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..

Dangerous Driving Roads on Earth

It’s hard to imagine how many dangerous roads there are. When working on this post I studied about 10 resources to find out that there are over 50 dangerous and scary roads and these are just the most famous we’ve heard of. There are different factors of danger so it’s really hard to say what roads are the most dangerous of all the dangerous roads in the world.

In my post today you will see the roads that are considered the most dangerous and that caught my attention because of the fact that the roads shouldn’t naturally be in those places. What I mean here is that it looks like the Nature has created the borders that shouldn’t be crossed using huge rocks, steep slopes, stones, volcanoes but the human beings were so stubborn that they finally erected the roads and trails, but what we still can’t do is ensure the safety. There’s always the risk that something will happen but the risk has never stopped the human yet. Driving through this roads may be scary to some people and thrilling experience to some others....

Guoliang Tunnel in Taihang mountains, China

Guoliang Road of Taihang mountains, China

Guoliang Tunnel in Taihang mountains, China

The Guoliang Tunnel is located in the Taihang Mountains of China. The little village of Guoliang is situated in the northwest corner of the Henan Province. Guoliang Tunnel Road is pretty freaky with its 30 windows of various sizes and shapes. The road is not as deadly as Bolivian Yungas Road but is ghostly enough when you look down the bottomless cavity and also those weird rocks hanging from above the cliff. The magnificent tunnel road in the Taihang mountains was built by 13 local villagers headed by their chief, Shen Mingxin, and took around five years to finish. Many localities lost their lives in accidents during construction of the tunnel but the others continued relentlessly.

Taroko Mountain, Taiwan

Freaky Taroko Mountain road of Taiwan

Scary Taroko Mountain Tunnel Road

Taroko Mountain is a mountain in Taiwan with an elevation of 3,282 meters and it speaks for itself. Travelling in this hazardous road can be dangerous with unexpected road condition.






The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, UAE

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, UAE

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, UAE

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is arguably one of the finest driving roads in the world. Spanning some 7.3 miles and climbing nearly 4,000 feet, the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road boasts a whopping 60 corners and a road surface to smooth you’d swear you were on a racetrack. The road is cut into the Jebel Hafeet mountain that spans the border with Oman and lies about 90 minutes’ drive south-east of the thriving city of Dubai.

Los Caracoles Pass, Andes

Curvy Los Caracoles Pass, Andes

Loopy Roads of  Los Caracoles

The Los Caracoles passes through the harsh terrain of the Andreas Mountains is located on the way between Chile and Argentina.The harsh incline of the pass features a number of sharp hairpins, and with no safety barriers and snow forecast for most of the year, the Los Caracoles is definitely one of the more challenging roads on our list.


Stelvio Pass, Italy

Stelvio Pass, Italy

Stelvio Pass, Italy

The Stelvio Pass is the second highest paved mountain road in the Alps (2757 meters), and has long been a firm favorite with travelling motorists. The northern side of the Stelvio Pass is by far more challenging, with the steep ascent offering little to no visibility for oncoming vehicles.



Halsema Highway, Phillipines

Danderous Halsema Highway, Phillipines

Located in the Cordillera Central mountain range on the Island of Luzon, Halsema highway has a very uneven texture. With occasional landslides and stone fall from the peak of the mountain, accidents are common to the highway. Foggy conditions paired with the lack of much-needed guardrails in certain areas only complicate the Halsema Highway’s already dangerous conditions.








Coastal Roads, Croatia

Coastal Roads, Croatia

Coastal Roads, Croatia

The Adriatic Highway is a road that stretches along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea and is part of the European route E65. The road passes principally through Croatia, with smaller stretches through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. This road sees more deaths in accidents and injuries than the accidents that are associated with the landmines that the Yugoslavian war left behind. The coastal roads and the fast-driving Croats that crowd them probably account for more deaths and injuries than accidents associated with unexploded ordinance ever do.

Grimsel Pass, Switzerland

Curvy Grimsel Pass, Switzerland

Beautiful Grimsel Pass, Switzerland

Grimsel Pass which is 2165 m. high is a Swiss high mountain pass between the valley of the Rhone River and the Haslital valley. Taking into account you are on a mountain, you can’t expect much safety. The Grimsel Pass in Switzerland is known for being dangerous as there are a number of things that should be considered. These are that the road is running through the mountains and that the pass is two thousand one hundred and sixty five meters high.

The North Yungas Road (Road of Death), Bolivia

The Scary North Yungas Road

Road of Death, Bolivia

North Yungas Road also known as the Road of Death is considered the most dangerous road in the world. It stretches for about 40 mountain-hugging miles and is only 10 feet wide. Connecting La Paz to Coroico, the road stretches 61 to 69 km depending upon the source. The estimated suggests that the ‘killer-road’ takes 200-300 lives every year. Full of stones, rocks and shingles, the road offers a dirt track edging the mountain connecting La Paz and Coroico. It gets worse with rain and fog, which not only reduces the visibility, but also makes the road surface muddy, and slackens rocks from the hillsides. This is why the region is highly prone to accidents. Often the mini-buses skid over the sides of the road plunging into the deep canyons, this has lead to high death count over the years. The spots of accidents have been marked with crosses.

Leh Manali highway, India

Leh Manali highway, India

The Leh-Manali Highway is situated in India and spans over a length of 297 miles among the Himalaya mountain range. It passes through some of the world’s highest mountain passes in the world, with a mean altitude in between 2 to 3 miles above sea level. Open only during June to September when the road is cleared of snow by the BRO. Connects Manali to Kullu, Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh. The view is beautiful but the drive can be scary sometimes.




 

Skippers Canyon, New Zealand

Skippers Canyon, New Zealand

The skippers Canyon Road, located in New Zealand, is unbelievably scary as it’s totally narrow and different to manouvre your car. Skippers Canyon is located in skippers canyon 22 kilometers from Queenstown New Zealand, access is by the famous Skippers Canyon road, a gravel road carved by hand by miners over 140 years ago.





Trollstigen, Norway

Trollstigen, Norway

Trollstigen, Norway

The Trollstigen or ‘The Troll Ladder’ as it’s known in English, is a steep winding mountain road located in the Rauma region of Norway. Drivers who manage to conquer the challenging road are rewarded with a viewing balcony at the top, offering spell bound views of the winding turns and the Stigfossen waterfall which also runs down the mountainside.

Changla Pass, India

Scary Changla Pass of Kashmir

Changla Pass, India

The Changla Pass, at 5,425 metres above sea level, is the third highest motorable mountain pass in the world. Guarded & maintained by the Indian Army (because of its proximity to Chinese border), this heavenly place is covered with snow throughout the year and is part of the 83 mile road between the Pangong Lake and Leh, the former capital of the ancient kingdom of Ladakh.

Pan American Highway, Costa Rica

Pan American Highway, Costa Rica

The Pan American Highway is a network of roads stretching for nearly about 30,000 miles from Alaska to the lower reaches of South America. This is the world’s longest “motorable road,” according to Guinness World Records. Some roads are widely known by narrow curves, steep cliffs, flash floods and landslides.








Karakoram Highway, Pakistan

Scary Karakoram Highway

Dangerous Karakoram Highway

Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet connecting Pakistan with China. It’s a popular tourist route, with motorists stopping to view K2 and other stratosphere-scraping peaks from the pavement. This highest paved mountain road of the planet is situated in the Karakoram Mountain range in Pakistan. Connecting Pakistan to China, the road is paved at an altitude of 16000m.The drivers can sometimes suffer from altitude sickness while travelling this 800 mile unruly highway.

Zoji La Pass, India

Loops of Zoji La Pass

Biking through Zoji La Pass of India

The Zozila or Zojila Pass is one of the important mountain passes in India. The pass lies amid Leh in the Western Himalayan Mountain Ranges and Srinagar, on the Indian National Highway 1. This pass connects Leh and Srinagar. Extremely stenosed, this pass is one of the most dangerous passes in this region, experiencing vicious winds due to the funnel effect and very heavy snowfall. There are more than 60 dangerous avalanche sites on this road.

Irohazaka, Japan

Beautiful Irohazaka Road

Curvy road of Irohazaka, Japan

The winding road of the Iroha-zaka in Japan is the main route that connects central Nikko and Oku-Nikko. Comprising of 48 curves, the Iroha-zaka road has an ancient Japanese alphabet character displayed on each corner starting with l-ro-ha (hence the name).


Khardung La Pass, India

Cracky road towards Khardungla

Dangerous Khardung La Pass

Khardung La, at an elevation of 5.359 m (17,582 feet) above the sea level, is a highest motorable road in the world located in the Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, IndiaGateway to Shyok and Nubra valley, Khardungla pass is situated to the north of Leh in the Ladakh range. Opened in 1988 to motor vehicles but constructed in 1976, this pass is a popular place for biking expeditions. This pass provides an important linkage to Siache and is maintained by the BRO.

Col De Turini, France

Col De Turini, France

Amazing Road of Col De Turini

Located in the South of France, the Col De Turini is a famous mountain top range that is included as part of a 32 km rally stage starting from Sospel to La Bollène. The Col De Turini is the highest point in the stage standing at 1607 metre, and is one of the most dangerous and challenging stages in the WRC. Along its long straights the cars can reach speeds of upto 180 km/h, with the roads 34 tight hairpins and jaw-dropping scenery making the Col De Turini one of the most amazing and coolest driving roads in the world.