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Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

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  • [Photo Feature]: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

    Hello Friends,

    Before I start sharing my life time experience about the epic trip to the majestic Himalayas...(to Ladakh), I want you all to see my first video of the trip. Please view in full screen and turn up the volume.





    Before I go in to detail let me just show you the outline of our mega trip.

    Bangalore---(flight)----Chandigarh---(bus)---Manali---(bullet)---Keylong---(bullet)---sarchu---(bullet)---LEH---(bullet)---Khardung la & back to LEH---(Taxi)---Pangong Lake & Back to LEH---(bullet)---Drass---(bullet)---Srinagar---(bullet)---Jammu---(bullet)---Amritsar---(bullet)---Hamirpur---(Bullet)---Manali---(bus)---Delhi---(flight)---Bangalore

    Trip Start date: 18th July 2014
    Trip End date: 03rd Aug 2014
    Trip Meter: 2055kms in Bike
    Total expenses per head for the entire trip: 65000 bucks
    Head Count- 4 friends
    Bike: 4 classic bullets rented from Manali for 1200 bucks per day

    It all began in 2013 when our manager was showing his photos taken during the ladhak trip. Me and my friends, till then were not even aware about the existence of such a place. We were spellbound by the beauty of the place. Then we 4 guys decided that, yes we should do this and should be done with in an year. Then we all started googling about the place, gathered as much information as possible. Then we decided to do this in mid of 2014. In the mean time my marriage got fixed on May 2014. I was little worried if every one agrees to the trip or not. Then I started convincing my girl. She agreed. In the start of the year 2014 we fixed the date for the trip and booked flight tickets for 4. Yes, it was on 18th july 2014 to 3rd Aug 2014. That is just after 2 months of my marriage. With lot of courage, I finally decided to tell this to my mom and dad. Dad agreed as usual but with bit of fear. But my mom was completely not ready to send me. She wanted me to cancel the tickets. But after convincing for atleast a week, she agreed. Thank God.

    Then started our planning to the mega trip. Purchasing stuff, confirming bikes, making cash ready and planning the routes. We purchased the following stuff. This could be helpful for any future riders...
    1) MedicinesGeneral:GO pro chest mount camera for rent. 400 bucks per day. Pretty cheap.

    3) DocumentsThe mega trip day 1 : 18th july ( Bangalore – Chandigarh by flight)
    It was early morning flight. We had booked a cab. All packing was done. I was the last one to be picked up near Banaswadi. Finally the guys came bit earlier than thought. With lot of enthu and advice from my parents to all 4 of us, we left the house. Reached Chandigarh by noon. Had some good food and enquired many taxis for Manali. But all were very expensive. So decided to board a night bus and reach there next early morning. It was bit raining near manali. Extremely cold. Finally slept in the bus after a small and simple dinner.

    Day 2: 19th July ( Reached Manali)
    Reached Manali early morning. Took a taxi to go to manali town. This was my second visit to manali in 2 months. First was with my wife… Hope you got what was the first visit about. So I was the guide foe my friends. Boarded to less expensive room. 1k per day. Had break fast. Took some rest. Next target was to hire 4 bullets. Enquired locally but all were not up to our expectation. Finally I took them to the Snow peak retreat hotel where they had few new bullets. And yes he had them, that too newly serviced. Took a test ride and decided to go for it. Paid full amount in advance. Gave our ID proof Xerox. The rent was 1200/- per day. He had two 350cc and two 500cc classic bikes. As usual I got the lesser one. 350cc wala.Left the place and went for some local sightseeing. And here are the pics.

    At Manali

    Guys enjoying momos in manali

    corn wala

    at snow peak retreat manali

    All set, taken just before the ride...
    The signature for this thread...Customized t-shirt from LEH. Stating (How I got LEH'd?)

    Loads of pics to come soon just after the post approval..
    Attached Files
    Last edited by The Monk; 04-17-2015, 12:58 PM.

  • #2
    Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

    Travelogue Approved
    Biking is not about what you have between your legs, its all about how well you use it!!!!!!!

    Give your details here if you want to help your fellow xBhpian stranded in your city

    Touring Blog: Cycling in Mongolia!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

      Great start! Waiting for the full log.
      A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.

      Weekend Rides Around Kolkata
      My Ride To Sunderbans -
      Hemnagar & Samsernagar
      Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

        Thanks for approving the thread. I will continue the from day 3..

        Day 3: 20th
        The bullets just ready for the expedition

        Misty noon just after manali

        Thanks friend for wonderful pose..

        Still in manali outer

        The only food option in Rohthang pass

        Still not sure why is that and what is that?

        Hotel in Keylong.

        The only petrol bunk at keylong. Next only near LEH.

        Day 4: 21st July (Keylong to Sarchu: 140kms: ETD: 10:30am, ETA: 7pm )
        Attached Files

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

          Good evening vinu.
          I am planning Manali - Leh - Kargil - srinagar- Jammu./>On a Bajaj Avenger this June . we are two myself and my wife. Will be just married then. It has been a long cherished dream for both of us . and we specifically wanted to do it on a motorcycle.<>Our plan is as follows .
          20-21 june bikeb>Ship bike delhi to Manali GATI courier / >28june delhi Manali Volvo HPDTC<br />? What time will we arrive in Manali?<br />
          29 June , Manali, <br />? Hotel not yet booked should we do it online ,any suggestion for a place to stay. Who can also recieve our bike as a GATI courier.
          29 June travel to solang nalla paragliding<
          30 June Manali - Keylong
          01 July >Keylong -Sarchu<br />
          ? Many gentlements in the forum has adviced to avoid staying at Sarchu. What else are the option???
          02 July Sarchu - Leh Accommodation not yet done.<br />Should we go for advance booking. ??
          03 July Leh -Nubra<br />04 July Nubra - pangong<br /> ???
          Is this route advisible?
          O5 July Pangong -Leh
          O6 July Leh to Kargil ANy SUGGESTIONS FOR STAY AT KARGIL. THE ONLINE REVIEWS ARE NOT ST ALL encouraging
          07 July Kargil to Srinagar<
          PLEASE GUIDE REGARDING STAY IN SRINAGSR. ANY SUITABLE RECOMENDATION.
          YOU HAVE DONE YOUR TRIP IN GROUP. WE ARE A COUPLE
          />08 Srinagar stay
          >09 srinagar -Jammu
          10 train to rishikesh<br />
          Bike shipped to delhi/>Gentlements my worries .will our proud Indian Bajaj manufactured Avenger 220 be able to do this 1500+ km .<br />With two of us. BOTH OF US ARE RIDERS....<br />I have read the bike preparation thread . and started. Managing tools and spares. Is it possible to fit a mobile charger to a rear break shoe light spring connections.<br />Will our bike Avenger be able yo cross those fast waters . <br />Regards<br />Narendra Pundir

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

            Great travelogue. Waiting for the rest

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

              Nicely captured. Waiting for more.
              A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.

              Weekend Rides Around Kolkata
              My Ride To Sunderbans -
              Hemnagar & Samsernagar
              Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                nice.
                I see that you took thermals and sleeping bag.
                Was it so cold that you needed thermals? July is kind of summer.
                And was the sleeping bag of any use i.e., did you camp out somewhere?

                Now Showing: K2K 9000Km of Solo Bliss
                Rolling Thread: Bangalore Backroads

                My Last few rides:
                Kumaon Wanderings - Darma Valley
                2400Km of Solo Spiti Sauntering
                From the rains of Uttarakhand to the deserts of Ladakh

                Other Rides: Riding Blog

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                  can not find a video you mentioned about.
                  Dream. Dare. Discover. - Travelogue of my solo bike trip to Badrinath & Mana
                  The Chronicles of LADAKH - A factual written account of my dream roadtrip to Leh, Ladakh
                  The Chronicles of LADAKH [Video Chapters] - Video series
                  International Roadtrip to Mustang, Nepal & North India on Yamaha R15 [Video Chapters] - Video series


                  www.facebook.com/IamTravelancer

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                    Originally posted by raakeshchauhan View Post
                    can not find a video you mentioned about.
                    Sorry Raakesh..something went wrong. will upload asap.

                    ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

                    Originally posted by raakeshchauhan View Post
                    can not find a video you mentioned about.
                    Sorry Raakesh..something went wrong. will upload asap.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                      Originally posted by dichkaun View Post
                      nice.
                      I see that you took thermals and sleeping bag.
                      Was it so cold that you needed thermals? July is kind of summer.
                      And was the sleeping bag of any use i.e., did you camp out somewhere?
                      The only place where we felt extreme cold was sarchu. It was close to 5 degrees. But we managed to get a tent for rent as we didnt have energy to use our tent. They gave big blankets and even that was not enough during night. Finally we didn't use tent and sleeping bag in the whole trip. General thermal wears were pretty useful in the whole journey.

                      ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

                      Originally posted by dichkaun View Post
                      nice.
                      I see that you took thermals and sleeping bag.
                      Was it so cold that you needed thermals? July is kind of summer.
                      And was the sleeping bag of any use i.e., did you camp out somewhere?
                      The only place where we felt extreme cold was sarchu. It was close to 5 degrees. But we managed to get a tent for rent as we didnt have energy to use our tent. They gave big blankets and even that was not enough during night. Finally we didn't use tent and sleeping bag in the whole trip. General thermal wears were pretty useful in the whole journey.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                        Originally posted by vinu.db View Post
                        The only place where we felt extreme cold was sarchu. It was close to 5 degrees. But we managed to get a tent for rent as we didnt have energy to use our tent. They gave big blankets and even that was not enough during night. Finally we didn't use tent and sleeping bag in the whole trip. General thermal wears were pretty useful in the whole journey.
                        Thanks buddy.

                        Now Showing: K2K 9000Km of Solo Bliss
                        Rolling Thread: Bangalore Backroads

                        My Last few rides:
                        Kumaon Wanderings - Darma Valley
                        2400Km of Solo Spiti Sauntering
                        From the rains of Uttarakhand to the deserts of Ladakh

                        Other Rides: Riding Blog

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                          Thanks for the inquiry. I will answer whatever I know in points according to your sequence.
                          1) Delhi to manali is almost 13 hrs journey. So better catch an evening bus which can take you to manali in early morning.
                          2) In manali, silmog garden is very good hotel for a couple if u give importance to service, food quality and comfort. You might get rooms in the range 3-4k or even lesser. If not, there are many hotels which you can comfortably go there and book. But keeping in mind that only couple r going, better book in advance for any hotel..
                          3) If someone has breathing / wheezing problems, it is advisable not to stay in sarchu. The other issue you may face is headache the intensity of which may vary from person to person. For a healthy adult, it is not a problem to stay there. But avoid getting too much strained when staying there. Avoid heavy food. Drink lots of water. Thermals wear is must especially in this place.
                          4)When you reach LEH the problem is the mediators or so called brokers throng up on you for getting rooms. Believing them completely may be risky. Also by the time you reach LEH, you will be too much tired to find the hotel there as most of them are either full or out of reach of your budget. So better book in advance.
                          One option is Anshah guest house which has pretty good rooms with moderate price. It is located in front of a german bakery and at one end of the LEH bazaar street.
                          Contact details in just dial is


                          Anshah Guest House in Leh Ladakh, Leh Ladakh | Hotels | Justdial


                          Not sure if this hotel does pre booking. But you can call and ask. Else book any other hotel online.
                          5) Now coming to point of route from Nubra to pangong direct:
                          As you are couple going there, better avoid this route. The road conditions are terrible. At some places you may also have to do off road biking. So better avoid it. This is also mentioned in many other online sources.
                          It is advisable to travel like this..
                          LEH - Nubra(1day stay)
                          Nubra - LEH(stay in LEH)
                          LEH - Pangong(stay)
                          Pangong - LEH
                          Total 4 days.
                          If you have less number if days, better avoid Nubra valley.
                          If you have less number of days but you do not want to avoid Nubra, then Do Nubra trip in Bike for 2 days and Pangong trip in TAXI in 1 day. So you can save 1 day.


                          6) Now coming to Kargil stay:
                          Better avoid the stay in Kargil as you may not find good hotel and food. So option is that, You leave LEH very early. Reach Drass which is less than 50kms from kargil. On the way to Drass dont miss Kargil war memorial to the right side. Drass is a small stretch of village with very few decent hotels. The views are just awesome.
                          One hotel is Danish resorts in main road to the right when coming from Kargil. It is not a resort but you can get very decent rooms.
                          Contact number is : 9419377077, 8803816802
                          7) Now stay in Srinagar.
                          You can get plenty of hotels near DAL lake. Also you can try house boat in DAL lake. Better avoid outskirts.
                          8) Now coming to your bike's performance.
                          I have seen many avengers on the way. So that should not be a problem. Only thing is get it completely serviced before leaving. Carry the parts that I had listed in the beginning.
                          Better have knee guards for both.
                          When you face a high current water crossing, better ask your partner to get down and walk. If nobody is there in the crossing place, better wait for few minutes, so that they come for some help while crossing in case of some emergency. Dont worry about dress or shoes getting wet. If it becomes wet, take a break, remove the boots and socks. Allow it to dry for some time.
                          Next is too much slush on the way to Keylong. Better leave manali very early. Be too slow at the slush area.
                          Avoid riding at night. Thank got it gets dark only after 8pm.
                          Carry extra fuel cans. 2 cans of 5lts should be enough.

                          All the best for your trip. Enjoy the beauty of Himalayas.



                          Originally posted by callnoori View Post
                          Good evening vinu.
                          I am planning Manali - Leh - Kargil - srinagar- Jammu./>On a Bajaj Avenger this June . we are two myself and my wife. Will be just married then. It has been a long cherished dream for both of us . and we specifically wanted to do it on a motorcycle.<>Our plan is as follows .
                          20-21 june bikeb>Ship bike delhi to Manali GATI courier / >28june delhi Manali Volvo HPDTC<br />? What time will we arrive in Manali?<br />
                          29 June , Manali, <br />? Hotel not yet booked should we do it online ,any suggestion for a place to stay. Who can also recieve our bike as a GATI courier.
                          29 June travel to solang nalla paragliding<
                          30 June Manali - Keylong
                          01 July >Keylong -Sarchu<br />
                          ? Many gentlements in the forum has adviced to avoid staying at Sarchu. What else are the option???
                          02 July Sarchu - Leh Accommodation not yet done.<br />Should we go for advance booking. ??
                          03 July Leh -Nubra<br />04 July Nubra - pangong<br /> ???
                          Is this route advisible?
                          O5 July Pangong -Leh
                          O6 July Leh to Kargil ANy SUGGESTIONS FOR STAY AT KARGIL. THE ONLINE REVIEWS ARE NOT ST ALL encouraging
                          07 July Kargil to Srinagar<
                          PLEASE GUIDE REGARDING STAY IN SRINAGSR. ANY SUITABLE RECOMENDATION.
                          YOU HAVE DONE YOUR TRIP IN GROUP. WE ARE A COUPLE
                          />08 Srinagar stay
                          >09 srinagar -Jammu
                          10 train to rishikesh<br />
                          Bike shipped to delhi/>Gentlements my worries .will our proud Indian Bajaj manufactured Avenger 220 be able to do this 1500+ km .<br />With two of us. BOTH OF US ARE RIDERS....<br />I have read the bike preparation thread . and started. Managing tools and spares. Is it possible to fit a mobile charger to a rear break shoe light spring connections.<br />Will our bike Avenger be able yo cross those fast waters . <br />Regards<br />Narendra Pundir

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                            Hello Guys, I will continue the thread from day 5:

                            Day 5: 22nd
                            At Sarchu

                            That's me..At very isolated Nakeela Pass

                            Again me..At Lachulung La

                            Just before Pang

                            This is road in which Jab thak hai jaan scene was shot I guess..

                            The Dust covered guys at Tanglang La

                            Day 6: 23rd july (LEH- FULL REST)Day 7: 24th July(Leh-Khardung la- LEH: ETD:7am,90kms To and fro, ETA at LEH: 2:30pm) They were asking for a filled form to get the permit. We were not aware of that. We requested some taxi drivers and one guy gave an extra form. Filled all the details. Showed one original ID proof. Then they permitted. So, anybody going there in future, please take the necessary permit form in LEH itself.Day 8: 25th July ( LEH- Pangong lake- LEH, BY TAXI, ETD: 6:30am, ETA 7pm, 480 kms to and fro, 7000 bucks)
                            Attached Files

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Bike trip to LEH Ladakh- LEHMEN

                              Superb clicks! Waiting for the rest!
                              A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.

                              Weekend Rides Around Kolkata
                              My Ride To Sunderbans -
                              Hemnagar & Samsernagar
                              Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

                              Comment

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