Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
Journey from Kelong to Manali, India
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Rohtang pass - Leh to Manali Journey, India
Rohtang Pass. The crowned prince of the Leh-Manali route. Or a dreaded monster! “If the bus falls off now, at least I have seen the most majestic place on earth.” Yes, this did cross our minds. Read full story of the 470 km Leh Manali journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Rohtang pass - Leh to Manali Journey, India
Rohtang Pass. The crowned prince of the Leh-Manali route. Or a dreaded monster! “If the bus falls off now, at least I have seen the most majestic place on earth.” Yes, this did cross our minds. Read full story of the 470 km Leh Manali journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
The Baralacha la - Leh to Manali Journey
The Baralacha la was our last pass of the day. We were now one state lower, in Himachal Pradesh. Deep valleys, hairpin bends and steep curves were now “just another day in office”.
Journey from Leh to Kelong, India
Journey from Leh to Kelong, India
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Leh-Manali Highway, India
Nakee la, Leh-Manali Highway, India
By the time we reached Nakee la, third pass, we had come to terms with our “heart in mouth” condition. Every glimpse of the Indus river flowing below brought with it a green oasis.
The Gata Loops a series of hairpin bends.
It was a roller coaster ride we will never forget.
Lachung la or Lachulung La or Lāchālūng La or Lungalacha La.
The second pass of the Leh-Manali route, it is a long meandering pass with its peak at 4891 m.
Wildlife on Lachulung la, India
Journey from Leh to Kelong, India
LTK2013080402385DBaratocanonchetanchetan karkhanisGreater HimalayasHindistanindeIndiaIndieIndienIndiëIndlandIntiakarkhanislachulung lalachulung la passphotophotographerphotographyphotossandeepasandeepa karkhanissandeepachetantangla la passtourismtravelÍndiaІндіяИндияИндијаהודוינדיאַالهندبھارتهندوستانอินเดียẤn Độインド印度인도IndiaLadakh
Cyclists on the Leh Manali highway in Ladakh, India
The stunning landscapes and tough terrain of the Greater Himalayas are inviting for cyclists across the world. We saw many cyclists taking on the challenge of the Leh Manali highway. Read the story of our journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
A natural tunnel near Lachung la
Leh-Manali Highway, India
Rock formations on the Leh Manali highway. They looked like needles rising in the sky, reminding us of the sand castles we built on the beach as kids. Except that they were gigantic!
Leh-Manali Highway, India
Journey from Leh to Manali, Ladakh, India
The 470km journey from Leh to Manali is studded with unbelievable land formations like these. Read the story of our journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Tanglang laLeh ManaliLadakhIndialandscapesandeepachetanIndiaLadakh
Journey from Leh to Manali, Ladakh, India
The 470 km journey from Leh to Manali is studded with unbelievable land formations like these. Read the story of our journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Tanglang laLeh ManaliLadakhIndialandscapesandeepachetanIndiaLadakh
Worker from tent winodow, Tanglang la, Leh-Manali Highway, India
Sunday is a relaxing day for the hard working construction workers on these mountain passes. Our bus stopped outside this worker's tent and he greeted us with a big smile.
Journey from Leh to Manali, Ladakh, India
The 470 km journey from Leh to Manali is studded with unbelievable land formations like these. Read the story of our journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Tanglang laLeh ManaliLadakhIndialandscapesandeepachetanIndiaLadakh
Tanglang la, Leh-Manali Highway, India
Leh to Manali journey is studded with unbelievable land formations like these.
Journey from Leh to Manali, Ladakh, India
The 470 km journey from Leh to Manali is studded with unbelievable land formations like these. Read the story of our journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Tanglang laLeh ManaliLadakhIndialandscapesandeepachetanIndiaLadakh
Tanglang la, Leh-Manali Highway, India
Tanglang la, is the first pass of the 470 km long Leh-Manali journey. We crossed the highest point of our entire trip, over 5300m atop the Tanglang la.
Journey from Leh to Manali, Ladakh, India
The 470 km journey from Leh to Manali is studded with unbelievable land formations like these. Read the story of our journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Leh-Manali Highway, India
It was now time for the reds of the Leh-Manali highway. The wind-battered mountain faces with their powdered rocks seemed like gigantic sand dunes. Read full story of the 470 km Leh Manali journey at The Leh Manali route – an epic journey
Back to PHOTO GALLERIES
Mountain Landscape - Leh, Ladakh, India
We saw this on the way back to Leh from Thiksey monastery. There is something magical about the skies in the higher altitude Himalayas.
Back to PHOTO GALLERIES
Double Rainbow Leh, Ladakh, India
A lucky view we got from our way back to Leh from the Thiksey monastery. Stone houses like this one with bright coloured frames are characteristic of this region.
Aerial View from Thiksey Monastery, Leh, Ladakh, India
The Thiksey monastery monastery is located on a hilltop and we could see a panorama of beautiful landscapes all around. The sky was full of compelling colours of blue. And the light was a beautiful golden.
Aerial View from Thiksey Monastery, Leh, Ladakh, India
The Thiksey monastery monastery is located on a hilltop and we could see a panorama of beautiful landscapes all around. The sky was full of compelling colours of blue. And the light was a beautiful golden.
Inside the Thiksey monastery in Ladakh, India
Thiksey monastery is situated on top of a hill, very close to Leh.
Thiksey monastery, Ladakh, India
A two storeyed golden statue of Buddha is the main attraction of Thiksey monastery. Thiksey monastery is situated on top of a hill, very close to Leh.
Two storeyed Buddha statue at Thiksey monastery in Ladakh, India
A two storeyed golden statue of Buddha is the main attraction of Thiksey monastery. Thiksey monastery is situated on top of a hill, very close to Leh.
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, India
Hemis Monastery is the biggest monastery in Ladakh. A short drive of 45 km from Leh it is located atop a hill. The several prayer halls, a museum, as well as the library are accessible to the visitors.
Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
The senior monks leads the afternoon prayers at Hemis monastery, the biggest monastery in the whole of Ladakh.
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, India
The senior monks leads the afternoon prayers at Hemis monastery, the biggest monastery in the whole of Ladakh.
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, India
Meet Shri Tsering Wangdus. He is a Padmashri award winner, the fourth highest civilian award given by the Government of India. He teaches in an art school in Ladakh. We met him and his students at Hemis Monastery, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Mr. Wangdus and his students were making art pieces on the walls of the Hemis monastery. This was the first time we had met a Padmashri awardee. To see the master practicing his art was a privileged moment.
Creating art at Hemis monastery, Ladakh, India
Students of Shri Tsering Wangdus, a Padmashri award winner, the fourth highest civilian award given by the Government of India. They were painting the walls of the Hemis monastery. This was the first time we had met a Padmashri awardee. To see the master practicing his art was a privileged moment.
Prayer Wheels Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, India
These prayer wheels are a feature of every monastery in Ladakh. Touching each wheel, turning them around while chanting a prayer is the first thing devotees do after entering a monastery.
Stupas that mark the boundary of every village in Ladakh, India
Shanti Stupa at Leh in Ladakh, India
The Shanti Stupa is an iconic structure in Leh. Atop a hill climbing 500 steps, reaching here by foot requires a lot of effort. Specially because of the high altitude. On the top, it is a place for breathtaking views, some peace and quiet, meditation and prayers.
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Shanti Stupa at Leh in Ladakh, India
Breathtaking views, some peace and quiet, meditation and prayers.
Shanti Stupa at Leh in Ladakh, India
The Shanti Stupa is an iconic structure in Leh. Atop a hill climbing 500 steps, reaching here by foot requires a lot of effort. Specially because of the high altitude. On the top, it is a place for breathtaking views, some peace and quiet, meditation and prayers.
Aerial view of Leh from Shanti Stupa in Ladakh, India
Aerial view of Leh from Shanti Stupa in Ladakh, India
The greenery in Leh makes us forget that Ladakh is actually a cold desert. The trees are are a result of water harvesting efforts put in by the locals.
Landscapes en route Tso Moriri, a mountain lake in Ladakh, India
Rocks carved with Tibetan scriptures are an important part of the Buddhist culture. They are usually found around monasteries. We saw this rock on our way to Tso Moriri, a high altitude mountain lake in Ladakh. Read about our visit to Tso Moriri at Mystical magical Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh.
Man from Korzok near Tso Moriri, a mountain lake in Ladakh, India
Read about our visit to Tso Moriri at Mystical magical Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh.
Women making spices at Tso Moriri, Ladakh, India
This was at the outskirts of Korzok, the base village for Tso Moriri, a high altitude mountain lake, 250 km from Leh. Summer is the time when the people of Ladakh prepare for the harsh snow clad winter. Read about our visit to Tso Moriri at Mystical magical Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh.
SUV going to Tso Moriri, a mountain lake in Ladakh, India
Mighty, endless, vast, abundant, clear, beautiful and pure…it touches you and moves you like only Nature can. Read about our visit to Tso Moriri at Mystical magical Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh.
Tso Moriri, a mountain lake in Ladakh, India
Mighty, endless, vast, abundant, clear, beautiful and pure…it touches you and moves you like only Nature can. Read about our visit to Tso Moriri at Mystical magical Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh.