After visiting the memorial, we continued our ride to Kargil. We wanted to reach before Dusk but the superb vistas reduced our speed and increased our breaks. Spotted few school kids on the road who were returning from school. I stopped and asked...

Me : "Photo nikalu tumhare ?"

Kids : "Pehle chocolates de do humein, uske baad hi"

We had 2 snickers left with us, so we gave them those and were very happy. Felt so good after seeing smiles on their cute faces. Few pics...



















The roads started to worsen but the awestrucking vistas kept us moving...




































Finally we reached Kargil before Dusk. There's nothing much to see in Kargil. Streets are small and crowded. Gals are cute and very sweet though Found an lodge with good parking and unloaded our stuff. Few pics from balcony of the lodge...













We had ample time so we stepped out and wanted to explore the small town of Kargil. 1st thing we had to do is to find STD booth and inform family and friends of our whereabouts. After several calls, hunt for nice restaurant started. Many restaurants had just Rajmah chawal Finally found an restaurant which served rice along with mutton balls and gravy. Had our tummies full and called it off for the day...


To be contd... Kargil to Leh aka "Mecca of Bikers" / "Dream Destination of Bikers" / "Land of Bikers", etc...

All the very best

Entry into the "Mecca of Bikers"

Today was the day when we will be entering Leh aka "Mecca of Bikers". Excitement levels were too high. We had to obtain our permits after reaching Leh so we decided to start off as early as possible. Woke up at 4.00 and left Kargil by 5.00. It was chilly outside. All we could hear were the early morning Azaans from the mosques all around. Few pics enroute...

Views of Kargil City at around 5.15 am...









Roads were good upto 15-20kms but after that the conditions started to worsen. All we encountered were just muddy roads and water crossings. We were riding at an average speed of 10-15 kmph. Finally a good patch of road and it was time for our butts and machines to take a short break. Few pics...




















Ab Pet mai chuhe daudne lage Spotted an road side snacks corner. He had omlette, parathas and tea only. Munched some parathas and omlette and we were all set to ride further. Till the time the guy was busy preparing our breakfast, clicked some snaps...





















Few kms ahead was the Namikala pass. Roads and the vistas were awestrucking. Well, let the pics do the talking...










































Next one enroute was the Fotula top... Highest Point on the Srinagar - Leh highway. Stopped there for few mins, clicked some shots and moved further as it was too cold.














Next halt was at Lamayuru. Just clicked few shots and proceeded further as we had to reach Leh before the DC office closes and acquire the permits the same day. Few pics of Lamayuru...






















Upon reaching Nimmu, we took another break for 15-20 mins. Energised ourselves with some beverages and started off to Leh. Few kms away was the Magnetic hill. We didn't find it working, so clicked few pics and zoomed ahead. Oh yeah about the road conditions... The roads were buttery smooth at some patches and at some patches, it was just horrible. In other words, the roads were sure shot rim benders











Finally, an road sign which indicated "Leh 22kms". Aah !!! What a sigh of relief it was. As per our calculations, we would reach Leh by 1 and we could get the permits easily on same day.




And the welcome sign. Oh God, it was hard to believe that we will be entering shortly into the "Mecca of Bikers" / "Bikers' Dream Destination".











Finalllyyyy !!! We reached Leh city entrance gate. I whispered to myself... "Thank God, I'm a Biker". It's really "Mecca of Bikers". Just bikes, bikes and bikes everywhere. What a sight it was !!!









Reached DC office. Completed the formalities and got our permits in just 5 mins. Got an good deal at Kalam guest house at Old Fort Road with good parking. We wanted to have some good food and rest as tomorrow was the graduation day. We had to ride on the K Top. After having food, we were chit chatting in the lawn and saw 2 sweet and cute babies playing. They were the Guest House owner's daughters. Clicked some shots with them. Before sleeping, called up home and informed our whereabouts. Messaged friends and off to bed...































Finally a flying Good Night kiss



Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost !!! To be contd... Riding on the World's Highest Motorable Road - The K-Top


K-Top teaser...

First wanna solute our Soldiers ... Thanks to them


Again! Speechless you mahn ... awesome, sir you are legend too

hahaha... thx man for your kind words

When Next coming ? ? Tonight or tomorrow as it will decide my availability here ..

btw very specifically chooses the TEASER

most probably next week...

Next Week :O ahh too lazy lol jk ...

Its one of heck tast i know ... Good will b waiting for it

not lazy bro... Im in office right now. Weekend will be busy too

I know sir, i was just kidding :-) Take your time & do come up with amazing log again ... Good Night & God Bless You

Godspeed !!!

Awesome

Neat. Loved every bit of it. Stayed tuned to all updates both in Facebook and over here.

Cheers.
Sakshar

thank you Sir ji

Leh to K-Top

Alarm set at 4 and we decided to start riding by 5. We didn't wanted any delays as today was the big day. We had emptied most of our saddle bags and stuffed in just necessary things. Alarm rang at 4. I woke up 1st and later woke up Viraj but found that he had high fever of around 100. He was shivering too. Oh damn !!! I told him to rest and decided we ride next day. I slept again and woke up at around 10.30 and started listening to music on my bb. Viraj suddenly woke up at around 11.15 and he told that he is feeling much better now and he is ready to ride to K-Top. I told him to take rest and we'll ride tomorrow but he was like "Khardungla aaj chadhna hi hai"

I confirmed many times if he is sure, he said yes. So what... we geared up, got our machines ready and we were all set to ride on the "World's Highest Motorable Road". Road from Leh city to South Pullu was in good condition. While on our way to South Pullu, we came across many bikers who signalled us to return back. We stopped an oncoming biker and he also told us to return back and come next day as they were not allowing any vehicles ahead of South Pullu. Viraj and me decided to ride upto South Pullu and see if there are any chances of being permitted to ride.

We reached South Pullu by 1. The TCP guy told us to return back and come tomorrow before 10am Viraj went in the office and requested the TCP guy to grant permission. By the time, many vehicles arrived including 4 foreigners on REs. I was still wearing my helmet as it was freezing. Viraj was still in the office and some other guys also joined Viraj. It was taking time to convince those guys so I decided to take off my helmet and click some pics. I was about to start clicking and recalled that one of the gal in the RE group was the one whom we met at Delhi airport. She also recognised me and other 2 guys too... Eric and Jake.

There was an new member in their group... Her name was Sarah... look alike of Katrina Kaif She was riding an RE solo and that reminded me of Katrina riding a bullet in movie "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara". I told her about Katrina that she resembles to her and blah blah blah After bakar session the photo session started and here are few pics...

Me with Katie


L to R... Katie, Eric, Sarah and Jake





At South Pullu








Sarah clicking us...


At around 2.30, the TCP guys finally permitted us to ride. YAY !!! We started our machines and we were all set to ride. Katie, Sarah, Jake and Eric decided to ride with us to the K-Top. Viraj decided to lead and me would be tailing. So finally we were all set and the ride began. Just after 2-3 kms an fresh landslide was in front of us. Until the landslide was cleared, we started clicking and here are few pics for you...

BRO workers clearing off landslide





Sweet Katie


That's Eric


Katrina... I mean Sarah









Spot the vehicles


Group Shot


The road was cleared in 15-20 mins. Ride started again and the next halt was just 2-3 kms before K-Top. Few pics...










The curves...





South Pullu view from top










Road ahead



Red & White












Manzil kareeb hai... Just 1km !!!


Finally... A Dream Come True !!! Yes we had done it and we were on the "Roof Of The World". Started looking for the big yellow board but it was nowhere to be found. It was replaced by an small blue board. There were 2 medium sized boards also. Clicked few pics near the boards and here and there...

Welcome !!!





Ek pose toh banta hai bosss !!!






Cheers !!! FYI...that was Red Bull



Group shot at the K-Top


There were few guys who had come from Thane in cages . Intro session began and they wanted to click pics with us...






The Firungi Bikernis


Respect !!!


What a sweet smile...




Katie smiling...



Sarah with her RE



Sarah again zoomed in























Eric and Jake representing India...




Prayer flags



Sarah with my baby






Me, my baby and Sarah





Viraj's machine

Awesome hai Avi bhai !!
Tune toh jaise un firangionka almost portfolio hi banaa diya .
Aur toh aur - apna tirangaa bhi de diya unke haath mein ! wah wah !
I am loving it!