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**hitanshu** · 10-08-2008, 04:01 AM

Dude,

The pictures are NOT even car material. Wonder what makes you think that

its about WALKING

Yes, the indus valley would be open and would be bikable via rented bikes!

**nabendubasu** · 10-08-2008, 08:03 AM

@B2L:excellent!loved the pic and log.waiting for the rest.

**born2lead** · 10-10-2008, 05:31 PM

Day 3 - God's Own Play Ground "Moray Plains"

Night in a tent at Sarchu was quite an experience; strong winds striking against the sides of tent were making quite a sound through out the night. But I was able to get a sound sleep and was only awaken by the Good Morning Alarm at 5:30am. When we went to sleep my guess is there were like 15 odd humans and a couple of trucks but early morning when I came out of the tent I saw a little over 20 vehicles (trucks, mini vans, scorpio, qualis) parked around these tents. Surprisingly there were just three bikes including ours and the RX 100 of that guy from UK. Nobody rides or drives on these roads during the night. It was quite chilly outside with those cold winds cutting right through the glaciers.

Chatted a little more with the RX 100 rider over the breakfast and this is what he had to say

Showing a Sony Playstation he said this is the best companion he has ever had. And with that I got know another perspective of life, on one side with no responsibility no tension no expectations or obligations what so ever, sounds so Cool & Lucky and on the other side at the very same time with absolutely no one around who cares for you or even know you, with almost no ambition and having a gadget as a best friend, sounds so Unlucky.
Paid the tent owner Rs255 (that included evening tea and snacks, night stay, dinner, breakfast for two guys) and started with our journey at 6:45am. Soon the smooth ride in almost plains for a couple of kms took us to the footsteps of Gata Loops. There are 21 loops in total (I really counted them while riding back) that take you from a height of 4201mtrs/13780fts to 4667mtrs/15302fts.

Gata Loops from the Top

This is one Loop

While we were taking few snaps at the beginning of Gata LoopsGata Loops it was the fifth time that truck passed us. After clicking few pictures I even said to Ankur that we are enjoying all this but the poor guy driving the truck would be pissed off coz every time he has to break and take all the pain to let us pass by.

View from NakeeLa

Gata Loops take you to another Paas NakeeLa (height - 15547 ft). When we stopped here to click NakeeLa,

The Shortcut we took

It was around 8:30am when we crossed the next Paa LachulungLa . After riding for like another 8-10kms we reached at Kangla JalKangla Jal there was a small bridge by the side of some magnificent looking weathered mountains. Here while we stopped to click some photographs another group of Bull 500 riders (approx 12-15) going towards Sarchu crossed us. Enjoying these weathered heaps of sand and gravel across the mountains through the valley we reached to a point where another mind blowing view was awaiting us. There were two water streams merging into one, now few of you might not be amazed but I was looking at two water streams of different colors where in one was crystal clear with a tint of blue the other one was muddy in color. We took a break at this spot enjoyed the cold clear water stream for some time before resuming the journey. Next we had to cross the border into J&K where every vehicle was required to make an entry at the boarder army post. I am not sure if it was as per rules but the army guy was charging Rs10 from each truck driver. Another 10 or so kms and we reached Pang. Just like Sarchu there were a handful of tents along the side of an Army Unit.

The Bull 500 Riders in the vicinity

Yeti's Cave

Moray Plains. We have read about it heard so many stories around Moray Plains, and though I have been there I would still say you got to be there to feel the experience. At such an altitude the least I could have expected was a vast expanse outstretched in front surrounded by hills. Well standing at the very end from where these Moray Plains

Next Time Scorpio pe PakkaTwo Quads horsing around doing 100+kmph galloping on these mind blowing stretchesSo EnjoyingYesShimla.

So we started after adios with the amazing Quads. Towards the last section of Moray Plains

After Plains it was the turn to ride up the T Top it started to drizzle, as usual like other tops it was quite chilly so we left T Top in a little rush. Just a couple of kms and it started to hailstorm. The milestone still said Rumtse 8kms. By the time we reached Rumtse, we were a little drenched. Found a tent and had couple of rounds of tea and magi. After waiting for like 45 mins at Rumtse when it stopped raining we started to ride again. From RumtseLEH, while river Gaya flows along the road through out the valley the till Upsi, it was very easy to maintain 60-70kmph and from Upsi it was Plain sailing till LEH. Saw another fuel station at Karu (30kms before LEH). We reached LEH at 6pm.

At Rumtse Drenched

Checked into a hotel at LEH, got fresh and went out for an evening stroll in the market. Like we always hear there are more foreign nationals then Indians there. Had a Chinese dinner and went to bed at 10pm.

Click here for Day 4...

**archistar** · 10-10-2008, 06:33 PM

bro, good to see the day 3 log... will read the log n see the pics in full peace at home... today's first work after reaching home...

no comments on pics rite now... let me enjoy them....

**setuniket** · 10-10-2008, 08:16 PM

Excellent Imran bhai, these truckies are real source of inspiration for travellers, the amount of skill, confidence and energy required to drive such a heavy truck at such altitude is commendable. They do this aand are paid peanuts for that but still continue doing so.Hats off to them!!

and Hats off to you too!

**L.P.** · 10-10-2008, 10:25 PM

After seeing this i am even more delighted to make a fast trip somewhere..But,i guess there are still many things to learn many more kilometers to cover.. Before i head to-wards such a heaven..

**born2lead** · 10-11-2008, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by archistar View Post

bro, good to see the day 3 log... will read the log n see the pics in full peace at home... today's first work after reaching home...

no comments on pics rite now... let me enjoy them....

yep do that when you get time... thanks brother

Originally posted by setuniket View Post

and Hats off to you too!

I am glad you didnt forget to pen this

Originally posted by L.P. View Post

After seeing this i am even more delighted to make a fast trip somewhere..But,i guess there are still many things to learn many more kilometers to cover.. Before i head to-wards such a heaven..

Its been quite a while, I think a nice weekend long G2G should be planned soon. Whats say?

MG · 10-13-2008, 12:43 AM

@born2lead-Finally got time to read all the logs at one go.Interesting and well detailed.Waiting for the next day's log.

**Aryan** · 10-13-2008, 11:37 AM

Terrrific pictures and write-up, better than Day-1 and Day-2, anyday!

Bring on the next part B2L..Waiting for it, anxiously..

And the part where you helped the Santro guy(s) with the 4 litres of petrol was a real nice gesture..Seriously.

Also, the little "fun" that you had with the truck overtaking you guys time and time again and you guys honking your guts out for overtaking it was really heart-warming (especially because of the truck driver who seemed just so relaxed inspite of all that was happening). Lovely!

**naman** · 10-13-2008, 04:50 PM

That plain picture is so AWESOME!!!! Everytime I see it I feel like going there. Hope one day I also reach there.

Lovely gesture by you guys and the truck driver

Very good write up and pics B2L, keep it flowing....

**vinfreak** · 10-14-2008, 03:54 PM

Wow!!

Kudos.!!!..

a very good write up,coupled with exotic pics..it was indded a treat

..keep them coming!!

**Aryan** · 10-14-2008, 03:55 PM

Waiting eagerly for the Day-4 logs and pictures, of course!

**born2lead** · 10-14-2008, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by MG_Biker1806 View Post

@born2lead-Finally got time to read all the logs at one go.Interesting and well detailed.Waiting for the next day's log.

Thanks MG, I am glad you took some time out to read this.

Originally posted by Aryan View Post

Terrrific pictures and write-up, better than Day-1 and Day-2, anyday!

Bring on the next part B2L..Waiting for it, anxiously..

And the part where you helped the Santro guy(s) with the 4 litres of petrol was a real nice gesture..Seriously.

Also, the little "fun" that you had with the truck overtaking you guys time and time again and you guys honking your guts out for overtaking it was really heart-warming (especially because of the truck driver who seemed just so relaxed inspite of all that was happening). Lovely!

Thanks Aryan. That Truck Driver was some real inspiration.

Originally posted by naman View Post

That plain picture is so AWESOME!!!! Everytime I see it I feel like going there. Hope one day I also reach there.

Lovely gesture by you guys and the truck driver

Very good write up and pics B2L, keep it flowing....

Thanks Naman, Moray Plains is one must experience for each one of us. I myself want to go back there more then ever before.

Originally posted by vinfreak View Post

Kudos.!!!..

a very good write up,coupled with exotic pics..it was indded a treat

..keep them coming!!

Thanks Vinfreak.

Originally posted by Aryan View Post

Waiting eagerly for the Day-4 logs and pictures, of course!

On your war Sire...

**born2lead** · 10-14-2008, 04:34 PM

Snow to Sand Dunes in just 2.5 hrs

It was quite a ride till LEHInner Line of the CircleDC OfficeApollo Ground at LEH opens at 10am, so not by choice we had to take this special morning at LEHLEH and by the time we had breakfast and were ready to start it was already 10am.When we came outside it was drizzling. LEH is more like a small town (approx 4 km in radius) and as expected Apollo Ground was quite near too.
Independence Day preperations in the Apollo Ground

The LEH Palace

As Independence Day was round the corner when we reached Apollo Ground we saw school kids in uniforms practicing for the big event. This ground was right in front of the LEH Palace and while Ankur was enjoying the scenery outside I went inside the DC Office to get the permissions done. I was first asked to write an application to the ADM then with another form and photocopy of our identity proofs plus Rs120/- per head submitted I finally got the permission letter. Though that sounded easy, it still took me close to one and a half hour to get this done as their were quite a few travel agents who were arranging permission letters for tourists. I even met a newly wed couple who drove all the way from Gurgaon on their car a Fiat Palio, they were surely up for some adventure I would say. After getting ten more photocopies done of the permission letters we went to the fuel station only to find a long queue. With full tanks and almost 4 liters in each fuel can, finally at 12 noon we were all set to start the course of the day.

As we rode out of the LEH city up towards KhardungLa, we saw a couple of Bullet riders coming down. It felt quite heart warming when these riders use to wave towards us, the relation of being an unknown fellow rider was enough to show the gesture. As we went a little up the LEH city looked more like a thick green patch below right in between the barren mountains. And though the temperature below at LEH Funduro650 riding down.

LEH City

Shanti Stupa at LEH

As we crossed India Gate and Gateway Of Nubra Valley we could see small snow patches by the road side, and we were still almost 16-18kms short to the Top. We then crossed the TCP (Transit Check Point) at South Pullu only to be disappointed as nobody asked for our permits. Roads after South Pullu were quite bad as the tarmac had been washed away by the melting snow. So the next 12kms to K Top took almost the same amount of time as it took us from LEH till here.

The Nubra Valley

India Gate

Gateway of Nubra

Finally at 2pm we reached at the It was all covered with a 5 inches fresh layer of last night shining white snow. We both parked our bikes and congratulated each other for conquering the mighty K Topjust stand here let me take a pictureK Top. K TopK TopNubra Valley.

"X" at the Top of The World

The ride for the next 12kms till North Pullu was quite adventurous with snow washed slushy roads and we had to ride on the two streaks made on the road probably by few Army trucks that would have passed since the morning. Not to mention it was quite chilly and this very time I could feel my fingers and toes going numb. Well this all lasted just for a few kilometers after which not only the snow vansihed from the road but even the temperature was better. Playing, enjoying and clicking pictures we reached at North Pullu. And here it was the first time that we were asked to show and submit a copy of the permission letter.

Post North Pullu there was no snow at all and roads were amazing, in fact after the very slow ride for the last 20-25kms they looked really mouth watering. After almost half an hour riding through this life less barren land maintaining a speed of almost 60-65kmph we reached the first village of Nubra Valley called Khardung. Khardung is again like a kilometer long green patch with a few options of guest houses and restaurants. As we crossed the village saw a huge group of Bullet 500 parked neatly in front of a restaurant and the riders enjoying their break. Yet again almost all of them waved towards us as we crossed them. As we rode further the next sign of life after KhardungVillage was found only at Khalsar.

Village Khardung

Village Khalsar

The NFS Track, btw can you see the Bull Riders?

And can you see the Bull Riders now?

Post KhardungLa Top it was just 4X4 Army Trucks and a handful of other private vehicles that we saw on roads. Army Men at a TCP here told us that few kilometers of the road from Khalsar to Diskit got washed away by a river and that all the traffic going to and fro Diskitand it was then when I realized that we were actually riding on snow a little while ago. (Next year surely I will camp here).

Resumed our journey towards Diskit which was still like 8kms from here. While we were crossing Diskit we had another heart warming experience. Small kids used to rush towards the road as soon as they use to hear the sound of bikes and then they use to stand by the road side with the arm extended towards the middle of the road inviting us to touch their hand while we cross them. It really feels great. But then there are few naughty ones who try to hit you hard instead of a mere touch, which is a little risky and can cause disbalance. As Desideep had already warned me regarding this I was keeping a cautious eye over the notorious looking ones. Diskit is like a small town with a Gompa (temple) on the top and with quite a few guest houses it is spread for almost two and a half kilometers by the road. We crossed Diskit and went further, after a few more kilometers I couldn't believe my eyes, there were Sand Dunes all over the place. Sand Dunes right in the middle of Himalayas
We went till we reached a spot where the milestone said Thoise 15kms. From here no civilians were allowed to go any further and the entire 15 kms further to Thoise was secured by Indian Army Unit. Thoise happens to be the highest Air Base of our country. I clicked couple of pictures of this milestone for my Dad (remember he is in Indian Air Force) and took a right turn to Hunder. Hunder is the known for its Sand Dunes and Dual Hump Camels.

After sunset we rode back to Diskit and checked into a guest house. At the guest house named Sand Dunes Hotel we had the best food of this entire LEHSir garma garam patli patli Chapati hain aur lijiye, aur lijiye

Click here for Day 5...

**L.P.** · 10-14-2008, 04:46 PM

This fourth day in your trip seemed to be more of a Sight Seeing Day,The pics are excellent wallpaper material !!
In the last pic,is there some near the bike ..??

Aren't the camel supoosed to be the "Ship Of Desert's" .. i didnt know if they could walk with the same pace on ice..

Announcement

Our Leh Ride: Aug 9th - 16th 2008

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