Photos from alex

Nubra Valley, sand dunes near Hunder (3200m)

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:38:54 +0000

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In the backround, the Karakorum range (or Karakoram), a large mountain range spanning the borders between Pakistan, India and China, north of the Himalaya Range.
The range is about 500 km in length, and is the most heavily glaciated part of the world outside of the polar regions (hence its nickname "third pole"). The Karakorum has more than sixty peaks above 7.000 m (22.966 ft), four above 8.000 m (26.250 ft), including K2, the second highest peak of the world 8.611 m (28.251 ft)

The waters of these great glaciers contribute significantly to the power of the Indus River in the south of the region. This allows an irrigated agriculture based on cereals (barley in high oasis) and tree crops (apple and especially apricot).

August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

Nubra Valley, road to Leh by the Khardung La (± 5540m)

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:38:54 +0000

Military convoy of 70 trucks that we had to overcome...

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

Lung Ta Prayer flags at Khardung La Pass (± 5540m)

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:38:54 +0000

Khardung La Pass (± 5540m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world.

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The Lung Ta prayer flags is a five panels (of rectangular shape) representing the elements: blue-sky, white-wind, red-fire, green-water and yellow-earth. They are connected along their top edges to a string and commonly hung on a diagonal line between two objects in high elevations found on the top of monasteries, stupas or even mountain passes. The strength or the intensity of prayer are directly proportional to their altitude and the speed of the wind that blows past them. They fade from exposure to the elements (wind, rain, snow) carrying the prayer written on the banner from the flag across the earth.

August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

A stop at Khardung La Pass (± 5540m)

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:38:54 +0000

A stop at Khardung La Pass (± 5540m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world, facing the chain of Karakorum.

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This is the bike I used: a Royal Enfield Bullet Machismo 500

August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

Nubra Valley to Leh by the Wari La (5300m)

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:58:30 +0000

On the road from the Nubra Valley to Leh by the Wari La (5300m). Rajah, on the right motorbike, is our Sikh mechanic.

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

The Jalebi bends (4100 m)

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:58:30 +0000

The Jalebi bends. The descent from Fotu La (4100m) to Khaltse (3000m) through a series of 23 hairpin bends in just 32 km.

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

Lamayuru, two children monks

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:58:30 +0000

Lamayuru (3.510m) is a Tibetan Buddhist Gompa (monastery) in Kargil District (Western Ladakh) situated on the Srinagar - Kargil - Leh road. Founded in the 11th century, it's the oldest surviving monatery in Ladakh.

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

On the Road to Kargil

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:58:30 +0000

just happened, on the Road to Kargil.

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

When the Zanskar river meet the Indus river

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:58:30 +0000

When the Zanskar river meet the Indus river (in green), on the road to Kargil.

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

Zanskar Valley, on the road to Kargil

nobody@ipernity.com (alex) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:58:30 +0000

Zanskar Valley, on the road to Kargil

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August 2009, North India, motorbike trip in the Himalaya

Thiksey Gonpa