Indeed A Trip of LifeTime.. #lehladakh.. The ride of my dreams

So here we are in Delhi... Finally on our way to the our dream trip... Ladakh calling... moving to manali by HPTDC bus... Will reach tomorrow early morning.

We reached Manali early in the morning by 8am.. What a wonderful and breathtaking view along side river Vyas. And the cold winds just making us feel like it's already December. It's was 9.30am bus to Keylong from manali, same bus will continue to Ladakh next morning. But we have a stay at guest house in Keylong.. Nearby place jispa is also wonderful for stay and camping. Enroute came Rohtang paas(13058 feets) , it was so cold and windy on top. Also this was the first time we were on such an altitude in our lives... We started feeling low oxygen, And from rohtangLa started our real view. By evening at 7pm we reached Keylong.

Keylong comes under lahaul-spiti valley. Very beautiful small village in the midst of high mountains,just so beautiful that one would like to stay here for few days. At least I thought of that. We freshened up and went for a normal walk to the village, but to our surprise and luck there was a cultural program was being organized. It's called lahaul-spiti tribal festival. A fair was also there . We wandered and enjoyed the each path and small markets of the village. It was so beautiful and not to forget the very welcoming and smiling natives. Always smiling like we were just family. We tried real momos.. Really different from what we used to eat in cities. By 9 pm we had our dinner and went to our beds.. Literally winds were so loud that it felt like it'll swipe out the roof from above our rooms.

At 4 am we were up and ready to move ahead.. Everyone was ready with breakfast provided by guesthouse for journey. We started from there and came jispa.. A heavenly place on heaven.. A campers paradise,All around it was tents and tents only. Then I thought we must at least camp at least for 1-2 days on this trip. Which happened later on the trip. Bus was continuously moving to altitude, we were feeling the low oxygen, everyone was just sleeping, chewing chocolates and drinking water. Suddenly it was like cloudy all around. Then conductor told us that we are about to reach BaralachaLa paas and it may rain heavily. But wow we crossed 4-5 serpentine roads and were at much altitude that it was snowfall. For me it was 1st snowfall of my life. We couldn't resist to go out there. Stopped bus for 3-4 mins only as it was really getting tougher to walk in such a low oxygen. But it was awesome view altogether. After this paas descent started and we were seeing those icecaped mountains. All around snow was blowing with the wind but it looked like as cloudy. Just what we wanted on a memorable trip. After descending almost for 1000 feets we stopped at a small snacks center in the middle of nowhere. But there was snowfall, ice-cold wind blowing our minds out, sun shining, a river and a rainbow. We and everyone on our bus decided to just stop there only. I could never forget that place ever in my life. I have heard earlier and also read in blogs that weather changes every minute in that region. But it was all weather at a single place, I was just awestruck by the beauty of that place. We had some Maggie, parontha(parathe) and chai over there. And moved on for next paas.

Then we descended for few more feets and came first sighting of Indian Army camps.. In such a terrain also it all looked like so organised and perfect. Then came Sarchu a place which we were supposed to just cross. It became our very 1st adventure of the trip. There was only one narrow bridge made by army to cross that mighty river and alas it was broken since last evening. The first thing which came in our mind was we would have to stay there only till army fixes it. But nxt day we had already booked for pangong Tso so we got little worried. It was a huge or at least 50-60 vehicles all lined up this side to cross the river and other side at least 150+ trucks and small vehicles. The near by army setup seemed to be of punjab regiment. We went up ahead and asked if we could stay nearby if this thing is not getting clear by the end of the day. They said we don't own this land sir.. You can live anywhere you want eat whatever you want and wander wherever you want. Just don't try anything stupid as both sides it will take at least 2 days to any city establishment. We chatted, wandered a little and went down with drivers to see if there is any way we can directly cross the river. The superflowing river and iceycold water we were senseless for few seconds. We spotted a place from where small vehicles were crossing the river. But buses and trucks... Naah not possible at all this is what our driver said. We waited for at least 2 more hours no heavy duty vehicle was ready to cross that. One single mistake and fallen into the grudge. Then came another bus with few foreigners. Driver took a glance and said I'll cross it or all my clients will miss their schedule. And he crossed in one go.. No mistakes and he did it.. We and everyone started cheering. Our and other drivers also started crossing one by one. It was so narrow it took another 2 hours to cross that river. And finally we moved ahead and it was already around 1pm.

Then again started rocky and high rising mountains and we started ascending again. Without knowing that how much we are about to ascend, we were preparing to take a nap when conductor shouted that we are about to reach 2nd highest Motorable road in the world. And bus will stop there for just a minute. No one was in condition to get off the bus.. Many started getting sick already due to bad weather and low oxygen. But still we got down and clicked some memorable picks. And finally moved to Ladakh as road was so good after 20-30 kms.

By 7pm we reached Ladakh.. Took a cab reached to hotel. No one was in condition to do anything or even move. We all just put on blankets and wanted to sleep. But while on our way to hotel(Hotel Tsomori, Fort road) we saw a market and people wandering and enjoying. So we decided to go out and explore a little or at least ask for bikes and look for dinner somewhere. And wow Fort road is the best and happening place in the town. A number of multicuisine restaurants and street food vendors were welcoming tourists. Italian, Israeli, French, and saadi Indian. We went to one moonland restaurant and got some parcel, besides it was all named and famed ones of Leh such as dreamland, bon appetite, all different multicuisine were there. We seen there were a number of travel and rental agencies all around. All the names which I always read in blogs. We went to one of them and fixed our bikes and rented 3 Enfields and 2 avengers. But came back to hotel walking as road is so narrow and parking is so difficult there for so many bikes. We ate and slept by midnight hoping to wake early next morning.

We woke up at around 10 am, got freshen up, had breakfast at moonland again and really awesome chole bhature it was, took our bikes, Tied all our stuff and backpacks.. Checked out of hotel and at around 12.30 left leh for Pangong Tso lake. Road was very good just like highway for the next 20kms. Then started the real ride.. All hilly, full of unending curves, beautiful quotes from BRO(Border road organization). We kept driving slowly and steadily. Ascending to the another one of the highest passes of the world,again we started feeling low oxygen and chill weather. At changLa we stopped for some rest and snacks. There ITBP forces were moving towards China border to their camps. We then moved to Pangong Tso.

Then again we rode for almost 90+kms passing through Durbuk, shooting mountains and number of army establishments, finally to reach the entrance of pangong Tso at around 7.30pm,and it was already almost dark. There we stopped for each other and took a 10 mins break and asked for the tent we booked. Locals told it's 10 more kms but the road is so full of flowing water everywhere ahead. We already had encountered such roads earlier in the morning but as it gets darker water starts coming down with full flow. So we decided to move faster and finally reached our tent(camp whispering waves) at around 8.30pm just to fall on bed and get sick. Everyone started feeling sick. We once thought of calling our rental agency and send us a Toyota Innova for further trip. At around 10 pm staffs called us for dinner, we told them our situation, then we came to knew it's due to low oxygen and low temperature(3-4 degrees). We had medical kit with us,everyone of us took a dimox pill which is suggested for every one who goes to Ladakh. We ignored this earlier. Next morning we woke up at around 6 am. It was waking up in heaven.. So beautiful it was all around. Icecaped mountains, beautiful blue water salt lake and ice cold winds with sun shining above. We had our breakfast, staff members told us different stories of movie shootings of 3 idiots, jab tak jaan, and 2 days back tubelight starring salman and Chinese actress zhu zhu were there.

Next morning we woke up at around 6 am. It was waking up in heaven.. So beautiful it was all around. Icecaped mountains, beautiful blue water salt lake and ice cold winds with sun shining above. We had our breakfast, staff members told us different stories of movie shootings of 3 idiots, jab tak jaan, and 2 days back tubelight starring salman and Chinese actress zhu zhu were there. We checked out at around 10 am and went to Lake side to have fun before setting up for a long and tedious ride ahead. We were all awestruck by the beauty of pangong Tso. So blue so beautiful. It looks like a lake in heaven and beautiful foreigners and local Monks make the surrounding look more beautiful. After clicking a lot of pics which would be a lifetime memory, we started riding back to leh 167kms to be exact. By 7pm we reached to another camp we booked in chuchot yakma village near choglamsar, leh(Luna eco camp).  And we had a wonderful surprise waiting which we were totally unaware of.

Just as we arrived we were welcomed by our wonderful hosts Nico and bebo. And the surprise was that the mighty Indus river was flowing just 20 feets away from our tents. Mesmerized by the location and the view we there then only decided to stay for more days in that camp. And luckily we didn't booked hotels or camps except next day for further of the trip so done and decided. We unpacked, freshen up and Nico arranged a bon fire along side river. We chatted, relaxed, drank a little to settle the body. Almost till midnight we were singing dancing and enjoying the moment. The sky was clear and the moon was shining and it was full moon. I have never seen such a beautiful night in my whole life.

We had to leave for nubra Valley early in the morning and we woke up at 10 am at our standard time, passed some time walking around in the sprawling 40acres of camping resort along side Indus river. Everything was so beautiful there valley, river, forest and people. I was just loving all this.. It truly was becoming the trip of a lifetime.. The unforgettable journey to Leh-Ladakh. So moving on after having breakfast and booking the camp again for next night. Although we earlier booked through goibibo, this time bebo gave us some discount and also got ready to keep our backpacks till we return from nubra Valley... Everything was set for an another dream ride to siachen range. At 12pm we started from there towards khardungLa(Highest Motorable road in the world). We were all prepared to tackle low oxygen and cold winds which made us looking like ladakhi in just 3 days. Just 5 mins away from leh and ascend started. For 20-25 kis road was like heaven, but then started our worst nightmare, from South pullu there was no road at all and if there was any landslides broke it all. Everywhere BRO was working. Our speed was like 20-30kmph and it was ascending so fast that we started feeling low oxygen again but the dimox pill which we took early before riding helped and we reached khardungLa without any issue at 2.30 pm. After having clicked picks and watching the beautiful zanskar ranges from there, we set of for North pullu. So from South pullu to North pullu whole 35-40 kms is the worst road anyone rides in Ladakh region. At North pullu we stopped at army temporary checkpost(TCP)  for some tea and to take permit to move further in the region. Then started the descend and a 80+kms to nubra Valley. It comes under karakoram wildlife sanctuary and siachen base camp is 90 kms from there.

After a wonderful and refreshing ride along side nubra river we entered karakoram range, took some pics and then moved to our camp(nubra ecolodge) in sumur village near sand dunes. As soon as we reached weather started getting worse means more cold and dry. We settled in our rooms and after getting fresh. Started a bonfire and songs. We were just talking to local staff and snacks were coming till 9pm until dinner served. So getting all the info for next morning at around 11 pm we went to our beds. I needed a paracetamol for a nice good night's sleep. And I got one. Nxt day we have to explore the region such as panamik village(last village before siachen base camp where outsiders allowed), diskit monastery, sand dunes, and the stretch of long straight road of every riders dream. We took magnificent pics there.

We started early and without breakfast decided to go to panamik for hot water spring. Water so hot that it relieved us from all our pain and cold and frost bites. We were there almost for an hour and already feeling healed. Then came back to camp packed, checked out at around 11.30am and started our journey to diskit monastery. The other side of nubra river.

After an hour long ride we reached to diskit monastery and stunned by the beauty of it and it's surrounding we stayed there for almost an hour. Pictures will tell you the rest of the story.

As camp owner already provided us with the lunch as parcel, we decided to leave back for Ladakh and in midway somewhere to have it. Again started a long ride 130kms to be exact. By evening we reached to leh Fort road returned 2 bikes(as next 2 days we planned to cover local places and monasteries) had some snacks to be specific chhole bhature at moonland again and went to Luna camp. Again bebo and Nico welcomed us warmly but as we were so tired we decided to dine and sleep early. We called it a day of thrill.

A day of rest we needed and what would have been better than a riverside camp with some early morning yoga and music. At around 3pm we checked out said bye bye to our wonderful hosts Véronique n Nico who became good friends. We checked into the same hotel again where we stayed first day. (Tsomori hotel, Fort road, leh). We got rooms there by so much of hassle and calls. But finally got rooms checked in kept our luggage and decided to go to gurdwara pathhar sahib, magnetic Hill and hall of fame.

We went to gurdwara first and then came back to Hall of Fame. It was so wonderful to know all the sacrifice done and bravery shown by our soldiers in the kargil war. We also watched kargil war documentary later in the evening. We came back to hotel and called it a day. Next day is the last day in leh and we have to go to shanti stupa, Thikse monastery and Rancho school.

We woke up early next day went for a walk in leh city and by 10 am got freshen up, had our breakfast and went to shanti stupa first. It was so calm there, I didn't wanted to go anywhere else. The stupa itself and meditation hall was just awesome.

Later on we went to Thikse monastery. It's the biggest and one of the oldest monastery.

Last day return journey. Leh- Jammu-Delhi-Pune... A memorable journey which we were planning for last 2 years. A lifetime of memories. An unforgettable ride in the valley. And uncountable beautiful encounters with nature and himalayan beauty.