LADAKH SERIES | Day 2 | Sarchu - Gata Loops - Lachung-la - Leh

On the second day we left from Sarchu and our destination was Leh which was about 250 kms. Enroute we have witnessed the beauty of our beautiful country with Gata loops, Nakeela pass, Lachung-la pass.

*The Story behind the Ghost of Gata Loop!*
The story dates back to October 1999, when a tragic incident occurred at the 19th loop, leading to the legend of the Ghost of Gata Loops.

During that time, a truck driver and his helper were transporting goods to Leh. Since it was late October, snowfall had already begun, making travel risky. Despite warnings, the driver pushed forward to meet his deadline. That night, heavy snowfall closed Rohtang Pass, making theirs the last vehicle to cross for the season.

As they reached Gata Loops, their truck broke down on the 19th bend. The driver attempted to fix the problem but was unsuccessful. Stranded in the freezing cold, they waited for help, but with the highway already deserted due to snowfall, no one passed by. Over time, the helper’s health deteriorated due to cold, hunger, and dehydration.

Realizing the urgency, the driver decided to walk to the nearest settlement, Sarchu, in search of help. The helper, too weak to travel, stayed behind to guard the truck and cargo.

After a long and exhausting walk, the driver reached Sarchu, but he faced another setback—no mechanic was available. Before he could return, a heavy snowstorm struck, trapping him in the village for several days.

When the weather finally cleared, a rescue team from Manali joined the driver to retrieve the truck. However, upon reaching the 19th loop, they discovered that the helper had not survived. He had succumbed to the extreme conditions, alone and without aid. As a mark of respect, villagers buried his body at the exact spot where he had died.

*The Aftermath of the Incident*
After the tragic death of the truck helper at the 19th loop of Gata Loops, the Manali-Leh Highway remained closed through the harsh winter. When it reopened the following year, travellers and truckers began reporting strange encounters.

Many claimed to have seen a frail, ragged-looking beggar standing by the roadside, waving weakly at passing vehicles. When drivers stopped, he would whisper a plea—asking only for water. His voice was described as faint, as if he was on the verge of dying from thirst.

Those who ignored the desperate plea, faced unexplained troubles—mysterious breakdowns, sudden flat tires, or even feeling an eerie presence in their vehicle. However, those who stopped and offered water experienced something even stranger—the bottles they handed over would fall straight to the ground, as if the beggar’s hands weren’t real. In some cases, travellers saw the figure vanish before their eyes.

Word of these encounters spread quickly among truckers, villagers, and drivers who frequently travelled the highway. Fear grew, and locals became convinced that the restless spirit of the deceased helper was still wandering, searching for water that he never received in his final moments.