Table of Contents
Every biker, irrespective of gender, dreams of going on a Leh Ladakh bike tour once in a lifetime. While he dreams of a flawless journey, reality comes into contact with a lot of flaws. As we understand that cyclists have to face several hurdles in the harsh landscape like Leh and Ladakh, we have tried our best to collect all the information in this blog to help them face any such difficulties on the way.
Best Time To Visit Leh Ladakh For Bike Tour
The best time to visit Ladakh by bike is from June to September. These months allow bikers to enjoy the Ladakh touring circuits as much as they enjoy a trip to Lahaul & Spiti. However, most of the riders like to start the new year with this crazy bike trip as Ladakh offers magical views that can be admired throughout the year except during the monsoon season.
Perfect time for a bike trip
Depending on many factors like the route you rode, your entire schedule, and most importantly the weather conditions, the ideal time for a Leh Ladakh bike tour would be 15 days or more. This duration is also suitable when one opts for Manali to Leh bike tour from Delhi.
Best Bikes for Leh Ladakh Road Trip
Speaking of first things first, every biker needs to give their full attention to their first love, which is their bike. One has to be very careful and picky when it comes to choosing their Leh Ladakh road bike. So whenever you’re choosing a bike for any road trip, consider fitting more than popularity. Consider it one of the most important aspects of your Leh Ladakh bike tour plan!
Choosing the type of bikes that are easy to handle and easy to maintain has always proved to be safe and helpful for the riders for trips like the Leh Ladakh bike tour.
So the top five bikes for the Leh Ladakh bike tour are:
- Royal Enfield – Considered to be the best bike for the Leh Ladakh trek, it is a powerful bike with a 350 CC or 500 CC engine which is enough to be a lifesaver on the Leh Ladakh bullet trek.
- Royal Enfield Himalayan – With a powerful 400cc engine, the Royal Enfield Himalayan will make your ride smooth and trouble-free on any rugged trail and off-road.
- Bajaj Pulsar – By far no bike has been a hit in the Indian market compared to the Bajaj Pulsar. Pulsar is the most popular motorcycle after Bullets and comes in 150CC, 200CC, and 220CC variants, each of which can be your trusted partner in any adventure.
- KTM Duke – Being a suspension bike can be beneficial on roads like Ladakh. With a series of new Duke 390 and Duke 250 engine variants, KTM can also be a good choice for a cycling trip to Ladakh.
- CBR 250 – This bike from Honda is truly stunning except for the Contigo tires which can be a bit heavy when the terrain changes in Ladakh. On the bright side, if the tires can be swapped, the torque and fi technology on the bike can be used for a greater purpose.
3 Things to do on a Leh Ladakh bike tour
If you want to get high on adrenaline, these are some of the exciting things to consider on your Leh Ladakh bike tour.
1. Experience the magic of Nubra Valley
When one reaches the famous Nubra Valley, one is struck with serenity. The valley is popularly known as the ‘valley of flowers of the beautiful and colorful blooming flowers that are worth visiting in Nubra Valley.
2. Find solace in the Shanti Stupa
The famous Shanti Stupa stands on top of a hill at an altitude of 4267 meters. With a panoramic view of Leh, witnessing the sunrise or the stunning sunset from Shanti Stupa is a must for bikers. It is one of the best places to find peace.
3. Test your riding skills at Khardung La
Every biker planning a trip to Leh already has a ride to Khardung La on their bucket list. Khardung La Pass, located at a heartbreaking height of 18,379 feet and located at a distance of about 40 kilometers from Leh, is one of the most dangerous roads in India for motorists.
Tips for preparing for a Leh Ladakh bike trip
It is believed that rules are meant to be broken, and some of you may have a “your life, your rules” feeling, but then going on a bike trip with a bad attitude is not recommended at all.
- Breaking the rules on one of the most dangerous and elevated roads can be as dangerous as death itself. So for your good and safety, follow the rules and follow them wisely.
- If you are driving from Manali to Leh, it is recommended to carry extra glasses of petrol in addition to full tanks as there are only two petrol pumps on this route. On the contrary, there are many petrol pumps on the route from Srinagar to Leh.
- You should learn how to change a tire in case your bike suffers a puncture. For the rest of the time, many mechanics can be found on both routes.
Items to carry
- Carry the necessary medicines with you in case you, your partner, or your friends you are traveling with suffer from altitude sickness.
- It is important to note that Leh has connectivity only with leading operators Airtel, BSNL, and Aircel. Riders who do not have these connections have no option but to stand in long queues at crowded STD booths or get a connection from any of the above operators.
- Applying for an Inner Line permit will cost you only ₹200 and will give you access to remote locations like Tso Moriri, Chushul, Merak, Loma, Mahe, Hanle, and more. This permit can be applied for at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
