Bike Trip – Leh Ladakh

It is a dream for every one to go on a bike ride to Leh Ladakh (India). So, my dream came true and I went on this amazing journey with my Husband and 30 other people.

I think it was in 2008, and I am trying to remember the trip and write few of my experiences. That explains why one has to finish writing immediately after the trip. All the incidents are fresh in mind and you can pen it, which becomes easier. I have tried my best to remember and write.

Here are few pictures that explain the short story of the thrilling bike ride to Leh.

There are 2 routes to Leh Ladak. The route that we took was Manali, Rothang Pass, Keylong, Jispa, Zing Zing Bar, Pang, Debring and Leh.

Riding the highland roads

So the first day of our trip. It was a 30 member group calls them self as “Old School Bikers” and they do this long distance ride once in 2 years. I joined the group and this was my first trip with them.

I just thought nice 15 day bike ride trip and went. Never expected it to be such a difficult one. Sitting in the bike for 10 to 12 hours every day and that too in that tough terrain… All of us taking a break after a long ride… It feels heavenly to have hot chai in that cold weather after a long drive in that chilli weather.

This is the Barlachala pass on the way to Leh ladhak. One of the highest pass next to Kardhung La. The height of Baralachala is 4900 m. You cants stay there for a long time, you need to keep moving and exit the place.

Few kids on the way playing…

These kinds of road blocks are quiet common there. In mountains land slides are quiet common, and once it happens on your way, its difficult to know how long you need to wait there for it to clear. This was one such incident, and luckily it got cleared in 3 hrs. Yes you heard it right luckily in 3 hrs it got cleared, or else people wait for 15 hours or more also.

Lucky to get a nice authentic click on the way…

Nice pic captured on the way that explains the landscape of Himalayan villages…

Crossing one more pass on the way… We were lucky that we met few of our riders from our team. Generally in the passes don’t wait for others they just keep going since they want to stay in the high pass which will cause head ache and nausea.

These kinds of nalas are common on the way to ladak. These streams from the snow mountains, they call it nala there. Generally, the day we have to cross the nala, we have to leave early in the morning, the reason being afternoons the water in the stream increases once the sun rises and melts more ice and it becomes difficult for crossing.  The current in the stream increases by afternoon, so people will hurry up those days to cross the nala.

One more nala, and I think we left a little late and got stuck in the nala. The current was too much and it became difficult to cross… Ravi’s brother helped him to cross the nala, and with great difficulty they crossed it. It sometimes becomes dangerous to cross with a current. People also go back and stay back for one more night and then do the crossing next day if current becomes more.

Reached Kardungla – the highest motorable peak which is 17000 feet above sea level. You need a special permit to go to this place, and one should take a day before. Because of less oxygen, you get dizzy if you stay for more than 30 mins. The military officials keep telling the people to leave the place in 20 mins.

These kinds of road blocks are quiet common there. In mountains land slides are quiet common, and once it happens on your way, its difficult to know how long you need to wait there for it to clear. This was one such incident, and luckily it got cleared in 3 hrs. Yes you heard it right luckily in 3 hrs it got cleared, or else people wait for 15 hours or more also.

How majestic the Royal Enfield stands in the tough terrain. You would see a lot of enfield in this area. This route has become one adventure route, and so lots of bikers tend to do this trip.

I am always attracted to Himalayas with the beautiful landscapes and serene nature. Now waiting for an another trip to Himalays…