Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

Khardung La has a conduct in a clouds and a tallness in doubt. Khardung La is an extraordinary place and “only one in a world” experience. The sights on a approach to and from this place are illusory over words. Khardung La (la means pass in Tibetan) (elevation 5359 m) is a high soaring pass located in a Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The general spelling is used here, yet it is locally spelt “Khardong La”. The pass on a Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is a gateway to a Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies partway adult a latter valley. Built in 1976, it was non-stop to engine vehicles in 1988 and has given seen many automobile, motorbike, soaring biking and Group Tour. Maintained by a Indian Army’s Corps, a pass is strategically critical to India as it is used to lift essential reserve to a Siachen.

As we are planning to explore the world’s highest motorable road in the month of July 2012. Those who are likely to join our group can post a mail to wwilson.tom@gmail.com or shanky.panicker@gmail.com or you may even post your view and suggestion in the below comment box or please follow the trip in http://globetrooper.com/bike-trip-to-khardung-la-2012. The itinerary is as show below.

Itinerary :

Day 01: (July 18) : Delhi – Chandigarh (250 km)-Kullu (320 kms)
Early morning proceed to Kullu via Chandigarh.

Day 02: (July 19) : Kullu – Manali (40kms) – Keylong (121kms):
Wake up in the early morning and start riding to Manali, visit Hadimba Devi Temple, Tibetan Monastery and Vashisht Village. After having the breakfast start riding to Kokhsar via Rohtang La. Stop for some time at Rohtang pass to take capture the natural beauty in the camera. Later continue our journey to Kokhsar, the small town which can offer us the opportunity to have our lunch spend some time then start riding to Keylong via Tandi (It has the last petrol pump before Leh, around 380kms from Tandi). Tank up the bikes and move to Keylong (09 kms) the last place where hand phone will work before you arrive at Leh and also no mechanic will be available after Keylong.

Day 03: (July 20) : Keylong - Darcha (29kms) - Sarchu (134kms):
Morning continue the trip to Darcha. After reaching here take a break and tank up on supplies and make the necessary registrations at the check post. From here onwards roads are mostly in bad shape. From Baralacha La it is downhill but a bumpy ride up to Bharatpur. Reach Sarchu. Overnight stay at tent.

Day 04: (July 21) : Sarchu - Pang (80kms):
Get ourselves registered at the check post in Sarchu before proceeding to Pang Gata Loops- Nakee La (third pass on the Manali Leh route) - Lachulung La pass. Upon arrival at Pang, overnight stay at a tent.

Day 05: (July 22) : Pang - Upshi (125kms):
After registration at the check post at Pang continue the journey to Upshi through Tanglang La (17,582ft). Reach Upshi and spend the night here.

Day 06: (July 23) : Upshi - Leh (55kms):
After breakfast at Upshi continue our journey towards Leh on the Manali Leh highway. Reach Leh and fuel up your bikes, overnight stay in Leh

Day 07: (July 24) : Leh – Khardung La (40 kms) – Diskit (78):
Wake up early in the morning and get ready for the much awaited moments of visiting the Highest Motorable Road in the world, Khardung La. Start our journey early in the morning to avoid the traffic.
After break and photo shoot at Khardung La, proceed towards Khalsar (58 kms) via Pallu. Submit permits at Pallu and continue the journey to Khalsar which is the favourite stopover of taxi/bus operators for breakfast/lunch.
Take lunch at Khasar & after short break proceed to Diskit (20 Kms). At Diskit pay visit the ancient Diskit Gompa which was built in 1420AD. Overnight stay at Diskit

Day 08: (July 25) : Diskit – Sumur (32) – Penamic (25) - Khalsar (49 Kms).
In the morning ride to Hunder, you may see a few Double Humped, Hairy and Bactrian Camels. Enjoy an Optional Ride on Camels around the Sand Dunes of Hunder. Then ride Panamik and visit hot water spring and on the way back visit Samstalling and Sumur monastery. By evening reach Khalsar and overnight there.

Day 9: (July 26) : Khalsar – Leh (95)
Morning after breakfast, ride to Leh. En-route you cross the world highest mororable road, Khardung-la (5400m). Creating the history, cross the Khardung-la then ride down hill to Leh. From across here, capture and enjoy picturesque and amazing view of landscape of Leh town and Indus valley surrounded by snow covered huge Himalayan Mountains. Arrive Leh by afternoon, Post Lunch; relax for a couple of hour’s then short hike around Leh market. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

Day 10: (July 27) : Leh – Likir – Alchi – Ulleytokpo (72 km.)
After breakfast at the hotel we'll set out for Spituk and arrive after a ride of 8kms. From there we move further upto Alchi, 64 kms from Leh. Here you'll visit the 11th century Alchi Gompa- the only Gompa in Ladakh region on flat ground. On the way, you travel through spectacular and magnificent view of landscape and its beautiful mountains, sometime imposing gorge and you pass across Magnetic hill, confluence of Indus and Zanskar before Nimoo village; beautiful and charming villages of Ladakh. After Basgo, winding highway scenic for few meters and then open barren terrain till likir village. Leave highway towards the right and continue ride about more than 2kms up till Likir monastery and visit the splendid three storey Dhamma Wheel Gompa, which houses a massive Buddha statue. Then we'll proceed to the Uleytokpo camping ground for overnight camping.

Day 11: (July 28) : Ulleytokpo – Rizong – Lamayuru – Kargil (148 km.)
Post breakfast, Leave for Mulbek. Enroute you Rizong and Lamayuru monastery. Ride bike 1km from resort then take right hand side road at Gyera and enter into the stunning gorge. Continue ride up as far as Chulichan where you will find Nunnery with small temple. Further 3km ride takes you to Rizong monastery that picturesquely built on hill top with imposing view of surrounding wonderful mountains by Lama Tsultim Nima 150 years ago. This exquisite monastery is located in very isolated place in the middle of huge towering mountains. After the visit drive back to Gyera then continue ride onward to Mulbek.

Halt at Lamayuru to visit the beautiful Digung sect monastery, founded on hill top dominating the valley, by Lama Nyimagung. History says that great Mahasiddha Naropa visited this place and the sacred cave where he resided and meditated still to be seen inside the principle temple. After the visit, keep on ride to Mulbek by crossing Fotula-4090m (The highest motor road pass in the leh-Srinagar highway) as far as Kargil. You pass through several charming villages and spectacular landscape. Arrive at Kargil. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: (July 29) : Kargil – Sonamarg - Srinagar (202 Kms)
After breakfast, continue your adventurous motorbike riding to Srinagar, 104 km from Kargil. Pass across Drass village (world's second coldest region after sebria), Zojila Pass (Gateway of Ladakh), Sonamarg (Meadow of gold), halt at Sonamarg for refreshment then continue to Srinagar. Arrive Srinagar (Paradise on earth). Overnight at House boat.

Day 13: (July 30) : Srinagar - Jammu (296 Kms)
Now time to ride for Jammu after breakfast, Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, with the river Tawi flowing alongside, due to many temples built here it is also known as city of temples. The main credit to pouplate this place goes to King Jambulochan. Jammu is the gateway of J&K situated on the bank of river Tawi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: (July 31) : Jammu (sightseeing)
A sightseeing tour of the city will follow soon after the breakfast. Will visit Ranbir Canal, Bahu Fort, Rani Charak Mahal, Amar Mahal Palace Museum and Dogra Art Museum. After lunch will explore Mubarak Mandi Palace, Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peer Khoh and Raghunath Temple. Thereafter, will go for a stroll in the local bazaar.

Day 15: (Aug 01) : Jammu - Pathankot (109 Kms) – Dalhousie (81)
Early morning after breakfast it’s time to say good bye to Kashmir and start ride to Dalhousie via Pathankot. After a halt at Pathankot for refreshment then continue to Dalhousie, Overnight stay at Dalhousie before go to sleep eat Gulab Jamun at Café Dalhousie, Walk from GPO to Subhash Chownk through Thandi Sarak,

Day 16: (Aug 02) : Dalhousie – Dharamsala (120)
After breakfast local sight seeing of Dalhousie which include Jandhrighat Palace, Subhash Bowli, Bara Pathar, Panjphulla, Subhash Chownk, GPO Dalhousie, Satdhara and the last but not least Old Churches of Dalhousie. After the sightseeing of Dalhousie ride to Dharamshala which is 120 Kms far. While reaching Dharamsala explore, Bhagsunag, Tibetan Markets, Naddi, Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall, Tibetan Monastery, overnight stay at Mcleodganj

Day 17: (Aug 03) : Dharamsala – Chandigarh (282)
After breakfast departs for Chandigarh, which is the 1st planned modern city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier. Chandigarh is the capital city of two prosperous states Punjab and Haryana. Evening visit sector 17 market and Sukhna Lake. Night stay at hotel in Chandigarh.

Day 18: (Aug 04) : Chandigarh – Delhi (250)
Half day sight of chandigarh visiting Rock garden and Botanical garden. After lunch drive to New Delhi, reach home and have dinner while share the wonderful experience with everyone..