Day 2: Sangla: Beautiful Valley, a Gateway to the Unexplored Land

Itinerary Followed: 

Day1: Delhi - Sarahan (12-13Hrs) 

Day2: Sarahan - Sangla 

Day3: Sangla - chhitkul & Rakcham(4 Hrs) - Kalpa (3 Hrs) 
Day4: Kalpa- Tabo (10-11Hrs) 
Day5: Tabo - Kaza (2-3 Hrs) 
Day6: Kaza -Lasar- Kunzum (3-4 Hrs) - Kaza
Day7: Kaza - Kalpa (12 Hrs)
Day8: Kalpa - Chail (10-11 Hrs) 
Day9: Chail- Delhi (7-8 HRs)

Our next destination was sangla, and as we knew that there has been land slide near tapri, we started early at 7.20 to avoid any risks.

We made our Thumb rule for the trip start early and reach early. Travelling after dark might be dangerous in this part of Himalayas as the roads are not in good condition, your car can break down anytime, limited supply of petrol at times, most of the area is prone to landslides, not much fellow travelers on this route, scarcely inhabited region, long patches of off-road travel, and if it rains then huge slushes and water puddles greet you with open arms..

As soon as we crossed jeori the tarmac changed dramatically and suddenly we were into a different world all together. Beautiful, narrow (rather very narrow) roads are chiseled through the huge mountains to make a way for you. Certainly it is a very thrilling drive though you have to be very careful while driving and should to salute the workers who built these dangerous paths.

Beautiful Narrow Road Chiseled through the mountain

Road cut through the mountain



The thin line inside the red box the the road

The condition of the road is very good. We quickly covered our distance till tapri by 9.30AM only to know that the pass to the other side is operational as one way at a time. Because of the landslide we were supposed to take an off route through upsi village and this was kind off one way, pass was available every 2 hours from each side. So we had to wait till 11 AM for pass to open. At 9.30 the sun was pitty sharp, but the cool breeze was making the weather bearable. But you have to be really careful for the sun burns incase you are moving out of shade.
Finally at 11.20 AM the road was open for us to pass, as the traffic from other side had been stopped. It took almost an hour to cover that off-route distance of 18KMs. After crossing Tapri we took a right through a bridge (near Karcham) towards Sangla. Though the distance from Karcham to Sangla was around 25 kms but the entire journey was almost off-road, shooting stones from the top is a common sight there. All thanks to the JP’s power project!!

Power Plant Project

Finally we reached the Sangla valley at around 2PM, all our tiredness was gone in just one look of the valley. Beautiful lush green Baspa valley, surrounded by huge green snowcapped mountains, baspa flowing in full current with its crystal clear water, pine trees standing tall on both side of the river and small residential establishments on either side, looked as if we have entered in some fairy land. 

Baspa Valley

We stayed in Kinner Camps and to add to our happiness Lama was there that day for the lunch. We were fortunate enough to have a brief discussion with him. After having lunch (which was DELICEOUS!), we had a detailed discussion with our camp manager on what all should we visit and at what time. He suggested to go to Chhitkul right away and next day for rakcham walk. But because of our laziness we rested in the camp and decided to do both next day morning.

View from our camp

In the evening we went ahead to take a small walk to the village Batseri Village. It was one of the most relaxing walk first by the river side and then through the small and calm roads of the village.

Walk towards Basteri

Baspa River from the Camp

There we reached a temple of Lord Vishnu and were lucky to witness a ritual, where in the two men (villagers) carry the idols of God on their shoulders (there were extended wooden logs attached to the idol on both sides, through which it can be carried on shoulder similar to the “Doli of Indian Bride”), move back & forth and share their problem to the idol of Gods and priest with a hope that their problems will be resolved. At the back of it, the musical instruments creates joyful sounds. I had never witnessed such way of prayer anywhere.

Spent our evening relaxing in the camp with bonfire, music and delicious dinner. We were off to bed early as next day we had to start our day at 5 AM.

Journey of 3rd day will follow soon..

The Unforgettable Laddakh: Day 2: Manali to Jispa

Day 1: Delhi – Manali (Volvo)

Day 2:  Manali– Jispa (Car)

Day 2:  Manali– Jispa (Car)

Day 3: Jispa– Leh (Car)

Day 4: Local Sight Seeing (Car)

Day 5: Leh– Pangong (Car)

Day 6: Pangong – Leh (Car)

Day 7:  Leh – Nubra Valley (Car)

Day 8 & 9: Nubra Valley– Leh (Car) + Leh – Delhi (via flight)

Day 2: Next Day we started our journey towards Leh. Our driver told us to start at 4.00 AM to escape from Traffic Jam at RhotangLa* due to the landslide. But we couldn’t make it at 4 and finally we started at 5.00 AM in the morning.



The early morning views of Manali @ 5.30  AM

One of the many lush green mountains @ Manali

We were all sleeping in the car till we reached the landslide area at around 6.30-7 in the morning. Suddenly out of nowhere we saw a huge queue of trucks and cars waiting to go to the other side of the land-slide. We couldn't have done anything about the situation except for starting early (which could have saved 2-3 hrs). As we were stuck, we all got down from the car started roaming on the roads and enjoying the weather..

Queue of Vehicles near the Landslide

View behind the traffic Jam

We were carrying cup noodles which helped a lot in that particular situation. Every now and then small stones were falling from the top, and there was a huge slush on the road making it difficult for vehicles to cross. There were two bulldozers to help vehicles to cross that landslide area. Most of the trucks and small vehicles were pulled or pushed by the bulldozers to cross the landslide area.

The LANDSLIDE

 Finally after spending 9-10 hours there, our Innova managed to cross that slush without the bulldozer’s help. But we had lost precious time and Aakash and summi were feeling sick because of the sharp sun they were exposed to.

RohtangLa Amidst of Clouds

@ Rohtangla

We had to deviate from our original plan of staying in Sarchu. We had to take shelter at Jispa for the night and cover the remaining distance in next day.

On the way to Keylong: 1

On the to Keylong: 2

The place we stayed, Jispa is small village having the river Chandra flowing by one side and a huge mountain range on the other side. The river was 10 mins walk from our hotel, we could easily hear the sound of water from our room. Stay was very comfortable and good break after such long a day. The place is very scenic, it’s a small adobe in the lap of Mother Nature, surrounded by nothing but mountains.  

Somewhere around Jispa

Our hotel was very comfortable, but there was no networks in the mobile phone till you reach Leh. Only BSNL phone will work for some distance. The hotel manager was a very helpful guy, he gave his phone, so that we can make calls to home.

*LA means Pass in Tibetan Language

Stay tuned for the rest of the Journey...

The Unforgettable Laddakh: Day1: Manali (Delhi to Manali)

Day 1: Delhi – Manali (Volvo)

Day 2:  Manali– Jispa (Car)
Day 3: Jispa– Leh (Car)
Day 4: Local Sight Seeing (Car)
Day 5: Leh– Pangong (Car)
Day 6: Pangong – Leh (Car)
Day 7:  Leh – Nubra Valley (Car)
Day 8 & 9: Nubra Valley– Leh (Car) + Leh – Delhi (via flight)

It was in the summer of 2011 and this was the third time I planned my trip to the Serene land of Laddakh. As usual all of my friends backed out from the plan at the last moment. Luckily one of my college friends Aakash was also planning to go to laddakh same time. And I was so eager to go, I pounced upon the opportunity, without even knowing anyone else in that group, though later all of us became very good friends.

Before starting let me intorduce our photographer for the trip: Lalit.. 

Lalit AKA Tiwari ji ;)

 Day 1: Our trip started on Saturday evening when we assembled at Canaught Place and took the volvo from Delhi to Manali. The Volvo was quite comfortable till the time we started ascending the mountains. We had 6 seats for 4 of us me and one other girl (Summi) in the group, quickly grabbed two seats each leaving the 2 boys (Lalit and Aakash) to adjust in 2 seats. That move of ours made our journey much comfortable than expected.. ;-) And we happily went off to sleep after having dinner at some roadside dhaba.

The entire night passed by tossing and turning on the seat. And there comes the Sun peeping from the huge Blue Mountains, pinking the white patches of clouds and slowly covering the entire sky to welcome our arrivals in the Himalayan Region!!

Our bus halted at some dhaba near mandi for tea break. We reached Manali at 7 AM on Sunday Morning, took a hotel with bare minimum facilities, got ready and went ahead to explore Manali… 

We hired a local cab with Rs 800 for a Day tour of manali. Started with visiting Hadimba temple/ Hidimba Temple. It is located at a distance of 1.5 Km from Mall Road amidst of Green Forest. This is one of the oldest temple in manali dedicated to Goddess Hadimba, wife of Bhim (one of the five pandavas). The legend goes that Padavas stayed in Himachal during their exile, and Bhima married Hadimba and they also had a son named Ghatotkacha.

@ Hadimba Temple

Our next destination was vashisht temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and Guru Vashisht. There is also a hot water sulphur spring known for its medicinal power. There is a separate bathing area for men and women.

Vashisht Temple, Manali

Priest @ Temple

Souvenir  shop near the temple

Spending time by the river side is best the best way to utilise your time and if that river is Beas then you can easily be lost in its vibrant flow.

River flowing by the road side

The after a walk at the Mall Road we were off to bed..

The Journey Continues...