Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Kashmir drive expedition 2023 by Vidya Anand

Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Kashmir drive expedition 2023

"It's not the destination, it's the journey"

Started our road expedition with Gabru (Toyota Fortuner 4X4) in mid April 2023.

Our expedition cum staycation of close to 3 months extensively covered Mandi and Kullu districts in Himachal and the whole of Ladakh trespassing through remote and internal village routes which covered rocky, muddy, slushy & normal mountain terrains.  The 4*4 came into play at most treacherous paths on these routes.

The route of 10,028 Kms panned out through the following routes : 

MH (Thane) - HP (Sundernagar) : 

Thane - Valsad - Vadodara - Godhra - Shamlaji - Udaipur - Nathdwara - Bhilwara - Jaipur - Paota - Ambala - Bilaspur - Sundernagar 

HP - Bilaspur, Mandi & Kullu Districts :

Sundernagar - Rewalsar lake - Kamrunag temple - Jhanjheli - Dhim Kataru - Shikari Mata temple - Lamba Taach - Thunag - Shatadhar - Keolidhar valley - Pandoh - Thachi valley - Spehnidhar - Shatadhar - Gada Gushaini - Tungashi Top - Janjheli - Thunag - Shatadhar - Seri village - Chunjwala peak - Hadimba temple - Ropa village - Pundrik Rishi temple - Thachi - Aut - Naggar - Bijli Mahadev temple - Kasheri - Pangan monastery - Patlikuhal - Manali - Hampta Pass trail - Vashisht village - Kothi - Gulaba checkpost - Jana village - Kullu town - Pulag - Rumsu - Parashar lake - Chajogi village - Bhuntar - Kasol - Manikaran - Kullu - Mathasaur valley - Hallan valley - Naggar - Khangsar - Jispa - Darcha - Baralacha Pass - Sarchu

Ladakh : Leh District 

Sarchu - Gata Loops - Lachulung La - Pang - Meroo - Tso Kar - Thukje Monastery - Tso Kar Lake - Pologongka La - Sumdo - Tso Moriri - Korzok - Sumdo - Mahe - Yaya Nunnery - Kaksangla Top Pass - Chushul - Rizangla War Memorial - Tangste - Durbuk - Changla Pass - Sakti - Karu - Shey - Sindhu Ghat - Spituk - Stok - Shey Palace - Thiksey - Hemis Monastery - Stakna - Mathoo - Chemerey - Choglumsar - Leh - Shey - Upshi - Mahe - Nidar - Chilling Tso - Ryul Lake - Punguk - Hanle - Indian Astronomical Observatory Hanle - Hanle Gompa - Gongma La - Nurbu La - Chisumle Bridge - Umlingla Pass - Demchok - Lagankhel - Koyul - Tashigang - Fukche - Dunkhangle - Dungti - Loma Bridge - Thangra - Tsaga - Rizang la - Chushul - Kakstet - Pangaong Tso Lake - Merak - Man - Spangmik - Muglib - Tangste Gompa - Durbuk - Shyok - Karakoram Dwar bridge - Shyok Gompa - Agham - Rongdu - Tsati - Khalsar - Diskit - Hunder - Thoise - Skuru - Shyok War Memorial -  Bogdang -  Chulungkha - Turtuk Monastery - Tyakshi - Thang - Diskit - Khalsar - Sumur - Samstanling Gompa - Tigur - Penamik - Ensa Gompa - Murgi - Charasa Palace - Ayee - Arann - Zongsa - Yarma Gompa - Warshi - Siachen Base Camp - Sasoma - Penamik - Sumur - Khardung La Pass - Khardung village - Tsati -  Agham - Wari La Pass - Sakti - Karu - Leh - Shanti Stupa - Nimoo - Alchi Monastery - Rizong Gompa - Leh - Basgo Monastery - Ney Gompa / Buddha statue - Likhir - Tsermanchan La - Hemis Shukpachan Buddha statue - Ang - Tingmosgang - Tia Manjushi statue - Nurla - Khalsi - Lamayuru -  Atitse Gompa - Fotula La - Wanla Gompa - Sisir La - Photoksar Gompa - Singe La - Kiupa La - Murgum La - Lingshed Gompa - Shamsher Singh Bridge - Kilma Bridge 

Ladakh - Kargil District :

Zangla - Padum - Karsha Gompa - Sani Lake & Gompa - Stakrimo Gompa - Pibiting Gompa - Dzongkul Gompa - Phey - Drang Dung Glacier view point - Penzi La Pass - Rangdum Gompa - Parkachik - Suru Valley - Sankoo - Karchaykhar Buddha statue - Kargil town - Humderman LOC view point - Kargil War Memorial - Harka Bahadur Memorial - Point 13620 war memorial - Apati Buddha Statue - Barchey - Hambuting La - Laloung - Silmo - Batalik - Darchick Aryan village - Garkone Aryan village - Vajrapani statue & Gompa - Dah Aryan village - Kaksar - Bhimbat - Drass War Memorial - Mushkoo Valley - Man Man Top -  Drass - Gumri War Memorial - Zozila Pass - Baltal - Sonamarg - Kangan - Srinagar - Pampore - Awantipora - Qazigund - Banihal -  Ramsoo - Ramban - Patni Top (outer) - Udhampur - Samba - Lakhanpur - Pathankot

PB (Pathankot) - MH (Thane) :

Pathankot - Jalandhar - Ludhiana - Ambala - Jaipur - Bhilwara - Udaipur - Himmatnagar - Ahmedabad - Vadodara - Ankleshwar - Valsad - Charoti - Thane

High Las' (Passes) covered :

Baralacha La - 15K ft asl

Lachulung La - 16K ft asl

Pologongka La

Kaksang La- 17K ft asl

Chang La - 17K ft asl

Tanglang La - 17K ft asl

Nurbu La - 17K ft asl

Gongma La 

Umling La - 19K ft asl

Wari La - 17K ft asl

Khardung La - 18K ft asl

Tsermanchan La

Fotula La - 13K ft asl

Sisir La - 15k ft asl

Singe La - 16K ft asl

Penzi La - 14K ft asl

Hambuting La - 13K ft asl

Zoji La- 11K ft asl

Courtesy: Vidya Anand 

https://www.facebook.com/vidya.anand.165?mibextid=ZbWKwL 

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* Ladakh Trails 

* Himachal Trails