Ladakh

The highway between the north-indian cities of Manali and Leh is well named: it starts in at 2000 metres in altitude and then twists and turns its way up to a height of 5000 metres before descending to 3500 metres through the city of Leh. Motorised vehicles require a number of days to cover the distance. During the winter months the highway is closed, and in spring several weeks are necessary before the road is in a drivable condition. Road workers risk their lives widening the narrow road, clearing rubble, and preparing the surface for summer traffic. Lorry drivers take long breaks as their progress is frequently blocked for several hours. Nomads with herds of sheep and goats also travel along the Manali-Leh highway, where there are few villages. Cutting winds and frosty temperatures push people to the limits of their endurance – but those living here have become accustomed to the tough and adverse conditions.

It was no small task to capture this region with a comprehensive set of images. The German photographer, Thomas Keydel, rose to the challenge. After taking pictures in Borneo, Israel and other parts of the Indian subcontinent, Keydel spent more than seven weeks in the Himalayas documenting life along the highway. To complete the project, he drove the whole distance twice on a motorbike and once as a passenger in a lorry. In addition to numerous photos, he has also produced a video of everyday life in the Himalayas with his M240, which we show here.