Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

DISC OVERING INDIA  13

the views more spectacular and
the terrain more arid, as you
cross the Bara Lacha Pass at
4,890 m (16,043 ft) and descend
into Ladakh. The irrigated farm-
lands around the Indus River
provide relief amid the high-
altitude desert.
Day 12: Leh
After the rigours of the journey,
you should relax and acclimatize.
If you are feeling up to it, explore
the travellers’ cafés and bazaars
of Leh (p133). Choose between
heading up to the imposing
Street sellers with their wares in Leh bazaar Leh Palace (p140–41) or the
white Buddhist landmark of
Day 6: Kullu Day 9: Around Manali Shanti Stupa (p140) in Changspa.
En route back east through the Walk back down into the
Kangra Valley, stop to clamber modern town of Manali, where Day 13: South of Leh
around the crumbling ruins of the busy market largely caters Spend the day touring the most
Kangra Fort. Take time out for to the Indian honeymoon impressive monuments an hour
lunch at Mandi (p124), before crowd but also has a range of or two south of Leh, starting with
moving on towards the Kullu decent eateries. From Manali, the Namgyal residence of Stok
Valley. On arrival in the main head back across the rushing Palace (p143) then across the
town of Kullu (p130), walk up Beas and about 3 km (2 miles) Indus to Shey Palace (p143),
through the bazaar to the up above the east bank to below which are some fine rock
spacious Dhalpur Maidan (p130), Vaishist (p132), where visitors carvings. Later move on to the
which is surrounded by some of can take a dip in the sulphur monasteries of Thikse (p142)
the town’s best restaurants. springs of the temple tank. and Hemis (p144), both with
spectacular lofty locations.
Day 7: In and around Kullu Day 10 & 11: Manali–Leh
Go for a morning puja service at Travel the legendary Manali–Leh Day 14: West of Leh
Kullu’s 17th-century Ragunath Highway, not so much a road as an Devote an entire day to reach
Temple (p130), which houses unforgettable destination in itself, and explore the venerable
colourful images of Rama and as it climbs over the first main complex of Alchi Monastery
Sita. Other notable Hindu range of the Himalayas via a series (pp148–50), three hours west of
pilgrimage spots near the town of precipitous passes, beginning Leh, to be rewarded by some
are the Vaishno Devi Cave with the Rohtang Pass (p132). of the best-preserved Buddhist
Shrine (p130), and the Stop at the villages of Keylong mural artwork in the world. The
Jagannathi Devi Temple (p130). (p133) or Darcha (p133), in the best examples are to be found
Later, travel up to Naggar northernmost Lahaul (p133) in the Dukhang (p150) and
(p132), which affords splendid region. The road becomes rougher, Sumstek (p150) temples.
valley views from its perch
above the east bank of the fast-
flowing Beas river. The peaceful
village also boasts a castle-cum-
hotel and the Nicholas Roerich
Art Gallery (p132).
Day 8: Manali
After the short journey
north, settle into the peaceful
atmosphere of Old Manali (p132).
This village is blessed with a
plethora of friendly cafés and
restaurants amid the traditional
Himachal houses and their
farming folk. Take an after noon
stroll back across the Beas and
up to the wooden pagoda-style
Hadimba Temple (p132), set
among tall deodar trees. Typical colourful truck on the Manali-Leh Highway

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