The Indo-Tibetan Highway

The road from North Indian Punjab into the desert-like regions of Ladakh, Lahaul und Spiti in the Himalayas is only accessible a few months a year. The so-called Indo-Tibetan Highway goes through some of the world's highest passes – the road winds up the mountains at up to 18,000 feet. I accompanied a truck driver, taking a hitchhiking Buddhist monk with him, from Manali to the Spiti valley. After a 22 hour ride and a radiator close to exploding we reached Kaza deep at night.