After enjoying the relax atmosphere of Kibber for a few days, we decided to move and went to Manali enroute to Leh in Ladakh. We went down to Kaza to check if the road from Kaza to Manali is no longer covered with ice and passable. The locals from Kaza told us that the road was passable for small vehicle only so the bus to Manali is not yet being offered and might resume their operation by the end of that month (June 2012).
Magnificent View of Kaza
After learning that there's shared taxi to Manali from Kaza, we immediately booked two seats for the following day. On the following day, we left Kaza at 6:30 in the morning. The road to Manali from Kaza is a combination of bumpy and paved road but the view was amazing and breath-taking.
Here are some images of our road trip from Kaza to Manali:
After 13 ?? hours of journey we finally reached Manali. It was already pass 8 pm but the street of Manali was still too busy and crowded with local tourists. We headed directly to the bus station to check the bus schedule to Leh. Our initial plan was to go directly to Ladakh, but when we learned that the bus to Leh already left, we look for other alternatives. We saw that some travel agencies offer shared van to Leh for INR1,900 / head. The fare price was way over our budget so we decided to have an overnight stay in Manali and take the bus for the following day. We felt really tired form the long road trip, but still we exerted efforts to walk with our backpacks and look for a room. After searching for room for almost 2 hours, we didn't find any room which is beyond our budget. The cheapest that we got was INR1500 for a basic double room. Since we were tired, we didn't bother to go to Old Manali where the cheapest options are located which is 30-45 KM away from the town.
To cut he story short, we ended up availing the shared van which leaves 1 in the morning. Meaning, we have to endure another 18 hours of overland travel from Manali to Leh. We went back to the bus terminal around 10 pm to rest and waited for 1 am. While passing the time, I was really hoping that with the price we paid, the van have relaxing and comfortable seat.
At quarter to 1 am, I walked around the bus station and looked for the van. I remember that, everytime I saw a nice van, I was hoping while crossing my fingers that it's the vehicle that will bring us to Leh. Hahaha,., After searching for a few minute, we finally found it and I'm really happy to see that it was a good one.
Here are some images of our road trip from Manali to Leh:
After a long overland journey from Kaza to Leh in Ladakh we finally reached the place I am dying to see. It was already past 8 in the evening when we got there so I didn’t see the beauty of Leh at that time yet, but there’s something in the air, blowing in the wind that’s telling me that I am already in Paradise.
Leh Palace
those sights are way past breathtaking. they’re jaw-dropping and otherworldly. I don’t know why highland desert landscapes such as these attract me so much. wow.
Hi Bino! I’m planning to go to India in the near future and actually I’m thinking of going to Leh as well. Those images of yours encourage me even more to visit this northern corner of India. Magnificent pictures!
I am a photographer too, though I wish I could leave my desk job and roam the world. Anyway even I am planning a trip to Leh, and the photos here have only served to heighten my resolved to go to Leh this year.