Wander through India : NORTHERN EXPEDITION 2014 : Day XVI , on the brilliant National Highway 1D

# DAY XVI : Leh to Srinagar

#126. As mentioned earlier we had decided to not venture into the zanskar region this time even though I had studied a great deal on it. It is important to be mentally positive when attempting a drive into regions like the Zanskar and it has to be mutually agreeable by all those who are doing it .

#127. So we left Leh early and were on the brilliant NH 1D as we sped away on towards Kargil . There was mixed feelings as I kept moving away from Leh , like a part of me was being left behind and the strands of thread were one by one getting parted but then I knew that I would be back again in the future to pick up the threads where I had left them .

#128. Our first stop was the spiritual Gurudwara Panther Sahib , constructed 25 km away from Leh built in memory of Guru Nanak Saheb , at a altitude of over 12000 feet. The history of the gurudwara is very special and speaks about the aura of Guru Nanak and has the famous story of his visit to the Ladakhi region entwined. The famous boulder on which the impression of his back and shoulder is embossed is a sight to see. We had the famous langar at this most holy of all places and the simple meal was for me the most important of all till date.

#129. Thereafter we moved on towards the confluence of the green Indus and the grey Zanskar which is again one of the most iconic of all sights to witness on this brilliant highway. Soon we were passing Khaltsi and Lamaruyu and we gunned the INDOMITABLE towards Srinagar, our target for the day. The final passes of our Expedition Fotu La , Namika La were soon passed and by evening we were crossing Zoji La , the final Pass of the trip. After this we were in Sonmarg.

#130. Sonmarg to Srinagar was covered in total darkness and I had no idea whatsoever of the road conditions that I travelled on. Srinagar was a city torn by the weather and rains with all signs of normalcy wiped out. We had plans to stay a day in the city but looking at the condition we decided to move the next day itself towards Jammu.

ODO for the day stood at 76761.