Sinthan Top, Kashmir, India
On National Highway NH-1B, which is open only during the four summer months, Sinthan Top is at a height of 3750m. Snow, even in the summer is the biggest attraction for tourists. Read full story at Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas
The security guard for snow clearing machines, Kashmir, India
Yusuf stayed at the top of Sinthan pass in a small tent with another colleague. He worked for a BEACON, the company in charge of maintaining the roads here. He invited us in his makeshift tent and even offered to cook us some lunch! Read more stories at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
Kokernag Botanical Garden, Kashmir, India
Read more on Kokernag at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Kokernag Botanical Garden, Kashmir, India
Read more on Kokernag at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Kokernag Botanical Garden, Kashmir, India
Developed by the J&K Tourism department, Kokernag Botanical Garden is the biggest garden in Kashmir. A hot-spot for Sunday family outings, it is choc-a-bloc with kids playing, couples romancing among the roses and the elderly resting under Chinars. Read more on Kokernag at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Inside Asia's largest trout fishery, Kashmir, India
Read more on Kokernag at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Inside Asia's largest trout fishery, Kashmir, India
Read more on Kokernag at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Kokernag Trout Fisheries, Kashmir, India
Right next to the Kokernag Botanical Garden is the largest trout fishery in Asia. The research students at the training institute here showed us the various steps involved in breeding the fish. Read more on Kokernag at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Train journey from Srinagar to Anantnag, Kashmir, India
Rice is the staple diet of Kashmiris, and rice fields are seen everywhere, especially at lower altitudes, like here in Awantipora. The rice planting season had just begun, and it made for lovely green carpets. Read more on life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir
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Train journey from Srinagar to Anantnag, Kashmir, India
We saw these freshly cultivated paddy fields on the train journey from Srinagar to Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Rice is the staple food in Kashmir. The summer month of July is the peak paddy sowing time. Agriculture activity was on in full swing in the entire state. It is a family activity, with every member contributing on the fields.
Read full stories on :
People of the valley: Kashmir
Kids of the hills
Lolab Valley: Kashmir Unexplored
Life and sights around Dal lake in Srinagar
A day in Kokernag, KashmirAnantnag Srinagar train journeyKashmirIndialandscapesandeepachetan
Volunteers from Europe on cycling their way to Zanskar
They were cycling from Kargil to Padum, a 250km gravel road, in Zanskar valley. In Zanskar, they were going to volunteer as teachers in a school they had helped build earlier.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
Rangdum, Kargil, India
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Landscape around Bardan Monastery, Zanskar, India
The Bardan monastery is now accessible by a motor-able road. Climbing a few steps on the top take you to inside this monastery. Read full stories on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Dinner at Padum, Zanskar, India
At Mont Blanc, our guest house in Padum, they made chapatis specially for their guests, though it is not a part of the traditional diet of Zanskar. Ceramic bowls like this one are a common feature across kitchens of the Zanskar valley.
End of the trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Work is on to make a motorable road to Phuktal. Parts of the trekking route are blasted to make way for the road. This makes it risky for the trekkers to cross some patches; but it is no big deal for the locals of Zanskar. Read full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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End of the trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Read full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Family from Anmu village en route Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
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Family from Anmu village en route Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
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Kitchen of a house in Anmu en route Phuktal
This device, part of every kitchen in Zanskar, is used to make the traditional yak butter tea. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
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Kitchen of a house in Anmu en route Phuktal
Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
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Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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At a house in Anmu en route Phuktal.
Pretty plants like this one decorate the window sills of most houses in Zanskar. We saw this at a house in a village called Anmu. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. We had some tea, home made bread and the most amazing yogurt. Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
At a house in Anmu en route Phuktal.
The cow dung cakes are left to dry for use as fuel in winter at a house in Anmu. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
At a house in Anmu en route Phuktal.
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Tibetan scriptures on rocks, Zanskar, India
These rocks are an important feature of Tibetan Buddhism. They are a work of art and reflect the colours of the mountains found in these regions. We found many of these around Phuktal monastery, the remotest monastery of Zanskar, hidden in a cave. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters, we were finally at the Phuktal monastery - on a mountain top hidden in a cave. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Lunch time at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. We reached the monastery at lunch time and had lunch with the monks there. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Lunch time at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. We reached the monastery at lunch time and this was the view for lunch! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Lunch time at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Little boys training to be monks wait for lunch to be served at Phuktal monastery. Take their maroon robes away and they could pass off as kids in a playground. But unlike other kids, the to-be monks live their lives in isolation, studying ancient scriptures in the highly remote monastery. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Lunch of the monks at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
We reached the monastery at lunch time and had the same food as the monks. It was simple, mostly boiled, healthy food. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Young monks at Phuktal monastery, India
It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground.. Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Young monks at Phuktal monastery, India
It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground.. Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Monks living in caves, Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery.
Young monks at Phuktal monastery, India
It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground.. Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Visit to Phuktal monastery in Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. Their father had got them to visit the Phuktal monastery.
PhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
Phuktal monastery hidden in a cave, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Path leading to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. This man was getting his kids to visit the Phuktal monastery.
PhuktalZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
Visit to Phuktal monastery in Zanskar, India
Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. Their father had got them to visit the Phuktal monastery.
PhuktalZanskarIndiaportraitsandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
First glimpse of Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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First glimpse of Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Early morning in Cha en route Phuktal, Zanskar, India
While we prepared to leave our homestay in Cha early morning for the Phuktal monastery, this woman has already gathered her first basket of the day. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
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Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India
Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery
Leaving Cha village for Phuktal monastery
It's a tiny village. No shop. No school. Be prepared to have only locally grown vegetables. (And some home brewed alcohol). We stayed here overnight on our way to Phuktal monastery. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery
ChaZanskarIndialandscapesandeepachetanzanskar valleyIndiaLadakh
