Leh Trip N ALTO …. Yup!! —- Part I

“Going Nuts”, response I got when I shared our idea of going Leh in Lill ALTO from everybody in the office. Anyway we were determined to take up the challenge (Plan B was also ready with us just incase). So here comes our Travel Masti……

3 Idiots in Leh

Day 1 : Gurgaon to Kud

A long time in the planning stage, a long time in coming… A long dreamed of trip to the Roof of the India…… Ladakh, started on 23th June 2010 in ALTO, covering more than 650 KM on our first day via Ambala & Hoshiarpur (Took shorter route via NH 91 & NH 21 to avoid Ludhiana & Jallandhar) , We drove up past Udhampur bypass, and having decided to avoid Jammu, stopped finally at Kud at J&K Tourist Bungalow. Just before reaching, we rolled down our windows and let the clouds drift through the car (Not unusual for people coming from Delhi in Hot Summer).

Thanda Thanda…. Cool Cool


Day 2 : Sonmarg………Meadow of Gold (including short trip to Aru….by mistake though)

We set off early from Kud-Patnitop towards Srinagar via the famous Jawahar Tunnel, a 2.6 km long tunnel where photography isn’t allowed for security reasons, this tunnel being a lifeline into Srinagar, both for the city and for the army. Yes, we also bought some famous “Patisa” from Prem Sweets, Kud. Enroute alarmed at the sight of the army patrols with mine detectors as also pickets with light machine guns at Regular Intervals.

As suggested by Google Maps took a shorter route to Sonamarg via Pahalgam (in any case we wanted to avoid Srinagar), and reached Aru Valley. Scenically most rewarding, through forests of virgin pine, fording crystal clear mountains streams and through meadows of wild flowers, in this fascinating meadow clicked some excellent photographs (around 15 km from Pahalgam) only to know from Locals that no such shorter route exists.

Finally decided to come back to main route but crossing Srinagar was a real pain, CRPF/Police presence and check posts have been steadily increasing. We really got scared when in one of the Chowk, Crowd started throwing stones, we turned back and asked a policeman for alternate route to Sonamarg from Srinanagar.

The drive after crossing Srinagar was the most spectacular so far , with some fabulous terrain and drove along the frisky Sindh River. It was difficult to decide when to shoot and when to wait for the next bend in the road – it just kept getting better and better. Late evening snowy heights into the dense woodlands of firs and silver birches welcomed us in Sonmarg. At Sonmarg where we stayed at J&K Bungalow (recommended for excellent views). For people travelling to Leh from this Route, A Petrol Pump is there in Gagangir just 10 KM short of Sonamarg.

Day 3 Zozila Pass ——– The Gateway to Ladakh

The serious climbing began today, and we kept marveling at how truckers seemed so casual about negotiating those hairpin bends with just a sheer drop on one side. We came to our first pass – Zojila, where we got some photos.

Zoji La Pass has an impressive location, enclosed by Kashmir Valley on one side and Drass Valley on the other side, over looking snow capped peaks and thick belt of forests. It is closed half the year due to heavy snowfall and opened in late spring.
The climb continued and the terrain got increasingly beautiful as we progressed. We passed through Drass, a picturesque little town where we stoped to click famous Tiger Hill.

Once clear of Kargil we drove closer to the snow-covered mountain and I could see how really large they were. We rode for several hours without talking much. Then we had to make a decision and stopped the Engine in Mulbekh (J&K Guest House). Mulbekh is first pre-dominantly Buddist village in Srinagar to Leh Route.

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