Ladakh, Heaven on Earth

Hi every one, I went to Ladakh in September 2005 on my motorcycle. Finally I have finished and uploaded my trip log, check it out and let me know what you think about it.

To heaven and back

It’s human nature to dream, so is the nature to do what few have done and is considered as a “foolish thing”. There is some allure in doing what only a select few can do, to make it to “The Top of the world”. Once your heart and mind is set on such a task, few things in the world can divert you from it.

For past few years, some thing of this sort had been doing rounds in my head. Ever since I read in BSMotoring of the exploits of their travel writer on Silver colored Bajaj Pulsar 180 conquering the highest and coldest desert in the world. I couldn’t stop picturing myself and my Red Pulsar 180 in place of him and his bike.

As the days drew ever so near for my longest and hardest trip yet. I knew I had something special coming. Soon I will make it to the “Top of the world” (quite literally), do some thing that most will not even dream of.

I was about to embark upon a journey to the vary heart of Himalayas, a place known as Ladakh, land of passes.

Day1 : 4th September 2005 (Delhi – Manali)

Day2 : 5th September 2005 (Manali – Keylong)

Day3 : 6th September 2005 (Keylong - Sarchu)

Day4 : 7th September 2005 (Sarchu - Leh)

Day5 : 8th September 2005 Leh

Day6 : 9th September 2005 Leh – Diskit

Day7 : 10th September 2005 Nubra Valley Part2

Day8 : 11th September 2005 Diskit – Leh

Day9 : 12th September 2005 Leh – Tanksey

Day10 : 13th September 2005 Tanksey–Pangong Tso-Tanksey

Day11 : 14th September 2005 Tanksey – Leh

Day12 15th September 2005 Leh

Day13: 16th September 2005 Leh – Kargil

Day14 : 17th September 2005 Kargil- Srinagar

Day15 : 18th September 2005 Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar

Day16-17 : 19-20th September 2005 Srinagar-New Delhi

Just Touched the Sky: Video of us six riding down from Khardung La(18380ft)

Ladakh is indeed heaven on earth, I too was there in June 2005. Lovely pictures you have.

your pictures are amazing!!! last one is just awesome

this place also has mighty good pics of laddakh

http:titli.fotopic.net

http://titli.fotopic.net/c688945.html is the complete link

Your wilderness pictures prove that there is no such thing as 'taking too much time'

Amazing pictures.
I read your complete blog. Truly superb. Thanks for posting the same.
Will get back to you after some months in case I plan to go to Ladakh.

Ronak.

Mridula thanks, Ladakh is one place, where no matter how much time u spend its just not enough.

Thanks nomad, you got lovely photos, one day i would do a trip like yours. wana see every place in India, on my motorcycle.

MeCasa yup, infect no matter how much time you have it always seems less. since the time just flies past when you are looking at such a beautiful place.

Shahronakm thanks, try to go, you will love every bit of it.

Dear Yogesh,

I def. want to go there especially seeeing your pictures & reading your blog.
I need your help for that.
First of all I will be travelling with my wife. Just two of us. I do not plan to do it on bike as don't have any exp. of riding bike. This is for your inf. so that yuo can guide me accordingly. Again I stay in Mumbai so I will be reaching to Delhi & then from Delhi to Manali (by night bus). I plan to stay in Manali for 2 days as I will be going there for the first time. Then I want to hire pvt. vehicle for Manali - Leh journey (I don't know the cost) with total 2 night break journey. Then in Leh I plan to spend 6 - 7 days. I have a big question here As I am not coming with my pvt. vehicle will I be able to see all the places (at what cost) like you did. Is the public transport reliable ?
Now if i can spare more no. of day then I plan to take a bus (I want to hire a taxi - benefit of taxi is that we can stop whereeverwe want to - but the cost would run up) from Leh to Srinagar. Then spend 2 - 3 days in & around sRinagar & then fly to delhi (Air Deccan has very cheap rates) & catch train from Delhi.
Do comment on the same. Also is it safe for us (Couple) to travel alone.

Thanks

Ronak.

Ronak, I once wrote this piece for a website gonomad.com and tried to cover some information and costs about reaching Ladakh. have a look and do let me know if you found it useful?

http://www.gonomad.com/transports/0511/ladakh.html

Awesome! I now have this dream to go to Ladakh and travel it all around with motorcycle

The pics are great... hope to get there some day.

Thanks for the wonderful shots. We'll be there late June, by bus, not bike but wish we could do it on a bike! All the best!

Dear Mridula,

Read the same. Def. it is very useful.
I am of the opinion that doing the journey in one day would be doing injustice to the manali - leh road. Of course there are varoius factors in deciding the mode of trnasport like Time, Cost etc., But personally I feel we should do the same on our own vehicle (Like Yogesh did) but those who can not do the same (Like me) can hire a vehicle from Manali & do the journey in 3 days time with two night halts. Yes the cost factor zooms almost ten times but it's def. worth spending as you will get lots of photo opportunity in between (as Yogesh discovered). It's lile if you are 5 - 6 persons then you can divide the cost also, but unfortunately (Or fortunately - we can move at out pace without consdering other travellers interest & benefits) I am not able to find friends or relatives who are interested in travelling to Ladakh, as they would prefer Luxury travel to Adventure travel.
& Yes doing the journey on bicycle would be any adventurer's dream. Or for that matter on foot / trekking !

Thanks for your reply & your article.

Ronak.

tks also mrdula-the bus & jeep info is excellent!

Mridula nice writeup

Ronak, Mridula has already mentioned a lot of useful info in her writeup, however I would like to add some points here.

Reaching Manali is easy stuff; the challenge begins only after Manali. I guess there are taxi’s available which take two days and one night to reach Leh, had read about this on Indiamike. These taxis usually make a night halt at Sarchu, my advice would be to take such a taxi. Since this way you will get more time to enjoy the views and it will be a little easier. You can go ahead and hire a taxi on your own or get together with 4-5 people and hire a taxi collectively.

Once you reach leh, you have the option of hiring taxis or getting bus (not sure if a bus goes to pangong) to Pangong tso and nubra valley. There are several travel agents in Leh and you should be able to hire taxi easily. However most of these tours are only a day long, meaning by the end of the day you will be back in Leh.

In case you are interested in spending a night or two at pangong/nubra, talk to the travel agent/driver and make sure they are willing to pick you up next day. I guess this is possible in case their vehicles are not full or you can also take a local taxi with the locals. But it will be packed more densely then the tourist vehicle.

In case your itinerary involves a visit to Srinagar, then my advice to you would be go through Srinagar route and come back using Manali route. This way, you will have more time to get accustomed to high altitudes. Remember, you can visit almost every place in ladakh, provided you have time and money.

The most important thing that I have learned on this trip is to go easy and not try to rush things. Its better to skip some places, then to visit them just for the sake of it. Remember you are not going there to set any records; you and your wife are there to enjoy your holidays. Also buy a copy of Ladakh travel guide by Harper Collins. It will set you back by 200bucks, but it’s a vary good guide.

Phew… that was a long one , in case you need any help then let me know

Emilii go ahead, there is no better way to see the world

Lyndy doesn’t matter, you will enjoy every bit of it

yogesh, that wasn't my trip. even i am dreaming about doing a trip like that. the link i gave you is a trip done by a friend's friend.

though i have done few trips in south india, nothing as grand as yours. max i have done is 2000 km. most of the snaps are here
http://www.pbase.com/rverma