En route we did cross two passes: Namik La, such a quiet pass that it is not even to be seen on Google Maps and featuring what could be India’s highest television relay centre in the form of a Prasar Bharati relay tower, and Fotu La, with excellent approach roads and striking rock formations. We finally reached Leh, just short of which was a towering flag of India mounted inside a military compound, with the feeling of patriotism welling up inside us strongly. Our halt for the night was a tastefully done up hotel with a nice palate of bright colours and wood panelling.
The following morning was the height of the drive, literally. We were headed to (supposedly, though falsely) the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La, at a princely height of 18,380 feet above sea level. The road leading up to the pass started out well-surfaced but soon degraded exponentially and we were largely off-roading our way to the top. Once you get there, it is like a party of sorts — everyone is busy clicking pictures, posing under the Khardung La board, the colourful Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and the wind itself biting all visitors with the cold. Boards in that area loudly advise against staying there for too long as the altitude could make you uneasy, so we took our customary photographs and quickly made our way back to Leh.
