Chortens, Leh, Ladakh

I had wanted to go to Ladakh for a couple of years, but was in India at the wrong time of year to make the journey from Manali, until this year (2000). The road is only open for about four months of the year, the rest of the year it is closed by the snow and ice, besides, Ladakh has very cold winters, as cold as minus 40c.

The two day journey from Manali, with a night spent at a tent camp on the way, was just as spectacular (and as tiring) as I'd read in the guidebooks, and was glad I went by Jeep, rather than by bus, which made it more comfortable, and easier to take some photographs along the way. The scenery is breathtaking, desolate in places, you realise how remote and inaccessible Ladakh really is. Being in a sensitive area, close to the borders with Pakistan on one side, and Tibet / China on the other, there is a military presence in the area, and checkpoints on the way there.

Mountains around Leh

Pang

Tent camp at Pang

Police checkpost on the way to Ladakh

Tanglang La Pass and prayer flags

Khardung La, the world's highest motorable road, 18380 ft.

Leh, with Leh Palace in the background

Leh Palace

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Ladakhis

Maitreya Buddha, Thiksey Gompa

Tsemo, or Red Gompa, Leh

Likir Gompa, Ladakh, with Buddha statue behind

75ft tall Buddha statue, Likir Gompa

Monk, Shanti Stupa, Leh

Monk, Likir Gompa

Thiksey Gompa, Leh

View from Thiksey Gompa

Chortens, just outside Leh