Day 3 - 14/Sep/09
Kargil – Leh.
This day & Night was marked with First Passes, Lamayuru, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib Ji, Magnetic Hill, Army Transit Camp and RATS.
This was supposed to be an easy day so we decided to start around 7:00 and by IST we ended up leaving at 8:00 AM.
Breakfast was ordered at night, and they prepared it on time, anyways it was just boiled eggs and bread butter/jam, so not much. I was feeling perfect by morning but took little light food.
To my surprise hotel people were very apologetic about there inability to arrange dinner for us last night. Anyways I did not cared about dinner last night and Rohit is not fussy about food at all so none was bothered (BTW I am very fussy about food, and we had many debates over not missing meals during trips: D ). Though I definitely would have minded, if that happens while traveling with family. In any case Caravan Sarai is not really a best place in Kargil. I suggest look at the PWD guest house.
We did the morning ritual of refilling the water bottles, mixed ORS in one of them, took Diamox, look at the Engine area, and all set to go.
Filled the fuel at the pump, at the exit of Kargil. This road is under construction for double lane, so lots of bumpy ride for around 30 km.
We passed Namik-La without even noticing it, did not saw any board as well. I guess because of the double laning or road, they removed it temporarily. Other wise this whole section is in very good condition.
Our first major stop was at Fotu-La, at the height 0f 13479 Ft. We took some snaps and moved ahead. We passed through some really beautiful landscape. I think stretch between Fotu-la and Lamayuru is the only scenic potion of whole Srinagar-Leh circuit.
We reached Lamayuru at around 12:30 PM and took a round of the Monastery. This was our first monastery of the trip. Monasteries were the one reason I was very fascinated about this trip. On our last trip we missed all monasteries because of health condition.
Lamayuru monastery one of the very beautiful monastery around and it gives a great view all around. We took 30 minutes moving around and taking pics. By that time we were hungry.
Monastery has a very nice restaurant which serves variety of Tibetan food. We ordered Noodles, Soup and Momos which average on taste but VFM for money and place.
There couple of Guest Houses in Lamayuru, one I remember was by the name Krishna GH. Had no time to check them out, but there are definitely options to stay here.
BSNL was working like a charm; we made few calls at home about our safe progress.
We started towards Leh around 1:45 PM and took few breaks in between. There is 4 km diversion for Alchi monastery so we decided to give it a skip. Stopped at few beautiful places, bridges and sides of rivers. Roads were in very good condition and perfectly tarred.
Next quick stops were at Nimmu, Magnetic Hill and Gurudawar Pathar Sahib Ji.
Airtel started getting signals at Nimmu and I made few quick calls at home. As we planned to stay at Army Transit Camp, courtesy Army Contacts of Rohit, he had to make few calls to confirm the booking and get the names to refer.
Around Nimmu, not sure what place, there is one stretch, straight like an arrow with shinning black tar. I was really amazed to see how BRO maintain these roads. Wish BRO had a civil department, which can be hired for maintain Gurgaon roads.
Magnetic hill was next, though I was not really interested in doing that magnetic testing, we took a break for snaps and some rest.
Next was Pathar Sahib ji, this is one beautiful gurudawara at no where. So clean, calm and majestic at a place where survival is a daily fight. After having darshan of Sahib ji, we had that super tasty and hot Kada(Pudding), Parshad and hot tea. This whole gurudawar is maintained by different units of Army and that time I think unit 120(Electronic & Maintenance) was in charge.
I had a quick chat with the Jat Jawan serving tea, and he told me that Gurudawar remains functional even on peak winter with head deep snow every where. Army vehicle still run under those conditions.
After that it was a straight run to Leh. As we entered Leh around 5:00Pm, next task was to search the lodge at Army Transit Camp, which was a task in itself, couple of calls by Rohit and we managed sneak in to the camp.
The room allocated to us was named as Fotu-La, so we were smiling. And belive me at the first look inside, I was saying Wow. Army does take care of there guest and family in style. It was kind of apartment with Lounge, Kitchen, bed room, TV, Dish, Fridge, Water Filter and what not.
Unfortunately this place is 5 km outside Leh, so we decided to get fresh quickly and go to Leh Market for dinner. By the time we got fresh it was 7:00 and I was kind of feeling lazy. So we decided to give Officer’s mess a try, and what a good decision it was.
Officer’s mess as usual had a bar, playing area, a sitting area with TV (and India match was on) and a dinning hall. I was very keen for a beer, but we had a strict no alcohol rule for the trip, so just passed by the bar .
Food at the mess was amazing, and it was our first proper dinner since we started. It had mutton, mix veg, rice, roti etc etc.
We took a walk after dinner but strong winds forced us to move back to apartment. I request for tea as a habit and got it on time.
So day was over as I thought, BUT no so fast, we were on adventure trip, things can not be that easy.
As I was about to start getting some sleep, I heard some Kut-Kut sounds, I thought may be some loose window, but it started growing, and I felt some creatures moving on my hand. Damn Rats, I shouted, I hate rats. They were quite a lot and quite noisy and did not allowed us to sleep whole night. Next time I will ask twice about the rats, before staying in Transit camp. We laughed many time about this incident, during our trip.
These rats gave us company next day as well.
View from Hotel Carvan Sarai
Hotel Room - Pathetic
Kargil Town
On the way to Fotu-la