Motorcycling India - Part 5 - Beyond the World's highest motorable road, deserts, India's last village and a hot water spring!

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar;
I love not Man the less, but Nature more.
~ Robert Frost*

The world's (so-called)highest motorable road was behind me, and it was time to see what lay ahead. Descending the Khardungla was a easy task, made easier by a puncture in the rear wheel. Once I completed the descent, I stopped at a army camp and fixed the puncture. With the well wishes of the soldiers ringing in my ears, i proceeded towards the Nubra Valley and to the last village of India in the north.

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The roads were all for me. The scenery was astoundingly beautiful and the solitude made it better!

Touring Spirit and me pose it out

The Shyok river is the lifeline of the region between KhardungLa and the Nubra Valley

At the monastery at Diskit village. The Maitreya Buddha statue in the background looks out across the Shyok River towards Pakistan.

At the village of Thoise, enroute to Turtuk village.

Turtuk is the final village before the Line of Control at the border of India and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The region was opened up to tourists only in 2010. It is a beautiful place, with the village and fields situated on the high cliffs that border the area. It is here that the Shyok river flows into Pakistan. In Turtuk, only the smiles of the children are sweeter than the apricots.

With the family that I stayed with at Turtuk.

Back on the road... glacial waters make for small streams. The water is ice cold!

The Nubra Valley is greener and has more life, thanks to the Nubra river. Horses can be spotted grazing on the grass plains.

The hot spring at Panamik. Spring waters are believed to be good for relieving body aches and pains...

Panamik village is the last village in the Nubra Valley before access is restricted to civilians. There are 3 villages that are situated further ahead of Panamik before the Indian army outpost at the Siachen Glacier.

Siachen, or land of the roses is named so because of the abundance of wild roses at the foot of the glacier during the summer months. In Winter, this place is harsh and unforgiving, with temperatures plummeting to below -30 degrees Celsius.

Meeting the soldiers of the Indian Army stationed at the Siachen camp; A major and his deputy.

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You can read the previous parts of this journey via the links below:

Part 4 - Himalayan Kingdom and the World's Highest Motorable Road

Part 3 - Great Mountains and High Passes - Entering the land of the Llamas

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