How To Plan A Leh-Ladakh

Why A Bike Trip To Leh-Ladakh Is So Special?

You can experience many bike rides and bike trips all over the world. This Leh-Ladakh bike ride is not just about riding a bike; it’s all about pushing your limits physically and mentally.

The roads to Leh-Ladakh feel like the road to heaven as they are silent, beautiful, calm, and totally worthy according to your budget. Every kind of biking experience from crossing and traveling to the world’s highest biking road, the Khardung La (18,380ft) above the ground level. Many monasteries, Barren villages, beautiful lakes, and places that make you feel like Mars. Ladakh is not just a place for biking; it’s an emotion and a dream for every biker in the community.

Choose Your Route

There are mainly two bike routes to reach to Leh-Ladakh, two of them are:

Manali to Leh-Ladakh

Manali to Leh road trip is one of the best trips one can experience in their entire life through the road of the Himalayas, passing through multiple passes, Rohtang Pass, Baralacha La, Sarchu, and Tanglang La. This rad route is mostly for the adventure seekers and daring ones as it has small, breadth roads, river crossings, and uphill rides, which make the journey a little difficult. It takes mostly 2-3 days to reach Leh from Manali using the route.

Distance: 490km (NH3)

Srinagar to Leh

This route starts from Srinagar and ends in Leh. Riders who want less thrill but calm and peaceful routes chose this over the Manali one. Beginners and first-time riders prefer this route more, passing through Zoji La, Drass, which is the second coldest inhabited place on earth, Kargil, and Lamayuru.

Distance: 421km

Pro Tip: Many riders prefer going from the Manali route and coming from the Srinagar route as this make them explore, enjoy and adventure on both the routes to Leh.

Best Time To Plan A Trip To Leh-Ladakh

Before travelling or planning a journey to Leh-Ladakh, the main thing or the main criterion for a biker is to study or to know about the weather and seasonal conditions of Leh-Ladakh. The more places there are, the more hurdles there are to reach the destination, and one of the main hurdles is weather conditions and seasons.

The Best month to visit Leh Ladakh is June to September:

Road: This time season are accessible to both the routes Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh.
Weather: Weather is pleasant during this time as the day ranges from 15 to 25 degree Celsius, while the night dips upto 5 to 1 degree Celsius.
Clear skies: Perfect for photography, videography and non stop comfortable riding.

Preparing Yourself Mentally And Physically

Before any journey you should be prepared mentally and also physically as riding on high altitudes, Valleys and mountains is not a joke:

Cardio Training: Jogging, Cycling, swimming and Running daily for at least a month or two before your trip. These make your every muscle move freely and active.
Acclimatization: Spend at least 1-2 days in Leh before heading to your next stop, as this gives you a short rest during the journey. Experience the beautiful nights in Leh and Ladakh. Visit Hanle, which is also known as Hanle Dark Sky Reserve. One can watch the beautiful sky the whole night, as you can also experience the unparalleled view of the Milky Way Galaxy during the summer months.
Stay Hydrated: Drink more water as much as you can it helps you to avoid altitude sickness. And carry extra water pouches beacuse there are no shops or tap for about many miles.
Be Mentally Strong: Be prepared for delays in reaching the destination, Boulder and stone roads, sudden change in weather and Challenging body pains.

Choosing The Right Bike

Bike will be your main partner and companion during this journey. Some of the suggested bikes are:

Royal Enfield classic/standard 350/500– Iconic bikes with high torque, comfortable and reliable for long trips. It has been the best bike for Leh-Ladakh journey since long time.
Royal Enfield Himalayan– The bike comes with great comfortability best bike for off roading terrains, best suspensions, torque and a good mileage for long offroad trips.
BMW GS 310/750/1250– These bikes comes with huge body design these bikes are made to offroad and for adventure rides with advance features easy control too much space for luggage and great experience while riding.
Triumph scrambler 400– This bike is kown to be very popular among the riders due to its mileage and good performance.
Bajaj Dominar 400– ‘The beauty and beast’ of bikes, Smooth, reliable and one of the best for rough terrain. Comes with great comfort, stability and good torque.
Hero X-pulse 200/400– Best budget friendly bike every beginner can afford for starting the bike riding journey. These bikes come with Excellent mileage, great comfort while riding and beautiful body design.
KTM Adventure edition series– Light weight bike with excellent mileage, torque, loaded with advance features, stability and best option for rough offroading terrains.

Things To Carry During The Trip

Riding suit: It is the most important thing during the Leh Ladakh journey. Fully geared including the jacket, lower, gloves, riding mask, helmet safety verified and riding shoes as well. This will protect you in every situation and difficulties.
Fuel: Don’t forget to carry extra fuel as there are no fuel pumps for miles and kilometers this will help you during your journey. carry at least 2 refueling jars and refuel them they get finished. carry 1l extra petrol in a container for any upcoming emergency purpose.
Tool and Spares: Carry and practice the puncture kit on any tyre as there are no mechanic and repairing shops nearby for miles, carry cain lube, clutch cable and extra bulbs.
Other Essentials: Other essential like power bank, charging cables, extra camera batteries

Safety Tip For Riders

Don’t Rush for being first or reaching the destination before anyone, rush can make your lufe in danger.
Carry extra fuel for emergencies and to avoid more time stop’s.
Respect mountain and the culture do not throw garbage’s or any kind of waste there as its our resource and we only have the duty to keep it clean.
Ride in groups avoid solo riding as this helps in medical emergency situations and during breakdown.

Budget For The Journey

Bike Rentals: ₹1200 to ₹2500 per day depending on different kind of bikes, many riders own there bike which saves there this part of money.
Fueling charges: ₹6000 to ₹8000 per round as also depends on the bike mileage.
Stay Charges: From ₹600 to ₹3000, many rider group prefer group camping and homestays.
Food Charges: ₹300 to ₹800 as the altitude is high so most of the dhaba have maggies, tadka, boiled egg and chapatis.
Permit Charges: From about ₹1000 to ₹2000 carry copies of documents as many checkpoints ask for it.
Approximate of 25,000 to 45,000 for 10-12 days.

Ladakh is a place where you find endless numbers of riders with the passion of reaching the point for some for the first time, and some guiding the first-time ones. Leh is a dream place for every biker born. The culture, the routes, the adventure, and especially the memories make the journey a perfect one.

This trip is not just a trip its a part of story to your life which one would definitely remember and continue telling others to do this adventurous trip.

Still waiting for something? start your planning, fuel up your bikes, wear your safety jackets and head to the most adventurous bike ride Leh-Ladakh.