From Khalatsé to Leh // SAYA.UZ

From Khalatsé to Leh

From Khalatsé to Leh

Published:

Took place on: 2025-09-14

Upper Indus has little to no proper India

Khalatsé sits right in the middle of two Ladakh´s capitals -- Kargil and Leh. Now we ride further east into Leh.

The natural fort; if you view closer, you'll see strange signatures -- the Indian army loves painting them

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The natural fort; if you view closer, you'll see strange signatures -- the Indian army loves painting them

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The Basga gompa

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The Basga gompa

There are fantastic views nearby from the lowlands and poplar forests, though we skipped them

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There are fantastic views nearby from the lowlands and poplar forests, though we skipped them

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There was a thesis from me, that as we go further, the more barren landscape will become, but it's not as linear. The valley of Indus, along which this stretch of the highway is built, allows endless rich green plantings.

That's Indus. Even up here it's quite opaque, but of this beautiful turquoise color.

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That's Indus. Even up here it's quite opaque, but of this beautiful turquoise color.

The Indus river, known for one of the most ancient civilizations, now mostly flows in modern Pakistan

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The Indus river, known for one of the most ancient civilizations, now mostly flows in modern Pakistan

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But the origin lays up in Tibet, modern China

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But the origin lays up in Tibet, modern China

And between those parts, Indus gives life to this portion of Ladakh

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And between those parts, Indus gives life to this portion of Ladakh

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The suburgan master

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The suburgan master

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At some point in the evening we came down to floodplain for some great views

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At some point in the evening we came down to floodplain for some great views

Bro, thanks, bro

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Bro, thanks, bro

Leh, though close, is not built on Indus. As we turn there, the barren lands return.

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Leh, though close, is not built on Indus. As we turn there, the barren lands return.

Emerging as steppes first...

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Emerging as steppes first...

...then as a rock desert...

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...then as a rock desert...

...but with frequent oasises

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...but with frequent oasises

Almost there!

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Almost there!

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Contrary to Kargil, Leh had me pleasantly surprised. I didn't imagine this city to be THIS green, but some pity is that I didn't take pictures along the road, as it had gotten quite dark. So Leh itself will be in the next note!