Padum to Lamayuru
By Thomas | November 18, 2008
Click here to view in high quality.
After the first Zanskar video, here’s the second half of our trek. Follow along as we hike from Padum to Lamayuru along the turquoise Zanskar River, over eight (!) incredibly steep passes and by impressive rock formations. The video features several of the passes we had to cross, more homestays in traditional villages, and a glimpse of monastic life in Lingshed and Lamayuru monasteries. Also, witness the shocking end of complete isolation as the road construction pushes forward and has now reached Sirsir La pass just hours away from Photoksar.
Please see our note about the posting delay.
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Donkeys Need Love, Too!
By Tony | November 17, 2008
We pet this cute donkey while we were in Lamayuru, and clearly it was the first time this little guy had ever received kindness from a human. He followed us around gently nudging us in the back or rubbing against our hands asking to be pet again. Here he is sneaking up behind me while I was sitting on the cliffs overlooking the city.
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A Different Kind of Ice Plant
By Thomas | November 17, 2008
When we left our campground early in the morning walking towards the next pass, we noticed all these bizarre ice formations.
There seems to be a connection between a particular plant (which, at this time of year, looks completely dry) and the icy curls growing around it. Read the rest of this entry »
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Lamayuru 360 View
By Tony | November 16, 2008
Well, after 19 days of walking and 275 kilometers (170 miles), we’ve finally made it to our end destination, Lamayuru. It’s been quite an adventure. To celebrate this exciting achievement, we are sharing with you the view over the incredible monastery at Lamayuru in this 360 panorama.
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The Eighth Pass
By Thomas | November 15, 2008
“Only two more days of walking,” I thought to myself as I was huffing and puffing up toward Sirsir La, a 4,800 meter (15,744 ft) pass just 100 meters ahead. This would be the eighth pass in the last 18 days and it certainly didn’t seem to be getting easier. I looked back and saw Tony leaning over his hiking poles resting. All I could hear was the wind and my own breathing. Then I caught a last glimpse of Photoksar in the distance, the little village we had left only 3 hours ago. What an amazing place to be.
I continued walking. Just as I was approaching the saddle studded with colorful prayer flags, I heard a low rumbling coming from the other side of the pass. “What the heck?” I wondered, pushing on faster to see what was going on. As I got closer to the top, the noise suddenly increased. I looked toward the source and couldn’t believe the evil I was witnessing. Read the rest of this entry »
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Zanskar Wilderness 360 View
By Tony | November 13, 2008
Step into the vast wilderness of Zanskar from the comfort of your own computer in this 360 view.
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Snotty Chapati
By Tony | November 11, 2008
A small stream of snot slowly worked its way down from her nose pooling on the ridge of her upper lip. She sucked and snorted in vain. My stomach churned apprehensively waiting for the inevitable - and then she did it again for the eighth or ninth time. She whipped up her barley-flower-coated hand, dragged it across her face leaving a thin strand of sticky goo, a snot web, stretching out as she plunged her hand back into the chapati dough, otherwise known as our breakfast.
“That’s it,” I secretly whispered to Thomas, “I’m not Read the rest of this entry »
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Darcha to Padum
By Thomas | November 9, 2008
Click here to view in high quality.
Join us on the first half of our trek across Zanskar as we hike through roadless mountains and river valleys from Darcha to Padum. The video features our climb to the stunning pass, Shinkul La (5,100 m), our first encounter with Zanskari nomads, homestays in isolated villages, overnight stays in Phuktal and Mune monasteries, and more.
Please see our note about the posting delay.
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Momos in the Snow
By Tony | November 8, 2008
It’s hard to convey the reality of this trek. Pictures and videos will show the landscape, the wildlife, and the unique culture, but I’m sure the challenges of the trek will be lost in the beauty of the area. Yes, it’s spectacular - but it’s also quite tough going. Luckily, with the challenges come thrills harkening back to a much simpler age.
Leaving Phuktal, we took an alternate route along the northern side of the beautiful Tsarap River via the tiny village of Cha. Locals had assured us the path was good enough for pack animals and that we should have no problems along the way. Yeah, right. Read the rest of this entry »
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Spectacular Phuktal
By Thomas | November 5, 2008
Phuktal Monastery is, without question, Zanskar’s most spectacularly situated gompa. Built around a sacred spring high above the turquoise Tsarap River, the monastery’s prayer chapels and white-washed monk’s cells cling to the sheer cliffs underneath a large cave blackened by the soot from centuries of smoke.
But it’s not just the setting. Adding to the attraction is Read the rest of this entry »
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