Three gems of Ladakh:
1). Khardung La (Khardung Pass, la means pass in Tibetan) is a mountain pass located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The climb to the pass is magnificent with stunning views of glaciers and snow capped mountains. A rugged road complete with overflowing streams makes the motorcycling up to the pass a thrilling, once in alifetime experience. The local pronunciation is "Khardong La" or "Khardzong La," but, as with most names in Ladakh, the romanised spelling varies.
The pass on the Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies part way up the latter valley. Built in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation t its elevation is in the vicinity of 5,602 m (18,379 ft) metres and it is the world's highest motorable pass.
Our group reached the pass right when a snow storm was starting and which made the drive down, treacherous yet adventurous, one we as bikers will not forget for a while. Stunned and delighted to bike on this road!
If you ever witness a sunrise or a sunset in this place it will be hard to get impressed anywhere else in the world. The lake changes colour, the sky creates new shades and the mountains become a curtain for a natural symphone orchestra. Conducted by the Sun god himself.
2). Pangong Tso is Tibetan for "high grassland lake". Also referred to as Pangong Lake, this salt lake in the Himalayas is situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft) and can be approached by a beautiful road winding through canyons and valleys. It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to China. If you visit in summer you will see scores of Yaks grazing In the plains parallel to the road. The road is good but notorious for deep dips designed to let mountains streams pass without flooding the road. At times these concave curves in the road were upto 4 feet deep so please be careful. Especially if you are on a bike with heavy travel load.
This divine water body was made famous by Actor Aamir Khan in boldly hit, Three Idiots!
3). More plains is crossed by the road from Leh to Manali. This stretch of 40 km falls in between Leh and Sarchu on Leh–Manali Highway. This road has an average elevation of 4800 metres and is flanked by mountain ranges on both sides. At some places the road runs along the Sumkhel Lungpa river featuring some stunning sand and rock natural formations as well as long grass lands and a flat road for miles at length. We loved the ride specially since it was on the way to Taglang La, Worlds Second highest Motorable pass!
1). Khardung La (Khardung Pass, la means pass in Tibetan) is a mountain pass located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The climb to the pass is magnificent with stunning views of glaciers and snow capped mountains. A rugged road complete with overflowing streams makes the motorcycling up to the pass a thrilling, once in alifetime experience. The local pronunciation is "Khardong La" or "Khardzong La," but, as with most names in Ladakh, the romanised spelling varies.
The pass on the Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies part way up the latter valley. Built in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation t its elevation is in the vicinity of 5,602 m (18,379 ft) metres and it is the world's highest motorable pass.
Our group reached the pass right when a snow storm was starting and which made the drive down, treacherous yet adventurous, one we as bikers will not forget for a while. Stunned and delighted to bike on this road!
If you ever witness a sunrise or a sunset in this place it will be hard to get impressed anywhere else in the world. The lake changes colour, the sky creates new shades and the mountains become a curtain for a natural symphone orchestra. Conducted by the Sun god himself.
2). Pangong Tso is Tibetan for "high grassland lake". Also referred to as Pangong Lake, this salt lake in the Himalayas is situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft) and can be approached by a beautiful road winding through canyons and valleys. It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to China. If you visit in summer you will see scores of Yaks grazing In the plains parallel to the road. The road is good but notorious for deep dips designed to let mountains streams pass without flooding the road. At times these concave curves in the road were upto 4 feet deep so please be careful. Especially if you are on a bike with heavy travel load.
This divine water body was made famous by Actor Aamir Khan in boldly hit, Three Idiots!
3). More plains is crossed by the road from Leh to Manali. This stretch of 40 km falls in between Leh and Sarchu on Leh–Manali Highway. This road has an average elevation of 4800 metres and is flanked by mountain ranges on both sides. At some places the road runs along the Sumkhel Lungpa river featuring some stunning sand and rock natural formations as well as long grass lands and a flat road for miles at length. We loved the ride specially since it was on the way to Taglang La, Worlds Second highest Motorable pass!
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