Himalayan Adventure--Journey to Leh via Manali-3

Day 3, after we started from Manali. Last day after trek to Kardang Gompha we had taken nice rest because we have to start our Journey early in the morning at 5:30Am. Though wind chilly but we don't have any other option. Exactly 5:30 AM Bus started.

Keylong - Jispa: 22 KM

Up next,we will come across Jispa - a small village located on the bank of Bhaga River. It should not take more than 50 minutes to settle the 22 KM distance between Keylong and Jispa as the road condition dramatically improves on this stretch. Jispa has decent accommodation facilities including the luxurious Hotel Ibex, a guest house and a few camping tent houses. You can also find eateries with clean toilet facility. You can also make use of public telephone booths if your mobile signal dries up. Jispa is known for the panoramic views of the adjoining picturesque valleys decorated by numerous streams, mountain peaks and lush greeneries all around. If you are fascinated by the thought of camping, then a night's stay in one of the Swiss tents under the hood of a starry sky with a campfire as your companion can be a remarkable experience at Jispa.
 

 Photo: Jispa(Bhaga River)

 Jispa - Darcha: 17 KM

Your next target is Darcha - a hamlet located on the other bank of the Bhaga River. The condition of the road remains in good shape throughout and the incline is not very steep. This is the last village in Himachal Pradesh inhibited by human beings. There's a police checkpost at Darcha where you need to enter the details of the travellers and the vehicle. Foreign nationals need to get their passports verified at Darcha police checkpoint. The information recorded here will be helpful for the rescue operators to trace the travellers in the event of any natural calamity. Dracha has a few road-side dhabas for satisfying your thirst as well as appetite. There is also a public telebhone booth which you might want to use. 

 Tourist attraction at Darcha:Darcha-Padum trek is one of the most popular trekking trails among the adventurists. There is a huge ground at Darcha which has temporary camps put up by the locals. If you are looking for an affordable tent accommodation for the night, then Dracha is your cheapest bet.

 

 Photo : Darcha

 You may experience symptoms of AMS here because of the high altitude level. It's important to keep your body hydrated, so keep on sipping from the water bottle / ORS solution to increase your water intake significantly.

Dracha - Zingzing Bar: 31 KM

A 31 KM uphill drive from Dracha will lead you to Zingzing Bar. It is a roadside bar located at an altitude of 4270 meters above the sea level - making it one of the most elevated bars in the world. For the tourists to Leh, it is much more than a mere bar. The amazing location makes it a peaceful resting ground for the exhausted travelers. Don't be misled by the name even if you are a teetotaller. You can simply take a seat at the bar and sip on your cup of tea or cofee.

Photo: Zingzing Bar(Only Tea and Cofee)

Zingzing Bar - Baralacha La: 22KM

Baralacha La is a is a high mountain pass located at a distance of just 22 kilometers from the Zingzing Bar. After the Rohtang Pass, it is the second of the five mountain passes that you will be encountering during your journey to Leh from Manali. Baralacha La, situated at an altitude of 4890 meters, is the confluence point that connects Himachal's Lahaul district with Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
 

Photo: Baralacha La

The condition of the road is anything but good here. The continuous melting of snow results in deep water crossings. Roads are often washed away and you will have to be extra careful to negotiate the invisible holes on the road surface created by the flowing water - especially during the early season time. It's not uncommon to see a vehicle getting stuck on the middle of the road creating long trails of traffic on both the sides.

Tourist Attractions at Baralacha La:
Towering at over 4890 meters, the pass itself is a big tourist attraction which offers hawk-eye views of not one, but three beautiful river valleys - Bhaga Valley, Chandra Valley and Yunam Valley. Many tourists take the famous trekking route to Suraj Tal lake from where the Bhaga River originates. More adventurous trekkers also include the route from Baralacha La to Chandra Tal lake( from where Chandra originate) to their trekking itinerary.

 Baralacha La - Sarchu: 32 KM

While proceeding towards Sarchu, you will first come across a place called Bharatpur. It has a few dhabas as well as a series of tented accommodations right off the Manali-Leh highway. There's a dhaba named "Khate Raho Maamu", which is known to offer delicious food for a bargain price. Bharatpur tent houses are more friendly to your pocket compared to those at Sarchu. So if you are on a tight budget, then it make sense to rest for the night here.
 

Photo : On the way to Sarchu

Soon you will be crossing the Himachal Pradesh state borders and make your way to Jammu and Kashmir. Sarchu is the first Kashmiri village you will come across on Manali-Leh highway. As you are entering a different state, you will need to make another entry at a police checkpost here. Sarchu is famous for its wide range of tented accommodations. Right from a basic tripal to the state-of-the-art Swiss tent with attached toilet, you will be spoilt for choices here. Food and beverages are also available at one of the many road-side eateries.

Tourist Attractions at Sarchu:

Trekking along the direction of the river Tsarap Chu is a tourist attraction at Sarchu. It also acts as the origin point of trekking to the Zanskar Valley region of Ladakh.

 

Photo: Sarchu

Sarchu - Pang: 80 KM
The next major point in your trip, Pang, is another 80 KM drive from Sarchu. You will first encounter a collection of 21 stunning loops (hairpin bends) that would last for a distance of 7 KM and take you to the altitude of 4630 meters from 4190 meters. Known as the Gata Loops, it would surely give you a bout of adrenaline rush.

 Photo:Ghata loops

Up next is the third mountain pass on your journey - the deserted Namkee La situated at the height of 4740 meters above the sea level. You can witness only the barren landscapes here with no sign of any vegetation.
 

 Photo: Nakee La

But that's just the beginning. Be prepared to fly even higher as you will soon rise above 5000 meters in elevation at the Lachalung La pass. With an altitude of 5079 meters, it is the second highest mountain pass on the Manali-Leh highway. You can catch a glimpse of the entire Ladakh plateau from the top of the Lachalung La pass.


 Photo: A natural tunnel Near Lachung la

As you continue to inch ahead towards Leh, another 21 KM downhill drive from the Lachalung La would take you to Pang. Those unique looking pale-brown soil formations, which are the inherent beauty of Ladakh's barren stretches, will become more apparent from Pang. If not anything else, Pang offers some fantastic views of the vistas worthy of being captured on your camera.
 Photo:  Pang

Pang - Tanglang La: 66 KM

The last of the five high mountain passes on the Manali-Leh route, the Tanglang La, is the highest of the lot with an altitude of 5328 meters above the sea level. But before encountering this fortress, you will need to come across a 35 KM stretch of flat-bedded area named Moore Plains. It's highly surprising, as well as refreshing, to find such a large flat surface of land while on an upward cruise to one of the highest motorable mountain ranges in the world. If you are lucky, then a Kiyang (Himalayan Wild Ass) might decide to pay you a sudden visit - so be prepared with your camera to capture this endangered species. Moore Plains is also known to be the natural habitat of a wide variety of wild animals including the rare blue sheeps.

 

Photo : Moore Plains

As you approach Tanglang La, you will be perplexed by the quality of the roads - or rather the complete lack of it. It is as good as a dirt track from Debring onwards, so your progress will obviously be much slower. Tanglang La (5328 meters) is considered as the 2nd highest motorable road in the world - the first being the Khardung La pass (5601 meters) at Ladakh. The freezing winds add to the bone-chilling cold and you might feel overwhelmed by its sheer momentum. There's a huge sign board declaring it to be the second highest motorable road in a world - which is a favorite among the tourists for a selfie or a photoshoot.

Photo : Thanglang La

Tourist Attractions at Tanglang La:
"You are passing through the second highest motorable pass in the world" - this signboard planted on top of Tanglang La generates crazy interest from the tourists. Moore Plains is a vast stretch of flat-bedded surface which is rich in Himalayan wildlife. A view of the Tso Kar Lake on the backdrop of snow-clad mountain ranges is sure to mesmerize you.

Tanglag La - Upshi: 61 KM

As you descend from the overwhelming stature of Tanglang La, you would first come across a small village with only a handful of houses. Rumste, as it is known as, is the first settlement in the Indus Valley when you are arriving from Manali. You will be driving right along the Indus River and you will be surprised to see the dramatically improved road condition.

Photo: Upshi

As you continue to make steady progress, Upshi will be the first town to greet you. Upshi has the last police check point where you need to register the vehicle as well as the travelers details. It has a few basic guest house accommodation options and you can also buy some edibles. A few minutes down the road, you can also find a fuel station after traveling for more than 350 kilometers from Tandi. You may refuel here if you badly need to, otherwise, Leh does have a few good options as well.
Tourist Attractions at Upshi:
Upshi is the origin point for trekking to Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes via Chumathang trail. It is considered to be a pure bliss for the nature lovers.

Upshi - Leh: 47 KM
Once you cross Upshi, you are just 47 KM adrift of the magical aura of Leh. Your excitement would prompt you to reach there as fast as you can. But don't let the temptation ruin your senses. Continue to drive in a safe and composed manner and you will finally realize your dream of reaching Ladakh within a spell of just one hour.
Photo: Leh Laddakh 

On the way I got altitude Sickness and started Vomiting when I Reached at Thanglang La. It was horrible , I was thinking why i invited this Trouble. After that around till Rumtse it was same condition. after that road is Flat and straight , given me hope and around 6 Pm in the evening we reached at Leh. then after taking rest whole night I was Feeling fresh and we started Sight Scene. Though i never had AMS but this journey given me all the feeling what AMS is.
Another important feature of this road trip was that you will be travelling  more than 200 KM which is 4000Meter above mean Sea Level, it starts before sarchu.












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