Heart-stopping pictures of snow-capped mountains, pristine rivers between the mighty Himalayas and Karakoram, Ladhak and Zanskar ranges, riding a bike on the empty roads with the chilling breeze wearing riding jackets. Thinking of this makes my heartache to get to this breathtaking place hopefully this year. Planning for almost a decade with a small group of friends, but one of us always had some commitments. Somehow, one of the guys was not so busy and made it to Leh-Ladakh alone. Of course, we call him a traitor.
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According to my friend ‘W’, he wanted to spend some alone time. And one fine night, he booked a train ticket to Jammu, not having a plan. Reaching Jammu, he checked for a few options and aimed to head towards Leh Ladakh for his solo venture.
W, rented a Royal Enfield 350 for five days and paid 3000 INR per day to save some money. He marked some places on google maps and started his expedition.
According to Google, the best time to visit Leh Ladhak is April to July. But ‘W’ found September a good time, too, as he faced no problem in booking a guest house as he kept moving forward on his trip.
‘W’ says he found some solo women bikers in Ladakh. I would love to be one of those lovely women travellers, wearing fashionable but functional women riding jacket, and riding through the incredible mountains and valleys. He says he felt it’s a safe place and never came across any suspicious person or incident that tells otherwise about this heavenly place.
On day 1, he visited a few sites in Leh in one day: Shanti stupa, Sankar Gompa, Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo, Leh market, Gomang stupa, Chokhang Vihara, Thiksey monastery and Rancho School.
On Day 2, he went to Khardungla top, the second-highest motorable peak at 18380 ft. It is a gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valley. Saw Diskit Monastery on the way, booked a guest house nearby, and left for Hunder. Where you will find the Shyok river and beautiful dunes, ahead of Hunder, you will reach Nubra Valley, where the movie Bhag Milkha Bhag was shot. You can ride on a Bactrian double hump Camel and do ATV rides in the Nubra Valley.
On Day 3, he went towards Leh and visited Gurudwara Patthar sahib, Spituk Gompa, Hall of fame, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers, where you can do river rafting. Later he saw Magnetic hill, which he says wasn’t that impressive. He stayed one night in Leh.
On day 4, W rode to Pangnon lake, which was surreal. You must stay here one night and absorb all that incredible beauty.
On day 5, W bought a few souvenirs from Leh and flew back to Mumbai.
Interesting facts :
- The health department of Leh suggested a proper rest of 24 hrs before you start exploring. To prevent acute mountain sickness, you may take a medicine that helps your body acclimatise to the Ladakh climate. He took medication, and he was fine as Leh is at a higher altitude and has a deficient oxygen level.
- If you are Indian, you don’t have to buy a new sim. Airtel automatically was functional throughout his journey.
- Please service the bike before you start exploring.
At last, W says Ladhak is a treat to your eyes, heaven for people to connect with nature and culture.
