Day 6-8 Khadungla (Highest Motorable pass) , Chumatang (Hot water springs) , Monasteries (Hemis, Thiksey) & Leh Palace
Day 6: A bit of disappointment as snow blocked our way to Khardungla (18380ft above sea level). We waited for the snow to get clear at South Pulu 14 km from the top (K-top) for 2 hours but in vain. We got down to Leh and roam around in market. We had food at local café with some interesting menu items ‘SNAKES’. Fortunately for my wife it was only a spelling mistake.
Recommended:
Coconut Cookies @ Golden bakery in main market.
Vegetarian North Indian food @ Lamayuru Restaurant
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Day 7: Early rise to a long day. The enthu twosome headed to Khardungla again. A it was worth an effort. We felt like on top of the world. Got some souvenirs from the
Army shop at the K-top and clicked loads of snaps. Few interesting landmarks on the way:
a) India Gate
b) Gateway of Numbra
After a lunch break @ Happy World Restaurant in Leh we headed to Kali Mata Mandir close to Leh Airport. No photography allowed within the complex but there was an flowering apricot tree… amazing beauty.
Leh palace was under renovation but offered eagle eye view of Leh town. There was a temple inside the palace but you need to look for it no signs boards. Photography is allowed with palace and monasteries but without Flash.
We followed up palace visit to Thicksey monastery. Amazing place with beautiful statues and paintings of Lord Buddha and other Buddhist God.
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Day 8 : Yet another early rise for a long drive. This was our last day in Leh and it was reserved for hot water springs in Chumatang. This is close to 140 km on Leh-Manali highway towards Manali. It was a break from the regular snow and the route had picturous red mountains and notorious Indus flowing along with us. A long but not tiring 3 hour journey ended with loads of fun. Though snow was missing but there was enough of ice to supplement. So you have hot boiling water and ice present at the same place (Though Grown up kids accompanying us Vikas & Neha went berserk and destroyed all).
We ended our day and Leh trip with visit to Hemis monastery. The place can’t be explained in words but can only be felt and captured on frames. Must visit.
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And that’s bring us to the end of exiting and adventurous week of vaccation. Next day morning, We flew with Kingfisher Red back to scorching heat of Delhi.
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