So, it was this June when I was traveling with my friends on the Manali-Leh Highway to Leh. Traveling on this highway is an adventure in itself and is amazing. This time, I was with some friends who have previously volunteered with me at several running events. We left Manali early in the morning, and the cool breeze of Rohtang Pass welcomed us into the Lahaul Valley. From here, one route leads to Ladakh, and the other, via Gramphu, leads to the Spiti Valley.
The car continued to move, supporting the runners. By noon, we reached Keylong, where we had a hot cup of tea at a small local eatery. We weren't too tired sitting in the car, but stopping here to sip a cup of tea was a delight, and the views from here doubled the enjoyment. We all kept pulling each other's legs and teasing each other. Looking at the mountains, I had to say how spectacular this place must look in the winter when it snows.
The journey begins by crossing Jispa. After crossing Baralacha, we leave the Lahaul Valley and get closer to Leh. Watching the last rays of the sunset among the high mountains was truly spectacular. We spent the night at the Sarchu campus, where the wind was so strong that the hot food we had just cooked quickly cooled down. I drank hot water and got into the blanket, hoping for a warm night, but that wasn't the case. It was extremely cold here, and the blanket we had received couldn't handle the chill. The night was quite cold.
I once experienced snowfall in Debring. I woke up the next morning with the same dream, but there was no snowfall anywhere. But seeing the 6,000-meter-high mountains from here is nothing short of a dream. This highway is truly not just a highway, but a treasure trove of memories.
Disclaimer: This post is originally written in Hindi and I have used Google Translator to translate the Hindi text in English. All the photos have been clicked by me from canon 77d (55-250mm) and edited on laptop lightroom app, post thumbnail created in adobe photoshop.
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