From Srinagar, our next destination was Leh, a town cradled in the Himalaya range in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. It was a two-day journey on a so-called “super deluxe” bus through the winding mountain roads. Let's just say that the only thing “super” about it was the miraculous fact that it held together.
The narrow dirt roads carved out of the mountain sides looked to be designed for one vehicle yet functioned as if for two. Not only were the roads dangerously gravelly and narrow, the constant twists and turns while watching out for oncoming traffic made it a perilous journey. The bus moving even closer to the mountain's edge while another vehicle scraped past on the inside was the most heart-stopping of tasks.
At one point, there was a line of vehicles stopped on the road. We, of course, had to stop too. Not going anywhere fast, we got out to see what was causing the delay. Walking past the parked cars, we saw people pointing. As we cautiously moved closer to the edge, we saw what they were looking at. It was a car that had fallen off the dirt road and plunged into the river below. Apparently, there had been three occupants inside but there was no sign of them. Their bodies did eventually wash up some time later…in Pakistan, more than 300 kilometers away.
It was a relief to finally reach our destination. It had been an extremely uncomfortable and long journey. However, it seemed Leh was about to surprise us.
Did you miss our previous posts on our adventure in Kashmir? Catch up here:
under the skies of arkansas says
October 25, 2012 at 9:24 pmthat is one scary looking road to ride on
Jessica Korteman says
October 29, 2012 at 3:54 amIndeed! :)
sherijkennedyriverside says
October 3, 2012 at 5:12 amWow! Incredible place! I’m pretty adventurous, but that road might have been my limit. Yikes! Great B&W shot. Thanks for sharing this one!
Jessica Korteman says
October 7, 2012 at 8:56 amThank you! It was pretty crazy in hindsight hahaha
sherijkennedyriverside says
October 7, 2012 at 4:55 pmGlad you’re here to tell the story! And I think we could all say that about something we’ve done. :) What a cool experience.
ianhellbusch says
October 3, 2012 at 12:46 amReblogged this on The Jeep Experience and commented:
That is Awesome! Someday I hope to be able to get out there like that.
Jessica Korteman says
October 7, 2012 at 8:54 amThank you, Ian. I’m sure you will! Thanks so much for sharing this post!
Liz Picking says
September 30, 2012 at 8:30 pmLeh believe it or not reminded me abit like Dargo’s countryside. Just add bush and I’d recognise the road to Lower Dargo in the High plains Ha! OK maybe your road has a longer drop and we had a more reliable vichele but the width of the road and the threat of falling into the river is the same! Afew ales or three could have maybe helped the jouney although I doubt it . Next instalment pleeeeese!
Jessica Korteman says
October 2, 2012 at 1:01 pmThere are some interesting roads the world over, aren’t there! Next installment is here :) https://notesofnomads.com/landing-in-leh/