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A journey
to Korzok from Leh is unlike any other in Ladakh and on a bicycle ever more so. The Leh – Manali road first
brings us over one of the highest passes in the region, over the Taklang-la
(5260m). From here it strikes off east on a rough track across the basin of the
twin lakes, Startsapuk-Tso (fresh water) and the Tso-kar (salt water), then over
a roller-coaster track to the head of Tso Moriri, a magnificent lake, and on to
Korzok, a quarter of the way along the lake's 20km length. Containing the
drainage basin of these trans-Himalayan lakes and known as Rupshu, this is a
landscape of open, windswept high-altitude valleys. Korzok, situated at 15,000
feet (4,572 m) with its dozen or so houses and its gompa appearing like a mirage
among the barren hills, is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu.
The itinerary includes bike acclimatization and getting ready stages up to
Lamayuru first. |