Padam - Zanskar Valley I

10th October, being started on the 11th of October

Was an absolutely amazing full day.

The drive was from Lamayuru to Padam. The route that I had looked at with the help of all the maps I had was 340 kilometers, and ran thru Kargil. Was prepared for anywhere near 10 hours on the road.

The previous evening, the owner of the hotel I stayed at in Lamayuru put a different route in my head. He asked me to cut across the mountains, using a new road that had just been opened.

I did the wise thing. Contacted my travel connects and asked them. Their reply was that it was a great idea as long as it did not snow or rain.

Woke up to see the sky clouding. But decided to take the suggested route. Had no clue as to distance to be covered. 

Was offered tea with breakfast, but refused. Told the lady managing the hotel that I would have some a few hours into the run. She grinned and told me that I may not find any shops. Thought she was joking. The joke was on me.

Had to backtrack about 5 kilometers and turn off across the river.

The road started off as a great metal top road.

Stopped couple of times when I saw people to make sure I was headed towards Zanskar.

The road soon became a gravel top, and remained so till I was 30 kilometers from Padam.

The best way to do this is pictures. Again, unfortunate I do not know how to get the videos I have loaded.

This was the terrain initially. Narrow channels between rock mountain sides. The road curving with the river.
 

It was clear that the road was breaking out of the current range of rocky mountains into something more. There was no traffic.

The climb had been continuous. The snow peaks were getting visible.

Soon I was above the ice line. Stepping out of the vehicle meant the cold and the wind cutting thru. Fortunately, the engine heat of the vehicle was keeping me nice and warm. 

 The first pass I crossed was Sisir La and 15900 feet.

As you can see it was muggy. The clouds were coming in fast. There was a hint of snow in the air. Got back into the vehicle as fast as I could and drove on. The snow fall was light.

The road goes down into a valley, before you start climbing again.

 The second pass I went thru was Shinge La, at about 16500 feet,

 The road went down after that.

Till I came to a hair pin with a tea stall, and a few vehicles. Remembered the lady at Lamayuru. There had been not one tea stall before this.

Got talking to the drivers over tea. They pointed to a narrow mud track off the hair pic as my route to Zanskar.

This was the third pass, Murugan La or Lingshed La.

The road down is steep. Not for people with weak stomachs or those who ride brakes on down slopes.

 Unfortunately all I have of the slopes are videos.  They are steep.

Reached the end of the slope at the banks of the Zanskar. Stayed on the banks of the river for the next hour.

 The road climbed away from the river.

 And, finally reached a road.

Which lasted all the way in to Padam.

Stopped at a crossing to ask directions to my hotel. Got whistled at by a lady police officer. Who grinned and showed me the way.

Checked in to Hotel Potala by 1500.

Fantastic drive.

Met a group of bikers. All Parsi. Wild guys ranging from the early 40s to late 50s.

Had a late evening with them. Ended with some chocolate cake as it was the birthday of one of the guys. Good fun.