Kashmir and Ladakh
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Greater Himalayan landscapes devoid of people is the characteristic landscape of the journey to Zanskar.
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
The barren mountain faces of the Greater Himalayas in Zanskar reveal ragged patterns.
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar, India
The barren mountain faces of the Greater Himalayas in Zanskar reveal ragged patterns. Stunning landscapes like these are part of the 250 km journey from Kargil to Zanskar. It is one of the most isolated stretches of the Himalayas in India.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
After around 50 kms of stunning landscapes, nestled in the middle of nowhere is a tiny hamlet of Rangdum.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum, the southernmost tip of Suru valley is a tiny hamlet of around ten houses.
From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
The hamlet of Rangdum brings with it some signs of life. These are the Himalayan horses walking on the banks of the Suru river. Randum is the southernmost tip of the Suru valley, the valley that separates Kargil from Zanskar, the most remote valley in India.
From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum, Kargil, India
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From Story photos
Technology in the middle of nowhere at Rangdum en route Zanskar
Even the remote Rangdum midway between Zanskar and Kargil is now touched by technology.
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Typical houses in higher Himalayas
This is a typical stone houses found in the Zanskar and Ladakh regions. Built with flat stones stacked on top of each other, they are then coated with a layer which is a mixture of local mud, cattle dung and other things.
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A guest house in Rangdum en route Zanskar
Rangdum is midway between Kargil and Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar valley. Travelers often halt for the night at Rangdum on their way to Zanskar. Some houses operate homestays and guest houses for these travelers.
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Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
We wondered what their lives must be like, for these kids of Rangdum. Living in such isolation, in the middle of nowhere. From what we saw, it sure seemed like a lot of fun! Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
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From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
We wondered what lives must be like, for these kids of Rangdum. Living in such isolation, in the middle of nowhere. From what we saw, it sure seemed like a lot of fun! Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
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From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
These kids were playing near a village stupa of Rangdum when we halted for lunch. When we started to take their pictures, this guy took a break from play. Got his younger sister there. And posed for a picture with her. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
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A Himalayan calf en route Zanskar
A tiny calf grazes in the open, something that can only be done in summer in Zanskar. Zanskar one of the remotest valleys in India. In the winter months the entire valley of Zanskar is covered in snow. Unlike in the plains, the cattle here have a thick coat of fur for some warmth.
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Rocks inscribed with Tibetan scriptures en route Zanskar
These rocks are a common sight in Zanskar and Ladakh. They are inscribed with Buddhist prayers in a Tibetan script and found mostly around monasteries.
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum is midway on the 250km route from Kargil to Padum, headquarter of the remote Zanskar valley. A convenient halt on this long route, it is a tiny hamlet of ten houses and a couple of food stalls and guesthouses. Its geographic location makes it, essentially, the definition of "in the middle of nowhere".
From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her. Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
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From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her. Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
RangdumSuru valleyZanskarIndiaportraitRangdomIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her. Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
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From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
RangdumSuru valleyZanskarIndiaportraitRangdomIndiaLadakh
From Story photos
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her. Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.
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From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.
From Story photos
Landscapes en route Zanskar
The rugged browns of the Greater Himalayas give company after crossing the Penzi la. Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar. The water the glacier melt of Drang Drung glacier, the source of the Suru river.
From Story photos
On the Penzi la en route Zanskar
Our truck trudges through Penzi la, the only pass on the only motor-able road that connects Zanskar valley to the rest of India. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
It was late afternoon when we crossed the Penzi la, the landscape was starting to "feel" cold! Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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The truck driver who drove us to Zanskar, India
He was one of the drivers of the truck we traveled in, on the way to Zanskar. This was his maiden trip to this remote valley. While we covered ourselves in sweaters and caps, he refused to wear any warm wear.
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From Story photos
Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India
We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India
We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
The meandering gravel path is how much of the 250 km, only motor-able "road" to Zanskar is.
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Drang Drung glacier en route Zanskar
From atop the Penzi la, this was the closest we got to the Drang Drung glacier. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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The group that traveled in the trucks to Zanskar
Unavoidable circumstances forced us to halt overnight in the middle of nowhere. We spent the night in one of the trucks. This was the farewell picture we took with our kind drivers the next morning, after we had finally made it to Zanskar.
Back to PHOTO GALLERIESFrom Story photos
Lunch at our homestay in Sani
Sani, Zanskar valley, India
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From Story photos
Lunch at our homestay in Sani
Sani, Zanskar valley, India
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From Story photos
Stupas in Sani, Zanskar
Three stupas mark the entrance of every village in Zanskar. Read more about Simple life in Sani.
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Girls having some fun, Sani, Zanskar, India
Joys of a simple life; these girls are trying to run away from their friend splashing water on them. This is in a small village called Sani in the Zanskar valley. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Girls having some fun, Sani, Zanskar valley, India
Joys of a simple life; these girls are trying to run away from another one (with the back to the camera) splashing water on them. This is in a small village called Sani in the Zanskar valley. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Ongoing prayers to God, Zanskar, India
Religion and prayers, as a way of life, was unmissable. Prayer beads and Mani wheels were ubiquitous. Living in the midst of such harsh nature, it was not really surprising! Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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"Chang", the staple drink of Zanskar
Brewed by fermenting barley, Chang is the staple drink of Zanskar. It flows freely on any special occasion; from young to old, everyone relishes it. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Wedding party at Sani, in Zanskar, India
Brewed by fermenting barley, Chang is the staple drink of Zanskar. It flows freely on any special occasion; from young to old, everyone relishes it. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Local bread from Sani in Zanskar, India
Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Local bread from Sani in Zanskar, India
Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Lemon tea from Ladakh, India
Tea is served in small porcelain cups like this in the Ladakh region in India. Rows of decorative cups are proudly displayed on the kitchen shelves. Locals in this region have a special butter tea. But to tourists, they will ask for your preference. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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"Chang", the staple drink of Zanskar
This is a tub full of Chang , the staple drink of Zanskar, brewed by fermenting barley. It flows freely on any special occasion; from young to old, everyone relishes it. Read more about the Simple life of Sani.
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From Story photos