Himalayas & Mountain Camels - Khardung La Pass and Nubra Valley

Woke up with a horrible headache and body aches, not sure if it was due to altitude, exhaustion, or both. I had planned to leave for Nubra Valley at 8am, but didn’t get out until 11am. We seemed to climb eternally, as our jeep weaved around infinite curves on our way to the world’s highest motorable road, Khardung La Pass. At the risk of sounding repetitive, the mountains looked even more awesome. For large parts, they seemed like huge forgotten mounds of dry rock. Then all of a sudden, there were glimpses of snow-capped peaks. And as if by some bizarre trick of nature, there were large patches of greenery. The views were unlike anything I had ever seen before.

My head had not fully recovered, and I could definitely feel the effects of altitude when I reached Khardung La Pass, which stands over 18,000 feet above sea level. Tibetan prayer flags waved in their hundreds, and I could feel goosebumps thinking that I was standing at one of the world’s highest vantage points. After digesting where I was, I continued on to Nubra Valley, a remarkable area defined by its unique sand dunes. I checked into the wonderfully relaxed eco-retreat, set amongst sunflowers, marigolds, vegetables, where the silence was occasionally disturbed by the falling of apricots, apples and walnuts from the trees.

After a cup of hot masala chai, I wandered off to the sand dunes, where I finally managed to ride the famous double-humped Himalayan camel (Bactrian camel). It was thrilling to ride on top of this awesome beast as I ventured with my guide into the depths of the sand dunes, as the sun began to set.

I returned to the eco-retreat for a hearty Indian meal which rounded off another exhilarating day.

- Rahul