Ladakh is one the dream destinations for all the nature lovers out there, despite its harsh environment and jarring weather people line up to get a chance for a trip there. And if you are a bike enthusiast it’ll be a crime for you to not take a bike trip in Ladakh. These are some of the pointers you must keep in mind while planning a road trip to Ladakh.
10 Things To Keep In Mind
If you are planning a Leh Ladakh tour package then it is necessary to follow certain travel tips for a safe, smooth and unforgettable journey. Let's understand some of them in detail:
1. Best Time to Travel Ladakh
It’s a known fact that you have but a small window to take a bike trip to Leh, the roads to Leh are only open for about 6 months a year for the tourist on both routes. Starting from mid-May- June first week to about mid-October- November. So the months from June to September should be a safe bet. But then July and August being monsoons could get a little tricky on the passes (i.e. Zojila pass on the Srinagar- Leh highway, Rohtang pass on the Manali- Leh highway). So basically June and September are the best months to travel but hey you can always be a little adventurous in the monsoon months.
2. The Routes
There are two major routes to reach Leh. The Jammu- Srinagar- Leh highway and the Manali- Leh highway. Both routes are extremely scenic and I would personally suggest that you take one route while going there and the other while coming back. Although for whatever my experience counts, I think it's better to take the Srinagar highway while coming back as the ascent to higher altitudes is more gradual in the former route, and acclimatizing yourself to the altitude is easier in this way.
3. Must Pack Necessary Medicines
Traveling to Leh- Ladakh by bike takes a real toll on people’s health, they get ‘altitude sickness’ or ‘acute mountain sickness’ (AMS) which can be a real bitch hence, taking some precautions doesn’t make you a wimp. Different people have different immunity levels toward altitudes.
You are the best judge of how much your body can take. Some people are severely affected and some are just mildly affected. A mild case of AMS just feels like a slight hangover. You can consult a doctor before your trip and get the prescription with you to Ladakh. Leh Ladakh bike trip is a major attraction for thrill seekers and bike lovers.
4. Wear a Balaclava or use a piece of clean cloth to cover your mouth while riding in very high altitudes
High altitudes mean low oxygen levels, one tends to breathe from the mouth when riding at high altitudes. Since you are breathing hard, you could end up inhaling water vapors present in the air and water could deposit in your lungs. Sounds scary I know. There’s a little amount of research on this particular fact but then again why take chances when the solution is this simple? Leh-Ladakh bike trip costs around can cost around ₹30,000 to ₹50,000.
5. Abstain From Consuming too much alcohol
I am not telling you not to party but here you will have to be very responsible. Alcohol causes dehydration and does not really help with altitude sickness. Know your limits and try not to reach there. Never ever push the limits in these parts. A bike trip to Leh Ladakh can be physically exhausting, this tip is to stop you from over-exerting yourself.
6. Inner Line Permits/Protected Area Permits in Leh
Indian citizens require Inner line permits (ILP) and foreign nationals require Protected area permits (PAP) to travel to Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso lake, Tso Moriri lake, etc. You can find a lot of tour operators in Leh city who can arrange this for you or you could just head to the DC office in Leh and get the permits yourself. Will turn out to be a lot cheaper if you do it yourself and it's not a very complicated process. Keep some extra passport-size photographs with you when you are traveling to Leh.
P.S. It seems like there is a circular issued by the Leh DC office that starting from May 1st, 2014, Indian nationals do not need an ILP and they just need to provide a valid photo id at the checkpoints to go to the places mentioned above. However foreign nationals still need PAP, and these rules can change easily hence it is important to do a quick research about these things before going on the trip.
7. Pack your bike tool kit and spare parts
You should definitely get a mechanic to check your bike before the trip and after reaching Leh. If possible you should learn some basic skills about fixing your bike. Carry extra clutch cables, accelerator cables, fuses, tubes, a puncture kit, an air pump, etc. along with you.
From Jammu to Srinagar to Leh, you will still find mechanics on the way but they will need the parts which they might not have. So ask your local neighborhood mechanic for some lessons and tricks to fix the common problems in your bike. Leh Ladakh bike trip packages include almost everything you need but it cannot cover emergencies.
8. Carry only the essentials
Packing light is one of the most important things to do; you cannot afford to be extravagant with your outfits on a bike trip. Because of two reasons: one the weather doesn’t allow for much fashion so its better to choose comfortable and warm clothes and just stick with them even if you have to repeat one outfit or two, second you’ll need the extra space to pack things like a sleeping bag, maybe a tent and some energy bars for emergencies. You should also carry some extra petrol in some stretches, especially on the Leh Manali highway, and say if you are traveling to Pangong Tso or Tso Moriri lakes.
As I mentioned before, these are vast stretches without any humanity so expecting a petrol pump might be a little optimistic. It's not uncommon to find that you have covered some 300 to 400 km without a petrol pump in sight. The Jammu to Leh highway is alright. Fill up in Srinagar. After Srinagar, the frequency of petrol pumps will reduce but then you will have one in say every 150 to 200 km. The Leh Ladakh tour by bike needs more precautions than normal travel.
9. Be nice to every truck driver on the way. Build on your karma points
If things go very wrong, trucks are your best way out. These guys have the space to carry your bike to the next town when you are in an absolute fix. Truck drivers are nice people and will help you out although some negotiation skills may be handy. Leh Ladakh bike trip all the way is a long journey hence these tips can definitely help you.
10. Keep some days spare in your itinerary if you have that luxury
Things may not go exactly as planned on trips like these, your itinerary can be upset for a host of reasons. Some roads may be closed because of weather conditions, you might need a little more time acclimatizing, and your motorcycle develops a snag and takes time to fix. The Leh Ladakh bike trip from Manali can be extremely time-consuming as well.
