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**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:28 PM

Now the gate was very close.

at 10.45 AM, I reached the entrance gate of Phuktal Monastery.

It is written as Phukthar in this main gate.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:31 PM

There were newly constructed rooms near main gate and one eatery also. But it was close. A worker told me that you can order food
and after coming back from Monastery you can eat it.

And to my surprise main Monastery was again too far, must be another 500 meters from main gate.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:31 PM

I was coming more close to Monastery and it was looking awesome. Now I could imagine why it is called Honey Comb Monastery.
There was a big natural cave and monastery inside and below it.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:32 PM

The school of Monastery is near this point. Around 25 monks were inside school.

I reached the Main Monastery at 11:10 AM. This is how it looks behind me.

There is a main prayer room, but no photography allowed inside that. This is inside that big Cave. That holy water stream was behind this stupa/ Chorten.
But it has became dry now.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:33 PM

It was not a good view inside that big main cave. It is just like a big store room for wood for winter season.

A short compilation of video shot on GoPro of this trek.
The end part is very good.

The main room of Phuktal or Phukthar Monastery.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:35 PM

There is kitchen room and other rooms for monks.

There is a village opposite side or River. As per google maps it is Darcha Village.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:36 PM

View from Main Cave. This view is so mesmerizing that you can sit hear for hours.

The Cave View

The steps inside Monastery are too steep.

**sajalsheth** · 07-18-2022, 09:38 PM

It was 11.55 AM, Time to say good bye to this ancient Monastery.

Compilation of short videos shot on my mobile:-

I reached back to Purne after 2 hours of trek. After lunch started my ride to Padum Village.
Road was very bad. And in many place Jio cables were being layed. I hope next year there will be good mobile network in these areas.
Entire Road is near to Tsarap River with two three big villages on the way.
At one place I was stranded for 45 minutes due to road widening. There are two famous Monastery, Bardan and Muney on the way.
Last 20 kms is very good tar road before Padum.
I reached Padum at around 7 PM.
I stayed at Alpine Guest House at Padum, where I had stayed last time in 2014 during my Ladakh and Zanskar ride also.

Julley

Coming up.... NEXT ... New route to Leh via Murugun Pass, Singe La Pass, Sirsir La Pass

Click HERE for next update.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:49 PM

Date:- 24.5.2022, Day 7 :- Padum to Leh via Murugam Pass, Singe La Pass, Sirsir La Pass

Today's ride will be long one & I will have rarely any place to eat, till Wanla village.
Today I will ride via new road to Leh or 3 rd route to Leh.
Today's ride will be true solo ride for me, as I may not find other vehicles on road. Or there will be very few.

It is recommended NOT to travel in these route in rainy season ie in July - August. As the increase in water level will result in Zanskar River over flowing on road between Zangla to ascent of Linghed or Murugam Pass. Also do not travel solo in July August in this route, till the new road under construction is completed.

I will not get any fuel pump till Khaltse on Kargil- Leh highway.
Padum village has two fuel pumps of IOC.
First one is 3 kms from Padum towards Ragdum- Kargil. PressHERE for the location of this fuel pump.
Second one is around 3 kms away from Padum towards Zangla side. Press HERE for the location of this fuel pump. Old one was manually operated. But now there is a new one on opposite side of old one.

I had breakfast at my homestay at Padum village. I topped up fuel on my bike.
To my surprise the price here was Rs. 94 only. Later on I came to know that Government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel and It was around Rs.8 cheaper than two days back's price.

I also purchased some biscuits and snack for my Lunch.

I was on Zangla road at 8.30 AM. There is very good tar road till the check post after Zangla Village.

Fascinating view of mountains around.

This is way to Zangla Palace. This ancient kingdom palace on on hill top.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:51 PM

After police check post, the road in under construction. At present it is complete off road till Wanla Village. This road passes near Zanskar River and it has some
stunning mountain and rocks on the way and on river side. It seems to me like a big carving by God. I could not prevent myself to stop here and enjoy the Great
Carvings of God.

It is very important to cross these river before noon. As increase in water level will result Zanskar River over flowing on road.

And this one looks like a Shivling to me.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:51 PM

It was 11 AM and I was riding on the ascent of Lingshed or towards Murugam Pass. This pass is at 15490 feet.

This soil base route was very tough due to steep ascent.

I had heard that two bikers had damaged their clutch plate on this ascent. So I was riding very slowly and after every two three loops, I was stopping so that my bike will not get damaged due to heat and pressure on clutch.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:52 PM

As you can see that there was no one on these route. It was a true solo ride here.

Weather was good but not the road. At one point my bike stopped going up even at full throttle. I got down from bike and pushed bike at 1st gear to move ahead.
At that point it was difficult to breath for me and my bike was also getting less oxygen. Less oxygen resulting in reduced power of bike.

There is no sign board about Murugam Pass there. I reached the bifurcation of Lingshed at 12 PM.
The left road which goes down is towards Lingshed village. I took right one towards Singe La Pass.
I met one local Maruti 800 white car owner travelling with family ,on bifurcation. They offered me fruits and told me that after one hour, I will reach Singe La Pass.
Also met one Black Thar owner from Punjab, they were going to Leh.

At 12.15 PM, this was my view towards my back.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:53 PM

At 1.10 PM, I reached Singe La Pass at 16590 feet.

I was very happy and fulfilling. This was my 3rd pass of this ride.

The mountain top on the right side here has shape of a
" सींग " or horns.
This Singe La Pass got its name from here ? No idea.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:54 PM

Felt proud to take my Odisha nameplate bike here in this remote area of Zanskar. See the shape of mountains on the left side.

Time for a Gopro selfie at Singe La Pass.

The descent of Singe La Pass towards Photoksar village is very beautiful one. And only one or two vehicles could be seen in this route.

**sajalsheth** · 07-20-2022, 10:54 PM

was compelled stop here and enjoy the nature beauty. There were Hills, ice, serpentine roads and cold air.

It was a truly mesmerizing view there.

See the left side mountain top !

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Umling la pass

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