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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