The highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayan range is far-reaching,

spanning thousands of miles, and holds within it an exceptionally diverse ecology.

Coniferous and subtropical forests, wetlands, and montage grasslands are as much
a part of this world as the inhospitable, frozen mountaintops that tower above.
The word Himalaya is Sanskrit for abode of snow fitting for a stretch of land that
houses the worlds largest non-polar ice masses. Extensive glacial networks feed
Asias major rivers including the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra. More than a
billion people rely on these glacier-fed water sources for drinking water and
agriculture. The Himalayas are not only a remarkable expanse of natural beauty.
Theyre also crucial for our survival.
NATURE takes us on a stunning journey to the Himalayas. In our three months in
North India, we spent most of our time in the Kashmir valley, Zanskar valley and the
ever so stunning Ladakh.
It was a time when we called the Himalayas our home and the navigating the
mountain passes that we experienced.

Sinthan Pass

Perennial snow cover is the main attraction of this pass. On the right of this photo,
the zigzags of this road are seen.

Zoji la

The Greater Himalayas on one side and the Indus deep down the other, the graveled
uneven roads makes this one of the most dangerous Himalayan passes.
Its tough to imagine, that in the not-too-distant past, a ferocious war was fought right
here.

Penzi la

The only pass on the only motor-able road that connects Zanskar valley to the rest of
the country.
On a regular day, one wouldnt cross more than 15 vehicles throughout the stretch of
the 250 km gravel road that connects Padum in Zanskar with Kargil.

Namika la

The first pass after Kargil on the Srinagar-Leh highway, also a part of NH1-D.

Fotu la

The last and the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway. The roads are in an
excellent condition and it is a pleasure to drive.

A small pass on the way to Tso Moriri

This motor-able pass, mostly gravel, connecting Leh to Tso Moriri the high altitude
mountain lake, doesnt have any specific name.
What it does have, are purple (yes purple) mountains!

Tanglang la

Just as you start to realise the magnanimity of the Leh-Manali, 470 km journey, the
Tanglang la starts.
This was the highest point we crossed in our trip, at over 5300 m (17480 ft).
Try spotting the road in the picture!

Lachung la

The second pass of the Leh-Manali route, it is a long meandering pass with its peak
at 4891 m.
Mountains the shades of browns you didnt know and land formations you didnt think
possible are the characteristic of this pass!

Nakee la

The third mountain pass on the Leh-Manali highway is the Nakee la at 4792m.
The Indus and the oasis it creates along its flow faithfully follow you all through.

The Gata Loops

Yes, the landscape is mind blowing. Yes, the roads look unreal. Yes, the heart is in
your mouth all through!

Baralacha la

The first pass in Himachal Pradesh and your last pass of the day on the Leh-Manali
journey.
By now your heart is used to being in the mouth, and hair pin bends steep curves
through deep valleys are just another day at office!

Rohtang Pass

So you think you are almost there. Its a new day. Before noon, youll be walking
along the Beas in Manali.
But before that there is the Rohtang. A monster of a pass on the Leh-Manali route.
A pass no driver will cross in the night, the most talked about stretch in the entire
journey.
The journey through the entire Rohtang Pass, is not something you will forget
EVER!