Ladakh—the stunning, glittering gem on India’s crown Jammu & Kashmir is a beautiful, picturesque spot nestled amidst the looming Himalayan range. The cool adventure hotspot is blessed with fascinating panorama. The captivating beauty of cold deserts, rivers, meadows and trails make it the most sought tourist hotspot for adventure seekers in India. It doesn’t matter if you’re a skier, biker, trekker or adventure sportsmen, a bike trip to Ladakh—the ‘Land of High Passes’, is a lifetime opportunity for some.
In case you’re planning a bike trip from Srinagar to Ladakh with your friends, here’s all that you need to know about your motorcycle tour.
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Best Route for Travel
The formidable 434-km long Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH-1D) connects Leh-Ladakh to the spectacular Kashmir valley. Those, who’re thirsty for adventure, can take the longer route—Manali-Leh highway (490 km) that passes via Himachal Pradesh. But, it would be best if you take the Srinagar-Leh route. The pass gently ascends up the hills therefore people don’t suffer from acute mountain sickness.
You will come across several scenic spots and famous passes on way. The highway encompasses three major mountain passes like:
- Khardung La (17,600 feet),
- Tanglang La (17,480 feet),
- Lachulung La (16,680 feet),
- Baralacha La (16500 feet),
- Zoji La (11,574 feet).
Not to mention the famous Pangong Lake—a lovely water body offering the best picture-perfect moments.
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Best Season for Travel
Due to heavy snowfall, the Srinagar-Leh highway remains closed for six months, from November to May. Snowfall starts around 15th November. The pass remains closed until the BRO (Border Roads Organization) gives it clearance until the arrival of spring season. Roads remain clear around during summers. The best time to visit Ladakh is around mid-May or June. Don’t wait until July because J&K expects dense traffic due to ‘Amarnath Yatra’ during monsoons. It’s hard to drive through these passes when the region receives high rainfall.
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Modes of Travel
You can take your private vehicles (bikes and cars) to Ladakh. A 4WD SUV like Toyota, Wrangler and Ford or hard-wearing bikes like Royal Enfield or Harley Davidson seem perfect options.
You can also book trips to Ladakh. Motorcycle tour prices range from Rs 31,999 to Rs 58,999 based on number of people and average distance covered by the rider.
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Things you Need to Carry
If you’re taking your private vehicles to Ladakh, make sure that you carry basic toolkit with iron rod, screw driver set, puncture repair kit, small hammers, towing rope, spare tubes, funnels, cable/wires and empty bottles to carry fuel.
Do remember to carry ear plugs, Bluetooth headset, compass, map, a pair of gloves, torch, batteries, headlamp, cash, packaged food and energy drinks. You’ve a long way to go!!!
