If you are planning a Ladakh Bike Trip since a long time and not getting enough information to be sure, then this article helps you in all possible way to have your most exciting bike trip on Ladakh hills. If you are planning a Ladakh Bike Trip since a long time and not getting enough information to be sure, then this article helps you in all possible way to have your most exciting bike trip on Ladakh hills.
Here, I am sharing my amazing biking experience on Ladakh hills with my five friends that became one of our best adventurous experiences till now.
Some useful tips for first-timers
If you are going to ride your bike on heavenly Ladakh hills it is advised to get your bikes serviced properly or if you are hiring a bike take a good test ride before proceeding further. As high altitude, uncertain weather and difficult to find help because of less civilization can make your trip difficult. Because of snowfall, some roads may also block sometimes, so it is always advisable to check road conditions in advance.
Important tips for self planners
- Always keep your headlights switched on.
- If you find any trouble ahead, signal other riders too.
- If any rider gives you a long honking, immediately stop.
- If you don’t find any rider on your way for more than 20 mins, stop and wait there.
- Keep your safety always first.
Day 1: Manali
Since me and my five friends were planning to visit Leh – Ladakh from a very long time. This year we made our mind and get our bikes ready to explore the magnetic hills. We started from Delhi in the evening and reached Manali early morning. It was around 540km that took a long ride of approx 12 hours. There we checked in a hotel in Manali and took our rest. In the evening we double checked our bikes and permit to start our journey next day early morning. You can hire a mechanic too for your journey.
Day 2: Keylong
We started early morning to cover the distance of 115km to reach Keylong. It was a spectacular journey as we have seen snow-capped mountains and rode through dense forests at National Highway 3, for the first time. In this journey to Keylong, we rode through Spiti valley and Lahaul. At Keylong, we stayed at our camps and met with the same enthusiastic fellow travellers. Our first-day experience was amazingly summarised there.
- Highest altitude: 13,050 ft.
- Road conditions: Ride till Rohtang La Pass is quite easy in comparison of the further ride from Rohtang La Pass to Koksar.
- Prone to AMS? If you feel AMS, that is very common in this region. Take Diamox tablet before climbing the pass. It is advised to take necessary checkups before starting the trip.
- Accommodation: There are many tents/ rooms available at Keylong.
- Fuel points: There is a single fuel point at Tandi in between Manali to Keylong so it is advised to carry a large can of more than 5 litres and fill your bike fuel tank and can full at Tandi. As the next fuel point will be after 365km.
Day 3: Rumtse
Instead of Sarchu, we took our ride to Rumtse this day. If you want to ride through Sarchu, take a ride from Spiti and Lahaul districts as it will lead you through some amazing tea houses in your way and provides tent accommodations too. To reach Rumtse it took us around 9 hours that is 282 km approx. In between, we have passed some highest passes too. Those are Bara-Lacha la pass it is the high mountain pass in Zanskar range, Lachulung La pass that is 54 km from Sarchu and Tanglang La, known as the 12th highest motorable pass. Just below the Bara-Lacha-la pass lays Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal. We reached Rumtse early evening and stayed at a hotel to start our journey early the next day.
- Prone to AMS? If you feel AMS, that is very common in this region. Take Diamox tablet before climbing the pass.
- Accommodation: There are many tents/ rooms available at Rumtse.
- Fuel points: No fuel points until Leh.
Day 4: Leh
This was the most exciting day for all of us because today we are going to reach our destination Leh which is 76km away from Rumtse and will take merely 2 hours drive. At 11:25 we reached the amazing city, Leh, the view was so beautiful that can’t be described in words. We stayed at a hotel there and after our lunch decided to explore the streets of Leh and give a break to our bikes. In the evening we rechecked our bikes and went to our beds early.
- Prone to AMS? If you feel AMS, that is very common in this region. Take Diamox tablet before climbing the pass.
- Accommodation: There are many tents/ rooms available at Leh.
- Fuel points: Easily available in the city.
Day 5: Pangong Tso Lake
Today we started the early morning as we had three days permit to explore Pangong Tso Lake, Diskit Monastery, Nubra Valley, Khardungla Pass and Hunder valley. To obtain inner line permit you can apply online through ILP online with a charge of Rs.400 per person as an environmental fee and 20 rupees per day as Inner line fee. We started for exploring Pangong Tso Lake which is approx 223kms and took us around 6 hours to reach. On our route, we passed via Chang La at 17,590 ft, which is also one of the highest motorable roads. There were some villages we crossed in our route that reflects the typical Ladakh culture.
In the evening we reached the lake and the view of the lake under the stars was so mesmerizing that we stopped there and got a nice lake view camp. We enjoyed the night with fellow camp mates therewith pleasing musical night and bonfire. It was one of the tent nights aside from the beautiful lake that we have heard many times and seen in movies only.
- Highest altitude reached: 17,590 ft at Chang La Pass
- Prone to AMS? It’s better to take precautions. Take Diamox tablet if it is necessary.
- Road conditions: The road from Pangong is good till 10-15 km, after which it becomes worse and there will be streams near Chang La. Again, Afterwards roads will be better near Sakti village.
- Fuel points: No fuel points.
- Accommodation at Leh: Tents available.
Day 6: Nubra Valley
This day we started early for Nubra valley it was approx 230km and took around 6 hours to reach. There are two routes for Nubra valley, one that goes directly to Nubra valley as it is bit risky because of many flowing streams and the other is going back to Leh and taking the Nubra valley route from there.
- Highest altitude reached: 17,582 ft at Khardung La Pass
- Prone to AMS? It’s better to take precautions. Take Diamox tablet if it is necessary.
- Fuel points: Only one fuel point near Diskit Monastery. Don’t forget to fill up all tanks.
- Accommodation at Nubra: Tents available.
Day 7: Diskit Monastery
After reaching Nubra valley we first went to its landmark Diskit Monastery to view Maitreya Buddha statue which is approx 32 metre. Afterwards, we proceeded for Hunder to experience the real Ladakhi culture and enjoy a camel ride on the rare Bactrian Camel that cost us approx Rs.400 per person. The rare view of sand dunes made our day pleasing and inspired us to proceed further the next day. We took our camp and sleep there overnight after a delicious dinner.
- Prone to AMS? It’s better to take precautions. Take Diamox tablet if it is necessary.
- Road conditions: Roads are not that good, maintain balance and drive at your own pace.
- Fuel points: Only one fuel point available. Don’t forget to fill up all the cans and tanks.
- Accommodation at Nubra: Tents available.
Day 8: Leh
This day we started early for Leh via Khardungla Pass as the weather conditions can get worse anytime in high passes. Khardungla Pass is approx 18,379ft and known for the world’s highest motorable pass. Reaching this pass is like a dream come true to anyone as the view is so mesmerizing that will make your mind peaceful and proud. On arriving at Leh, first, we went for the service centre for the routine check-up of our bikes. During the period of check-up, we went to explore Leh one last time. We have found some fellow travellers, who have come to explore this amazing destination from around the world. We had an amazing night dancing and playing the guitar around the bonfire with these fellows.
- Prone to AMS? It’s better to take precautions. Take Diamox tablet if it is necessary.
- Road conditions: The roads in Leh are good except for some in Kargil.
- Fuel points: Many Fuel points available.
- Accommodation at Leh: There are many tents/ rooms available at Leh.
Day 9: Kargil
It was a tough day as we have to leave this beautiful land today. This day we woke up late and after a delicious lunch, we started our ride to Srinagar, which was approximately 422km and will take a long ride of 11 hrs to cover. We crossed the magnetic hill through the district of the famous Battlefield ‘Kargil’. The ‘HALL OF FAME’, in Kargil is a must visit place to everyone. The amazing positive vibes of ‘INDIAN ARMY’ who fought for the pride of our Country makes everybody proud of this land. We stayed at a homestay in Kargil that night to start our next day early.
- Prone to AMS? Not now.
- Road conditions: The roads in Leh are good except for some in Kargil.
- Fuel points: Many Fuel points available.
- Accommodation at Kargil/Drass: Many hotels and homestays available.
Day 10: Srinagar
Today we have to reach Jammu which is approx 480km and will take 14hrs to reach. We crossed the Drass sector as it is also known as the second coldest inhabited place on earth. We also crossed the narrowest and difficult Zojila pass on mountains. The roads from Sonmarg valley were quite good. After Sonmarg snow covered mountains start. At Srinagar, we enjoyed an hour-long Shikara ride in Dal Lake. Our Shikara man shared some stories about the land with us that made the view more beautiful. There is a floating market too where you can buy some eatable stuff and local souvenirs.
Afterwards, we proceeded towards Jammu, in between Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, Banihal road tunnel and some other small tunnels reduced our distance between Jammu and Srinagar. But still, we reached Jammu very late at night and checked in a hotel for sound sleep and to start our day early next morning.
- Prone to AMS? Not now.
- Road conditions: The road from Drass to the start of Zojila Pass is worse. The road conditions are good after the Zojila Pass.
- Fuel points: Fuel points are available on the way and at Srinagar as well.
- Accommodation: Take a boathouse near Dal Lake for an amazing view of Lake.
Day 11: Jammu
We started early this morning as we had to cover approx 588km and an 11-hour ride to reach Delhi. We crossed Jalandhar, Pathankot and Chandigarh national highways in between. Even though it was a tiring trip still it was filled with adventure for all of us and we wish to visit Ladakh again on our bikes.
- Prone to AMS? Not now.
- Road conditions: The road conditions are good.
- Fuel points: Many fuel points at Srinagar, Udhampur and Jammu.
- Imp Tip: Skip Patnitop route, and take the Chenani Nashri Tunnel towards Jammu to save a couple of hours and a lot of fuel.
- Accommodation: Many hotels available.
[Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh]