In the heart

Trekking through these majestic mountains is an intensely fulfilling experience for the soul and senses

camp as it snowed heavily in d1e night, and the way to Chandrataal became Lrnpassable. So we moved to pla n B, and drove to Leh b y road, a dis tanc e of approximately 300 kms tluough treacherous mountain roads, crossing two passes at BaralachaLa and Tangl angLa, w hich is the seco nd highest motorable pass at 17,600 ft. We camped at Tsokar (4400 mts); sn owfall followed us here, and was the cause of a photographer's nightmared1ar of a b leak, whitewashed landscape

A few quick steps a nd fast movements caused m e breatbjng cJj fficuh:y, as l had not yet acclimatized to d1e change. It was a strange feeling ro breathe, bur not ger the 02. \Xie finally reached Le h and sta r ted off on the i\farkha va lley trek from Z ingc he n. \'(/e continuously followed riverbanks and climbed hills in tl1e high arid mo umai.ns of th e Himalayas. The land scape crawl with in a foot to catch a nice portrait! Ocher wildlife included the Hima layan fox, wild ass, marmot, kin g vulture and man y colourful butterflies.

There were maa y spectacular moments each day, such as htmdreds of sheep tryi ng to cross a rickety foot- bridge in the evening light at N im aling. The last day of the trek came quite quickly, and we left the mmmrains with heavy hearts.

The next day we drov e to KhardungLa pass (18,380 ft)

\vhich is the highest mmorable road in the world. lt was a strange feeling, and soon a slow sn owfall began, fo rcing us jucloo rs for lemo n tea at the h igh est cafe in the wo rld.

I have returned tired and boneweary, bm with many cherished memories from the most magical mounrains in d1e world. And 1 will be b ack!