Portugal Braga. 2013

Braga is famous for its historical buildings, monuments, gardens and fountains . The elaborately staged Semana Santa (Holy Week)held at The Braga Cathedral – is famous throughout Portugal.

Braga Cathedral 

India Pakistan/IndiaBorder crossing and Wahga Border Closing Ceremony

Portugal. Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrimage Site, Fatima and Coimbra 2013

 The sanctuary  Our Lady Of Fatima

Located in Central Portugal, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima has become, throughout the years, the fourth biggest catholic pilgrimage site in the world due to ...the apparition.. This is our 2nd visit., only this round we drove overland from Malaysia..

India - Holy City of Amritsar 2013

Amritsar, was founded by the fourth Sikh Spiritual Master, Guru Raam Das, back in the 16th century. Today, Amritsar is an important centre of Sikhism. The holiest site in Amritsar had to be the Harmandir Sahib or more commonly known as the Golden Temple

The Golden Temple was first built in the 1500s and rebuilt many times over the centuries. The Golden Temple was constructed in the middle of a man made pond. ie Sarovar and was built lower than the surrounding area to represent humility. The temple is a significant pilgrimage site for Sikhs. Nevertheless, people from all walks of life, regardless of religion of creed, are welcome.

Pakistan Sost, Pine Cone Mountains of Passu and Borith Lake 2013

 Karakoram Highway from Sost to  Passu

We spent a few hours at after Custom Formalities to get a couple of things done on our Sorento. We had her serviced (engine oil and oil filter changed) and her side step fixed. 

             

Engine Oil and Oil filter changed and safety checks carried out at this workshop.

We had seen the Tourist Information Office the day before and decided to drop by the office this morning to get some info. Next, we changed some dollars for rupees (1 USD = 98 rupees). 

Then we went in search of lunch. We packed some briyani rice and chapati roti. We left Sost Town at noon local time to head towards Passu and the Attabad Lake.

India. Ladakh, Pang to Kelong 9 Sept 2013

09 Sept 2013 08.03
Taking the Gata Loop...

India. Lardakh Region. Upshi Village to Taglang la Pass to Pang 2013

Upshi Village

India - Ladakh Region, Moon Landscape at Lamayuru to Nimmoo 2013

As we descend Fotu La Pass, we arrive at the small village of Lamayuru. We are about 120km west of Leh and driving on the Srinagar-Leh Highway / NH1D.
Our surroundings changed and as we enter an area with moon like landscape. This isIndia"s Moonland landscape is what makes the small village of Lamayuru so famous.

India Nimmoo to Leh 2013

Nimmoo to Leh

India - Ladakh Region, Fotula Pass 2013

We left Mulbekh village and continued our drive to Leh. Near Heniskot village, the landscape changed as we continued our climb to 4,100m to reach Fotu La Top, the highest point on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. We are now driving in the Himalayan Zanskar Range.

India - Ladakh Region, Kargil and Mulbekh Village 2013

We left Kargil War Memorial at 10am and continued our drive east on the Srinagar- Leh Highway. We have a distance of 282km to reach Leh but it would be a two day leisurely drive  to Leh. The stretch of road from Kargil to Leh has a lot of interesting sights and unique landscape to take in. We will also be passing through the two highest passes on the Srinagar- Leh Highway, namely the Namika La and the Fotu La. In this post, we will cover the stretch from Dras to the village of Mulbekh in Kargil.

India - Ladakh Region, Mulbekh Village and Namika La Pass 2013

Mulbekh is small quiet village along the Srinagar-Leh Highway and home to a couple of monasteries and a large ancient statue of Maitreya Buddha carved on the face of a rock. 

Approaching Mulbekh Village

India - Kargil War Memorial 2013

Last night, we stayed at the Indian Army Guests Mess having arrived after dark at the Kargil War Memorial. After our breakfast of potato pratha, omelette and tea, we had a look around the viewpoint before leaving the mess to visit Kargil War Memorial again. The surrounding Peaks were the locations of  a fierce fight  between neighbours India and Pakistan with India retaking the nine Mountain Peaks 

Looking out to the Line of Control separating the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts Jammu and

India - Picturesque Sind Valley to Zojila Pass 2013

We left Srinagar at noon, driving on the Srinagar-Leh Highway 140 km east to Dras. We drove leisurely to take in the views of the picturesque Sind Valley and the surrounding Himalayan mountain range to Sonamarg town. After Sonamarg, we continued to chase one snow capped mountain after another, all the while ascending 800m on the windy and narrow road of Zojila Pass to reach the highest point.

We arrive at Dras at 7.45 pm. We were unsure of where to stay the night and decided to continue driving eastward. Less than 10km away, we came across the Kargil War Memorial and decided to have a look around. As luck would have it, an army officer invited us to stay the night at the Indian Army Guest Mess

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Sind Valley

Sind Valley is a 65km stretch from Ganderbal to Zojila. In the narrow valley, the Srinagar Leh Highway hugs the River Sind. The lush greneeries and meadows of Sind Valley is surrounding by snow covered mountain peaks and countless glacier fed streams. The turquoise waters of the River Sind is mostly fed by the melting Machoi Glacier, located south of Zojila Pass.

India - Ladakh Region, from Zojila Pass to Dras 2013

The Region of Ladakh is one of three regions in the State of Jammu Kashmir in Northern India. Ladakh is the largest of the three and is the least inhabitated. Unlike the regions of Jammu and Kashmir where the population are predominantly Muslims, Ladakh has a large population of Tibetan Buddhist. Their culture, architecture and cuisine are very visible across Ladakh. Even the name Ladakh comes from the Tibetan word meaning "land of high passes".

From the highest point on Zojila Pass, we enter Dras Valley and it is a short 40km to Dras Town. Nevertheless, there's a change in the landscape and more amazing views to take in.

India - Srinagar City 2013

The City of Srinagar... the summer capital of Jammu Kashmir region, famous for the Dal Lake, houseboats and the shikaras. Before we have a look around the city, it's time for lunch ... 

Paper dosa, Rajma Pulao (red bean rice), mixed vegetable, aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower), pickles and mango juice.

India - From Amritsar to Srinagar 2013

We left Amritsar and headed for Jammu Kashmir region. We drove on NH54 passing through Gurdaspur and Pathankot before taking NH44 to enter the state of Jammu Kashmir.

Pakistan Karakoram Highway KKH to Lahore 2013

Pakistan. Mastuj to Chitral and the Kalash Villages, near Aryun. 2013

Mastuj is in the Khyber Paktunkhwa Region of Pakistan         

We left Mastuj with a lone Police Escort....driving South West through the Mountains to Chitral and The Kalash People Villages near Aryun

Pakistan. Gupis to Shandur Pass along the Gilgit River Valley 2013

Shandur Pass is located between Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan as a common shared pass. It is often called the 'Roof of the World'. 

Getting oof the KKH  after Gilgit City and taking the Chitral Gilgit  Road to Shandu Pass/Top and beyond is the most rewarding part of our trip from Kungerab Pass . The scenery is most captivating, the turquoise coloured   Gilgit River  is never ending as we drove. Green River Valleys  stretching  from Gupis Town to  Shandu Pass is the most beautiful.  Shandu Top Highlands is worth the detour getting off the KKH. 

Pictures below describes it all.

 Gilgit River 

Pakistan KKH Ali Abad to Gilgit and Dunyore 2013

 We left Ali Abad village for Gilgit City.

Lush green field.

Pakistan Our Sorento crossing the Attabad Lake (aka Hunza Lake / Gojal Lake) 2013

                         Hunza Valley, North Pakistan

Hunza is located in the Gilgit Baltistan region in the north of Pakistan. We are travelling the stretch from Passu village to Attabad village.

Our Karakoram Driving Adventure Videos - 1

Pakistan Karimabad and Aliabad 2013

By now our Sorento have been offloaded from the boat that had taken her across the Attabad Lake over the section of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) that is now fully submerged. Click on the link to read more about our Sorento's Attabad Lake crossing. near Passau

We rejoined the KKH Highway and after fifteen minutes of dirt road from the New Lake, we are back on paved road again.

The blueish of blue waters of Attabad Lake...natural 'dam' caused by a massive glacier landslide that swept away the road connecting Attaabad Village and Karimabad Village.....a new road is under construction . Local, visitors, goods, local produce and vehicles from either side use Ferry large boats 

Our Karakoram Driving Adventure Videos - 2

Pakistan Driving on the world's highest paved international road - the KKH 2013

 Khunjerab Pass at the Pakistan / China border, to Sost, North Pakistan.

Today we crossed the border into Pakistan from China at Khunjerab Pass, which is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway (N-35) at 4,693 metres above sea level.

The KKH is the world's highest paved international road connecting Pakistan to the ancient silk road. The KKH begins in Kashgar, China and goes for 1,300km to Abbotabad, in Pakistan

The Monument is the common border marking the two countries. Its also marks the beginning of another adventure for us. Taking the Karakoram Highway will not be challenging as a new paved highway is being built but we are looking forward to face the Attabad Lake crossing.

 Fantastic, amazing scenic views awaits us to Passu at Lake Attabad. Mountain Peaks, blue/green/ turquoise Rivers, Green lusch valleys, Villages, Farms and Glaciers await us. Its going to be  our dream adventure of a lifetime, especially Dad who was inspired to make the Lake crossing on a boat ....with no lashing...no life jackets.....his dream ....high up in the Himalayan Mountain Range.

China Kashgar City, 2013

        Kashgar is a city in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in China’s far west. It was once servedd as a main stop along the ancient Silk Road for 2000 

 years Kashgar is also the northern point of the Karakoram Highway connecting China and Pakistan.

Our Sorento parked in front of the Bank of China. Got to change some Chinese Yuen before we tour Kashgar city.

China. Tourgat Pass to Kashgar. 2013

China Krygyzstan Border.  Waiting for our China guide to arrive.

Scenic drive through At-Bashy mountain range and a visit to a 15th century stone relic, the Tash Rabat Caravanserai

Tash Rabat Caravanserai is a well preserved ancient stone relic from the 15th century. It used to provide shelter to traders, merchants and travelers on the old Silk Road. Located inside the At-Bashy mountain range, with the structure half tucked into the mountain side, our drive in the valley takes us through some pretty scenic rocky mountains.

Turn off the main A365 and onto the dirt road that goes through the At-Bashy mountain range to Tash Rabat

Torugart Pass and Krygyz / China border crossing

We left Tash Rabat Caravanserai and was back on the A365 heading to Torugart Pass at 4.30pm. Tash Rabat was at an elevation of 3,200m. On the other hand, Torugart Pass is at 3,752m above sea level. The sun was out but the temperature was a cool 11°C.

Torugart Pass is also the Kyrgyz China border crossing point. As we were only scheduled to cross the border into China on 15th Aug, we would stay the night on the Kyrgyz side of the border and cross it the next morning.



Such happy horses... on the A365, after the junction to Tash Rabat.



Good paved road as we drive alongside the At-Bashy mountain range.

Son Kul Lake to Naryn via Moldo Ashuu Pass

We had our half boiled egg with bread and tea breakfast by the lake and prepared a simple lunch to have later on our way through the mountain pass.

Today, we leave Son-Kul Lake and make our way down to Naryn city via the Moldo Ashuu pass.

After driving for about 13km, we are at Moldo Ashuu Pass.
At this point the elevation is 3,250m. Moldo Ashuu Pass goes up to 3,346m above sea level.
From here, the dirt road zig zags, jumping from the side of one hill to the next as we make our way to lower ground.

Kochkor to Son-Kul Lake via Kalmak Ashuu Pass

From a distance, this looked like a small settlement with ornately constructed structures...

The south shores of Issyk Kul Lake - Jeti Oguz to Kochkor

Jeti Oguz, translates as ‘Seven Bulls’, the name comes from the large red-rock cliffs that resemble, you guessed it, seven bulls. Jeti Oguz is around 30km from Karakol,

The south eastern edge of Issyk Kul Lake - Karakol city

Karakol is a major city on the south eastern edge of Issyk-Kul Lake and the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan.

Dungan Mosque

The Dungan mosque with distinctive Chinese influence was built by the Dungan community, the Chinese Muslim refugees who fled persecution in their home country in the late 1800s. 

Scenic drive in Karkyra Valley and onwards to Ak Suu

We left the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake for a day at Kuturga and drove along the A363 towards Tyup village. At Tyup, instead of continuing on the A363 to the southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, we decided to turn left onto A362 and drive east along Karkyra Valley. 

It's cold this morning. Temperature about 20°C.

Issyk-Kul Lake and snow capped Tien Shan mountain range in the distance.

The northern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake - Cholpon Ata

Cholpon Ata was once a caravan stop along the old Silk Road. Apart from the beach, one of the main attractions here is the Petroglyph.

Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs 

Cholpon Ata Pretoglyphs, one of the easily accessible petroglyphs site in Kyrgyzstan, is in an open field less than 2km off the A363. 

Hunting long horn ibex with tame snow leopards (8th century BC - 5th century AD)

Balykchy Town on Issyk-Kul Lake

Local vendors in yurts peddling their wares along the A365.
We are about 14km west of Balykchy town.