The call of the mountains

Picture-perfect Leh-Ladakh as seen and experienced by Ranjeet Jagtap The snow-capped mountains looked alluring from the distance. Especially when the morning sun rays-kissed the mountain tops, basking the vast plains and the entire landscape in a golden glow. Grey clouds loomed in the distance, shrouding pur view of the mountain peaks. We were in Ladakh and the rest of the world seemed far away. The journey from Manali to Leh was breathtaking and unfolded many surprises. The plan was to stop for the night at Sarchu which was 13,000 feet above sea level and proceed to Rohtang Pass the next day. As the car crawled up the serpentine road, we passed a number of streams, trees laden with apples and wild flowers peeking out of crevices of rocks layered with moss. The thick mist rolling down the mountains curled through the trees and enveloped the entire terrain. The journey beyond Rohtang was in almost complete silence. The road was partly concrete and the only sound we could hear was the wind rustling through the tree tops and the rumble of tyres as cars passed by. Very soon, the green valleys and mountains were replaced by smears of brown and rust, with snowy peaks in the background. Driving along the meandering Bhaga river, we crossed Thandi and Jispa villages and began our ascent towards Baralach La, which is at an altitude of 16,500 feet. The roadside was dotted with white Chortems (Buddhist temples) and prayer wheels. We stopped to take pictures of the beautiful Chortems. The journey transported us to a different world. When we reached the picture postcard Leh, the village resembled a sparkling jewel in the snow. En route to Leh, we stopped at the Stok palace on the Leh–Manali road. From here, we could see the tallest peak in the Ladakh range, Stok Kongri. We passes Buddhist centres of learning called ‘gompas’. We processed towards the Khardung La pass which is 18,500 feet. The highest motorable road in the world. We also visited Pangong Tso lake, 15,000 feet above sea level, a must-see destination. On the way, we traversed one of the highest passes in the region, Chang La. On our last day in Ladakh, we visited Kargil road and magnetic hill. The Basgo monastery is a UNESCO heritage site. With its breathtaking vistas, the pristine and serence ambience amidst the snow-caped mountains, a trip to Leh-Ladakh is an unforgettable experience, as one leaves the everyday world behind and enters an enchanted land. (Ranjeet Jagtap is the Vice President, Business Development, Golden Sparrow Corporation. Travelling, photography and painting are among his passionate pursuits.)