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Though not Leh, it’s not lesser – It's Zanskar!


There’s saying, that whatever you may do, plan-replan, if He doesn’t invite, you just can’t pay Him a visit.

So, it happened again with me. As blogged earlier, I couldn’t embark on the highly coveted Ladakh ride with Bisons in last July. I was waiting, accumulating leaves (and money too), planning, preparing for the ride for last one year and just couldn’t go. So, I re-planned it with a college senior and bullet enthusiast. Fingers crossed, not shared with anybody, tickets done, final planning started, route done and it cancelled. Partner got his leaves cancelled and thus the plan again crashed. I thought to ride solo, but recent cloud-bursts and landslides, that are rather common as the monsoon dies, killed much of my insane enthusiasm. I have been to Spiti eons back, and it seemed that a visit to North of it just not to happen soon...
Shot somewhere in Spiti Valley, Keylong in 2007
At that time, I saw a retweet by Deepak Sir (@Magic_Eye). Dheeraj of DeViL on WheeLs fame was planning to visit Zanskar and was looking for 2 or 3 co-travellers. The trip would be having a probable 3-days trek! Woot! 

An RT, landing on his page, I put a comment to confirm my presence in a day or so. A mail to my Ladakh-ride partner to confirm that his leaves wouldn't be confirmed, a wait to his reply started. Few hours later, he asked me about the trip. Knowing that I would actually be travelling with The Dheeraj Sharma of DeViLs on WheeLs, he confirmed instantaneously that there is no chance of his leaves getting approved. Train tickets cancelled at that very moment and flight tickets done! A confirmation message sent to Dheeraj with due thanks and my number to contact as and when he gets some time free to spare ;)

Trip itinerary
(modified on  bcmtouring's map)
Well, the story to reveal, is that am finally going to the godly province of Ladakh, though not Leh, it’s not lesser – Zanskar! The itinerary in details is shared here. In short, I would be flying down to Srinagar on 21st and meet Dheeraj and his friend on 22nd. On the very day we’ll start for Kargil (about 530km) via Sonmarg-ZoziLa. Next day we would be doing some 200-250 km and pit-stop at Parakchik or Rangdum. En route we would have numerous photography breaks and would enjoy the scenic Nun-Kun. Another 200-250km for Day 3 and night halt at Padum- the main town of Zanskar. I am excited to visit Drang-Drung glacier :) the ride would be along the Winter’s Chadar Valley! Hell yeah!

A day at Padum, visiting Stongde, Zang La Fort, Karsha, we will embark on the three-day trek. The trek part, depending upon the guide, will comprise visiting a lot many places, overnight camping and a must visit to legendary Phugtal Monestary.

I just can write how excited I am about this trip. Zanskar, that too a trekking trip, would not be lesser than riding in Ladakh if not more!

What I am expecting?
  1. Hell lot of fun!
  2.  Meditating beauty darshanam!
  3.  A pilgrimage to the geologically one of the most complex zones of World! (I have started brushing up whatever I read in grads ;)
  4.  A lot, lot, lot of Photographs! (If you have excess SDHC cards, can loan me :)
Wish me luck guys, would be tweeting (when and where possible) and post the logs sooner than I usually do, God-promise ;0
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Comments

  1. Vineet Rajan8 September 2012 at 22:45

    Achtung! This is indeed great news! Wish you and Dheeraj bon voyage! Bring back a lot of memories and insights! He's a veteran of that terrain and region and you found a great travel buddy in him! I am very very happy for you. A little jealous too so please excuse! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Punit Dubey8 September 2012 at 23:58

    @twitter-14644883:disqus :D Thanks brada! Travelling with @Devilsonwheels is indeed an honourable pleasure :) thanks for the wishes...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deepak Amembal9 September 2012 at 06:34

    Have fun!! Ride safe!!
    Glad that you could make it!!
    Cheers!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dheeraj11 September 2012 at 18:24

    Hey Punit!! Awesome buddy. Looking forward to meet you in Himalayan heaven. Will be getting in touch with Kargil guys for booking of acco. else be ready for some search fun ;) ... I had been looking forward to Zanskar for quite sometime but Ladakh never spared me, so finally a dedicated trip to Ladakh only :D Vineet:disqus thanks alot brother, wish to join you over your ride next year too to Ladakh. Will do some total unseen stuff... Deepak sir, thankyou so much for the RTs and glad that I found Punit through it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dheeraj Sharma11 September 2012 at 18:28

    Hey Punit!! Awesome buddy. Looking forward to meet you in Himalayan heaven. Will be getting in touch with Kargil guys for booking of acco. else be ready for some search fun ;) ... I had been looking forward to Zanskar for quite sometime but Ladakh never spared me, so finally a dedicated trip to Ladakh only :D Vineet:disqus thanks alot brother, wish to join you over your ride next year too to Ladakh. Will do some total unseen stuff... Deepak sir, thankyou so much for the RTs and glad that I found Punit through it :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Punit Dubey12 September 2012 at 00:45

    @google-09854fcd8428b7dc9c1afc51c1c919fb:disqus Thank you so much for the wishes Sir! Would be sharing the experience and photographs soon... :))

    ReplyDelete
  7. Punit Dubey12 September 2012 at 00:47

    :D thanks for the visit Dheeraj, obliged to find you on my page :)
    Well, I know you have difficulties posting your comment here, apologies :/
    Waiting for 22nd to meet you guys and start the trip, and m always ready for fun :D:D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dheeraj Sharma13 September 2012 at 00:43

    Pleasure is mine bhai!! Don;t know, may be crazy Disqus thing ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Firoze Shakir20 September 2012 at 09:50

    All the best Punit safe journey .. May lord Ganesha remove all obstacles that accidentally come your way .. you lucky bloke ..fo once no Facebook poke ....

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ghazala Hossain20 September 2012 at 13:34

    You are so lucky..! All the best~

    ReplyDelete
  11. Punit Dubey20 September 2012 at 19:20

    Thank you thank you :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Punit Dubey20 September 2012 at 19:20

    Thank you @twitter-14358536:disqus ji :D

    ReplyDelete

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