Here we present a detailed analysis of the observations done from very high altitude remote locations at Hanle (32¿47'N, 78¿58'E, 4517 m above sea level (asl)) and Leh (34¿09'N, 77¿34'E, 3441 m asl) in the western Himalayas. The experiments were done using a microprocessor-controlled total ozone portable spectrometer (MICROTOPS) II Sun photometer and a broadband pyranometer during 4--18 July 2003, but the clear-sky conditions prevailed only on 8 and 12 July at Leh and 14 and 15 July at Hanle. The measurements were made for direct solar UV irradiances at 305, 312, and 320 nm, total ozone column, and aerosol optical depths at 380 and 500 nm. The observations show typical daytime variation of UV irradiance as a function of time at both locations. These observations are compared with the model calculations done using the tropospheric ultraviolet visible radiation model (TUV) and show a good agreement. The top of the atmosphere irradiances were also retrieved at different wavelengths from the data using Langley analysis and were compared with the model values. The highest CIE-weighted (Commission Internationale de l'¿clairage) erythemal dose estimated at local noon at Hanle had a value of 375 mW m-1.