Motorcycling in Leh - Ladakh
Ladakh is a high altitude plateau in
the north of the Himalayas. It is magical, remote, with delightful gentle
people. It is an otherworldly place with strange gompas perched on soaring
hilltops, ancient palaces cling on sheer rock walls and landscapes splashed
with small but brilliant patches of green. Ride thru the highest motorable
pass on the planet. For those who love mountain riding this ones for you!
Ladakh - The Ultimate Motorcycle Tour !
Ladakh has
been described as The Last Shangrila, a living museum of Tibetan
Culture. Nestled high in the Himalaya and accessible by road just 2 months
out of the year, this isolated ancient Tibetan Kingdom is home to one of the
last surviving authentic Tibetan Buddhist cultures. Better termed an
expedition, this unique motorcycling adventure travels through a variety of
areas, from beautiful Himachal Pradesh through the stunning Kullu Valley,
and up onto the Tibetan Plateau to the highest motorable pass in the world -
Khardung La, 18,380 ft.
Motorcycling Tour in Leh - Ladakh
Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations Covered : Manali - Lahaul - Leh
DAY 1 : Delhi - Manali
In the evening transfer to Bus station for Deluxe Volvo coach to
Manali. Overnight in the bus.
DAY 2 : In & Around Manali -
80 Kms Arrival Manali in the morning check into hotel. After
refreshing up ride around Manali. Get accustomed with the bikes. Make the
most of this day because there is some very tough Biking ahead!
DAY
3 : Manali - Keylong - Appx 140 Kms We will make an early start
towards Jispa, our next night halt. the abundance of greenery and trees
dramatically disappears into arid landscapes as we ascend the steep
mountains over Rohtang Pass. We can expect a few muddy tracks at times.
Overnight camp at Jispa
DAY 4 : Jispa To Sarchu - 110 Kms
After Keylong begins the real ascent over some muddy patches and water
crossings where the melting snow from the higher ranges flows down on the
road. We will ascend Baralacha La (pass) 4830M and then cross into the
Zanskar ranges to camp at Sarchu.
DAY
5 : S
archu - Rumtse - 173 Kms We'll make another early
start today to cross Brandy Nallah, Gata Loops and the Double humped Pass
Lachulung La (5060M). Its awe inspiring scenery (if bleak at times) all the
way today as we cross Pang (4630m) and the More Plains - a flat stretch of
48 Kms, at an average height of 4200m to reach the world's second highest
motorable pass Tanglang La (5,360 M). It's down the other side to our
picturesque Camp site at Rumtse (appx 30 Kms/4325m) for the night
DAY
6 : Rumtse - Leh Town - 78 Kms/ 3506 M Joolay! You wake up in the
lap of the Ladakh Valley. Greet the locals with a Joolay and feel the warm
and hospitable nature of the Ladakhis envelop you. We drive along at a
leisurely pace, stopping to check out two magnificent Monasteries on our way
to Leh.
DAY 7 : At Leisure In Leh Town Today is a
well deserved rest day for the man and the machine. It is essential at this
altitude to acclimatise.
DAY 8 : Leh - Pangyong Tso - 160 Kms
Today we head towards Pangyong tso. Ascend the height of the world's
third highest motorable pass Chang la over landslide prone area and wayward
mountain streams deciding to change course at will. We will set our campsite
in the general area around Pangyong Tso.
One of the toughest water
crossings on this route is near the Lake - real challenge for man and
machine! But once you get to the lake you will forget the tough ride, the
maniacal streams and the cold...To find such a huge expanse of calm blue
water at that altitude ! Its definitely worth the ride. The Pangyong Tso
(lake of great hollowness) is almost 130 Km long and 06 to 07 Km wide,
extending east to west at a height of 14000 Ft.
DAY 9 : Pangyong Tso - Leh - 160
Kms. Today we will head back the same way to Leh. We'll make an
early start and try to reach Leh by afternoon. We need a well deserved rest
and an early night. Overnight Hotel.
DAY 10 : Leh - Khardung La
(5602 M) - Nubra Valley - 140 Kms. Today is the day we all came on
this ride - to be on Top of the World - the Khardung La (5602M)!!!
The
intial smooth going track becomes tougher as we ascend, full of boulders and
stones - but it is certainly worth the ride. After a short break we will
move on to reach the Nubra Valley. Its a fantastic ride over fairly good,
paved roads most of the time.
DAY
11 : Nubra Valley - Leh - 170 Kms.
After an early breakfast we
will head out to explore the beautiful Nubra Valley. and after some great
riding experience in this remote area we will head back for Leh over
Khardung La.
DAY 12 : At Leisure In Leh Town DAY
13 : Leh - Alchi - 100 Kms/ 3150 M After a rest day in Leh town,
we proceed for some leisurely riding to see some interesting monasteries
west of Leh - the Spituk monastery of the Gelukpas (Yellow Hat Sect) and
Alchi Monastery. Crossing the bridge over the river we return the same way,
viewing some amazing scenery enroute. We are back in Leh for another night's
rest - our last in the Ladakhi capital.
DAY 14 : Leh - Delhi
Morning transfer to Leh airport for flight to Delhi.