June 23, 2014 Manali-Leh Highway, Himachal Pradesh to Kashmir

Bridge over Beas River

The Manali-Leh Highway is considered the highest in the world.  The highway is dirt, gravel, some pavement, and a few streams to cross as deep as the running board on a jeep!  The bridges that are made up of steel beams with loose sheet metal pieces on top. These bridges criss-cross the Beas River at a 16,797 ft. pass as well. The road is only open from June to October as the passes are snowed in the rest of the year.

Thawing River

The rivers and lakes were thawing as it was turning "summer" in the Himalayas. There is just nothing like being on top of the world and witnessing the magnificence of it all! 

10 foot Snow Banks

If not for the beauty of the setting, it was the 19 hr. ride from hell! Both the driver and front passenger kept their windows rolled down even though several passengers and I asked them to roll them up as it was literally freezing. About half way there, they admitted there was a hole in the floorboard letting in exhaust fumes and "it was better to be cold than suffocate" he said! The large wool shawl I bought in Kullu was great for a cover-up, but was black from the fumes and it took washing 3x to get the soot out!  I  was in bed sick for 36 hrs. after the trip, unable to eat much. Such is the price I had to pay for a trip to Ladakh, but I am so looking forward to getting out and exploring this fabulous valley!