Overview
It’s almost every guy and bike lover’s dream to get on that bike and ride all the way to Ladakh. Ladakh is not just a travel destination , it’s a ride full of experience , emotions and most of all it redefines the inner persona in you and when you come out of the trip you experience this new version of yourself. Renowned to be one of the hardest trips for bikers , this one is sure to blow you away.
Best Time
The best time to do a Leh Ladakh bike trip would be anytime in between the months of June to September. This time offers the best version of Leh Ladakh’s true landscape and gives you abundant beauty! You can also extend this by a month or so on either side but make sure you don’t go beyond that as there are unpredictable climates around which can prove to be dangerous. However many bikers prefer doing this early on in the year/ start so they can start with a bang. Either way , Leh Ladakh falls nothing short and is an absolute banger!
The amount of time it takes to complete the trip depends on your convenience and what route you’d like to take. In case you want to start from Delhi , it’d take a long good 15-18 days that sometimes many bikers will be tired of. You can directly fly to Leh and it’d take around 8 days for completion. However if you choose to go via Manali, you cover a ton of places and it takes around 10 days.
Routes
There are basically two routes to take
- Manali to Leh ( 475 km)
- Srinagar to Leh from Delhi ( 1078 km)
The route from Srinagar to Leh is only 434 km which makes it a very sweet and short trip.
- Once you start your route from Srinagar , your first stop would be Sonamarg after 85 km of driving. Sonamarg is a beautiful destination attracting thousands of visitors in Jammu and Kashmir annually. With lush vegetation throughout and a cool breeze , this place just can’t get any better.
For the people who love a good adventure , this place offers trekking , camping , rafting and many more. Some major places to visit here while you come by include Zoji La Pass , Vishansar Lake , Gangabal.
- Your next stop is Drass Valley which is 63 km away from Sonamarg to ZojiLa. Drass Valley is also called the gateway to Ladakh and has historical significance dating back to Kargil War. The weather can be excruciating around here as it is the second most coldest region in the world. The best time to visit this place is anywhere in between May – September as they see an average of 23 degrees celsius which is tolerable. Some major places you should visit are Drass War Memorial , Minamarg , Matayen , Drass River.
- You can also stay in Kargil if you wish to travel another 60 km which offers decent food and accommodation. This place is nothing short of being a small piece of heaven. With its idiosyncratic tourism spots , comfortable lodging this place has so much to offer. It is a true depiction of both cultural , spiritual and historical significance.
- From here you can go to Lamayuru via Mulbek , Namika La and Fotu La which is almost a 105 km drive. Once you’ve reached Lamayuru , another 125 km and you reach your dream destination , Leh Ladakh , through Hangro Loops and Nimmu. However there is also an alternate route to Leh via Batalik and Dah (53 kms) but you’ll need a permit for this one.
- If you go through Mulbek , do stop to visit the Mulbekh Monastery for its intricate architecture. A beautiful Buddha shaped on a sandstone is really a sight to see. Located at the peak with two gompas , this is a very famous monastery.
- Once you’ve reached Lamayuru , also called Moonland Hills, the drive to here is really a once in a lifetime ride. Surrounded by fields and high mountains it is sure to surprise you. Take some time to visit the Lamayuru Monastery which is home to over 100+ monks. There is also a famous 11 headed 1000 eyed image of Chenzing.
- After a long and exciting journey you will finally reach Leh. Make the best of it there because that was the final destination!
