Description
Enveloped by the barren mountains with an icing of crystal clear snow, lies the white sand beneath our feet, rivers chiseling out the valleys, colourful prayer flags soaring to reach the dizzying heights, small flat white houses and prismatic monasteries.
Overview
As we unwrap Leh-Ladakh, the boundless sheet of blue sky, translucent white water, crimson robed monks, patches of green vegetation and paleness of the deserted land aptly symbolises each colour of the Tibetan flags mantra: “Om Ma Ni Padme Hum”. Who wouldn’t relate to the widely acclaimed movie: 3 idiots? Cruising through valleys and mountains, there at the lake, ‘Silencer; a.k.a Chatur’ bowed to acknowledge Aamir Khan. If only that ‘taufa’ was not for Aamir but the stunning beauty of the place holding the highest salt water lake, highest motor able roads, plentiful monasteries, diverse culture and unmatched challenges and fun it offers. The exquisiteness of Leh-Ladakh pulls not only filmmakers but many riders to jaunt through the rugged and dirt trails to soak in the picturesque poster painted by the nature itself. With a touch of spirituality and unmatched beauty, Leh-Ladakh is no less than a magical land too. With a place called Magnetic Hill which defies the gravitational force holds for a remarkable experience when we see car climbing up instead of rolling down. With extreme climatic conditions and living away from urbanisation, Leh-Ladakh was and continues to be favoured by traders marking the legacy of The Silk Route. Not only merchants, Leh holds brilliant minds too. Don’t we all remember kids shaving off the sheep and grinding wheat to flour by paddling of cycle in Phunsuk Wangdu School of 3-idiot? That is a school run by Sonam Wangchuk, the real life Wangdu in Leh. Who wouldn’t want to live the amalgamation of scenery, science, business, magic and unearthliness? So prepare the gears, don the leather jacket, a handy camera and a bullet to ride on; here we hit the road from Delhi to explore the forbidden cold desert: Leh-Ladakh. Let’s soak in mother earth and various shades of it! **ESSENTIALS:** **Apparels:** 1/2 Thermal Upper - 1/2 Thermal Lower - Briefs as per requirement - 2 Comfy Boxers - 1 Lower - 3 Denims - 5 Tees - 1 Jacket - 8 Pairs of Woolen- Socks- 1 Gloves - Caterpillar Boots - 1 Slipper - 1 Quick Dry Towel **Personal** **Care:** Face wash - Deo Vaseline - Toothpaste - Toothbrush - 2 soaps - Shampoo - Toilet Paper - Sunscreen **Gadgets:** Camera + Charger - Phone + Charger - Multiplug Power Bank **Riding** **Gears:** Riding Jacket - Knee Guards - Elbow Guards - Gloves Rain - Liner Thermal - Liner Rain Coat - Riding Boots - Backpack - 5 Bungee Cords - Balaclava - Helmet **Documentation:** RC(self biker) + DL Insurance (self bike) + Photo Id PP Size Photos + Xerox of DL/RC + Xerox of Photo Id + Petrol Jerry Cans + Spare Keys (self bikes) **Medicines** **(Optional):** Personal medication (if any) - Combyflam - Dolo650 - Dettol - Cotton Gauge - Band Aids - Volini Spray - Diamox - Crep Bandage - Knee Cap etc **Misc:** Chocolates - Polybags - Rubber bands - FlashLight - Scissors - Lighter/Matchbox - Swiss knife - Handkerchief - Diary - Pen - Volet - Debit/Credit cards etc All essentials should only be consider as advice, essentials may change as per the conditions and situations
Inclusion
- Accommodation for 09 Nights on Double Sharing - 09 Breakfast and 09 Dinners + Morning Tea (Veg Meals) - Delhi to Manali abd back to Delhi by AC Volvo - Xylo from Manali to Leh and back to Manali - Inner Line Permits for Nubra and Pangong Tso
Exclusion
• Lunch on All Days - Any Monument entry Fee - Riding Gears for the Riders - Personal Expenses (Tips, Laundry, Snacks/Water Bottles/Energy Drinks) - Cost Escalation due to natural reason/strike/taxi-Bike Union Issues/Anti social unrest (Riders need to bear their expenses of the day in such cases) - Anything which is not mentioned in inclusions
Itinerary
- Evening board the Volvo for Manali from New Delhi. - This is a 12-14 hrs journey enroute crossing through some of the famous towns like Chandigarh, Mandi, Kullu.
- Arrive Manali by the morning and check-in to the Hotel. - The complete day is at Leisure to explore the beautiful Hill Station of Manali. Explore some of the famous tourist destinations like Hadimba Temple, Vashisht Temple, Old Manali, Mall Road. - Overnight at hotel in Manali.
- Early Morning after breakfast, we start our journey towards Ladakh enroute crossing the first High Altitude Mountain Pass Rohatang La (13,050 ft). After crossing the Rohtang Pass, you will enter the Lahul Valley. - Drive across the picture perfect vallies of Lahul, enroute crossing the serene towns of Keylong and Jispa. - The real himalayan adventure awaits you as you cross the checkpost at Darcha. The altitude starts to gain and water and stones on the road welcome you as you drive towards the 2nd mountain pass of the day The Baralacha La (16,043 ft) - By evening reach Sarchu and relax at our Campsite.
- After catching up on some good sleep which is very important at this altitude we head towards Leh. This day you will enter the Ladakh Region. With barren mountains and smooth roads running from infinity to infinity we cross through Gata loop. The 21 hairpin bends are twisted roads no less than a roller coaster ride. - After crossing 2 mountain passes Nakee La and Lachung La, we arrive to PANG (The highest Military Transit Camp in the World). Today you get the chance to drive over the famous "More Plains", the beautifully layed Tarmac Road at over 16,000 ft surrounded by high mountains. - This Day you drive over the Third Highest Motorable of the World, Taglang La (17,480 ft). - By the evening, reach Leh and check-in to the hotel. You can explore the market and try out some mouth watering international cusienes
- The complete day is for the Local Sight Seeing. Leh has some famous tourist attractions like Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, Confluence of INdus and Zanskar rivers, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib. - The evening is at Leisure to explore the town and markets of Leh. - Overnight dinner and sdtay at the hotel
- The day arrives, when you drive over the Highest Motorable road in the world Khardung La (18,380 ft). - After breakfast, we start our adventure drive towards Nubra Valley crossing the Khardung La Pass before entering the Nubra Valley. - Enroute Hunder, Visit the famous Diskit Monastery. Arrive Hunder by the evening and enjoy the Double Humped Camel ride. - Relax in the evening at our camp site.
- Early morning we start our drive towards the Pangong Tso lake. You will be driving along the Shyok river across the Shyok valley. Since the time anyone has seen the Pangong Lake either in movies or through pictures, its aura has pulled people towards it from far - far off places. - By the evening you arrive at the famous Pangong Tso and witness the charisma of this pristine lake. The Moonrise over the Pangong Tso is one of it's kind. - Spend the night in the Lake facing Camps and bonfire.
- Early morning wake up and take a walk beside the shores of the lake. You can also see how the lake changes it's color based on the sunshine. Visit the famous 3 Idiots shooting spot before driving towards Leh. - Enroute Leh, you will drive across the magnificient Changthang Valley with smooth roads and the best views. Changthang valley on the route will leave you spell bound. It’s not only rich with great lakes (Pangong being one of them) and vast highlands but hides in them rare wildlife species. Black necked cranes, seagulls, blue sheep and Kyangs being few of them makes this valley a wildlife sanctuary. Today you will cross the Second Highest Motorable of the world, The Mighty Chang La (17,590 ft) - By evening reach Leh and relax at the hotel. Explore the markets and other placeds as this is going to be your last evening in the town of Leh.
- This day we start our journey back to Manali. Once again feeling nostalgia of driving across the route you came from. - The night halt will be at Jispa/Sarchu in Swiss Tents. By now you are completly acclamatised of the hight altitude.
- As we descend we get a little closer to the chaotic civilization which Leh-Ladakh was free off. Not to mention the further we go away from Leh & Ladakh, it calls us from behind for one more visit or just one glimpse of it. -Keeping all the memories in mind we pass through Baralacha La in Lahaul valley which marks the end of deserted yet loving Leh-Ladakh. - You drive through Rohtang Pass to see gliders in the sky and witnessing life in hustle-bustle again. By evening you reach Manali.
- Bidding good bye to our travel mates throughout the tour is no less pain than leaving the cold desert behind. - Photographs and Videos en route will definitely ease the pain. We head back to Delhi with all the amusement, fun, enjoyment and excitement you started your journey with.
- We reach Delhi and proceed for our onward journey from here. Though the trip ends, the memory of it lives with us forever. Looking forward to another trip in coming future we bid farewell.
Accommodation
- Hotels - Swiss Tents
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below, - Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash. - Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash. - Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund. - Cancellations will be accepted only by email. Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
Gallery
