CHANGTHANG, Ladakh

CHANGTHANG/ TSO MORIRI

The most enchanting drive in Ladakh in my view as it takes along the shores of Pangong Lake and then onto the Ch angthang Plateau crossing Chushul and going through some high Altitude wetlands rich in wildlife. The Changthang stretches far into Tibet and has a character of its own. The Indus also flows through the Changthang as it enters Ladakh from Tibet. The Village of Chushul lies on the way and it has some history to it. Not exactly South but South West of Leh lies the Hanle Observatory, one of the highest Astronomical Observatory in the World. This place has probably the least amount of light pollution in the Country hence the Observatory was built here. This place is favorite with people who want to do Astro-Photography.

The Tso Moriri Lake is at an higher altitude than the Pangong Lake but supports a lot of wetland. The Village of Karzok at the shores of the Tso Moriri is one of the highest permanently inhabited place in the World.

Recently the Government has announced the opening of more Roads in Ladakh areas for promotion of Tourism. Earlier these Roads could only be accessed through Special Permits which has to be procured beforehand. Hopefully in the future as well the Government will make more areas accessible to Tourists which would spread Tourism over a larger area in Ladakh than just being stuck as a few places.

A place of immense beauty amidst desolation of the Tibetan Plateau. A place devoid of most human in habitation except for the Pashmina Goat rearing Changpas. With an average altitude of above 4000m it stretched from Tibet into Ladakh.

The Changthang is home surprisingly to a large number of wildlife species including the Snow Leopard, the Tibetan Wild Ass, the Chiru etc. The legendary Indus flows through the Changthang and it includes a number of wetlands and marshes which attract migratory birds such as the Black Necked Crane and the Bar Headed Geese.

The Changthang always fascinated the Western Explorers few of whom ever stepped into its splendid isolation. The unpredictable weather, the Artic conditions in the Winters and the paucity if human in habitation didnt help either.

I happened the drive from Pangong Lake to the Tso Moriri, two Lakes which lie within the Changthang. And to keep it simple it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The legendary Changthang. The home of the Changpa who produce the finest Pashmina bearing Goats. Pashm which for centuries bought neighbouring Kingdoms to War with each other.

Pic August 2018. Some where on the Changthang between Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.