In this video we will be showing you the other part of the Nimmu-Padum Darcha highway connecting Zanskar to Himachal Pradesh via Shikhula pass. This is the route we took for our exit from Zanskar and is yet another beautiful but somewhat rough drive across the mountainous terrains. We have shown you the first part of this road, on Episode 1 of this series while coming from Leh towards Padum driving along Wanla, Photoksar, Lingshed, Sirsir la and Singe la. The exiting route is going to take us from Padum to Manali via Purne, Kargiak, Gonba Ranjan, Shinkhula pass to Darcha, joining the Manali Leh highway from there towards Manali. So, we will be passing the very scenic Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh before entering Kullu via Atal Tunnel.
It was early morning at 5am approx. when we were scheduled to start our journey for Manali since its going to be a long drive of approx. 280kms. But due to rough weather and snowfall at Shinkhula pass, we were forced to delay our journey by a few hours. But fortunately, the weather turned better with the passing hour and we could finally start from Padum at around 10am. The drive towards Purne provides you with unbelievable views. It is pretty much like a picture being painted right in front of you. The view keeps evolving and everywhere you look, you’ll realize the beauty of barrenness like never before. The three-hour journey till Purne will take you through many villages, monasteries, stupas and tiny hamlets while driving along the swift-flowing Tsarap river which is joined by Kargyag River originating from Shinkhula at Purne. Infact, Purne is the base for the famous cave-monastery Phugtal Monastery trek - a 8km scenic but sufficiently challenging hike up the stiff mountain trails. WE could not do the trek due to time constraint, but if you are wiling to do it, you will need to stay put for a night at Purne.
As you continue driving along the Kurgiakh river, after sometime, you will notice the stand-alone Gonba Ranjan peeping out from a distance straightaway. As you continue your drive towards it, you will reach the beautiful tiny hamlet Kargiak on the bank of Kurgiakh river . Straight across, you can see the barren and the beautiful mountain - Gonba Ranjan, one of the most revered and sacred mountains for the Zanskari folk. And why only them, you yourself can sense a feeling of divinity standing right infront of the mighty structure. With snow-covered mountains as its backdrop, and the river flowing through a meadow nearby, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more heavenly place in the world.
After spending some time near the Gonba Ranjan, we started our ascend to Shinkhula. Unstructured muddy roads, melting snow running down the slopes forming streams and waterfalls, river crossings, bouldered pathways is what welcomes you while ascending the high altitude pass at 16580 feet. And once you reach the top, you are greeted with snow all around and a turquoise frozen lake along with the panoramic visuals of the Himalayan terrain. Shinkhula is what connects Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh and the moment you cross the pass you enter the picturscque Lahaul Valley, a whole new world with new vistas. Lahaul valley looked like the greener version of Spiti. Stiff, green- carpeted sky-touching mountains with snowcapped peaks and glaciers in the background and the Bhaga river flowing across the valley is what Lahaul is all about and the greenery soothed our eyes after driving across a barren and pastel landscape in Ladakh. Though Lahaul seemed to be somewhat ravaged by landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, but it was a nice drive along mettaled winding roads while passing Jispa, Keylong, Sissu enroute. And soon we were inside Atal tunnel- a 9 km all weather tunnel, bypassing Rohtang pass which separates Lahaul with Kullu district. As we entered Kullu district, the whole view took quite a drastic turn. A surreal darkness and Dense fog covered the forests and mountains of Kullu which seemed to have taken quite a beating from the weather God and is standing ravaged and aloof with signs of destruction strewn all over - broken roads and damaged river banks, fallen houses and empty streets. It was quite evident that it would be better to leave Manali asap as destruction may strike once again anytime. So that was it, the very next day, we were out for Delhi marking an end to our adventure road trip to Ladakh.
8 сен 2024
