It is a colourful landscape with a mountain river flowing merrily along the road. The mountains here are a deep orange and reflect in the river, creating a mirage of red water. We are now in the Ladakh valley, the Saddle of Buddhism. You wake up in the lap of the Ladakh Valley. Greet the locals with a Joolay and feel the warm and hospitable nature of the Ladakhis envelop you.
Today is shortest in terms of distance covered.
But we drive along at a leisurely pace, stopping to check out two magnificent Monasteries on our way to Leh. It boasts of the biggest Thanka in the world, which is only on display once in twelve years. This monastery is the largest and the richest in land of the Ladakh's monasteries and was founded way back in 17 th century. Thiksey Gompa is an attractive monastery very similar in design to the Potala Palace in Tibet. A Twelve meter high statue of The Buddha, resides in the Gompa.