Kashmir-Ladakh-Himachal Tour (Chapter-II : Dras-Kargil-Lamayuru)

It took quite a sabbatical to start writing once again about the dream road-trip in J&K and Himachal for more than a fortnight. After a very eventful daytrip passing Sonamarg and the crowded Zoji-La, we finally reached at Dras for a pre-planned nighthalt at the Tourist Bungalow. The Sun was set and the last rays were still kissing the snow-capped Himalayan ranges surrounding this beautiful village to make them golden orange - a visual treat to a tired physique. I kept on solo exploration of the place in the market close to the mosque, as well as a little uphill with a hope to view Tiger Hill without success. I went to bed after a small bonfire in the chilling cold summer of Dras, with a slightly intrigued mind for the early next day.

Early next morning I did the hardest thing - took a shower at 4am in the World's second coldest place, packed the bags, wore the boots and went on solo walk towards the river. I would forever cherish the sunrise in the Tololing valley I watched alone in the pristine nature of Dras. After that we gathered and started once again the day-trip towards Leh. Our first stop was the Kargil war Memorial as well we took a small break at the Suru valley.

As we moved towards entering Ladakh, the landscape started to change very fast and we were all amazed by the rugged landscape without vegetation in a chilling cold windy weather. That landscape I never experienced anywhere in my life, as we moved from Fotu-La to Namika-La. One of our co-travellers nose started to bleed for which we need to make a quick stop for medical attention.

Finally with a hungry stomach we reached the moonland of Ladakh - Lamayuru! As locals say, its landscape closely resembles the surface seen on the moon. We went also to the oldest Monastery, learned about its rich heritage and roamed a little bit around before starting once again for Leh.

After reaching Leh, I hadn't much to do for the night, other than a tight sleep following a dinner. Totally exhausted, I just crashed in bed. (To be continued...)