The highest point on the road from Srinagar to Leh
Fotu la pass (4,094 m asl) is the highest point on the 420 km long road from Srinagar in Kashmir to the centre of Ladakh – Leh. In terms of altitude, for non-acclimatized person it is much pleasant way than the road leading to Leh from Manali over five thousand high passes. On the way you will be able to enjoy green oasis, almost lunar landscape and nice bends on the descent from the pass to the east.
At Khangral
When descending from the pass Namika la you get to the valley ending a few tens of kilometers in the main valley of Indus. However, you will continue on upstream the river springing far below the pass Kanji La.
Through the valley to Heniskot
Then follows more than ten -kilometer long passage from Khangral to Heniskot, where is the valley wide and fully utilized by local farmers. It looks quite picturesque here.
Start of the ascent into the pass Fotu l
A few kilometers behind Heniskot turns into the narrow valley a trekking route (nowadays typical road) to the village of Kanji, from where it is possible to get over the pass Kanji la to Rangdum in Suru valley. Farther on is another even narrower valley, but where no quality-path leads. From here start the twists to the pass Fotu la itself.
Traffic jam in Ladack
The road through the mountain passes of Ladakh is characterized is typical also by frequent traffic jams. When you are not waiting for removal of landslide and expansion of the road, there are endless convoys of military vehicles, which, of course, have the highest priority.
Mountain near the pass
The previous pass Namika la has a solitary mountain next to it, Fotu la has sharp ridge ended with a completely weathered hill.
In the pass Fotu la
Fotu la pass (4,094 m asl) is naturally beautified by prayer flags fluttering in the wind and bollard certifying that you stand on the highest point on the road from Srinagar to Leh.
View to the east
In the distance you can see the destination of this stage – monastery and town Lamayuru,
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Article: Kargil - Léh
The road from Kargil to Leh overcomes two high passes Namika la and Fotu la la in a typical ladack landscape of arid mountains… continue reading