Manali-Leh highway (most part of the road) is one of the most dangerous, but beautiful roads that will ever travel. I had the humble pleasure of traveling along this road several times, traveling the Himalayas in India. Leh is the northern end of the road in Jammu and Kashmir, and Manali is the southern end of the road to Himachal Pradesh. One amazing thing about this is that you experience so many different environments as you travel from one end to the other. Approximately 300 miles, this road will fill your camera with memories and landmarks that you should cherish forever.
Information about Manali
Manali is a magnificent city in the heart of the Kullu valley. This is a permanent stop for those who go to the northern part of the Indian Himalayas. Here you can find almost everything you need for a trip, a driver, supplies, food ... everything. The sites are also amazing, of course, it depends on the time of year. Kullu Valley is located on the orographic front (rainy side) of the regional mountain range. This, in turn, leads to a large accumulation of clouds at an altitude of 6000 feet. When the sun makes the skin with its bright head, take a look and pictures. Manali also sits on the west side of the river Beas. Its drainage basin is a respectable 7800 square miles. If you are on your way to Lech, do not pass this place.
About Leh
Leh is the capital of the previous empire of Ladakh, now included in the province of Jammu and Kashmir. As indicated above, it is located at an altitude of about 3500 m. This area is arid, very arid. Fortunately, there are greens in the city. There is very little rainfall, but this does not mean that accidental catastrophic flooding does not occur. In 2010 was terrible. So be careful in the summer months. The Indus River flows south of the city, entering Pakistan, finally dumping its waters in the Indus River basin and in the Indian Ocean.
Some may say that this is the tourist capital of the North Indian. There are so many trekking possibilities here that this title really fits. Without you, stay away from the main roads of Lech, you will find yourself in a tourist ecosystem that thrives there. In Leh you have nothing to do, there is the Internet, hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, trekking companies, personal drivers and much more. If you want to be adventurous, you should try to get help from someone who is not from Lech, but speaks English very well for you. Take them as a guide, and they will be generous help.
Returning to Manali-Leh highway (MLH) Manali in Rohtang
I will begin to briefly present some of the best things to look for on the Manali-Le road and from the path from south to north. Leaving Manali, you will begin to climb the Rohtang Pass. which is approximately 4,000 m (13,000 and idle). That is why I warned of a slow climb. Dabas and small villages will pass all the time. One thing you should worry about is stopping due to traffic or blocking falling stones (it happens often), so if you head this way, leave early. Before reaching the Rohtang Pass, there is a small stop called Markhi, from which there is a trail leading west to Lake Dashaur, a popular stop for many trekkers and caravans traveling along MLH. As soon as you reach the Rohtang Pass, you will see the valley of the Chandra River. Take time to stop and acclimatize, you are going to descend into the valley.
Ride along the Chandra River
Soon enough you will cross the Chandra River to the north and head north-west towards Sissu and Tandi. These are very small villages with dabs and pets. It’s best to look south to the south wall of the Chandra valley. Observed glaciers, spectral geological folds and much more. In Tandi is the confluence of the rivers Chandra and Bhaga. Bhaga flows along the south, where MLH continues north to Keylong. Keylong is an important city as it is the largest stop between Manali and Leh. Refueling, restocking and exchanging money are the main tasks that can be cones in Keylong.
There are trails around this region that connect intermountain villages through the Bhagi tribes. There are many opportunities for travel outside the main tourists. Jispa and Darcha are located north of Keylong and are small but culturally interesting. Stop and see one of the many people of Himacel with their unique outfit and fashionable hats.
Climbing Baralachu La (pass)
From Darchi you will go up to Baralachi La, which is about 5000 meters. In addition, there are lakes that you will pass, which are fed from the glacier flow from regional peaks. Again, you must exercise caution before this passage and stop, if necessary, since it is so high. The side is not before you reach the pass, you will pass Zingzingbar. This is a small camp charged with keeping the roads of Baralach in good condition. If you have a chance to stop.
Down from Baralachi La, you go down well to Sarchu, another important rest stop is located at the confluence of the Yunam River and the Zarap Chu River. This is the border town of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir. If you are lucky to come here during the daytime, you will see beautiful geological folds to the north-west through the Yunam. Take the time to take in Sarchu before heading back to the slope towards Lachalung La.
Lachalung la
Lachalung La is the third pass from Manali, and it is about as high as Baralacha La. The same precautions apply here, like the others, take your time. I have seen bikers take this route, and they almost always need to rest in order to properly acclimatize. From here, everything starts to change ecologically when you enter a more arid area. Most of the moisture you see here comes from the snow, and the glacier run. The descent from Lachalung La is fairly steady all the way to Pang, and back to Pang La (4800 m), to the north from here you enter further into Jammu and Kashmir, arid beauty.
Tso Morari and Tso Kar
This MLH site is picturesque and also has trekking opportunities around, because to the east are the popular lakes Tso Morari and Tso Kar. Two uniquely beautiful lakes surrounded by various types of geological rocks. To the north is Tanglang La, which is advertised as the world's second largest motorized walkway. This embarrasses 5,328 m. The ascent to this passage should be carried out slowly and with care, as cloud cover, switch backs and ice runoff will be common. Approaching the pass, you will see a rest stop with prayer flags (most of the aisles have prayer flags).
Prayer flags needed
Down you will have back switches and you can even see trucks that have fallen down the side of a mountain. This is a very dangerous part of the road. From there you will descend into the so-called Indus seam zone. This diffuse region marks the boundary where the Indian continent clashed with the Asian continent about 50 million years ago. Here you will see rock layers, tectonically turned, in vertical columns and occasional goats hehe. It is just beautiful. Peace and cross the short cross across the Indus River in Upshi, send you to the house to get to Leh. Here you will see the cliffs of the Ladak batholith in the north and the rocks of the Indus seam zone to the south. From here you follow the Indus River in the northwestern part of Lech.
