Leh Ladakh SUV and Bike Trip

Ladakh is a Union Territory that is directly governed by the central government of India. Leh is the largest town in Ladakh. This region is known for its immense beauty and Landscapes. It is also known as the land of High passes. Although the place is accessible via air throughout the year, people prefer to visit Leh Ladakh on Bike to explore the beautiful valley filled with mountain slopes of Karakoram ranges and the Great Himalayas. People of Ladakh speak Tibetian and Ladakhi commonly. Ladakh is the highest plateau in India with an altitude of 2987 m. It lies within the Himalayan Ranges including the Indus River Valley. Food in Ladakh is highly inspired by Tibetan food like Thukpa and Tsampa. One of the famous lakes in Ladakh is Pangong Lake which extends from Ladakh to the autonomous region of China; Tibet.

Travelling Leh Ladakh allows you to get in touch with rhythms of life now unknown to us. This part of India is truly another world, a “rarefied” world, not only because of the altitude but also for its sublime beauty, which amazes the traveller discovering the myth of Shangri-La. It is a land inhabited by a meek people who live in a very harsh environment, which allows you to rediscover the human dimension made of honesty and respect; it is a land of spectacular landscapes, and unusual at the same time, because it is formed by two very wide rivers with dunes, snow-capped mountains as a frame and the beautiful lake region; it is a land with a long and very high spiritual tradition, with its countless Buddhist monasteries, an outpost of Tibetan Buddhism.

Best way to explore Leh Ladakh is on Bike. It is a dream to go experience these tough and beautiful High-passes filled with gurgling rivulets with a view of tall snow-capped mountains, the magic of magnetic hill, the vibrance of monasteries, the Liveliness of Leh, and the silence of the enchanted Pangong Lake.

The best bike a Leh Ladakh Bike Trip is Royal Enfield because of its power and performance off-road. You will easily find mechanics on the way for its servicing and repair if needed. Yes, other sports bikes are there, and with no doubt, they can also navigate the terrain but if you get into trouble and need service you may have a hard time finding a mechanic around.

A 12 Days 11 Nights Leh Ladakh Bike Trip cost between ₹20,000 to ₹35,000. If you are going on your own bike and only need guidance and accommodation the charges will be less. If you need a standard bike with accommodation, meals, and guidance, the charges will be average and if you need an upgraded variant of the bike alone along with other facilities, the charges will be high.

The best months for the Leh Ladakh Bike trip are from June to September every year. The rest of the time it is closed due to heavy snowfall. However, during winters you can still visit the place by taking a direct flight to Leh from New Delhi. Following is a list of all the months and what type of weather you will experience:
April to May: This is the starting season for tourists in Leh Ladakh. During these months you can visit Leh Ladakh by air because most of the roads are still closed.
June to July: During these months Leh Ladakh is accessible via road and it is also the best time for Leh Ladakh Bike Trip. You can still see the snow-clad mountains throughout the trip as snow is not melted completely.
August to September: Due to the monsoon, the distant views are covered with fog. The place is still accessible by road but it will be a bit of a hassle.
October to November: The place starts receiving snowfall and becomes inaccessible by road. The temperature starts dropping as winters are about to arrive.
December to March: These are the coldest months throughout the year with fewer tourists at Leh. However, from January onward adventure seekers go for chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river.

First, decide the most suitable month and then book stays accordingly. Take all the necessary inner line permits, otherwise, you won’t be allowed to proceed further. If you are going for a Leh Ladakh Bike Trip on your own make sure you do it in a group and you have all the necessary information about the route and type of terrain. Alternatively, you can just book it with Uncia Trails and we will take care of all the permits and necessary equipment so you can fully enjoy your Leh Ladakh Bike Trip.

Leh Ladakh is situated at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level. Usually, at this altitude, the air is thinner so you may experience a lack of oxygen if you do vigorous activities. Otherwise, this place is fully inhabitable. You may face problems sleeping at first but you will get used to everything in a few days.

For Indian nationals, no passport is required. However inner line permits are still required for the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip. If you are a foreigner you need a valid passport with a visa to get these permits. For Indian nationals, valid Identification proof like Adhar Card, Voting Card, or Driving Licence is required.

Ladakh is a union territory administered by the central government of India and Leh is the largest town in this region.

There are no such restrictions. But we advise you not to drink and drive if you are coming for the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip. The roads are challenging and require full attention.

Leh does not have any bars or pubs. You will find a few restaurants that serve beer along with food. You will also find Liquor vends (theka) in Leh where you can get a few brands of beer and IMFL. If you are going outside Leh it’s better to carry your quota with you.

There are no restrictions for smoking during Leh Ladakh Bike Trip except for Nubra Valley, where selling and smoking of cigarettes are prohibited.

Yes, it is safe for couples. You can either book a seat as a traveller or rent a bike.

Minimum 10 days are enough for a Leh Ladakh Bike Trip to explore all the places without any rush.

Yes, you will easily find snow in Leh Ladakh in May. This is the ideal season when roads are clear and mountains are covered with snow.

The weather of Leh Ladakh in May is between -5 to 25-degree celsius. Although it is the beginning of summer, you should carry warm clothes and jackets.

Rented bikes can be used to reach Leh but to explore Leh and visit Pangong Lake you have to use bikes rented at Leh only. For private bikes, there are no such restrictions.

The Leh Ladakh Trip is quite challenging and requires experience. Your budget should be above ₹20,000 if you are planning to do it alone. Make sure you book everything in advance and take all the inner line permits before going or you may have to pay more at the last moment. The best option is to book your Leh Ladakh Bike Trip with Uncia Trails in advance at a genuine price.

No, asthmatic patients are not advised to go for the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip. However, if they still want to go they should carry their inhale and avoid rigorous activities. The oxygen levels are lower at Leh Ladakh and the medical facilities are rare.

You can purchase pashmina shawls made from wool curated from Mountain goats. Handwoven sweaters, caps, gloves. You will also find markets full of Prayer wheels, Choktse, Dragon motifs, and Tibetan jewellery.

In Leh Ladakh, the percentage of oxygen is about 20 – 23% at sea level with 750 – 765 mmHg of barometric pressure.

Wear two to three layers of clothes, a waterproof jacket with a windcheater. Waterproof shoes, comfortable pants, Gloves, and a helmet.

Yes, you can travel Leh Ladakh by personal car or vehicle. Only rented vehicles are not allowed further.

The natural beauty of Leh Ladakh cannot be described with words. It is a perfect place for couples. A view of snow-clad mountains, cold breeze, and beautiful Ladakh valley is all you need for your honeymoon trip. Couples prefer to go to Leh directly by air.

The total distance of Leh Ladakh from New Delhi is around 1000 km.

The best time to visit Leh Ladakh is when the weather is warm between June to mid of August.

You should visit Leh Ladakh every season to get a different view every time. Here is what you will find in each season.
Summer: This is the best season to visit Leh Ladakh. The view of rocky mountains with clear sky and clouds will touch your chord. The place becomes touristy during this season as all the roads are open and the weather is just perfect.
Winters: In winters Leh Ladak has its charm. It is the time for true adventure seekers to hop in for a thrilling experience when the place is fully covered with a blanket of snow. The famous Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river is also done in this season.

The temperature of Leh Ladakh vary throughout the year as shown

In summers the weather of Leh Ladakh is mostly clear whereas winters are cold and cloudy. Monthly weather conditions are shown below

The temperature in Leh Ladakh
The summer season in Leh Ladakh lasts for three months, from June to September with an average temperature of 18 °C and 28 July is the hottest day of the year.
The winter season in Leh Ladakh lasts for three and a half months, from November to March with an average temperature of 1.5 °C and 25 Jan is the hottest day of the year.

Clouds in Leh Ladakh
In Leh, the mean percentage of the sky covered by mists experiences big seasonal variation annually.
The sky is mostly clear for 6.4 months in Leh Ladakh starting from the 13th of May to the 25th of November, where 20th September is the clearest day.
The sky is cloudy for 5.6 months in Leh Ladakh starting from the 25th of November to the 13th of May, where the 14th of February is the cloudiest day.

Rainfall in Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh encounters seasonal variations in monthly rainfall.
The rainy season in Leh Ladakh receives an average of 1.27cm rain and lasts 1.2 months, starting from the 14th of July to the 22nd of August, where 1st august is the rainiest day.
The rainless period of Leh Ladakh receives an average of 0cm rain and lasts for 11 months, starting from the 22nd of August to the 14th of July, where the 8th of January is the day with the least rainfall.

Snowfall in Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh receives snowfall from early November to April without varying liquid-equivalent quantity. Throughout the year it receives most snowfall in March.

Swimming in Pangong Lake is not banned but it is a saltwater lake and therefore it is not fit for swimming or bathing. The water is very cold and a few seconds of exposure will make you numb and trigger cold for the remaining trip. It can also cause Ice cream Headaches.

No, You won’t get any refund or compensation for any unused services if you have to cancel the trip midway due to any reason.

No, riding gears are not provided in the package cost. The expected cost of riding gears will be ₹1500 to ₹2000 which includes elbow guards, knee guards and gloves.

Yes, helmets will be provided to both rider and pillion at no extra cost. However, this may change without any notice.

Leh Ladakh is terror-free. It is hard for anyone to cross the Himalayas and cause terror in Leh Ladakh. There is no record of any such activities in Leh Ladakh. Moreover, the highest battlefields like the Siachen glacier in the east Karakoram Ranges of the Himalayas are mastered by the Indian Army for protecting its territory.

Yes, bikes are allowed to Rohtang pass, once you obtain a permit you are good to go. The permits can be obtained from https://rohtangpermits.nic.in/ The permits are issued daily and can be applied in advance to plan your journey.

12 Days 11 Night packages are the best Leh Ladakh bike trip packages. You get enough time to acclimatize at each location and enjoy the road trip without overburdening your bike engine.

There are mainly two routes for the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip; one starts from Manali, Himachal Pradesh, and the other from Shrinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The best route is from Manali because of zero terrorist activities and better connectivity by road. The only problem was the Rohtang pass which can now be bypassed using an 8 km long reducing the Leh – Manali distance by 46 km.

Rohtang means “Pile of Corpses” of “Bhoti” in Ladakhi language. This name was given because of the number of people who tried to cross this path centuries ago who lost their lives. This route remains closed most of the time in a year because of heavy snowfall and uninhabitable climatic conditions.

Uncia Trails is one of the best Leh Ladakh Bike Trip organizers. They prepare your tailor-made trip and gets in touch directly with you to build you an initial idea of the tour and price. They will do their best to meet your needs and adapt their proposal during your exchanges. Take advantage of them, They are the expert on this destination who will reveal the best places to go and help you travel outside the box.

Yes at Leh mobile network is available but only postpaid connections. And there are few places throughout the Leh Ladakh bike trip where you will get good strength of the signal. Here is the list of places where you will find the network.
Around Leh Ladakh: BSNL, Airtel and Jio.
Diskit/Hunder: BSNL
Pangong Tso Lake: BSNL (weak strength)
Tso Moriri: BSNL (weak strength)

On Manali to Leh route, you will find a network between Manali to Keylong and Upshi to Leh. On Shrinagar Leh Highway, you will find a network between Srinagar to Sonmarg, Dras to Kargil, Lamayuru, and Alchi to Leh.
Always inform your family or friends about the Bike Trip in advance. You will also get satellite phones in some of the remote villages of Ladakh which you can use in case of emergency. BSNL has the most extensive coverage throughout the route, whereas Airtel and Jio are expanding at a fast pace.

Yes, if you are getting a mobile network you will also get data connectivity but it is limited to 2G or slower than this. Although in Leh, Kargil, and Manali you can enjoy 3G connectivity. At Leh, WhatsApp messages are the most effective mode of communication.

Starting from Manali one side distance of the Trip is around 700 km. Starting from Srinagar one side distance of the Trip is around 650 km.

Here is the list of Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Blogs:
Leh Ladakh Bike Trip
https://unciatrails.com/leh-ladakh-trip-leh-ladakh-bike-trip/
Hemis National Park – Leh Ladakh
https://unciatrails.com/hemis-national-park-leh-ladakh/
Cycling From Leh to Ladakh | My Travel Journey
https://unciatrails.com/cycling-from-leh-to-ladakh-my-travel-journey/

Short itinerary of Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Manali:
Delhi – Manali – Jispa – Sarchu – Leh – Nubra – Pangong – Leh – Sarchu – Manali – Delhi

Short itinerary of Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Srinagar:
Srinagar – Kargil – Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley – Khardung La – Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh – Kargil – Srinagar

Even if you are 100 percent sure, don’t try to do the Leh Ladakh Bike trip solo. Forget those DIY quotes for Leh Ladakh. There are lots of things that have to be taken care of, and if you doing it for the first time make sure you do it in a group or book it from trip organizers.

Yes, a 12 Days and 11 Nights Bike trip are expensive for a normal Indian family but it’s worth it. Even if you do it on your own you will end up spending more than you thought or what the tour organizers are charging. It will cost an average of ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 depending upon the type of bike you choose and additional services.

Leh Ladakh is famous for High-Passes, beautiful landscapes, Monasteries, and the Himalayas. In visiting the capital, excursions to Tsemo Fort and Gompa must not be missed – a pleasant walk from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Stok Kangri chain (6,150 meters) – and to the Leh Palace, built-in 1600 and which served as the official residence of the Ladaki kings until 1846 and today one of the most photographed symbols. Another interesting walk is the Shanti Stupa, built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist monks to promote world peace and to commemorate the 2500 years of Buddhism.
As for the other monasteries, the Soma Gompa (located in the centre) and the Sankar Gompa, about 2 kilometres away, are worth a thorough visit which should, however, be approached with some basic knowledge. It is advised to prepare in the previous months by learning to recognize the basic elements of Buddhist symbolism. Each Gompa will reveal itself to you in a completely different light!

Choosing the clothing to wear in Leh Ladakh is very important; in general, it must meet criteria of practicality, comfort, and suitability for the climate. It is advised to opt for very comfortable sportswear and footwear. Clothing with breathable garments is ideal and the “layered” clothing rule is best. In Leh, however, many shops sell sports equipment at very low prices. So start light!

A Leh Ladakh Bike Trip of at least 12 days (preferably three weeks) is a profound, demanding, and culturally rewarding experience; the altitude factor can be challenging, but if you don’t have any particular health problems it is feasible for anyone.

The itinerary outside of Leh can be organized following the four cardinal points and to move around, a prepaid taxi or a motorbike (strictly the legendary Royal Enfield) is a must.
Towards the east, visit the gompas of Stok, Matho, and Hemis on the left bank of the Indus river and Stakna, Thiksey, and Shey on the right bank; The beautiful and spectacular gompa of Chemrey ( Thekchhok Gompa ) always to the east of Leh, is rather on the way to the lake Pangong Tso, one of the largest salt lakes in Asia.
North of Leh there is the Nubra valley, accessible only with the permission and after crossing the Khardung La pass at 5359 meters. In Nubra, which was an important branch of the ancient silk road, it is possible to meet the famous Bactrian camels, very resistant and very hairy animals.
A part of the Nubra is almost desert and characterized by small dunes while the areas bathed by the Shyok and Nubra rivers are very green; the irrigated and fertile villages are large producers of wheat, barley, peas, and fruit (apricots, apples, walnuts, etc.). Absolutely to taste the fantastic jams. The gompas of greatest interest are found in Diskit and Sumur (Samstemling gompa).
Finally, to the south and south-west of Leh, to Lamayuru, are the gompa Spituk (near Leh airport), Phyang, Chamba, Alchi (the oldest), Likir, Rizong, Tingmosgang, and Lamayuru.
An interesting excursion of a couple of days is the one to another beautiful salt lake: the Tso Moriri at 4595 meters! This excursion will take you to pass the Taglang-La pass at 5359 meters and discover an incredibly high altitude mountain environment, inhabited by yaks, marmots, wild donkeys, herds of pashmina goats, and camps of nomadic shepherds.
If you have more time, you can do some really interesting treks to discover the beauty of the landscape from the peaks.

People of Leh Ladakh speak Tibetan, Ladhaki, Urdu, and Balti. Due to tourism, many have learned Hindi and English also.

Hello means Jullay! (pronounced joo-lay): an all-purpose word for hello, thank you, and goodbye. Use it always!

Leh is the capital of Ladakh, a region with a Buddhist majority enclosed between the mountain ranges of the Karakoram and the Himalayas. Also known as “Little Tibet” due to its past which saw it constitute the westernmost part of Tibet itself, it is a place where the population is still very attached to the ancient rites and customs of the so-called Tibetan Buddhism.

There are lots of vendors who give bikes for rent at Leh Ladakh. The price varies from 800 to 1600 per day depending on the type of bike you are choosing.

For the Leh Ladakh bike trip, you should be a minimum of 20 years old and have a valid driving license. Always consult a doctor for a medical checkup before coming for the trip.

Leh Ladakh is known for its endothermic Lakes and some of its most famous lakes are listed below:
1) Pangong Tso Lake
2) Tso Moriri Lake
3) Kyun Tso & Ryul Lake
4) Chagar Tso Lake
5) Lang Tso and Stat Tso Lake
6) Tso Kar Lake
7) Yarab Tso Lake
8) Mirpal Tso Lake
9) Kiagar Tso Lake

Out of all these, Pangong Tso is the famous lake near Leh Ladakh with a breathtaking elevation of 14,270 feet (4,350 meters) above sea level, the lake offers a surreal sight. Glacial erosion created the lake basin, and it was initially a freshwater lake. Over time it became brackish due to the formation of mineral deposits, which eliminated aquatic life. No one knows exactly how deep Pangong Lake is, although it is estimated to be around 300 feet. Although the lake is salty, it freezes in winter. As the weather warms up, melting snow from the surrounding peaks serves to replenish its water supply.

Yes, in the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip itinerary, Pangong Lake is already included.

Ladakh is not a state, It is a union territory which is administered by the central government of India. Parliament of India passed this act on 31 October 2019.

Yes ATM’s are available at Leh. Out of which most are State Bank ATM’s and others include HDFC Bank, JK Bank, Yes Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

Yes, the Leh Ladakh trip can only be enjoyed on a bike. Going from green landscapes to barren valleys, where the cold has burned the vegetation, up to mountain peaks perpetually covered with snow. Besides, you cross some of the highest mountain passes in the world, which exceed 4-5 thousand meters in altitude, such as Rothang La, Pir Panjal, Baralacha La, Lacholang La, and Tanglang La. long and uncomfortable journey – the speed of vehicles does not exceed 15-20 km per hour, so it might be convenient to rest along with one of the data, the small restaurants along the way.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said; ‘It is, not the Destination, It’s the journey. So the riders are more concerned about which route to take to reach their destination and hence prefer a bike trip instead of booking a direct flight to Leh.

Riders prefer Royal Enfield Bikes for various reasons:
They can navigate through the tough terrains of Leh Ladakh using Royal Enfields because of their power and robust design.
Service is easily available throughout the route and you will easily find a mechanic who can repair a Royal Enfield in case of emergency.

Pangong Lake is one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world. The lake is also unusual because it is completely landlocked and unable to drain everywhere, unlike other bodies of water that flow into a river or ocean.

If you want to plan your Leh Ladakh bike trip from Kolkata, you have to reach Delhi by train or by air. After reaching Delhi take a bus to Manali from where you can start your bike trip. If you are a group of more than 10 members we can also arrange a bike trip for you from Kolkata itself.

For a Leh Ladakh Bike trip from Bangalore, you have to reach Delhi first and then take a bus to Manali. Rent a bike there and get all the inner line permits. You can also rent a bike from Delhi which will add two extra days to your bike trip. If you are a group of more than 10 people. You can contact us for a custom Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Bangalore.

If you are planning for the Leh Ladakh bike trip from Delhi then rent a bike at Delhi take the necessary inner line permits and start your trip. Alternatively, you can go to Manali via the Volvo bus and rent a Bike over there.

Best way to do a Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Chennai is to reach Delhi by air and then start the remaining journey on a rented bike. You can also go to Manali first and then rent a bike there.

To plan a Leh Ladakh Bike trip from Ahemdabad you should first reach Delhi via flight or train. After reaching Delhi you can rent a bike for Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

The first option is to reach New Delhi by air or by train and rent a bike for the Leh Ladakh bike trip. The second option is applicable if you are in a group of more than 10 people, we will arrange a Bike trip from Mumbai itself.

Rent a bike from any bike rental in Chandigarh and you can start your trip from there itself. Make sure to get inner line permits before starting the trip.

In Manali, you will find many tour operators with whom you can directly book the trip or you can rent a bike, get permits and start your trip.

Reach New Delhi from Pune and rent a bike for Leh Ladakh Bike trip from Delhi along with necessary inner line permits.

You can call us or drop a mail on [email protected] to customize Leh to Leh bike trip. Make sure the number of people is between 4 to 5.

Booking has started for Leh Ladakh 2021 bike trip. Book now and get a discount of Rs 1000.

You can mail us on [email protected] for a custom Manali to Srinagar bike trip.

When exploring Ladakh, be traveller not tourist
Let’s get Leh’d
Ladakh – The Land of Lamas
Leh Ladakh – The land of High Passes