and asked to return back. But when one is on a trip, where so much happens at the same time, one doesn't really get time to think about everything. We left around an hour before noon passing by small villages on the outskirts of Leh city. Children smiled and waved at us and we ... read more

Nubra is a high altitude dessert located 150 km from Leh. The drive to Nubra is an expedition by itself crossing the Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world. It is essential to leave early in the morning if you want to avoid getting stuck behind the army convoy of trucks. The climb up to Khardung La was not quite pleasant as the terrain is difficult to maintain good roads. Khardung is located at approx. 18,380 Ft. above sea level. However the bumpy roads did not stop us from absorbing every inch of beauty around us. Passing valleys of grazing Yak and then the army camp mid-way to Khardung La top to watching the sun hide behind heavy clouds followed by the snow fall later the whole drive was beyond belief. I must ... read more