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Leh-Ladakh road trip is on top of the priority list of most adventure enthusiasts. Renowned as the “Land of High Passes”, Ladakh is a dream for many mostly because it provides a wide range of opportunities for thrill seekers. The town of Leh, which is the capital of the region is popularized by many travelers because it encompasses an significant part of Ladakh’s history and adds to it’s rich culture.
In this road trip to Ladakh, we explore many destinations that are not only major attractions but carry the essence of Ladakh in their very walls. From Buddhist monasteries preserving ancient relics and thangka paintings in their abode to the iconic motorable high passes that attract bike riders from all over the country, this Leh-Ladakh tour is specially curated to provide you the thrill you seek as well as give you a glimpse at the serenity that the beautiful valleys of Ladakh have to offer.
This trip starts from our arrival at Leh. Since the altitude is high and weather conditions are harsher compared to plain regions, it’s necessary to allow your body to get acclimatized properly. Spending a day in Leh is a crucial part of this Ladakh road trip. Since the ascend isn’t gradual, many travelers face certain health related issues when they embark on this journey but you won’t have to worry if you let your body adapt to the conditions.
After spending a night under the starry skies, you will perhaps realize what you were missing out on while stuck in the daily hustle and bustle of your life in the metropolitan cities where the air isn’t quite as fresh as the one that billows in the heart of Ladakh.
Our first stop for the Leh sightseeing in this Ladakh road trip would be none other than the confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers, locally known as Sangam, , located at Nimmu on Leh-Srinagar highway. Indus, also known as Sindhu river, is the main source of water for the entire valley when it comes to irrigation practices. The blue waters surrounded by the earthly brown hues of mountain blend together to offer a view that is not only pleasing to the eyes but fill your heart with awe as you witness nature work it’s magic.
Other tourist attractions in Ladakh that we make sure you must visit include the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a beautiful Gurudwara built in the memory of Guru Nanak Sahib in 1517. It is a sacred belief in Sikhism that Guru Nanak Dev travelled to many places during his lifetime and one of those places was Tibet. Even the Buddhists of this region consider him to be a Saint and call him by the name of Guru Gompka Maharaj.
The next stop during the local sightseeing tour in this Ladakh road trip is the Magnetic Hill. It has gained popularity for it’s gravity defying phenomena. At a staggering height of 14,000ft, the uphill slopes seems to pull the vehicles upwards even if you wish to drive in the opposite direction. A board marks the location of the hill so you can’t miss it when driving on the roads of Leh. What makes this cyclops hills even more interesting is that the locals believe that the road is a gateway to heaven.
One of the major attractions in Ladakh is perhaps the most symbolic embodiment of courage and valor. The Hall of Fame, a memorial constructed by the Indian Army to honor the legacy of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the many wars that occurred post partition. The museum has a wall named “The last post” where the last letter written by Captain Vijayant Thapar before his martyrdom is preserved in the frame. Simply being here, surrounded by the history of our soldiers and how they lived their lives, how they sacrificed it will surely leave you feeling overwhelmed and teary-eyed.
The next stop in our Ladakh road trip will provide you some much needed peace of mind. The Shanti Stupa is a beautiful white domed structure that holds ancient relics of Buddha in it’s embrace. Apart from being the abode to such notable emblems of Buddhist culture, it is also enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. It has gained popularity not just because of it’s spiritual significance but the scenic view that is in the backdrop of Stupa.
We won’t confine ourselves to Leh in this Leh-Ladakh road trip but explore the many valleys and villages the travelers paradise has to offer. We will make a small trip to Nubra valley from Leh first. In Tibetan, Nubra is called Dumra which means valley of flowers and the name perfectly suits the vast expanse of land that stretches like a blooming spring field. The best part about this mini road trip from Leh to Nubra is that you’ll be traversing through Khardung La pass which is one of the highest motorable passes in the world, with a staggering height of 18,379 ft. The pass is a gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Adventure enthusiasts from across the world come on this pass to experience the thrill of riding their bikes at high altitudes. You can also indulge in exciting activities like Double Hump Bactrian Camel safari, ATV rides and more.
One of the coolest things about this 7 day road trip is that this Ladakh tour comes with an expedition to Turtuk and Siachen Base Camp. The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern region of the Himalayas and is the point where the Line of Control aka LOC between India and Pakistan ends. The Siachen basecamp was also the center of a military conflict between India and Pakistan that started back in 1984. Turtuk is the India’s last outpost and was once a part of Pakistan before the Indian Army captured it during the war of 1971. This road trip to Ladakh becomes perfect when you spend some time in Turtuk which is known for it’s variety of fruits especially apricots.
The next destination would be Pangong Lake, a name you might be familiar with if you are into pop culture specifically Bollywood. The lake was featured in the iconic scene in the blockbuster Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. It has also been featured in some popular Shah Rukh Khan flicks like Jab tak hai Jaan and Dil se. Apart from being a treat to the eyes with its pristine blue waters, what makes the lake interesting is that it doesn’t allow outflow to any other waterbodies.
En-route Pangong while on this Ladakh road trip, we will make a stop to pay our respects at the Diskit Monastery which is the oldest and the largest monastery in Leh. It is known for the 106 ft tall statue of Buddha that is perched on top of hill. The Monastery has its roots dating back to the 14th century with frescos and paintings depicting ancient tales of Buddhist culture.
After our days excursion, we will set up camp with the Pangong Lake in the backdrop. A night with starry skies and soothing breeze would give you the peace of mind that metropolitan cities have deprived us of.
In a nutshell, this Leh road trip with Turtuk, Siachen base camp is one of a kind that covers majority of attractions in Ladakh and makes the experience the perfect blend of thrill and peace.
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Additional information
| Travel Mode | 350cc – Solo Rider – with Fuel, 500cc – Dual Rider – with Fuel, 500cc – Solo Rider – with Fuel, Himalayan – Dual Rider – with Fuel, Himalayan – Solo Rider – with Fuel, Tempo Traveler |
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| Occupacy | Triple |
Day 1 : Arrival at Leh Airport | Acclimatization Day
- The group will assemble at the airport. We’ll meet the team captains and a small tour briefing session will be conducted.
- We will check into our designated hotels. The rest of the day is at leisure.
- Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Leh.
*The bike riders will be allotted their respective bikes in the evening.
Day 2 : Leh Local Sightseeing
- After breakfast, we will head out for our local sightseeing tour.
- Afterwards, we will spend some time at the sangam site in Leh region where the Zanskar river meets the Indus river to form a beautiful confluence.
- We will also visit other tourist attractions such as Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic hill which is an anti gravity hill as well as The Hall of Fame which is a war memorial maintained by the Indian Army.
- The last stop on our sightseeing tour is the iconic Shanti Stupa known for it’s beautiful white dome shape, statues and intricate carvings.
- We will return to our Hotel where dinner will be served in the evening followed by overnight stay in Leh.
Day 3 : Leh to Nubra Valley (160 Kilometers, 7 Hours)
- Post breakfast, we’ll head out for Nubra Valley.
- En-route we will make a pit stop for getting snacks at one of the Highest Motorable Road in the World, Khardung La.
- Upon reaching Nubra Valley, we’ll check into our campsite.
- In the evening, travelers can enjoy indulge in a Double Hump Bactrian Camel safari, ATV rides and more. (on personal expense)
- Post-check-in, Dinner will be served followed by overnight stay in Nubra Valley.
Day 4 : Nubra to Turtuk/Siachen Base Camp (150 Kilometers, 6 Hours Drive)
- After breakfast, We’ll be heading out to Turtuk/Siachen Base Camp.
- En-route, we’ll be traversing through the Indo-Pak border (LOC).
- We’ll return to Nubra by the evening where we’ll have dinner followed by an overnight stay.
Day 5 : Nubra Valley to Pangong (225 Kilometers, 6 Hours Drive)
- Post-breakfast, we’ll check out from our hotel/campsite and head towards Pangong Lake.
- En-route, we will visit the Diskit Monastery, popular for the the 100ft tall colorful statue of Buddha.
- After paying our reverence at the monastery, we will resume our journey towards Pangong, the iconic lake that has gained popularity ever since featuring in the Bollywood blockbuster movie 3 Idiots.
- Upon reaching Pangong, we will check-in to out campsite where we will have dinner followed by an overnight stay.
*Note: Visiting Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery is subjected to time.
Day 6 : Pangong to Leh (230 Kilometers, 5 hours)
- After early morning breakfast, we’ll head back to Leh.
- Traversing through Chang La Pass, which is one of the highest passes in the world, we will head back to Leh.
- Upon reaching Leh, we will check into our designated hotel where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 7 : Departure to Leh Airport | Tour Ends
- Post breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotels.
- The group will disband and go their separate ways, to their respective cities according to their own scheduled departure.
- End of Tour.
* Book your return flight for this day after consulting with your handler.
Can I Go to Ladakh by Myself Bike Trip?
Yes! You can go anywhere if you plan well but as stated that Ladakh is a zone where you’re all on your own, so being prepared is the only thing that you can rely on. Which is why we say that if you’re comfortable in your skills then you can otherwise either be prepared or go along with a group of people who are expert in the terrain.
How to Rent a Bike for Ladakh Trip?
You can easily rent bikes from Manali, Srinagar, and Leh. All you have to do is submit some required documents, security money and certify that you’re having a having a valid driver’s licence. Additionally, if you damage the bike during the course of the trip, you will have to pay the amount to the shop owner according to the damage incurred.
How Difficult Is Ladakh Bike Trip?
The roads are heavily made for offroading and it would be quite hard even for an expert biker to manage smoothly on the same terrain. Additionally, it also depends on the kind of vehicle that you’re using, if you’re going on a 100CC bike then it will be very much difficult and you might break your bike for sure that you’re at least having a 500CC machine.
What Type of Food Is Served During the Trip?
We provide nutritious, hygienic, and healthy food during the trip. But in case, you have some preferred food type such as Jain Foods, Only Vegetarian or any other type then we can make arrangements beforehand. But make sure to inform the same to your handler at the time of booking.
Is Ladakh Bike Trip More Expensive Than Organised Trip?
Yes! If you’re organising the trip on your own accord then it’ll be much more expensive as you’ll have to manage accommodation, transport, meals, permits, guides, breakdown cost and more on your own. In the moment of heat, you’re most probably to be given a surge price instead of a better deal, which you get when you pre-booked with any operator.
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