Near roof of the world: Panzi La

Penzi La or Pensi La, at 14,000 feet, is the highest point along the Kargil - Padum road in India's Jammu and Kashmir state. The word 'La' in Ladakhi language means pass.The pass is located close to Drang-drung glacier.

 

The scenic drive from Rangdum to Penzi La takes about an hour.

The route ascends up and one runs into many glaciers.

Buddhist prayer flags form the foreground to a panoramic vista of the landscape around Penzi La.

Cattle grazing amidst glaciers and snow-capped peaks around Penzi La.

Looking back at the road from Rangdum from Penzi La, surrounded by towering glaciers and barren mountain bases.

View of the Drang-drung glacier through the vehicle's wind shield.

Approaching the Drang-drung glacier.

Drang-drung is the most formidable of all the glaciers along the Kargil - Padum road journey. The melting ice feeds the Indus river that runs into Pakistan.

Rangdum, its landscape and wildlife

Rangdum is a small hamlet inhabited by a handful of Ladhaki families. The place lies along the Kargil - Padum road and is a favourite halting place for many who travel along the road. Located, as it is, near glaciers the temperatures are freezing at night even in summer. Access to the place by road is blocked in winter due to the snow.

A rock formation near Rangdum. The Himalayas are considered to be relatively young mountains. According to plate tectonics theory, they were formed by the clash of the Indo-Australian plate with the Eurasian plate.

Early morning view of the glaciers and peaks surrounding the Rangdum tourist bungalow

Rangdum offers sweeping views of the tall valleys and peaks.

The area around Rangdum thrives with wildlife. The area is rich in birdlife like this Horned Lark.

Among the many birds that breed in the meadows around Rangdum are the Yellowheaded wagtail.

The Longtailed Marmots are the most visible wildlife in the region. They bask in the sun early morning and late-evening and hide in burrows when approached. Hundreds of them adorn the landscape here.

The drive to glacier country

Green pastures besides the road to Parkachik village from Tangole village. Beyond Parkachik village, the road ascends steeply into glacier country.

Grazing in a sub-alpine meadow near Parkachik village. This is also the site of sub-alpine camping by Dept of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir Government.

Rangri glacier originates below Nun peak and lies just besides the road. It melts into River Suru.

The steep, rugged road beyond Rangri glacier towards Rangdum.

Melting glaciers feed a stream of River Suru beyond Rangri glacier.

Beyond Shafat Glacier the valley gets wider and one can see sweeping views of the mountains.

A view of Shafat glacier.

Grazing horses besides the road on the drive up to Rangdum.

Along the way, the road passes through many beautiful sub-alpine meadows.

The road is narrow at many places and cuts through boulders.

Wide valley and tall cliffs along the road to Rangdum.

A signpost indicating the distance to Rangdum.

The sun sets over the tourist bungalow and huts at Rangdum