Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

i thought its all due to my last night NO sleep and cold

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Those 2+ hours of rest did a great job and it was life saver. I was started to recover and soon we started our journey towards "Pang". the landscape was totally different this side with lot of plane grounds surrounded by sky high sand mountains and River flowing in between them it was totally worth to visit this place.









































The roads are very well laid out and there are no bad patches, the most exciting part of this stretch is "Gata loops" a 21 hair pin bends which elevates to 1.500 feet above the sea level.

The 2+ hour loss did some great for our health but also did some damage to our timing, as by the time we are nearing the Pang, it was totally dark and bad roads added more problems. we had to ride in dark for almost 2 hours and in full dust and windy conditions.The time we reached the Pang stay it was almost 9:30pm and i was totally tiered it was a very long day for me.


I took some soup and just went to bed.

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Everytime I go through a ladhakh travelogue...I get more inspired to visit these place. Some best pics that I have ever seen...congrats for them. Which cam were you using for the pics.

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

really nice log and the pics are awesome..
reading the leh logs makes me do the same.. but i know its still 2-3 years for me before i can fulfill this dream..

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

i have used canon SX150IS camera
im sure you guys will really enjoy it whenever u go

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Day 5 : Brighter the Day, higher the Mountains

Due to last night good sleep, i was fully recovered and it was very sunny day. Me,Vijay,Mahendra and Rishad started late and we four rode in good pace. and we hit the famous "Mori plains". its almost 40km stretch that is flat at around 4000mtr.it has some stunning scenery of Sand and Rock formations on the mountains and sides. the whole area is uninhabited and offers stunning visuals.



















we took break for photo shoot in one of dried "Sumkel Lunpa River" bed.and started our journey towards "Tanglang-La" Worlds second highest motorable pass. from here the climb starts and reaches to the peak which is around 17,480ft.



















































After the "Mori plains" the roads got worse and the climb also added to that was dust and in many places road work made our pace slow. we took regular photo breaks and continued riding. and reached "Tangland-La" Top, from there it was brand new road down with very scenic and some what green landscape made the journey even joyfull.























































But unfortunately the rented bike which Prashant/Jatin riding was break down again and this time the engine got busted,so we had to leave the bike there and both of them came as pillian on mine and Vijay Bikes.

On the way to Leh after "Tanglang-La" Descent was nice flat road with one side river running alone and other side mountains.



We reached Leh city pretty quickly and we stayed in "Sky Desert" hotel which is near Leh Market and has very good rooms.that evening we spent relaxing and roamed around city.

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Some awsm awsm and lots of pictures are there bro, while reading and by seeing the picture its feeling like I am with you on trip.....

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Day 6 : The Darker the Night,the Brighter the Stars

Morning woke up early and most of our guys went to check/repair there bikes and also getting Leh Inner circle permit.
Here important to mention how to get a permit - the SDM office opens 10AM on working days and issuing of permits will be done from separate office which has board in the same premisis. One has to go to nearest xerox/photo copier shop which is just behind the SDM office road and get the forms which will cost Rs15/- and fill out the forms along with places to visit and give dates usually some 7 days range and also write all the places to visit, else you won't be allowed in the checkposts.Now submit the documents along with ID proof copy to the office with a fee of 340/- per person [120 for permit, 220/- for environment tax]. wait for the permit, within 15min you will get permit, so basically it will take 30min to get permit if you go early. else it may take upto 2 hours but not more than that.

So by the time everyone finished there bike checkup/repair it was 4pm and as none of us wanted to waste the time, we decided to head to K-Top or "Kardung-La" top which is regarded as Worlds heighest motorable pass. which stands at a height of 18,379ft.

This time Vijay exchanged his unicorn with Impulse just for change and let Jatin ride his Unicorn, but in midway Vijay Crashed while negotiating a small rock on the road,luckily he fell on his right side rather left side otherwise he would have fallen off the cliff. He was fortunate enough to walk away with small bruise on hand and leg. after getting first aid Vijay was able to ride again.

we reached "Kardung-La" top around 6pm and boy!! it was every biker dream to reach the top of the world, the experience is unmatchable and feeling is totally out of this world.













Soon afer me and Vijay decided to head to Nubra vally while others decided to skip it as we are running short of time. So plan was other will go back to Leh and next day morning head towards "Pangong Lake". while me and Vijay will head towards Nubra vally now and next day morning will start from "Nubra" to "Pangong Lake". well plan is perfect but the risks are huge. most of ppl we checked with told its impossible to do "Nubra" to "Pangong" in single day given the bad road conditions and unpredictable land slides and rain. its gamble to play this plan.

But both of us are in high aderline and crazy, and we don't think we just ride, no matter what it may come. and i liked this guy Vijay attitude. well its always pointless to discuss whether to go or not-to-go about something which you really wants to go. so we decided to go.

We started towards "Nubra vally" around 7pm in the evening and first 15km from K-Top the roads were pretty bad and adding to that was my bike front right side fork/shok absorver was leaking oil from first day and it lost all its repulsive strenth and moreover the leaked oil was spilling directly over the fron disk and its callipers making the front disk stopping grip useless.


After some 20km we found an Army camp and we cheked with some army personal about the road and also what all there in Nubra, as we didn't have any idea what's there in Nubra vally and what to see or where to go. and that army guy was very helpful and he given us all information and we were happy from the fact that he said roads will be good till the end.

So we decided to go for "Diskit" and it was already dark but there was nice moonlight all along the way. the Night was Dark and there was no vechicles at all on the roads. its just two of our bikes and there headlights, there is immense silent on those hills apart from our bikes motors singing in relaxed tune.

Riding night was really fun and i can see all the starts in the sky, which usually i miss in Bangalore. we took couple of breaks just to get this lonely feeling in far away land and fact was roads were better which made the journey even better. we found two more bikers along the way and they asked us whether they can join us till next village and we agreed although they are not Indians and might be from EU ,they were riding plusars. we departed from them in next village and we directly head to Diskit. As we entered Diskit we were welcomed by around 30 dags on the street, barking at us and even couple of them running towards us. so we were little bit scared of these dogs and strangly no one is around the town and we didn't see any person strolling the streets apart from those dogs.In a bid to search for stay we come across one hotel and deicided to had food there, and trust me we had a wonderful food that night in whole journey compared.

We met a cab driver from Srinagar in that hotel and he became friendly in short time and he suggested us to head to "Hunder" which is some 10km from "Diskit" for stay and he took us to one resort there, where we stayed for the night. It was night 11:30 when we went to bed. So the day come to an end.

Day 7: Night Riders and Mighty Chang-La

The Day was bright and today we planned to reach "Pangaong Lake" by evening. Yes it was difficult one to ride from "Hundar" [Nubra] to "Pangaong Lake" which is around 280km distance.
We already decided to go for Duble Hump Camel safari in the white sand dunes and it was next to our stay only. So after having breakfast which is also part of our stay package, we headed towards sand dunes it was morning 8AM and outside temparature was unbearably hot, we were sweating like anything in our riding gears.















































its really strange that one side of the mountains its freezingly cold and here on the other side its hot like oven.
we took a camel ride and spent some time in the desert and without wasting much time we headed towards "Kardung La" top, which was our only way back towards Leh city. our plan was to reach K-Top by 1PM and true to our plan we reached there by 12:30PM and during this journey we didn't wasted our chance to feel the Nubra vally and some Buddist temple. once we reached the K-Top we decided to take some break and spend some photography time and we stayed there till 1PM.









































We started back towards Leh city and just 1km from K-top when we were decending there was rock slide and our routes were cut off untill BRO [Border Road Organization] cleared it. and we were stuck there for almost 3 hours which made all our advantage of saving time useless. So now we are behind our schedule of reaching the "Pangong Lake" by good 3 hours. well there is no other option also and it could have been worse.

















After continious riding back to Leh we took break in Leh for Lunch at 5PM and again started towards "Pangaong Lake", we also made mistake of over shooting a cross by good 30km , we were suppose to take left turn in "Karu" but we missed it and directly went to "Upshi". after knowing that we did mistake by missing that turn from an Army checkpost we headed back to "Karu" and we reached that turn but sadly it was already evening 7PM and it started to rain, which was first monsoon rain reaching this region.





Well we already made up our mind that no matter what, we have to reach "Pangong Lake" and trust me Human Spirit and mind is very powerful, it can over come any obstacles in its path. we started riding in medium speed and as soon as we were climbing each hair ping bend curve the temperature was kept on dropping. i am not sure about the time but when the bad roads started we knew that we were very near to "Mighty Chang La" and the cold in surrounding air started to buildup. my hands were started to pain and my R15 quietly started to loose its power as we climbed more and more. Finally we reached "Chang La" top and our bikes started to struggle to climb. Due to night, the water level of the streams were higher and cold is unbearable adding to that my riding shoes torn near the sole, giving way for water to enter.

Now sitting in my home i still can't believe that we did actually rode and climbed the "Chang La" in the night with bone freezing cold and with all the odds against us. well its all in the mindset of a person to overcome challenges and we did it. we were keep on riding till our destination "Pangong Lake".
after crossing countless freezing cold streams, Sand dunes, broken bridges finally we arrived to "Pangong Lake" and its another story to tell that we reached there by 12:30 AM midnight and spent another hour, just to check our other fellows who skipped Nubra and came to Pangong early in the day are sleeping in which tent. as there were some 30 tents and every one in deep sleep and we both checking each tent for our friends.

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Thats quite something. Crossing Chang La at night. Though I hope that you did return on this route. I find this part the most beautiful part of the journey with a mish mash of all the elements nature could think of. Snow, Red mountains, brown mountains, greens, lakes, grass lands, sheep, yaks and sand!

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

awesome....... man, what a collection of pics... btw, when i saw the thread, i expected a Hyosung GT250R...

superb..

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

yes took same route while coming back, its indeed beautiful
Will take GT250R next , this time skipped as i was not sure of terrain and transporting bike till Delhi/Chandighar

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Day 8 : If you Climb UP,eventually Have to come DOWN

Morning we woke up and sadly it was cloudy and sunrise was not completely visible. we took tour of beautiful "Pangong Lake" and spent lot of time in and around the lake side.
we decided to enjoy today ride back to Leh as last night we couldn't able to see any landscape in the night. so true to our plan, we rode very slow and stopping wherever we could feel to stop and take pics,and it was the most relaxed ride in our entire journey.
the day went without any Major adventure for us by considering the last 2 day's standard .































we reached "Karu" and met 3 Bangalore guys who were riding all the way from Bangalore to Leh on there bikes and even one guy resigned from his job, just to ride this far. And that time i little knew that in coming days i will be riding with them.













































Day 9 : Strength not lies in Numbers,But in will of a person

Day started with lot of confusion and arguments, as this day was decisive one. now we have only 3 days including today to spare, and have to go back to Chandigarh on third day so that we can catch our flight. but things seemed pretty bad.
First there was curfew in Srinagar yesterday and today from morning its started raining heavily. along with all these we need to cover more than 1000km in rest of these days.
Few of our friends were in pretty bad shape due to health problem and rest don't wanted to take risk of riding in rain as there may be landslide or even we end up in Srinagar curfew lockdown. so after lot of disscussion and argument all of them decided to end the journey there in Leh only,
and packed bikes and if possible take flight from Leh itself. But for me its challenging and once again i made up my mind that i have to finish this journey on my bike by completing the whole stretch.























I took risk and started Alone from Leh, it was raining and i was confident that i can reach "Kargil" by the end of the day, and also i made a list of places to visit on the way.
first was "Magnetic Hill" as the name implies, its something that difficult to believe, just google it for more info. i spent a good photo session there in rain. the next one was "Likir","Alchi" and "Lamayuru" Monastries and the ruined village of "Bosgo".
after covering all of them in quick session. i reached a small village and it stated raining heavily and i was in no mood to stop, i kept on riding but the clouds and rains were very much fierce and i can see that due to this rain there was heavy water stream rushing towads road and its filled with mud and sand.
the first wave of water and mud hit the bike with full force and the bike started to wobble but thankfully the roads were newly laid tarmac and before that road turned in to a big muddy water stream i crossed it quickly.





























after some time the rains stopped and i was just 50km away from "Kargil", then suddenly infront of me there was landslide happened and all traffic come to halt, until the BRO cleared it and it took almost 1 hour for them to clear that slush of mud and water. and i was waiting in the front.
Thankfully i met the same 3 Bangalore riders whom i met near "Karu" after coming from "Pangong Lake" and along with them there was one more group of Punjabis, suddenly Biker brotherhood evident and we all decided to ride along and we rode together till "Kargil" and then we decided to halt in "Drass" instead "Kargil".















we continued our journey till Drass where we halted for the night. and before that we visited the "Kargil was memorial" in the night and also decided to give it a visit in the morning again.

Day 10 : Road Runner on The path of Martyrs

A visit to "Kargil War Memorial" brightened our day. it was beautiful place and more important its the highest respect and resting ground of brave soldiers who fought for the country. After paying respect and hearing there stories of bravery we started our journey towards "Srinagar".



















our plan was to reach "Jummu" by night and it was really a challenging journey of 410+km, highest in the whole journey by numbers. so we started in full swing and the landscape started to change drastically, it was more beautiful than ever and each kilometers traveled it was new sight everywhere.
our aim was to Cross the famous "Zozilla Pass" as early as possible to avoid congestion and traffic. "Zozilla Pass" is also the highest pass in J&K region and without a doubt its the most dangerous pass. there is no space or barricade for safety, its all loose gravel/mud road and prone to land slides.
but view from the pass is unbeatable and its all the green hills which greets one in to the Vally of beauty.
































During all this i got separated from the group and riders from Punjab also got separated somewhere in midway, so again i was alone and it given me good opportunity to ride non-stop. i reached "Srinagar" in the afternoon and due to last day Curfew and some trouble in that city, i decided not to make halt in "Srinagar" and continued towards "Jummu". the "Srinagar" to "Jummu" highway is in very good condition but worst traffic that one can imagine, that entire stretch was really pain in A**.
Lot of hairpin curves coupled with lot of mindless lorry drivers and insane tourist vehicle passing through a narrow road in the mountains is really a scary and tiring ride.


every hour passed by i was getting more and more impatience and tiered and that took its toll, just before "Jummu" in one of curves i was negotiating a Lorry, then suddenly a car come in opposite direction and we were in directly head on, thankfully we both braked and that moment onwards i became extra careful. i reached "Jummu" by 11PM and i was so damn tiered that i just took one nearby Lodge/stay and crashed to bed. and it was one of the worst hotel rooms i have ever stayed

Day 11 : The Final Run

Due to bad Hotel room i woke up early and started exactly 6AM in the morning from "Jummu", but too bad it started raining so heavily that most of the city roads filled with knee deep water within couple of min. and i was in no mood to stop, anyway my pant and shoes already got wet and i felt there is no point in stopping.
i kept riding and thankfully the "Jummu" to "Chandighar" highway is 4 lane wonderful road and its Flat, suddenly my R15 felt so homely that it was just matter of time before i reach Chandigarh.
Due to last night half sleep, i started to get Sleep during last 30km ride and it was so heavy sleep that, to cover 30km i took 12 breaks and everytime i stop drink water, walk a bit , sit a bit and ride again and after few km, repeat the same.





After reaching Chandigarh, i checked in one good hotel and that evening only i sent my bike back to Bangalore via GATI packers and movers. i should really admire them for sending back bike in such a good packing and care

Day 12 : Back to Home

Nothing spl on this day, just woke up and relaxed till afternoon and then took flight back to Bangalore along with rest of the team, who also come via same route as i did, but in hired Qualis instead of bike. well its completely one more story of there own adventure in the 4 wheeler.


Final Say :

1. It was one of my toughest and memorable Bike journey so far, with so many places, adventures, risks and pushing one's limit to the brink, its indeed truly once in a life time journey.
2. Thanks to my friends who rode along with me and to those bikers who in midway joined with Biker bond to ride together.
3. The Punjabi group of 4 ppl were one of the fun loving guys i have ever met

Note: Couple of pics are from my friend Vijay.

Hope you guys enjoyed the journey


some 800 pics

Pics : https://picasaweb.google.com/1027296...ndMountainsLEH

Blog : My World .... Adventure Land !! -- Treks -- Trips -- Bike Rides: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey


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Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

I have never seen any pics like this ever before, which camera?
Awesome pics yaar :-)

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Thanks for liking,
The camera is Canon SX150IS [P&S]

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey


Me too having the same feeling man, i am going crazy to go there..

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Dude Pics are simply brilliant... Awsm triplog Btw how did R15 perform at those heights?? you had any trouble since it has open loop FI?? And how did it handle those bad roads?

Re: Beyond Mountains - LEH , Once in a Life Time Journey

Its awesome man.. And hats off to your spirit that you took the chance to ride solo.

Just wish that someday i will also be able to complete this ride.. The Famous Leh - Ladakh Ride.

If possible do give a breakup of the total expenses occurred related to ride in terms of petrol, stay etc. which will help us in planing in future rides.

And yes all the pics are really awesome.. Superlyk for them.