Drive across pass Namika la

You only need to drive a few kilometers from Kargil and a beautiful view of the green oasis opens.

In the south direction is nicely visible the valley of river Suru leading up to the main Himalayan ridge. But our road turns after a while, gets to the upland plain, bypass Kargil airport and continues through the valley upstream the river Wakha.

The road leads long kilometers through valley of river Wakha with scanty vegetation around the river. The canyon is most of the way narrow and sparsely populated.

Just before Mulbek is quite significant confluence of rivers. There is a dusty road leading to the side valley and so if you have more time, you can explore it here.

Then follows Mulbek – the biggest settlement in the valley of river Wakha. From this point begins tourism, which is around Kargil, Dras and in Suru valley at minimum. Mulbek is famous for its large Buddha carved in the rock. Just a bit further is village Wadoo renowned by nice sceneries of rugged mountains and isolated rock surrounded by a small monastery. This oasis is the last civilization before the moonscape surrounding the pass Namika la.

The road leaves the river valley Wakha and rises along the seasonal river through the moonscape. On the horizon rises desolate ridge Namika with its flat mountains that are at about four thousand meters above sea level.

In the south direction are visible ridges of totally different character.
 

The dominant of the area around Namika la Pass is a weathered mountain with rocky top. It would definitely be an interesting ascent and so the tip for a walk from the pass.

In an otherwise arid area you will certainly find interesting the meadow near a small mountain stream, which is completely filled up by local cattle.

After several hours of riding you are finally in the pass. Apart from the necessary flags there is far away view to the snowy ridge above Suru valley.
 

The landscape is similar on the other side of the pass. Before you is 5 500 meters high ridge separating Indus valley from the valley, through which you will drive in a moment.
 

From the pass you will drive down in smaller twists into the beautiful valley near the village Khangral and then up again towards the next pass on the way – Fotu la.