Posted by omvaikul on Aug 17, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Mumbai – Udaipur has become an irritating patch for me now. I must find a solution for it now.
Though we started early morning and covered first 100kms even in 1 hour but still we made it to Mumbai late in the night.
Dead tired and dirty.
The Leh trip comes to an end but I felt like a beginning of an era today. There will be more great rides to follow in year. Till then Good bye. See you soon.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Aug 17, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Today we had breakfast in Mcd and were off to NH-8 as soon as possible.
Though we were speeding high but since we were 5 in number so lot of time was getting wasted for taking halts and staying together.
By afternoon we had reached only Jaipur. We had lunch there and next halt we had in CCD just before Ajmer.
After that it was a night ride all the way to Udaipur.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Aug 17, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Today the race begins to Mumbai.
Started a little late but since now on 4 lane we were hitting at 100 and 100+
We crossed Chandigarh by late afternoon and took halt for lunch.
But this is also the time we discovered Thapa has gone missing. His cell phone was also with Sumedh and we didn’t know what to do.
After an hour of agony finally a called ringed in and we came to know he is in Chandigarh due to bike problem.
Luckily he had his credit card with him and he was sitting in Chandigarh Yamaha.
So after hearing this we left for Delhi and Thapa managed to reach there by 11pm.
The day was getting hotter and hotter from now onwards.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Aug 17, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 After having good breakfast we started from Manali by late morning. It was a smooth ride till Kullu and just before Aut water had come up so again locals told us to take a link road which goes up from Aut and joins at Mandi directly.
It was a long way but route was scenic.
By late evening we reached Mandi and got chain setting done on couple of bikes.
Had dinner just outside and after dark started moving closer towards plains as much as possible.
The roads were bad so we checked in to a near by hotel and waited for Gaurav and Dhaval who were going to join us today. They were on their way from Katra.
Just in an hour they too arrived.
The chat went late in the night and had to be stopped by the hotel owner.
Finally we went to bed.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Aug 17, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Today’s post I will keep it short. Its the last day of tough ride. We got up and got our early start required to reach Rohtang top.
After some tank up in Tandi we moved ahead but before koksar there was quick sand so locals told us to take the link road which comes out just after koksar.
That too was full of slush but we made it through.
Rohtang top we reached by afternoon and only Abhi’s had a fall while coming down but not very serious.
By late afternoon we were in Manali and checked in.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Jul 26, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Early morning getting up and getting ready was a big mission. The climate was cold and the bathroom was a daring act.
By 7.30am we hit the road. And in just few kms I could feel the pressure on the engine slowly rising. This patch is actually where you feel the drop in performance.
There were hardly any vehicles on the road today.
After riding for 2 and a half hours we just reached Tanglang La.
Took some photos here. But halt not more than 5 mins as it was freezing.
Took an actual break just for stretching just before moore plains.
At some point Anahita had to get down and walk.
We had some snacks here before starting for Pang.
Pang from above.
After crossing Pang it started snowing and it was snowfall all the way till Sarchu.
We crossed Sarchu in daylight but as we came near to Baralacha we were loosing light.
It was very very cold. And also confused whether to keep on the path for Jispa or stay back at Zing Zing bar.
Stay in those tents means being desperate. So we took a chance to ride to Jispa.
In few kms a big stream came up. Thapa and Abhi crossed over then I but Sumedh was shit scared, because it almost had a fall on a bridge 2 mins back. So Thapa crossed on foot this side and took Sumedh’s bike across.
Now it was totally dark. By chance there was a tempo right behind us and the guy and driver inside offered us a lead help. Also Anahita sat inside so we can follow the truck at full speed.
I was hesitating first but the situation was such that nothing much we could do.
But I and Abhi made sure we stay on the tail as how a magnet sticks quickly to metal.
And the guys inside the tempo got the idea of this whenever he looked in his rear view mirror.
After an hour of agonizing hour we were finally at Jispa and the guy inside the temp was the BSNL guy incharge in this area. So he made a few calls to the hotels over here and made sure rooms are available. After he left we struck a deal with the hotel owner and just went flat on the bed.
We had a light lunch before we head for a nice peaceful sleep.
It was a learning day for me and rest of us I’m sure.
Now tomorrow is the only difficult ride left of the tour. The Rohtang La.
Lets see how it goes.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Jul 25, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Our return trip begins today. And though the climate looked favourable, our ride today was only till Rumste. Its just 85kms from Leh towards Manali. We took the usual hour to pack and mount the luggage on our bikes. Cleared the bill and rode to the fuel pump to tank up.
By 10.30am we were on the Leh Manali highway.
Everyone were ahead of us and just after few minutes we took a halt for a couple of snapshots outside Thiksey monastery.
The valley looks very red from this point to Rumste.
Very scenic place.
Post noon we reached Rumste. Had some lunch and after settling in the room we took a nap for few hours.
The evening was the best time we had here. From getting into trucks to going down the stream behind the village.
Somewhere around 9pm we had light dinner and after a small chat we dozed off. Tomorrow will be the big day.
Plan is to reach Keylong but I was not sure whether can we make it. Lets find out.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Jul 25, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Today will be our last day here in Leh. None of us clicked any photo at the K-top so we decided to go there again. But in the morning Abhi, Sumedh and Thapa were not feeling so well so I and Anahita decided only we two will go and come down by afternoon.
We had a light breakfast and much before 9am we were on the Khardung road. With just 2-3 halts in less than an hour we were at the top. And this time the weather was even more freezing then 2 days back. For some minutes it was also snowing.
We took lot of photos around the sign boards of Khardung La.
After all the photo session we started ride down to Leh. Again while going down too we took many photo halts.
The Khardung Frog, 1st from bottom.
We met up with the rest of the gang just when they were having lunch.
We spent most of the afternoon packing and cross checking stuff. By evening we did some last shopping and visit to the market place.
Night time one more movie. And off snoring in our bed.
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Jul 23, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Tangste was quite chilling when we got up early today. Considering Changla which is quite close from here I think the cold breeze just comes down at full speed.
Since most of our luggage we had kept in the hotel and Leh and carried very less for Pangong, we packed up and mounted stuff on our bikes within no time. And by 7.30am we were on the road.
After crossing the Tangste check post we rode straight 30-35 kms and took a halt for breakfast. While we munched on something Thapa was having a ball outside.
Breakfast was the standard noodles and eggs thing. A weird incident also took place here. Some group from Delhi had come and were visiting Pangong obvious. These guys were posing on Thapa’s bike and till there was fine. After that they started the stand on the seat of the bike to take photos. What a weird way to enjoy thing. Irrespective of the fact that if the bike falls by chance then we are the ones who will be in a soup. Abhi had to go out and shout at them with a warning.
After we were done from here we did a non stop ride till Chang la. And ones we reached up we took only a moment to take a couple of shots because weather here was ice cold.
The downhill from Chang La towards Leh was much better. And least no breaks in just 1km like yesterday.
Before noon we were back in our hotel and decided before going for lunch we will just give the R15, Ashish’s for packing. Also removing the fuel from it was a task in hand. Some how Abhi and Thapa managed that with a bad taste.
Lunch was again to that Tibet cuisine place. The centrally heated concept was very pleasing. Just like sitting next to a fire place.
This below dish was the best order till date of mine. I enjoyed it totally.
Late afternoon we spent in the market area. Some time pass from this shop to that shop. And finally came across a dairy kind of thing.
By 4pm we decided to head to the Leh fort. We just took 3 bikes along.
View of Leh town is just awesome from here. I was lucky to get the 5′o clock shadow for this photo.
She bought a pair of gloves for the same hand.
The rooms inside the fort are always in dark. Not a single bulb anywhere.
After sometime I had to move in High Key mode.
We also had some fun dressing up Thapa.
And the final touch.
Next was The Leh monastery but looking at the light it seemed by the time we reach there it might get closed for visitors.
From these two monks we came to know the place is open for visitors till 6pm and we were just 15mins late.
We took some shots here and Anahita noticed a small trek path downhill back to the fort and insisted on taking it. First we thought she was joking but later realized she is not kidding.
I gave my P220 to Abhi and we started slowly descending down the path. Told everyone to meet us back down at the fort.
Abhi lost his way coming down and met us directly at the hotel. So I sat with Thapa and Anahita with Sumedh.
Ones everyone were together we decided to try some different place for dinner. It would be our last dinner in Leh for this trip.
Without drinking already high.
After fooling around and some masti we rode triple seat to a place on Changspa road.
Food was okay, not very great. Considering the place looked quite need from outside.
After dinner we had a little night ride on Manali – Leh highway for some 5-10kms and then returned back to our hotel.
Our last day in Leh was fun. We really had a good memorable time here. Something we all will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Now I have not told anyone but tomorrow we start on Leh – Manali highway. Since Day 1 we had got good road all the way till Leh. So everyone we saying what was the big deal to reach here. Its so easy.
Well now I was sure from tomorrow it will all change 
Tags: ladakh, Leh
Posted by omvaikul on Jul 15, 2011 in
Leh Ladakh Trip Log 2010 Before we got up today Ashish was already on his way to the airport. His flight to Delhi was early in the morning.
Rest of us we got up around 8am and were back at the German bakery for breakfast by 9. After having a heavy breakfast we left for Pangong Tso route.
The first 70kms is just like a clean highway. Two lanes and no bad patches all the way to Karoo.
After Karoo, the zig zag thing begins. And just 25kms kms Chang La you come across a big army post where we had to wait for over half an hour as little snow had slid over the road near Chang La.
I took some photos here but felt little uneasy. I and Anahita we went inside one of the cabins and found two stud army guys welcoming us. They gave us herbal tea they regularly have over there in warm water. After having that I felt little better.
There was some good amount of snowfall going on here.
Ones the patch was clear we were back on the climb. Let me tell you the ascend was getting little difficult from here onwards. With the snow on both sides the track was not smooth. We had to take breaks almost after every 5-10kms. Here Thapa also picked up a guy whoes bike had broken down and rest of his friends had gone ahead.
Anahita seems to be happy with all the snow around.
The only fear I had was the chance I had taken on my bike. Since it was just 1 month old I had not carried any spare parts but only puncture repair kit.
Finally after hour and half we were at Chang La top. The climate was very cold and altitude was making us dizzy. We didn’t wait anymore and started decline to the other side.
Other side decline was just 15kms and in 25mins we were at post again where you have to make entries of passing in this region.
Our shoes were very wet when we were here so just managed to put some plastic inside before moving ahead.
The ride from here is just along the river or stream whatever it is. And good twist and turns. After 35kms we came across Tangste where we noticed a good home stay little inside the road and after making one more entry at a army post we started moving ahead. After just crossing 10kms we met few Israeli guys and girls and the last one in them had a breakdown. The rear tyre was flat. We did stop to help them. After observing the situation we decided that I, Anahita and Sumedh will go ahead to Pangong. See if we can find any accommodation and Thapa, Abhi will stay back to help them. We came to know later that these guys rode the punctured bullet all the way to Tangste where a tyre repair shop was located.
Just few kms before the lake we saw this site. I must tell, BRO has made interesting sign boards to make your journey memorable. After riding some 6 more kms we were finally at the lake. We took some photos and started looking for accommodation. But couldn’t even find one.
After the movie 3 idiots, this lake has got very popular with Indians. Every tent was full.
Since no accommodation was available here we decided that we will make our night stay back in Tangste. Besides in this freezing climate we will be warmer inside a room rather than tent.
After covering some 10kms we came across Thapa and Abhi. I told them about the situation and gave my camera so they can get some shots with themselves or their bikes in the photo.
We reached Tangste and started a strike a deal with the home stay owner. She was a sweet lady and gave us 3 rooms at a cheap price.
In an hour Thapa and Abhi also arrived and told us how they managed to get that bullet to Tangste. But I think they had fun. While they settled in, I and Sumedh went to the market to get beer and rum for the night.
We were very hungry by this hour since we hadn’t eaten anything for lunch. So while we had our drinks we also ordered dinner.
While the food arrived, I went little outside the home stay to take some photo.
The place around was just heaven. From the rivers and mountains to the snow clapped peaks and monastery on a hill top.
Past 8pm we went in our rooms and had a full on masti time. I didn’t even realize when Thapa dosed off.
Though I wished a stay and the lake itself would have been fun but it was not bad at Tangste also.
Next time will make some bookings and go or carry our own tent.
Tags: ladakh, Leh