Deatiled Itinerary
Route 1: Manali-Jispa-Pang-Leh [473Kms Approx]
Route 2: Srinagar-Kargil-Leh [434Kms Approx]
Route: Manali-Leh-Srinagar
Day.1: Manali to Keylong [117Kms]
This is the day that you have been waiting for. Wake up early in the morning to ride on the world's highest road- The Manali-Leh Highway. The first obstacle to getting in to Ladakh is the aptly-name Rohtang Pass. Depending on the translation you prefer, it either means 'Pile of corpses' or 'Soul torture'. After Rohtang, the road descends into the Chandra Valley, passing through Khoksar and on to Tandi and Keylong.
It is better to stop at keylong on the way towards Leh especially for first timers which will help in acclimatization to a extend. Don't forget Tandi is the only place in the Manali-Leh highway that has a petrol pump, it is just 7kms before Keylong. Do not forget to get a refill at this petrol pump, even if you had it filled at Manali as the next pump in Upshi is 365kms ahead. You might not get the expected mileage from your vehichle due to the moutainous terrain.
Day.2: Keylong to Pang [185Kms]
The next day, as you cross the "Baralacha-La" [4890], you'll notice the scale of the mountains has changed. Huge has been dialed-up to enormous by now. Somewhere along that beautiful ride across the Sarchu Plains, you cross over from Himachal in to Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. From there, reach the Pang Camp and there you'll find the "World highest transit camp" [15,460 feet].
Day.3: Pang to Leh [176Kms]
You are now in the land where everything is superlative, including peace, solitude and the hospitality. The formidable "Tanglang-La" [5359m], which is the second highest motorable pass in the world, stands between you and Leh. As you descend into Leh on the other side, Buddhism asserts itself gently and lovingly. The magnificent and legendary Shey and Thikesy Monasteries rise out of the rock face as if they were born from the same tectonic movements that created the mountains themselves.
Day.4: Leh
Today you take a breather from the grueling ride you have had. After a half day rest you explore various parts of Leh, such as Namgyal Palace, Tibetan Market and many. Later enjoy a Ladakhi meal at traditional home in Stok Village. In between don't forget to get the permit from Leh for "Khardung-La" [world's highest motorable pass].
Day.5: Leh-Hunder,Nubra Valley [140kms]
Day.5: Leh-Hunder,Nubra Valley [140kms]
Today, you take the road to the "Highest Motorable pass in the world: Khardung-La" [18,380feet]. A stunning over the mighty Khardung-La brings you to the verdant Nubra Valley- a unique landscape of desert, rivers, snowcapped mountains and farms, now you fee like you are on heaven. Spend sunset at a vantage point near Diskit Gompa, reach Hunder later evening, stay overnight in a hotel or campsite at Hunder.
Day.6: Hunder-Leh [140kms]
Hunder town in Nubra Valley lies amidst big sand dunes and small streams. Do have a ride in the double-humped Bactrian Camels in Hunder and spend some time in sand dune the ride back to Leh upon mighty Khardung-La.
Day.7: Leh-Pangong Tso Lake [150kms]
Today you ride through the third highest motorable pass in the world, the "Chang-La" [17,586 ft]. After the descent from Chang-La, the magical plains of Changthang open up. But the real treat is the "Pangong Tso Lake".
Remember "3 Idiots" movie? That's Pangong Lake. This lake is the largest brackish water lake in Asia, the 2/3rd portion of the lake lies in China and is 134kms in length extended to Tibet and 2-3kms average width. Situated at a height of 13,940 feet, it is photographer's delight as the clouds and the sky make the colors of this lake change to different shades of blue.
Enjoy spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo Range to the north. Stay overnight in tents at a campsite on the lake shore.
Day.8: Pangong Tso Lake-Marsimik La(5777m) (20KM)-Leh [180kms]
Enjoy morning tea by the lake. Leave after breakfast and ride another 30kms northeast via Phobrang encountering tough and loose tracks on the "Chang Chemno Range" on an elevation of 5,681m is the world's highest motorable pass, even if Khardung-La is widely believed to be the highest motorable pass, this pass is another 100m on the higher side.
We are always thankful to BRO [Border Roads Organisation] for providing us access to kiss world's highest passes and we adore their creative sign boards, but ITBP [Indo Tibetan Border Police] are not far behind constructing this world's highest pass which is less than 20kms away from China, where you can see 2 lane highways of China.
If you don't want to become victim of AMS [Actue Mountain Sickness] beacuse of Low Oxygen and freezing wind, don't spend much time here, kiss the world's highest pass, take few snaps and ride back to LEh upon Chang-La.
Day.9: Leh-Kargil [220kms]
Enjoy morning tea by the lake. Leave after breakfast and drive past Leh on the Srinagar Highway to reach Ulleytokpo in Sham Valley. In route stops at Hall of fame–Army Museum, Magnetic Point (Do park your bike at magnetic point and check the power of nature) and Nimo-confluence point of Indus & Zanskar Rivers.
In route stop at Lamayuru after a descent through Hangro Loops, the 18 hairpins are fast yet sharp loops with steep gorges, ride carefully here. Carry on over Namika-La & Fotu-La to reach Kargil in the evening. Kargil, the name itself bring goose bump to every Indians "Kargil War", so many brave men sacrificed their life to safe guard this scenic beauty around under control. Overnight stay in a hotel.
OPTION: An interesting variant would be take a deviation from highway after Fotu-La and drive via Chitkan to reach the Dha-Hanu region, check out the unique lifestyle & traditions of the Indo-Aryan Drokpas who inhabit this region. Later drive via the little explored & scenic Batalik sector to reach Kargil. Of course this route is longer at 220km but it is a really off-beat experience. This can be done considering majorities opinion.
Day.10: Kargil-Srinagar [205kms]
Early departure for Srinagar driving through Drass [famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world] is a delight to ride on, with majestic views, green villages and raging rivers alongside. The real test of the ride, "Zoji-La" pass [3,505m], overlooks the beautiful mountains of Sonmarg on one side and the high altitude Ladakh region on the other. The constant landslides at the pass mean that you ride through slush and broken roads. From Sonamarg it's smooth driving through the beautiful Kashmir countryside to reach Srinagar.
Download these some very useful detailed map.
Download these some very useful detailed map.
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ReplyDeleteYou have used my watermarked image for MARSIMIK LA without my permission. You have also removed watermark and NOT mentioned my name in picture credit.
By the way the Pulsar 200 NS in that picture is mine... :D
https://www.bcmtouring.com/forums/threads/dream-explore-discover-ladakh-zanskar-june-2014.58981/