Re: Trip to Leh

It is difficult to see the route on the small image.
Can you share your route in text or larger image?

Re: Trip to Leh

Hey guys, myself with a few friends are planning to get LEH'd for the first time this year.

We have moderate experience in riding, but mainly in the flats and the lower Himalayas (although we did ride to "zero degree point" once).

Our dates are 15-18th of July onward.

We are planning to take our bikes by train to Chandigarh and ride from there. Any route suggestion and advice, considering our first time, would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Trip to Leh

A regular Ladakh ride doesn't really require too much skill, just a sane head and knowing you and your bike limits. Also ensure that none of your co-riders are Rossi wannabes or Dhoom type heroes as they will spoil your ride.
You will find multiple threads and articles on how to ride on the hills and in snow (rare in july)
As far as itinerary goes, why don't you go through the thread and also the 2013 and 2014 ladakh planners and some other forum guides (eg. team-bhp has a thread "ultimate ladakh guide") After reading all that, come up with a skeletal itenerary. Members will be able to give you much more constructive suggestions.
For starters, plan on riding from Chandigarh - Kashmir - Ladakh - Manali Loop (Clockwise)

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A regular Ladakh ride doesn't really require too much skill, just a sane head and knowing you and your bike limits. Also ensure that none of your co-riders are Rossi wannabes or Dhoom type heroes as they will spoil your ride.
You will find multiple threads and articles on how to ride on the hills and in snow (rare in july)
As far as itinerary goes, why don't you go through the thread and also the 2013 and 2014 ladakh planners and some other forum guides (eg. team-bhp has a thread "ultimate ladakh guide") After reading all that, come up with a skeletal itenerary. Members will be able to give you much more constructive suggestions.
For starters, plan on riding from Chandigarh - Kashmir - Ladakh - Manali Loop (Clockwise)

Re: Trip to Leh

Thank you so much for your suggestion, I will read through the threads and take note on itinerary as well as things that we need to take with us in terms of gear and bike spares.
Appreciate your support and suggestions.

Re: Trip to Leh

We will be there in that time as well. You can tag along if needed.

Re: Trip to Leh

We still have not finalized the dates, bu sometime second half of july we leave Chandigarh. Do you have a route/schedule fixed already? just for our reference.

Thank you for your support!

Re: Trip to Leh

Check previous page. I have put a rough itenary.

But anyways here it is. Slightly updated from previous one.

Re: Trip to Leh

Hey guys, trying to map out a route for Chandigarh-Kasol-Leh trip. It was suggested earlier to do the clockwise Katra-Srinagar-Leh-Manali route. So my question is, apart from the obvious - not taking same road twice, is there any other reason why we shouldn't just go Kasol-Manali-Leh-Manali-Kasol?

Thanks in advance

Re: Trip to Leh

Two reasons. One big and one small.

1. What you will miss:: The first view of Kashmir. Srinagar. Dal Lake. Sonamarg and its beautiful meadows. Zozila Pass which is actually the most fun/scary. Drass and the battlefields where Kargil war was fought. You can see Tiger Hill, tololing heights. The Drass War Memorial and its awesome museum and audio/visual content shown there. The beautiful Drass-Kargil stretch which includes riding along the LOC. Kargil just for the name and all thats associated with it. Two pretty passes with some stunning visuals. Lamayuru monastery and moonland. PattharSingh Gurudwara and its langar. The Indus-Zanskar river sangam. The magnetic Hill. Did I mention the super roads worthy of scraping knees.

2. The AMS factor. Going clockwise will result in gradual height increase. That being said - I have done it both clockwise and anti-clockwise and taking basic precautions will help tide over AMS. So the anti-clockwise run can also work.

PS: Why Kasol ? Compared to the sights you are going to see.. Kasol is simply not worth it unless you have way too much time in hand.

Re: Trip to Leh

One of the reasons it is suggested that one take the Srinagar route while going is that the altitude gain is more gradual. So chances of getting hit with AMS are lower.
However, you can do Manali-Leh-Manali too like many others.

Re: Trip to Leh

Thank you so much Mik for clarifying the details. I really dont want to miss the scenery. A concern from few members or our ride was that Srinagar route is very close to Pakistan border and they were a little afraid of the military/police strictness. Also I am not Indian National, and would there be any issues with permits/police/military?

Also the reason why Kasol, is because my wife and kids will be spending time there during summer school holidays, so I could visit them. I know it's not much to see there in the sense of scenery, Manali is much better, but we have been to Manali way too many times already

I have to do more research about AMS, also have to see how our bikes will perform in high altitudes. I heard that Duke 200 felt like Platina at Zero Point in Gangtok. I ride Hero Impulse, others have not decided on a ride yet.

I plan to swap out stock Air Filter with a more free-flow one probably half way up, that should give more "breathability" to the engine. There were some suggestion on Impulse owner's forum and I will research that.

Anyone else can give any input in engine performance and what one would recommend to do at High Altitudes?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Trip to Leh

No problems along the border. Taxis, Bikers, Fauji guys and traders do the route by the thousands every day. If you are not an Indian National, permits to some specific places is a problem I think. But most of the common places can be visited by you. Do google up on this. I wonder if you have a license or an IDP - whatever works. (refer to bcmtouring and indiamike which has info for non-Indians)
Duke 200 will do just fine. At higher altitudes most Indian bikes struggle to some extent. Impulse will need a small modification when reaching the higher altitudes. Some talk about upjetting and some have used a 'wire-in-carburettor' mod. That being said, its an excellent choice for Ladakh once these issues are sorted out.

Re: Trip to Leh

Hi guys.Being a avid biker,coming JUNE i am preparing for ladakh trip.For the past 3 years i have dreamt of it.As i live in Mumbai and my ride is duke390 i am willing to ride it from my hometown itself.I am looking for some good,passionate company.I am planning for Mid June,if somebody is interested can join me.Futher planning can be chalked out.My watsapp number is 7738342808

Re: Trip to Leh

Some useful information from here - https://www.facebook.com/journey2out...19415214814577

Re: Trip to Leh

​Hi,

I plan to ride to LEH on my duke 390 from Bangalore, somewhere around mid June.

I'll be riding via Mumbai, ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur the taking a state highway to chandigarh.

The climb will happen via the manali route and descent via the Srinagar route, back to chandigarh.

In each of the cities that I intend to stay in, I would halt for an additional day for rest and to mingle with local culture and delicacies

If anyone is willing to join for the ride from Bangalore or any of the other states, you can get in touch with me on facebook (Ssaajan manoj Jogia) or message me on 08123944159.

Attaching an image of my Dukey that's being prepped up for the ride