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Philip Game | profile | all galleries >> India (14 galleries) >> Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh (4 galleries) >> Nubra Valley, Ladakh tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Nubra Valley, Ladakh

Ladakh is the northernmost region of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, geographically and culturally close to Tibet. Up here, India shares uneasy borders with both Pakistan and Chinese-occupied Tibet. The high-altitude Nubra Valley, north of Leh, was historically the gateway to Central Asia. Reaching the valley requires crossing the Khardung La, claimed by the Indian military to be the world's highest motorable mountain pass at 5600 metres (18,380 ft). Until a few years ago the Nubra Valley was closed to casual visitors. Some foreigners dispute the altitude - 5359 m (17,582 ft) may be more accurate - but no question that this is as high as most non-climbers will ever reach. A breathless experience, in every way.

Beyond the Khardung La, the most memorable experience was our encounter with the Central Asian Balti people of Turtuk. With its ripening wheat crop, its lush gardens and apricot orchards, their village, secluded in a deep valley a few miles from the Indo-Pakistan ceasefire line, seems a true Shangri-La.

These images were taken with Nikon D300 using RAW format, and are available for licensing.






Approaching the Khardung La from Leh
Approaching the Khardung La from Leh		 Approaching the pass
Approaching the pass		 Clearing rockfalls just below the Khardung La
Clearing rockfalls just below the Khardung La
Almost at the pass
Almost at the pass		 Experiencing a 'natural high' in the thin air of the Khardung La, 5600 metres*
Experiencing a 'natural high' in the thin air of the Khardung La, 5600 metres*		 Indian soldiers and families at the Khardung La
Indian soldiers and families at the Khardung La
Travellers pause amidst prayer flags at the Khardung La
Travellers pause amidst prayer flags at the Khardung La		 At the Khardung La
At the Khardung La		 India: Crossing the Khardung La (high pass), Ladakh
India: Crossing the Khardung La (high pass), Ladakh
Wayside marker at the Khardung La
Wayside marker at the Khardung La		 Looking back down towards Leh from the flanks of the Khardung La
Looking back down towards Leh from the flanks of the Khardung La		 Valleys below the Khardung La
Valleys below the Khardung La
Shayok Valley
Shayok Valley		 An uplifting view from...
An uplifting view from... 		Balti people at Turtuk, near the Pakistani border
Balti people at Turtuk, near the Pakistani border
Balti people at Turtuk, near the Pakistani border
Balti people at Turtuk, near the Pakistani border		 > >
> >		 > >
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Balti village of Turtuk, near the Pakistani border
Balti village of Turtuk, near the Pakistani border		 Balti village of Turtuk, near the Pakistani border
Balti village of Turtuk, near the Pakistani border		 Balti village people at Turtuk
Balti village people at Turtuk
Balti village people threshing wheat at Turtuk
Balti village people threshing wheat at Turtuk		 Ears of local wheat
Ears of local wheat		 Balti woman winnowing wheat at Turtuk
Balti woman winnowing wheat at Turtuk
Balti village at Turtuk
Balti village at Turtuk		 A simple mosque built by Pakistani troops during their occupation of Turtuk
A simple mosque built by Pakistani troops during their occupation of Turtuk		 Village home with satellite dish
Village home with satellite dish
Turtuk village, nested amidst fields
Turtuk village, nested amidst fields		 Lugging home the wheat harvest at Turtuk
Lugging home the wheat harvest at Turtuk		 Balti men at Turtuk
Balti men at Turtuk
Village homes at Turtuk
Village homes at Turtuk		 A village mosque at Turtuk
A village mosque at Turtuk		 Carrying home the wheat harvest at Turtuk
Carrying home the wheat harvest at Turtuk
Sunset from my bedroom window in Hunder
Sunset from my bedroom window in Hunder		 Carnival tents in Hunder
Carnival tents in Hunder		 Ladakhi women prepare momos at a carnival in Hunder
Ladakhi women prepare momos at a carnival in Hunder
Bactrian camels ready to ride at a carnival in Hunder
Bactrian camels ready to ride at a carnival in Hunder		 Bactrian camels ready to ride at a carnival in Hunder
Bactrian camels ready to ride at a carnival in Hunder		 Ladakhi dancers perform at a carnival in Hunder
Ladakhi dancers perform at a carnival in Hunder
Ladakhi dancers perform at a carnival in Hunder
Ladakhi dancers perform at a carnival in Hunder		 Ladakhi dancers perform at a carnival in Hunder
Ladakhi dancers perform at a carnival in Hunder		 > >
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Sand dunes in the Nubra Valley near Hunder
Sand dunes in the Nubra Valley near Hunder		 Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley		 Mineral springs at Panamik
Mineral springs at Panamik
The modern Sumur Gompa
The modern Sumur Gompa		 The Nubra Valley at Diskit
The Nubra Valley at Diskit		 The Nubra Valley at Diskit
The Nubra Valley at Diskit
The Nubra Valley at Diskit
The Nubra Valley at Diskit		 The centuries-old Gompa or monastery at Diskit
The centuries-old Gompa or monastery at Diskit		 Frescoes at the Diskit Gompa
Frescoes at the Diskit Gompa
Frescoes at the Diskit Gompa
Frescoes at the Diskit Gompa		 The Dalai Lama takes pride of place in a temple at the Diskit Gompa
The Dalai Lama takes pride of place in a temple at the Diskit Gompa		 Temple within the Diskit Gompa
Temple within the Diskit Gompa
On the roof of the Diskit Gompa
On the roof of the Diskit Gompa		 On the roof of the Diskit Gompa
On the roof of the Diskit Gompa		 Stairway to heaven at the Diskit Gompa
Stairway to heaven at the Diskit Gompa
Diskit Gompa clings to its hillside
Diskit Gompa clings to its hillside		 Giant Maitreya Buddha across from the Diskit Gompa
Giant Maitreya Buddha across from the Diskit Gompa		 Giant Maitreya Buddha across from the Diskit Gompa
Giant Maitreya Buddha across from the Diskit Gompa

comment | share
Chris Gibbins01-Jul-2016 20:00
Fascinating collection of images from somewhere few will have traveled.
barbarajoy10-Aug-2012 12:02
An excellent gallery, each picture superbly composed. The colours are brilliant. An interesting insight into a region explored by relatively few travellers.
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