Day one proper of the Ladakh Sky Trail GHT, a three week hiking adventure in the Indian Himalaya unique to The Mountain Company. After a few days exploring Leh it was great to escape the tourists (Leh was much busier than when I visited six years earlier) and hit the road.

It was a full first day driving along epic roads, visiting two beautiful monasteries, and hiking over a 3,700m pass.

Many of the roads are managed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), part of the Indian Ministry of Defence, who are responsible for roads in India’s remote border regions. Along the roads they have entertaining safety signs saying things like “Love your neighbour, but not while driving”, “safety on road, safe tea at home”, “I am curvaceous, be slow”, “after whisky, drive risky”, “drive fine, no fine”, and “don’t gossip, let them drive”.

First stop was the confluence of the mighty Zanskar and Indus Rivers.

Basgo Castle was built in an impressive location.

Alchi Monastery is one of the oldest and most visited in Ladakh. On the way to the monastery we passed 108 (an auspicious number in Buddhism) stupas in a row.

There were many prayer wheels lining the route to the temple area.

These were particularly old prayer wheels, with hundreds or even thousands of prayers visible through a crack in the wood.

Along with markets filled with Buddhist items.

The five temples date from the 11th century onwards with beautiful paintings, intricate woodwork, and incredible statues. Unfortunately, but understandably for preservation, no photography is allowed, with bags, cameras, and phones checked before entering.

Near the monastery, high on a steep hillside, looking almost inaccessible, is a natural spring and small building.

Lamayuru is home to the so called Moon Land, photogenic rock formations.

It is also home to another attractive monastery, though again no photography is allowed inside the temple.

Outside though were impressive views of the surrounding landscape.

It was then time to start hiking, with a 7.2km hike from Lamayuru to Wanla via the 3,700m Prinkti La. It was a steady uphill past irrigated fields.

There were some crazy rock formations, and colourful flowers.

Then more interesting rock formations as the group headed steadily uphill. The views opened up before reaching the prayer flag marked Prinkti La.

The views were suitably epic and a good warm up for the next couple of weeks of hiking in Ladakh.

The way down was steeper and tricky underfoot, descending a dry gully to Wanla.

After a full day it was a pleasure to reach the well-equipped Rongtak House homestay in Wanla for a hot shower and rest.