Leh Ladakh Bike Trip – Everything You Need to Know!

Posted on: Dec 28, 2021 | | Written by:

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip – Everything You Need to Know!

Published on December 27, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

There is nothing like a long, scenic road trip to start 2022 with a bang, if you are an avid biker. And if you are heading to Leh-Ladakh, the journey can be a perfect escape from that everyday humdrum. Now, remember that there are two routes to Leh, one from Srinagar, and the other from Manali. The former is a straightforward route via Kargil, but the route from Manali is more rugged and demanding, but more rewarding. Also, a bike trip to Leh means you have to be ready for unexpected situations or adversities. Which is why, packing right and carrying your insurance papers is a must. While a third-party bike insurance policy is mandatory, you should ideally take a comprehensive bike insurance plan before hitting the road to Leh. It will help you financially in case your bike gets damaged due to an accident or natural calamity and needs repair.

Now, let’s take a look at all the things you will need for the trip.

1. Medicines

Carry medicines for altitude sickness, as you gain nearly 2000 metres in altitude after Manali. Carry medicines for your stomach as well, as you’re likely to eat from the roadside stalls that you will find along the way in certain villages. Also have painkillers handy, along with a first-aid kit, given the treacherous conditions of the road.

2. Proper clothing

Carry warm clothes, jackets, and sunglasses to protect yourself against the cold and the glare coming off the snow-clad mountains. It’s also recommended to wear gloves to protect your fingers from frostbite, and to keep them functioning normally in those extreme conditions where quick reflexes are needed. Pack extra tees, innerwear, socks, and other clothing essentials to allow for a quick change.

3. Bike essentials

Know how to change the tyre of your bike and carry all the necessary tools to be able to do so in case of a puncture. Furthermore, carry extra fuel on the Manali-Leh highway as there are only a couple of fuel stations along the way.

4. Personal essentials

Carry your toiletries in sachets (shampoo and soap) to save space. Pack a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin. Additionally, your travel kit must include a torch, a good pocketknife, power bank, batteries, and some camping equipment in case you’re looking for a more rustic adventure.

5. Documents

Carry your driver’s license and yet another identity proof. Keep your bike insurance papers handy – especially the third-party bike insurance, whether you are riding your own bike or a rented one. Riding without insurance is illegal and ill-advised, given that the Manli-Leh highway is one of the most dangerous roads on the planet.

Gear up for a great experience

Once you have all the above-mentioned items in your bag, you will be better prepared for the journey. After reaching Ladakh, make sure you visit the Royal Leh Palace – a striking 17th-Century palace that offers beautiful views from the roof.

Also pay a visit to the gravity-defying magic of Magnetic Hills, where cars and bikes are pulled uphill. On the way to Leh, soak in the beauty of Drass Valley – known as the coldest hill station in India.

The Khardung La Pass is perhaps the most dangerous and thrilling section of the Leh Ladakh bike trip. You can look for solace and peace at the Shanti Stupa which offers panoramic views of Leh.

And finally, the piece de resistance of your Leh trip would be the Pangong Tso Lake – a gigantic and azure blue water body that straddles two nations – India and China.

Conclusion

A bike trip to Leh offers some of the best views of the Himalayas, even if you need to deal with treacherous road conditions, possibilities of landslides, altitude sickness, and little to no hospitality. Just make sure you pack smartly, carry all the legally essential bike papers, including your third party bike insurance, and plan your route and itinerary well in advance.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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