Hello Parry,

Thanks for the compliments.

About a comparison between the two routes. This is my personal opinion, thus:

Del-Man-Leh & same return. Faster due to lesser distance. Greater risk of AMS due to sharp increases in altitude in shorter time. One way up is a novelty, same way return is boring. Starker terrain akin to Tibet, less colour. Time of year only after 15 June due to later opening of the passes, rougher roads, plenty of water crossings. Only if one is really constrained for time and reaching Leh is the only objective, which, on a voyage like this, is a crying shame.

Del-Man-Leh-Sgr-Jmu-Del Slower due to greater distance. Lower risk of AMS etc due to gradual increase in altitude. Truly picturesque, 3 part terrain change (lower hills of Himalayas near Zoji La, Alpine region of Kashmir and high altitude desert of Ladakh). THE route to take to Leh if one wants to see it all. No regrets later due to chewing-out by boss for reaching the office later than planned - one has just been to Paradise on Earth and back.

'Nuff said?

Hello Sir,

Your itinerary looks pretty solid.. We are also starting from mumbai more or less on the same day i.e 9th june but since we are riding all they way, we will be 3-4 days behind your schedule past jammu..

What i would like to know is if you can provide any info on Siachen ?
Not many people go on that glacier but the limited info available on net from the people who have been to siachen is encouraging enough to visit those brave souls posted there at the glacier & pay our tribute..

AFAIK, the permission to visit Siachen wouldn't be granted to a normal civilian & hence most people avoid the journey. I would just like to know if i am mis-informed on this part ?
If permissions aren't an issue, i would definitely make it a point to have Siachen on our itinerary..

Dear mitz,

We would definitely meet each other on the way. I will be on a red Pulsar 150 Classic (round headlamp, wire wheels) RJ-13/6M-3268.

About Siachen. Almost all the information I have of the place (as a function of my tenure and as professional awareness) is classified therefore I regret that I cannot share it with you. I have a link here which gives out as much information as is allowed in the public domain.

Siachen Glacier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Your data about Siachen being a highly restricted area is correct. There are just too many complications connected to the issue of relaxing access to this place primary of which is the status of it being a declared war zone. As you would be aware, a non-combatant has no place in a war zone.

A visit by civilians would have to be approved from the highest levels of the Govt of India. Actually, you can get much the same experience by visiting any other normal glacier in the Himalayan region.

I really appreciate your feelings for the fallen braves of the Armed Forces who gave their utmost on the glacier. Thank you very much.

Best of luck for your trip We will meet on top!

Thank you for the information sir.. That was very helpful. Surely we would catch up somewhere enroute leh or around. I guess it wouldn't be difficult to spot your troop if we see you all together with most bikes bearing MH no. plates.

As far as glaciers are concerned, i didn't knew much about their existence in himalayas which could be accessible to us.. But thankfully my travel partner seems to be well informed & i got to know from him that Zanskar is very much accessible if GODS permit.. Fingers crossed..

We've been following your thread minutely so whenever feasible, please update with any progress you make in your preparations for leh ride this year so that we can compare our checklists for the trip & gauge for ourselves how far we are lagging behind in our preparations.

PS: We would've loved to meet you guys in person on your NH17 ride on 28th april i guess but our final exams are in first week of may & hence not feasible to us. I hope you people(including hoodwind & gang) do plan up a final ride somewhere in may month end which we could definitely attend & share our preparation/checklists/itineraries.

Cheers..

I'm not a follower of this thread, but came across some information to share; if it has been put up earlier, pls feel to let me know to remove or PM the mods to remove the post for recursion.

People who want to rent motorcycle at Leh/Ladakh, can now do it so - Rent Royal Enfield, Pulsar. Ride to Manali, Leh on Bullet. Guided Motorbike Tours to HImalayas

I've no experience from them or have come across any feedback about them. I'm sharing an info that I came across.

There is more than enough info available on renting bikes on other fora too. Yet, somebody may profit on seeing your links.

You are welcome. When we meet, I can tell you lots more than I can pen down here.

This 29 April ride may be the one and only trip we will be able to make before the main ride - all the participants are caught up in their respective work. Most of the Pune members are not able to make even for this ride due to the day being a Sunday and these guys having an off on Thursdays.

Here is a glacier that you can visit for a trek:




All the best for your exams. Study hard and do well.

That was great help, now even i am thinking of joining you guys at Jammu. Till time everything is game, except for leaves!! Thats one common issue with most of us.

Thanks again, will update/ask as i progress with my leaves

Regards

I understand the difficulty involved in gathering up the masses for this Pre-Leh ride.. But i hope people find some way out to have a one (if not a few) ride before Leh.

Thanks for the info on Pindari glacier.. Its a good 6 day trek.. Trekking was on my list if we had time (which we have amply) & resources (which are limited) to hold back in Leh a few more days. But i was more inclined for a 2 or max 3 days trek from Leh & back..

Booking of Tents/Hotels

Hi Maneesh,

Is Pre booking for the overnight stay required at Tents(Hotels) at Kargil / Leh / Pangong Tso / Keylong etc required.

If one is going at the peak of the season in July and Aug, advance booking in Leh might be needed esp if one is planning on staying at an expensive hotel. Otherwise, bikers usually do spot bookings. But there is adequate quantity, if not quality, of accommodation along the way.

@icemang,

what all documents we need to carry ? and is originals compulsory ?
where and how to get required permits ? is it single permit or we need to take permits as we move along ?

@all

how to transport bikes to delhi ?? the Gati transport quoting around 6K for onside from B'lore .. or is there any other transport for bikes available ??

Here is my experience last year from Hyderabad. Take your bike to the cargo/luggage depot of your railway station. Vendor's will be readily waiting to pack your bike. Carry a bottle or can with you, empty the fuel tank. Make sure there is not even a drop, otherwise at Gate exit, guards try to harass you to bribe. In Hyderabad, they ask you for a 100 bucks with no shame.

Get your bike packed, they charged us 50Rs. Make sure tank and silencers have enough foam. Mirrors are removed and packed. Number plates should be visible. Fill the form, enter the value of goods (cost of the bike). Vendors will ask you to enter the lowest value, because the cost of ticket depends on the value of good you mention. Do not fall for saving a few hundred bucks. Enter the value of bike as per your insurance certificate. Carry all original documents with you and give copy of RC, insurance along with filled up form to the counter.

I advice, book your bike on the same train you are traveling. That is only if your boarding point is also the source point of that train. That way you get to see how they load the train in the cargo van and you usually get space readily available. If the train is coming from a far off place, I suggest you send your bike a week or 10 days in advance. Reason, chances that the Cargo van is already full.

My brother's bike did an all India tour and reached its destination 2 weeks later Indian railways was kind enough to keep us updated all the while. This only happens when the destination station is a small town or village. Your bike gets offloaded at the nearest junction which in our case was 80Kms away from home. As you are going to Delhi, which is also the destination point, you wont be having any issues.

The guy loading your bike in the cargo van will ask to be tipped. Keep him happy as you will.

I find Indian Railways the best way to transport your bike. It cost us I think 800Rs to Shoranur Junction in Kerala. Maybe few bucks up or down.

Hope this helps!

Documents - carry all original bike docus + passport + driving license + any other identity card you feel will prove you to anybody concerned that you indeed are who you claim to be.

Permits - the permits have to be filled in the office of the DC at Leh. All places to be visited have to be entered, the DC's signature obtained and multiple copies to be made of this original signed permit, to be handed over at all checkpoints established by the State Govt and/or the Army.

Transporting bikes to Delhi - The answer by madelikeagun is correct and appropriate.

Thanks guys ,

I seen that in the planning u have included Leh-siachen .. i though Leh is the last stop.. is siachen is accessible by bikes ??
i read in many places that siachen base is only accessible by helicopter

Fellow riders :
FYI
Thank GOD, I got this reply from you!

Truly, words speak a lot of character.

Best of luck for YOUR People on YOUR Trip.!

Am so lucky to "Not" to be with you on that ride! Grow up dude!

CheErs
For "YOUR" ladHAk trip! lol.



Best of luck guys, esp. with Mr.Icemang and his attitude around!!