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Shock on Nidar – YayeTso – Horala | Ladakh Mega Meet
The Journey so far…
Prologue, Itinerary & Road Updates
Preview – 17 High Mountain Passes
Preview – 14 Magical Lakes
Rush from Srinagar to Kargil
Heartbreak over Kargil to Leh
Smiles, Sleep & Steps in Leh
Mess-up at Khardung La to Nubra Valley
Nerves of Wari La Pass Route
Charmness over Chang La Pass to PangongTso
Anxiety over PangongTso – Chusul – Hanle
Freedom around KyonTso 1 &KyonTso 2
It was quite a fun spending the time at KyonTso 2 Lake (ChilingTsolake) and I feel it was the find of the
trip for me, loved it by heart. But, time was running and we had to make a move on towards Nidar and
YayeTso ahead of Thitzarbo La Pass.
Ouch !! That’s Some Road
Day 7 | 2nd Half | Thitzarbo La – Nidar – Mahe – Nurpa La – YayeTso
As we ascended towards the pass, we encountered plenty of marmots around. These marmots were a bit
different in the sense that they were very shy of humans … Hardly anyone could click even a distant
picture as they disappeared immediately into their holes ;)… Nevertheless, very soon we reached the top
of Thitzarbo La, our 9th high mountain pass of the trip, at an altitude of 5213 Mtrs KyonTso 2 lake
could be seen just marginally in the distance. It was very windy up there at the top but views were
dramatically different on both sides of the pass. As we descended, the road was much smooth for a while
into the Nidar region though still a dirt track. The dream soon ended as we had to cross an extremely
tricky section which was almost on some water stream as it appeared. Rigzin marginally managed it with
elegance but not without brushing the underbelly of Scorpio. Xylo too brushed a bit. No damage done
though and then it was just the usual dirt and pebbled track.
A Distant View of KyonTso 2 – ChilingTso Lake
Thitzarbo La
Views from Thitzarbo La
Views from Thitzarbo La … Nidar Side
As we start to descend from Thitzarbo La in Nidar
The Rocky Roads of Nidar Region
Oops !! A Bit careful …
Work was going on for construction of tarred roads and hope things will improve in time to come in this
region too. Soon, we just ran through a big heard of Kiangs who just kept running away and away from
us. Being in that very region, it was almost like a kind of feeling in the middle of an abandoned mother
nature, hardly traversed or any signs of humans. The multi-coloured mountains, the soothing sound of
water stream flowing besides and the views of wide valley in the front of eyes were just inspiring to call
me every other day :)… After hours of wandering since morning, we landed up into the first village and
met humans, finally. They could hardly believe we arrived there as I have never heard someone doing
this route except one. We were more surprised that there was a primary school of small children up there
and without any second thought we turned our cars for DoW Cause | GYAAN 500 You can read the
entire experience we had spreading those smiles up there in Nidar region at the DoW Community
link: DoW Cause | GYAAN 500 in action at Nidar – Nyoma, Ladakh
The way ahead…
A Gateway in Heaven
Running In To The Wild…
As the road improves
DoW Causes – Spreading Smiles in Nidar
After spreading the smiles around the village with our DoW Causes, we resumed back the journey. Even
Rigzin said, “Sirji, aisapehlibaarmaazaaarahahai (first time I am enjoying like it)” … These are just the
small wishes and praises that we actually earn in life, money is just too materialistic in front of such words
and smiles. Hence, when you travel, travel responsibly and participate in something like DoW Causes.
Anyways, coming back to journey, it was just a smooth sailing after a while as the tarred roads have
appeared and we finally reached the junction of Mahe – Nyoma road passing a bigger village,
named Nidar Nyoma was clearly visible on the right side from the road we were coming from Nidar but
we had to take left towards Mahe. Within no time we reached Mahe and started our ascend to Horala
Pass to witness YayeTso Lake
A Curvy Shortcut to YayeTso Lake
Scorpio – That’s our ride…
The shocker spring had broken and that happened while crossing the river bed before the lakes and since
then we just ignored this noise. After thinking a lot, we pulled out some ropes and tied it brutally to help us
pass through the day. We kept our speed slow and went on to road which was paved so as to have less
bumps. After a cautious drive, we reached the top of Nurpa La or Thato La at an altitude of 4815
Mtrs Nurpa La or Thato La, was the 10th Pass of our trip and from this pass you can get the first view
of YayeTso Lake I confused Nurpa La with Horala which was further away from it and from where
YayeTso is completely visible. However, we did not force the issue with Rigzin as he was already upset
and worried with the broken shocker… So, we missed Horala by couple of KMs else would have been 18
passes in the trip
YayeTso is a heart shaped, volcanic lake at an altitude of 4988 Mtrs and was the 8th lake we saw on the
trip so far… Hiking few hundred Mtrs at 4800+ Mtrs just to get a glimpse of the lake, again is not an easy
task for someone unfit like me. In distance, you can see the route to Yaye Village somewhere near Horala
Pass, from where one can approach the shores of YayeTsolake. We were short on time, so we clicked
few pictures after climbing a vantage point on a near by hill. The funny thing was I did climb that hill far
away but when looked back for return, it was damn scary being slippery and straight gorge on the side
below … Very very slowly and heart in the mouth I managed to get down from that hill and went back
to car. Here as well, it was quite windy and cold up there at the pass so we just got back into the car and
Rigzin started driving it back, slowly.
A view of Yaye Nunnery near YayeTso
After 3 odd days, finally I was able to make a call at home because BSNL works at Chumathang Family
was happy to hear the voice after three days of no whereabouts and same was the feeling inside me. We
then made a call to Gagan who was in Leh and was supposed to meet us at TsoMoriri next day. Rigzin
asked one of his friends to buy the shocker spring and hand it over to Gagan so that it can be replaced on
the way to Manali – Leh Highway. We had almost decided to go back to Leh with Rigzin and drop
TsoMoriri but thanks to Gagan as he agreed to take that spring along him to us, next day. We had a sigh
of relief and we crashed into beds after a heavy dinner for a good night sleep.
This ended our eventful run in Nidar region of Changthang – Ladakh on Day 7 of this DoW Mega Meet
and of course find of the day was KyonTso 2 lake :)… Have you ever experienced a mechanical failure in
the middle of nowhere? Would you like to try to traverse this amazing route on your next trip to Ladakh? I
will love to hear from you back here…
The Journey ahead…
Darkness over TsoMoriri – TsoKar Lake
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