It is that time of the year again, when the snow starts to melt and the road to Leh is open again. It is that time of the year again, when hordes of travelers – in their SUVs, Royal Enfields, cars, bikes and on public transport buses begin traveling on one of the most beautiful and adventurous road trips in the whole world. I was one of the lucky ones to have finally done this journey last year over a trip that lasted 18 days, and needless to say, it was amazing.
A local trader sits outside his shop in Manali Mall Road
A Monk enjoying his cup of Coffee in Manali
Innocence in the eyes of a child balloon seller in Manali
As the season begins for 2015, I share with you some of the images depicting the beauty that we encountered on the way from Manali to Leh, then to Pangong Tso Lake, the Nubra Valley and then back to Srinagar.
The landscape near Rohtang Pass is wet and green
We encountered a lot of motorcycles navigating their way through the numerous water crossings, landslides and slushy road conditions.
The journey includes many such water crossings
A biker navigates through a water crossing near Sarchu
Ladakh is a dry and cold desert where it snows in the winters for months on end but it rarely rains.
Tibetan prayer flags at a campsite in Sarchu
Amazing natural landscapes in the Ladakh Himalayas
Ladakh is a dry and cold desert at very high altitudes
A biker near the Tangalang La pass
Once we reached Leh, we were greated by amazing warmth of the people in the region. Julley!!
Two children posing for us in Leh
The scene from atop the Leh Palace
We then made our way towards the wonderful and magnificent Pangong Tso lake, where on the way we even encountered snowfall at the Chang La pass.
Motor cyclists at the Pangong Tso Lake
Cloudy sunset by the Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso Lake – Stunning landscape at 14000 feet on the India China border
The locals in Leh were colorful people, rich in traditions and always with a smile on their faces, very easily hiding the tough lives they live, especially in the winters.
A young monk at the Hemis Monastery in Leh
A local Ladakhi in his traditional dress in Leh
We then made our way towards the Nubra Valley and the desert city of Hunder.
Camel Safari on double humped camels near Hunder, Ladakh, India
Barren Desert Landscape in Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Amazing colors of sunset near Leh, Ladakh