LADAKH – meaning Land of high passes. In Bengal, through the high and high hills, all the roads that people have moved, business, trade expanded since ancient times, called LA (LA). And where there are many such passes or mortgages, it is called Ladakh.
Since visiting Ladakh last June, it seems that I have made a list, came through some La or pass, what are their characteristics, what have I seen on those roads. Why they have been used for years, these thoughts are coming to my head.
Whenever I go, try to know a little history of the place, Leh Raj Palace is a living history above Leh city. Standing as a witness, about the years of life history of the people of that province. Leh city is the capital of Ladakh province, human living since about 7 century (1300 years ago) Ladakh Pradesh has developed a culture by mixing with the rule of different kings, and with that the cultures of different countries. The country of severe winter, the snow-capped roads remain closed for 6 months of the year.
Yet people live in this wonderful nature. The most attractive nature in Ladakh province is its lakes.
Below is a list, all the passes I have gone through, I have given them the lake, the name of the heart, which remains incomplete without shooting, the journey remains incomplete. Giving their height from sea surface next to the places. For the benefit of understanding, 6709 feet above sea level in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
Shinkula 16580
Padum Town 11483 Entry point of Zanskar Valley of Ladakh.
Pensi La 14435 – magnificent view of Drang Drung Glacier
Namika La 12198
Fotu La 13479 -highest point of Leh Srinagar road.
Leh 11562 capital of Ladakh
Khardugla La 17982, once highest motorable road on earth.
Chang La 17590. On the way Leh to Pangong Lake
Pangong Tso Lake 14270
PhotiLa 18124
Umling La 19024 highest motorable road on earth. Highe altitude than Mt. Everest base camp.
Hanle 14764 – Indian Highest Space observatory.
Tso Hair lake 14840
Tso Kar 15280
TanglangLa 17480
LachungLa 16616
Nakeela 15547
BaralachaLa 16040
Rohtang Pass 13051
While traveling through the Chanthang Valley of Ladakh, we stopped at the very scenic location. Just very near to our car, found a nomadic “Champa” settlement. For many years I had a wish to see the Champa settlement and their camp and life style in details. Although this time I could stop for a brief time, but experience the shearing of sheep fleece.
An unquie experience for me. Hope to spend some more time at a Champa camp in my next visit.
In the pictures, the entire family busy shearing the fleece from the sheeps. June 2025 Ladakh.
Hanle , Ladakh. The highest space observatory , a place where the Milky way can be seen through bare eyes.
Very common – Red Fox of Ladakh. got lucky to see – observe and photographed a family of Red Fox near Pangong Lake. Two adults with two kits.
Have seen and photograpghed many many birds and some wild animals while touring Ladakh this June’25. Unfortunately I stored all the photo of my camera on my laptop harddisk. And once I am back in the plains my very old companion my laptop denied to start. While waiting for the laptop to get repaired, here are some pics of birds that I kept in google cloud.
