Along the highway: from the Zoji-La Pass to Leh, Ladakh

8-19 October 1979

The Srinagar to Leh road crosses from Kashmir into Ladakh at the Zoji-La Pass (approximately 3,528 m) and is one of the most dramatic journeys in the Himalayas, carved into sheer mountain sides. It follows the Drass and Suru Rivers to Kargil, the second-largest town in Ladakh. Beyond Kargil, the road climbs and dips through high-altitude desert scenery, passing the large Lamayuru Gompa at an altitude of 3,510 metres. Approaching the small village of Khalsi (or Khalatse), the road follows the Indus River, passing Basgo, with its ruined palace fort, which was pillaged in 1834 by troops from Kashmir, and reaching Leh, Ladakh's capital and largest town. Continuing the road, 46 kilometres southeast of Leh, is Chemrey Gompa in the Indus valley, founded in 1664. Ten kilometres further on is Sakti, with its Takthog monastery, founded in the mid-16th century; it belongs to the Red Hat sect, the only one in Ladakh.

On the Zoji La Pass, at elevation 3,528 metres, between Srinagar and Leh in Ladakh.

The landscape at a checkpoint on the 99 kilometre road between Zoji La and Kargil.

View to Lamayuru Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery on the Srinagar-Leh highway at a height to 3,510 metres and 115 kilometres west of Leh.

Landscape along the 19 kilometre road between Lamayuru and Khalsi.

Mountains along the 19 kilometre road between Lamayuru and Khalsi.

Ladakhi architecture in the town of Khalsi.

Mani stones in Khalsi, carved with the six syllabled mantra of Avalokiteshvara “Om mani padme hum”, as a form of prayer in Tibetan Buddhism.

Two chorten or stupas, and a house in Khalsi.

Two Ladakhi women and children in the village of Suspol (Saspol), 76 kilometres northwest of Leh.

A khani with a chorten or stupa, an important religious monument in Buddhism, symbolising Buddha’s presence; in the village of Suspol (Saspol).

The Indus river, along the road to the west of Leh.

The Indus river, along the road, west of Leh towards Bazgo.

View to Bazgo, 43 kilometres west of Leh, with its ruined palace fort, pillaged by Dogra General Zorawar Singh from Kashmir and his troops in 1834.

View to Bazgo, 43 kilometres west of Leh, with its ruined palace fort.

View to Chemrey Gompa, a 1664 Buddhist monastery, 6 kilometres north east of Hemis and approximately 44 kilometres southeast of Leh.

View to Takthok Gompa in Sakti, 10 kilometres north east of Chemrey.

A chorten and scenery in Sakti, 10 kilometres north east of Chemrey and approximately 47 kilometres by road southeast of Leh.

Flying over Ladakh, after takeoff from Leh airport.

Flying over Ladakh, on the way to Srinagar.