Ladakh had been on my bucket list for quite some time now, but every time we thought of going to Ladakh, something or the other came up and all our planning would turn futile. So this time, we had made up our mind that no matter what comes our way, we will be going to Ladakh this season. The plan was set to start from Delhi on 11th Night. So we all, a group of four set off for Ladakh with the following itinerary in mind.
The itinerary was finalized as follows :-
Day 0-1 - Delhi to Srinagar
Day 2 - Srinagar to Panikhar/Rangdum (Zanskar Valley)
Day 3 - Panikhar/Rangdum – Padum – Kargil/Panikhar
Day 4 - Kargil/Panikhar to Leh
Day 5 - Leh local and Permits
Day 6 - Leh – Diskit – Hunder
Day 7 - Hunder – Pangong
Day 8 - Pangong – Tso Moriri
Day 9 - Tso Moriri – Keylong
Day 10 - Keylong – Prashar Lake – Mandi
Day 11 - Mandi – Delhi
Day 12 - Buffer
As per plan, we set off from our home at around 9:30 PM and were at Mukarba flyover at 10:00 PM.
On our way
The biggest benefit of starting the journey at night is that you don't have do deal with two wheelers, cattle and jaywalkers on the road. Also, with less private vehicles driving erratically, the driving is much more relaxed and enjoyable. We were making good progress overall, encountered some rains and thundershowers around Pathankot and reached outskirts of Jammu at around 5 in the morning.
On the outskirts of Jammu
The weather was pleasant all around.
Stopped somewhere around the cut off to Katra for breakfast of Chai/Coffee and pakoras. And as soon as we stopped, it started raining again. Waited close to an hour for the rain to subside and also rested up our bodies. Given the preogress made uptill now, we were hoping to reach Sringar by lunch hours.
One of the many tunnels on the way.
Encountered a jam before the entry to Chenani Nashri tunnel and were stuck for half an hour, meanwhile the low fuel warning also came up. Decided to skip the tunnel and take the longer and more scenic route through Patnitop and also to get the fuel filled.
On the way down.
Coming down, we were again stuck in traffic which stretched a good few kilometres even before merging with the main highway. At least the weather was pleasent all around.
Peeking out.
Merging with the main highway.
Vehicle after vehicle till where your eyes can see. Our pans to reach Srinagar by lunch were down by the now.
Apparently, the traffic is allowed to move in only one direction at a time at specific hours of the day. However, the traffic was moving in both directions simultaneously. This along with a few landslides along the way had made matters worse.
We were dead tired being stuck and finally crossed the Jawahar tunnel at around 4 in the evening.
However, as soon as we entered Kashmir valley, we were greeted with such amazing landscape and equally amazing weather that all the tiredness and fatigue was literally went out of the window.
After jawahar tunnel.
What may he be thinking...
Amazing weather
Nice landscapes
We finally reached Srinagar a little after 6 in the evening.
One of us had a client based in Srinagar with his business bang on the boulevard road and we were his guests for the evening. Got to experience Kashmiri hospitality up close which was an experience in it's own. Had a sumptuous kashmiri style dinner and enjoyed the houseboat experience for the night. Also went for a late night shikaara ride.
Evening view of the dal lake.
Look at the size of that carpet! The work was so intricate and the details were amazing.
Houseboats
View from the houseboat
Calmness!
We were dead tired and hit the bed as soon we came back to the houseboat.
