Standing on the river bank near the Hemis monastery in Ladhak, one would naturally get confused on its orientation of flow. As we drive Northwards towards Leh, at a higher elevation, the river continues to flow alongside the road. Abundant gurgling water, though not so wide ripples upward, defiantly. We had expected sparkling bluish green water from snow, but was somewhat disappointed to see brown muddy water. It was July, so the barren hill surface washes down the mud during this time of the year. We were told to come earlier in the year to view the sparkling blue waters. The river coming from the Manasarovar region of the Himalayas in Tibet, has so much of historical importance, that it had enhanced our inquisitiveness to touch its waters. We got ample opportunity to do so, at Hemis (about 40km from Leh). Incidentally, it is interesting to note that according to our Indian ethos, The Indus, also known as "Sindhu", on which were located the Harappa and Mahenjodaro civilisation, some 5000 years back, is considered masculine, just as its brother The Bramhaputra, originating in the same Manasarovar region. We considered ourselves blessed, to have touched the waters of Bramhaputra too, at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh, just a few months back. Both the rivers flow through fantastic valleys. We again got the company of the Indus River, on our way to Kargil. The meeting point of the Zanskar River is a great spot of beauty. Later it flows through deep gorges and wide valleys, with unparalleled scenic beauty, which are points of 'must see' and photographer's delight, till it meets The Suru River from Kargil side. We met the other tributaries of The Indus - The Shyok and The Nubra meeting at Diskit in Nubra valley, and flowing Northwest, but were unable to see their meeting point, as these rivers flow parallel and enter Pakistan before meeting. After that, The Indus takes a U-turn and flows Southwards through Pakistan to meet the Arabian sea. We felt highly thrilled to have been able to follow the river, though partly, which had met Alexander the Great and also seen many Muslim invaders and Babur crossing its shores. One must surely visit these places of natural beauty in Ladhak, and rest assured, will not be disappointed.

What a place to visit you drive through the most amazing moonscape valley with the Indus River flowing through if you get the chance go on the Hangro Loops a series of 18 hairpin bends strewn down a mountainside with precipitous drops and astonishing landscape views beyond , this deep gorge is not for the faint hearted. The Indus River has a water catchment area of France, Spain and put together.