As you may recall, I had shared my first an-image-a-day series recently. That was about New York City. This roundup was liked by many of you. That has encouraged me to put together another – Ladakh – World’s Highest Desert – Instagram Roundup.

On 17th June 2017, I started my second series on Instagram. The series was about Ladakh. It was quite a coincidence that as soon as I posted my second image of the series, I was invited by ScoutMyTrip for a Ladakh road trip. OYORooms was the sponsor. The majesty of their objective matched the resplendence of Ladakh – setting a record for hosting the #HighestBloggerMeet at Khardung La (Khardung Pass). At an altitude of 17,562 ft, this pass boasts of being the highest motor-able pass in the world.

To read about this epic journey, head over to Road Tripping to Khardung La for the #HighestBloggerMeet. You may even want to go over to 15 Bloggers. 1 Destination. And a whole lot of adventure. Or, even here – Found Tripping to the Highest Blogger Meet

Ladakh – World’s Highest Desert – Instagram Roundup

It was the eve of our setting out for an epic road trip to the world’s highest pass and the world’s highest desert. It was the 10th of July 2017. That is the date when this series concluded. It comprised 28 breath-taking images. These images ranged from the culture-scape to the landscape, natural to the man-made, rivers to the lakes, and more.

These images are not about moments, but about the epicness of a majestic region. While going through these, it is likely you may feel the gentle rustling of the prayer flags, the violent gushing of glacial rivers, the evocative notes of quaint musical instruments, the faith and belief of the humble people of Ladakh, and its stark, rugged terrain. You may even feel the devotion and meditation of monks, see the browns, blues, greens, and reds of this colourful desert and hear the folklore of this region.

Scroll Down, and Enjoy!

I am honoured to share these with you as my second Instagram Roundup. And I urge you to enjoy this pictorial journey!

Just by the way, this series bagged 2809 likes and 295 comments. It also gained me, 24 followers.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Thiksey Monastery perched atop a cliff! Have you been to Ladakh? Pl tell in comments.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Stupa), Leh – a dominant symbol of overarching Buddhist influence in the region.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Hundar, Nubra Valley. A magical sunrise in the world’s highest desert! A desert at over 10,000-ft altitude! Isn’t nature amazing?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Tsemo Monastery near Leh – a steep hike! Do you enjoy high-altitude hikes? If yes, please tell in comments.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

The confluence of River Indus and River Zanskar. Don’t miss the different colour of their waters. Do you have any image that shows different colours of two rivers at their confluence? If yes, please share the link in comments.

Already planning a trip to Ladakh? Ladakh – A Travel Photographer’s Delight would prepare you for your journey!

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Green, Brown, White, Blue, and vibrant Pink – unusual palette, unique to Ladakh! Do you know of another equally exotic region? If yes, please share in comments.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

#CutenessAlert!
❤ An innocent baby Bactrian Camel in Hundar, Nubra Valley! Have you seen a Bactrian Camel?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Spring-melt ice needles in Tso Moriri (Lake Moriri). ❄ Have you been to a lake in a melt?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

32-mt tall Maitreya Buddha statue, Diskit, Nubra Valley. Have you seen a bigger Buddha statue?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Prayers in colour!
Khardung La (Khardung Pass) Monastery
Have you seen something more colourful?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Alchi Monastery made entirely of mud – one flash flood and it could be history!

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

One of the highest motorable roads in the world, near Khardung La, in SUMMERS. Altitude: 17,562 feet! ❄⛄ Ever driven on such treacherous road? Where? Please share in comments.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Kiagar Tso (Kiagar Lake), Ladakh. This lake was a famous tourist spot in 1980’s and 90’s. It has been replaced in tourist itineraries by Tso Moriri that is 20-30km further down.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Lamayuru Monastery, an important Buddhist religious centre in Ladakh. ⛰ Have you been to any Buddhist monastery?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

A Buddhist monk drumming in Vishwa Shanti Stupa, near Leh!

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Tso Moriri (Lake Moriri), Ladakh. This lake is also a wildlife hotspot! Have you been to any lake with such clear water?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Desert landscape of Hundar, Nubra Valley, with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains! Have you been to any other high-altitude desert? Where?

Keep Scrolling for Spectacular Images!

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake), the highest saltwater lake in the world. Bollywood hit 3 Idiot’s climax scene was shot here. Despite being a saltwater lake, it freezes over in winters! Have you been to any locale where a famous movie has been shot? Where?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Shyok River – flowing through Nubra Valley
Seen such a river basin? Where? Share a link in comments.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

This rock face in Ladakh reminded me of my Beagle who’s no more!
Have you ever felt that something in nature resembles a person/animal? If yes, please share in comments.

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Spiti glaciers viewed during a flight to Ladakh! ✈ Have you been on a similarly scenic flight? Which one?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Tsolding Buddha Park.
Such temples built on river islands are a common sight there!
Know of any temple built on a river island? Which one?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Lakeer (Straight Line) – Perhaps the longest straight road at an altitude higher than 10,000 feet.
Any similar high-altitude road you know of? Which one?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Cairns – Ladakh’s unique way of wishing good luck to the world at large!
Seen such rock-stacks elsewhere? Where?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Tourists riding camels in Hundar, Nubra Valley, Ladakh! Riding a camel is a jolty-affair! Once you sit on it, this gangly animal clumsily attempts to get up on its feet. That experience normally shakes up a first-timer!
Have you ridden a camel? Where?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Tibetan inscription on a boulder – Mahabodhi, near Leh.
Spotted such stones elsewhere?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake), the highest saltwater lake in the world. Had to chuck sandwiches to get these lazy seagulls to fly!
Have you seen seagulls in any lake? Where?

Ladakh - World's Highest Desert - Instagram Roundup

Traditional welcome laid out for a senior monk arriving from another monastery. Lamayuru, Monastery, Ladakh.

Comments

comments

4 COMMENTS

  1. hello, i personally loved your blog alot ..the photographs are awesome and feels like you enjoy your work alot…i see poetry and travelling as synonyms to each other and i have started blog writing few days back…would love to see your review there…..

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