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Friday, August 23, 2019 - Today was a long drive from Leh to the Nubra Valley over the 18,000 foot Khardung Pass.

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We started at the Leh Palace where I was able to climb to the top of a hill for this picture of the prayer flags and the Stok Mountain range of the Himalayas.
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As we climb the Ladakh Range we have a great shot of Stok Kangri - the highest peak in the Stok Range at over 16,000 feet.

The road is very curvy and in places dirt.
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We made it to the top of Khardung Pass - snow everywhere.
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This is looking from the pass toward the Nubra Valley

Khardong La is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually. During World War II there was an attempt to transfer war material to China through this route.
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Snow capped peaks everywhere.
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From high on the pass road you can see switchbacks down into the valley. In the left bottom is a military convoy. The military maintains the road for strategic reasons.
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We were halfway down the mountain when we came on a small heard of Yaks. I was able to get out of the car and sneak up on the heard - it was not too hard.
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Another beautiful mountain
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The Shyok Valley and Shyok River. This river and the Nubra River form two valleys. We will spend time in both.
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After settling in at the hotel we went to the sand dunes where there are camel rides into the dunes.

Here the camels wait for the tourists with the Nubra Valley in the background.
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We opted for the 15-minute ride rather than the 30-minute ride. It was 14 minutes too long, but fun.
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Virginia Ann and her mount - half the time she was laughing.
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They are two humped camels so they are rather easy to ride - you sit in between the humps.
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A rare selfie of us on camels.
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After the camel ride I spent time walking in the sand dunes looking for interesting photographs. We hiked for about an hour.

This was an interesting little oasis in the sand.
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The dunes with the waves carved by the wind.
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The Shyok Valley looking at the mountains near sunset.
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At the end of the day we stopped at a nearby stage for a presentation of local dances.
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