Prayagraj to Ladakh 2024| Episode 4 | Kargil To Leh via namikala Fotula lamayuru |bike Royal Enfield

We are crossed 2 High pass

Namika la pass 12139 ft
Fotul la pass 13478 ft

Prayagraj to Ladakh 2024| Episode 4 | Kargil To Leh via Lamayuru Fotila Nimmoo | bike Royal Enfield

Our target for this day was to again relish the bounty of nature and cover the distance till Leh. We were eagerly waiting for the mysteries of Ladakh that was getting unfolded at every juncture of our journey. The gradual change in topography was overwhelming that has kept us engaged all throughout our progress towards Leh. We would also be covering two high mountain passes on the Srinagar – Leh highway i.e. Namika La & Fotu La. The route set for the journey was straight forward.

Kargil – Mulbekh – Namika La – Fotu La – Lamayuru – Uleytokpo – Likir – Leh

Mulbekh

We reached Mulbekh (alt 3304 mtrs) @ 2:35 p.m. thereby covering a distance of 31 KMs. Mulbekh is a town which one could easily pass through without even noticing it but is known for Mulbekh monastery situated on the side of NH-1D. Next to the road is a statue of Maitreya, future Buddha carved on a single rock face which overlooks the highway. It is believed that the 9 meter high statue was built in 7th or 8th century.

Namika La (12,139 ft)

We arrived at Namika La (alt 3700 mtrs) @ 3:10 p.m. thereby covering 45 KMs. The pass was beautifully decorated by prayer flags which were fluttering in strong wind. The terrain all around this place was mostly barren but still beautiful. After a small stop over we moved ahead with our onward journey on this beautiful highway.

Fotu La (13,478 ft)

We reached Fotu La – the highest point on NH-1D (alt 4108 mtrs) @ 4:15 p.m. thereby covering a distance of 82 KMs. Once again a similar topography like Namika La with very high velocity of wind. Again the pass was beautifully decorated with prayer flags. We started our descent from Fotu La through winding roads and beautiful landscapes. From a distant we could see the Lamayuru Monastery on a hill and were mesmerized by its beauty.

Lamayuru Monastery & Moonland

We arrived at Lamayuru (alt 3510 mtrs) @ 5 p.m. thereby covering 98 KMs. This was built in 10 th century and considered to be one of the main gompas of Ladakh. The faces carved on the mountain, prayer wheels, lamps, and colourful flags all over were sending a spiritual message to us. This region has altogether a different topography. We took a halt of one hour for lunch and tried local dishes like thukpa, chowmein, noodles, soup, fried rice for our menu. Few kilometres down the line we were welcomed by a dreamy land which is known as Moonland. The landscape was stunningly beautiful and has been rightly named as Moonland. The moonlike landscape was amazingly different from adjacent mountains and the soil was glowing considerably on sunlight. One can easily imagine the origin of moonlight through the glowing Moonland. We were also amazed with the sight of green terrain at the bottom of the hills on this pre-dominantly barren land.