Travel to ladakh

Hi I am 55 and travelling with my daughter Sophie to Ladakh in July 2010. Sophie was in India at Christmas time for 3 months and wants me to meet her friends in Dharamsala. It is 30+ years since I was in india ... the best experience of my life.
I had been planning to visit Dharamsala but didn't make it and I have always dreamed of visiting Ladakh.
We plan to travel overland to Leh maybe sharing transport??
We would love to explore some places on bicycle eg Likkir to Lamayuru?? We can't do a big trek (time and my old joints) but wish to get off the beaten track. My beautiful Sophie works with the Tibetan refugees in Australia so we wish to spend time with local Ladakhis and the Tibetan community.
We would appreciate any advice that helps us travel the 'road less travelled', that is considerate to the local people, their environment ..
We are on a tight budget but appreciate any advice to help us for an authentic experience.
Best regards Rob Coles

Hi Rob, Welcome to IndiaMike!

There are many good threads on Ladakh, and Dharamsala. Try the search feature. You'll also find some links to the related threads if you scroll down.

That said, the best way to travel overland to Leh is the Manali-Leh highway. You can get shared transport at Manali (jeeps and buses).

Welcome back to India.

30+ years huh..? You are going to be suprised with the changes you are going to see. 30+ years is a very long time.

Please do a extensive search on the topic. You will be suprised by the enormous results it throws.

If you are still not convinced you can post your query in the appropriate thread and it will be answered by expert travelers.

Thanks Vikas
Any advice on organising shared jeeps from Manali if we are just 2? I really like the idea of hiring bicycles in leh and catching buses down the road eg Likir so we can expore a approx a 10-15km area have overnight stays and then move a bit further and repeat. Does this sound viable? xx Rob

Thanks BS Prasad
I can't believe I am coming to India in June and I wonder how I will react to a place that in my 20s was so mind blowing .. I'm not sure before India I even knew about Hindus, Muslims, Buddists,...... but I now know a lot more about the world and the workings of humanity ... so should be interesting to see my response. India was still in the Gandi stage, self sustaining with no outside trade eg coca cola and Mac.ers and all that crap. ....

Welcome to IndiaMike, Rob, looking forward to hearing all about your trip to Ladakh with your daughter and the changes that you notice in India since your last visit.