Trekking along the Indus

Getting to the camera site along the Indus in the valley opposite Ikpadoc involved a 4 kilometer trek (one way) by straight road dimensions. This was due to the fact that the only available bridge to cross over to the other side was strategically built that far away from a potential camera site. Well, 4km doesn't sound all that bad if you're at the gym on a treadmill or jogging in a park. 4km over a gazillion rocks, sand, silt, undulations and grass is a lot more tiring. However, the tiresome trail was compensated by the constantly changing scenery. It started off with lush green, grass banks with clear, cool water flowing slowly in the river. The shallow streams from the Indus were full of little schools of fish and grass and moss that shimmered green in the sunlight. The rocky trail began soon after. Walking or jumping from rock to rock was the only way forward with no sign of flat ground in some places. Narrow ledges with just enough room for a foot followed and so did ups and downs in the valley. We took a small break to eat some (wonderfully sweet) oranges and I took off my stinky boots and dipped my feet in the icy water. It was more refreshing than words can describe on that sunny day. There was warm breeze blowing all day and it felt so good to walk around in just a t-shirt. The sky was a constant, gorgeous deep blue and remained cloudless for most of the time. The mountains and plains around us and the valley before us were just lovely. There were patches of ground dotted with dried up tufts of grass and some with the ground cracking from extreme thirst. In those 4km I saw extreme lushness and extreme dryness. It was surprising to see green in this barren land and was soothing to the eyes. Walking along the Indus river with its water flowing slowly or gushing in rapids and hearing it bubble over the rocks was just tantalizing on that warm day. Had the water been any less icy, it would have been hard to resist jumping in. I did dip my hair and head into the water on our journey back, though- which was heavenly with the breeze. It took us two and a half hours each way.

Also, we crossed the bridge back with dzos and dzomos (really large and hairy cows) leading and following us. Quite an experience packed into a day. Loved it.