Woke up this morning around 3 am to go to the bathroom and noticed that the wifi was working well so I managed to update my blogs and upload a few photos.  Went back to sleep until it was time to get up around 6:30.  Had the usual breakfast and then caught our jeeps to take us to the Khardung Pass, which sits at 5,602 m and, according to the sign is the highest motorable road in the world. 

The road to the pass was narrow and winding.   Initially it was paved but turned to gravel a ways up.   The non paved section was pretty bumpy and sitting in the back of the jeep left one bouncing around quite a bit – fortunately I don’t get car sick and am not that tall so it was fine.   As we got higher and higher up,  there was a bit of snow.  When we reached the pass there was quite a bit of snow and ice. 

We got out to use the toilets, which were outhouses on the edge of the hill with spectacular views, and to take some photos.   It was definitely cold up there and the air was thin.   After getting some photos we headed back down to Leh in the jeeps.   Another sunny and warm day with bright blue skies. 

We stopped at a donkey sanctuary on the way, where sick or injured donkeys are looked after. We then went back to the hotel and then some of us went for lunch and shopping.

At 4 pm we met the guide for an acclimatization walk up to Leh Palace and the stupa above it. It was a bit of a climb and the sun was very warm.   Walked around and then headed down and across town to the Japanese Pagoda to watch as the sun lowered.  After we walked back to the hotel for a brief 30 minutes to shower and freshen up before dinner. 

We met for dinner – I had chicken fried rice,  which was okay.   The got some water and headed home to pack for the trek tomorrow.   I will be gone and out of wifi and cell range until about Septrmber 9.  Wanted to post some photos but so exhausted and need to finish packing.