OUR MOTORCYCLE DIARIES

REMINISCENCE OF OUR ADVENTURE RIDE ON RUTHLESS HIMALAYAS

It was mere a thought and we all were doubtful on one another, prima facie due to our own experiences we had ( Earlier many of our adventure trip has been spoiled due to thousands of reasonable / unreasonable excuses among the team Members…....me included), And secondly all of us had moderation in their personal life in some or other ways (for me it was family …for other team member I am not sure it was Family/wife/Girlfriend/Fiancée’s …. Or combinations).

 

Like earlier we had again planned an Adventure trip and we were not sure where we all wanted to go. Everyone came up with different ideas and we had multiple rounds of Debates and discussion over the destination’s, itinerary, budgets and all the stuffs, but like every time it remained unconcluded due to some or other reasons.

As days were converted into weeks and months. Our idea of Adventure trip remained obsolete, and it was sure that it would again repeat the history to remain an another non-executed idea.

Time had taken a twist, it was month of march and we had yearly meeting going to happen in which we will discuss Yearly Budget along with Performance Bonus, Perks & Incentives.

In meeting we had passed the resolution regarding that Trip and post completion of meeting all five team members are now Obliged with Contract and breach of that results losing trip along with Valuable bucks.

Since the inception of idea this was the first time we had scaled up to some extent but still it's a long way to go. We all have a different understanding of adventure and summation of all in one was biggest challenge. Till now no one knows where our Adventure destination lies upon.

Some came up with Mythological mindset to visit places of Pilgrimage so that it would mix of adventure along with eternal peace and salvation. Other want to break geographical barrier and explore other coordinates of Globes to feel varied cultures, tradition and offerings.

Now hunt for destinations had started and our search engines were always busy searching the result for keywords like (Beaches, Hills, Mountain, Jungle Safari, Paragliding, River Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Trekking , Scuba diving, royal Safari).....People started following travel bloggers and had read various travel analogues written on different public domains. Still we were clueless and no unanimity on any destination was attained at that point of time.

During an Impromptu discussion, one of our team mate suddenly cracked the Code. He came up with an Idea that instead of going to some conventional destinations, let’s take this trip to beyond our capacity as it’s now or Nowhere. He proposed a trip to explore Northern most part of our country which is most Secluded geography and remotest habitat which keeps your adrenaline and expectation always on the High, and that is a Trip to Ladakh.

After getting insights from internet and colleagues who had already visited Ladakh earlier, we made a Itinerary in which it was decided to reach Leh through air route from Indore Via Delhi and visit different locations and terrains through road routes which Includes Khardungla Pass, Pangong Tso & Shayok Valley, Hunder and Turtut.

Likewise in the cricket, when it seems the batting is going well, suddenly a goggly came. Here one of our team members came up with the big question mark on his face and asks us “Where Is Adventure?”  ….. I don’t feel that it's an Adventurous tour, after putting all our efforts we are still doing a conventional trip to the locations where we can explore in a different way……… “Let’s do a bike ride from Manali to Leh…..’’ and this was masterstroke to the goggly.

Initially, we were five members only and to convert a conventional tour to an adventurous bike trip we need one more member, as it requires six members to complete the bike trip Squad. Search Operation was rolled out for sixth member for this adventurous tour. One of our friend got ready to take baton and agreed to be part of our adventure Squad and finally our search for sixth person Comes to End.

In midst of all excitements for upcoming Adventure trip no one had sense the threats of Illuminati’s (wife, Fiancés, Girlfriends ……..). As this was solo trip and there was no provision for addition of any trip Spoilers. So to keep check on so called Illuminati’s, we had decided to keep a code of secrecy among the team mates regarding the trip, and it was decided that trip will be revelled only a week earlier, so that there would not be any counter attack and plausible resistance from Illuminati’s.

By the grace of god and all our good deeds in past, we had succeeded to get a clearance from the Illuminaties (Though some of the member had to undersign promise for global tour in exchange of that permission ).

Based on experiences of earlier riders and discussion with our trip organizer, we had Planned 16 days adventure ride to Ladakh which was Started from Indore with following travel Itinerary.

Indore To New Delhi :- By Train
New Delhi to Manali :- By Taxi
Manali to Leh :- Bike Ride
Leh to Hunder :- Bike Ride
Leh to Shrinagar :- By Taxi
Shrinagar to Indore :- By Flight

OUR ADVENTURE SQUAD :-

From Left to Right : Monu, Me(Gaurav), Jatin, Mahendra, Rahul and Chetan

Day 1:- INDORE TO NEW DELHI

No one knows what was going to be happen, as this was the first time we had succeed to roll out our planning and that to a bike trip in Ladakh. we all were pretty excited to experience beauty and loneliness of enchanted terrain and Landscape of Ladakh.

We had to reach Delhi from Indore through train, so we had Booked the reservation tickets in Sleeper class ( It's was Nothing related to save any bucks, Actually we had changed train on Last moment ........).

It was very first day of our long awaited trip and everyone reached Indore Railway Station on time which was 3:00 PM to Board the Train (Nizamuddin Express). Jatin was the first person to reached Railway Station, followed by Chetan, Rahul and Me. Mahendra was Last one to reach Station and till the time he reached platform, train had already whistled final call for departure.

It was a sigh of relief as everyone has boarded the train except Monu (Shukla) who was already stationed at Delhi and had to joined us next morning at New Delhi Railway Station.

    

Day 2 :- NEW DELHI TO MANALI

Our Train reached Delhi at 6:45 AM at New Delhi Railway Station. After de-boarding the train, we exit the platform and went to catch Taxi which was pre-booked for Delhi to Manali.

Our Sixth member Shukla who was already in Delhi get delayed by an Hour ....(Time Spoiled by Shukla ji was Utilised by other team Members at IRCTC Paid Restroom near Delhi Station to leave all the Shits behind)

As Monu reached we all boarded in Taxi ( Ertiga ) with Our luggage and left for Manali without any delay. It was day long journey of 520 Kms which travels through various district of Punjab and Himachal.

In Midway we stopped at Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba for Morning breakfast where we hovered dozens of Punjabi Parathas with Choley and gulped Liters of Punjabi lassi.

 

After a heavy breakfast it was a sleepy journey until our taxi was stopped by a Police man in Punjab in Search of any Smuggled Liquor. Luckily we escaped as we haven't carry any drop of alcohol with us at that point of time.

After crossing Mohali our vehicle had entered into Mountain terrain. With each KM passing there was mesmerising beauty, grandeur and Silence of Himalayan mountains. in Mid afternoon after driving through serpentine roads we had entered the Himachal Pradesh and halted for Lunch at Local Dhaba.

Cool breeze along with Melodies music and brawl over the Beer (Between two members) had some how neutralised the Mountain Sickness which was ardent in that Mountain terrain.

After a day Long journey passed trough Vibrant Lively and Beautiful Himalayan Mountains we had entered into the Dark, Mystic and gigantic dusk of Himalayas. Roaring and Rumbling sound of mountain River along with Lights Sparkling like firefly on distant mountains make as to know that we had reached Kullu and our destination Manali was an hour drive from Now.

After a tiring Journey we had reached Manali at 10:30 in Night, We all were exhausted, Hungry and Sleep Deprived.

Thanks to our Tour Organizer and Hotel Staff for Late night Dinner they had arranged for us.

Day 3 :- MANALI

Weather at hill stations is as unexpected as child behaviour, so the same was with us on that day, it was a rainy day in Manali which we hadn't expected and our morning was welcomed by the thunder storm with freezing cold showers. all the surrounding Snowy peaks and mountain were covered by Clouds.

After having our morning breakfast our tour coordinator ( Mr Indra Singh Thakur and Mr Pannalal) from Vision Himalayas had arrived at Hotel. During the discussion we got to know that monsoon showers were forecasted for next few days and we have to be very careful on bike riding as road conditions will be more slippery and Accident prone.

we had Kept two days stay in Manali for acclimatisation with Altitude and weather conditions and to get necessary arrangement and preparations for Bike trip.

After having lunch at hotel, we moved for Local sight Seen at Manali which includes Hidimba temple and Local Markets for purchasing of some mountains gears must required for upcoming trip.

 

A day comes to end with some mischievous leg pulling sessions and pillow fights followed by cocktail & dinner. In order to complete Bike Ride in planned way we had made teams of Riders and Pinions through a Chit system before going to sleep.

Gaurav & Rahul ( Team Dragon)

Jatin and Chetan ( Team Eagle )

Mahendra & Monu ( Teal Panther )

Day 4 :- MANALI TO KULLU  

This days was kind of practice session day for us as we had received our  Bikes ( Royal Enfield) from our Tour organizers, and to get hand on those machines on mountain terrain we had planned a bike trip to Kullu which was 40 kms far from Manali.

 

In the drizzling rain we moved to Kullu on our powerful machines, occasional Showers on mountain roads along with road Side river made this Short trip mesmerising. In Midway, we halted for tea Shots at Chai tapri and decided to move back to Manali, as it was raining heavily now and we doesn't want to get caught in Cold and get sick which subsequently jeopardised the whole Trip.

Day 5 :- MANALI TO JISPA 

It was the day one of our Bike expedition and despite raining since morning, every one was super energised to kick start the journey. Our back up crew had reached Hotel with the supporting vehicle along with bike maintenance equipment . 

In an Utmost discipline manner all the three teams with rider & pinions was ready to explore the adventure with sorties. After keeping our Luggage in Support vehicle We left Manali at 6:00 clock in morning and move to Solang which was our breakfast point. after having our breakfast we continued our Journey for Rohtang pass.

  

Riding through the Steep roads surrounded by gigantic mountains we were continuously elevating to higher altitudes and deadly terrain. suddenly we had find a road block, and this was our first death defying movement we had experienced. 

The road Block was due to a recent land Slide and half of the road was blocked by the pile of Stone which got slide from the Mountains, only Small vehicle and Bikes were able to cross that pile. 

After waiting for few minutes, we had decided to cross the Pile as there were no further movement above. Suddenly, while crossing land slide again get started, as i was seating on the rear seat of bike i saw a bunch of stones rolling with the deadly speed towards us from the mountain, I yelled at Rahul who was riding the Bike and with presence of mind he manoeuvred the bike and cross that deadly terrain in fraction of Seconds.

One after other, all the teams had crossed that section safely and reached to our interim destination Rohtang-La pass.

After a quick photo session at rohtang pass we had started our descend to Keylong. The Landscap had changed drastically, The mountains which covered with Pine and Deoadar trees were now became stale, Rocky and Grassy.  

Rain Showers, dropping temperature and rocky terrain slowed our speed. it was a bumpy ride while moving with river Chenab. We stopped at Khoksar were we refiled our empty stomach with Tea & Masala Maggi and moved to Tandi were we refuelled our Bikes on the Last fuel station between Manali and Leh.

 

After continued for next few hours on mountain terrain between thumping mountains and river Baga we crossed keylong in evening and reached our day destination Jispa in Dark.

We spent Night at a camp situated on the Bank of river, despite a daylong roller Coster mountain ride over the tenacious road no one was tired because of the opulent and Vivid experience we had first time in our Life.

Drinks along with Delicious Dinner and a comic verbal Spat co-powerd by Team panther had made this day even more memorable.

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Day 6 :- JISPA TO SARCHU

It was a Sleepy morning due to Late night Gossip and Last night Blockbuster Entertainment powered by our team Panther ( Monu & Mahendra), But all our Sleepiness and hangover wiped out when stepped out of our Tent. The Location where we stayed was such amazing and picturesque that no one could had imagine.

         

No one was in mood to leave that beautiful place in hurry, we decided to halt for next few hour and went to explore the beauty of Jispa.

Though we had to get ready and leave for Sarchu which was our todays Destination.

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Our tour organizer became anxious and requested us to leave Jispa, as we had to cross Zing Zing bar and Barcha-la Pass to reach the Sarchu before the dusk.

With all the beautiful memories of that landscap finally we left Jispa and  moved our  Bike Rally on the way to Sarchu.  Riding few kms Along the Bhag river we had ascend to the Zing Zing bar which is a long muddy and Rocky terrain. its was a complete different geographical landscape we were experiencing.

  

Greenery of the Mountains suddenly became obsolete. Huge scaly and rocky mountains partially covered with snow and Glaciers makes the whole panorama in Black & White without any Color shade and gradients. Miles of curved roads overlapped on those mountains were the only visible and man made artefacts.

In that desolate place our ride was stopped at Depak Tal, it was a endoheric lake with utmost Silence and crystal Clear Water.

 

After spending few minutes at Deepak Taal we continued our ascend to reach Zing Zing Bar which is a Rocky and Muddy terrain famous for Glacial Muddy swamp. Riding over those treacherous terrain was a true test for our riders. Luckily all our rider had crossed that muddy swamps of Zing Zing bar without any mishap and reached to Bracha-la pass.

  

Altitude sickness, Low oxygen, Freezing cold and extreme road conditions was now showing its effect on us, everyone was dead exhausted and wanted to reach Sarchu, As Bike riding was no longer a pleasurable job for any of us now. Due to extreme fatigue We halted at a valley and had a power nap on the lap of Nature in midst of Mountains. After resting for fews minutes our backup crew had arrived and ask us to move further as we had to reach Sarchu before Dark. 

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After riding for few more Hours we finally reached Sarchu with Utmost Exhaustion, hunger and Fatiuge. 

Some of were facing marked altitude Sickness symptoms and went to Sleep without having any food, rest of us wandered the near by sight seen and enjoyed evening camp fire with cocktail and roasted Lamb in dinner.

It was a terrible night we had spent in Sarchu, Sub zero temperature, Hight altitude and Low oxygen created hypoxic condition which leads to confusion, Delirium and restlessness. It was a complete sleepless night struggling with hypoxia and Altitude sickness.

     

Day 7 :- SARCHU TO LEH

After spending a Sleepless night in Sarchu, surprisingly everyone was ready before time to move for our final stretch to leh. It seems everybody want to leave Sarchu as earliest due to last night hypoxic situation everyone had experienced.

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We left Sarchu at 6 AM and move to pang, After riding for few minutes we stopped in midway as one of our rider got Natural call and he want to leave all the Shit behind ( Thanks to the Pile of Stones who Manage to provide Covers ), in continuation for few Kms we crossed the bridge on river Tapse and entered into the region of Ladakh leaving Sarchu as last location of Himachal pradesh. 

It was not mere a change in geographical territory but entire landscape had changed altogether. It was the most remote and deadly terrain on Leh Manali Highway. 
Here one of riding team got a close call while riding uphill on mountain terrain ( Ghata Loops ). The rider got confused between the rift and road marking, and within fraction of second there Bike got misbalanced and toppled along with rider and Pinon toward the deadly ditch, luckily there bike got stuck between the Rocks and they Narrow escaped from Catastrophic event. 

After passing Ghata Loops and continuation on that deadly terrain, we crossed Nake-la Pass and Lachung-la where we started our descend for Pang. It was very Tough to ride on those descending narrow Sloppy roads covered with boulders and slippery rocks, despite all riding skills and perfection our one more team had lost balance and toppled on the Ground, this time again luck was on our side and no one had any serious injury. (Thanks to Army Captain who stopped for while and rescue them ). Due to injures to multiple team members we shuffle the riders and Pinion and finally reached Pang.

Pang was our halting station where we had done First Aid to our injured riders and pinions followed by Lunch at Local Dhaba.

 

After Lunch we had an Uphill ride from Pang to reached Morey Plains which is 35-40 Km Straight road on the top mountain desert covered with mountains from both sides. this is the first time we had ride our Bikes in Full throttle. After crossing Morey plain we ascend for next few hours in Mountain terrain between the glaciers and Hairpin Steep Roads and reached Tangla-La which is second most highest motarable pass.

After we had crossed the deadly terrain of Zanskar valley and Tanglang-La, Here came the most beautiful terrain we had ever visited we were now entering into Indus Valley. it seems mountains were carved in beautiful artefacts with different shades and colours. a lush greenery with beautiful hamlets and herds in between makes it more vivid and beautiful. After leaving Jispa it was the first time we had seen the sign of modern civilisation.  We cannot stopped ourself to halt at LATO which is a beautiful small village in Indus valley equipped with basic facility.

After moving further in Indus valley we reached UPSHI a small town before Leh, where we stayed for Snacks and Tea and finally our mountain terrain come to end. After travelling for next one and Half hour on plain road finally we reached to LEH.

Day 8 :- LEH LOCAL

We kept a Day off for rest and Acclimatisation in Leh, In evening time we went to Leh Local market for outing and shopping. Our new Guide had arrived (Jimmy Wangchuk) and Instructed us for our next day ride over Khardungla ( Highest Motarable Pass ) to reach HUNDER an  DISKIT .

Day 9 :- LEH TO HUNDER

Though we had completed the 6 Days adventure ride, but we were Still Super excited to reach Khardungla (Worlds Highest Motarable Pass) and to reach HUNDER. 

We Left LEH at 9:00 in morning and after passing trough different streets of Leh city finally our mountain terrain had started to reach Khardungla top, with few Kms we had adjusted with our New bikes ( Himachal Passing Bike aren't Allowed in Ladakh region) and new Guide. Initially everything was ok, but after riding for few Km one of Bike was struggling with power and running with dead speed which slowed down Speed of entire Team.

finally our tour guide Manages to get replacement of Bike and Our journey again gets started, After riding for few Km we had find a huge road Block due to a massive Land sliding which was just happend. BRO peoples with their heavy Earth Movers were engaged and finally clear the block and allowed us to pass that deadly terrain .

Slippery Roads with Sharp turns on the Edges of Deadly Ditch along with the heavy traffic made this Bike trip extremely difficult for us to Ride. After riding for few KMs finally we reached our Interim Destination ( Khardungla Pass).

Though it was difficult to Stay there due to Altitude sickness and cold, but we managed to stayed there for Half and hour for Photo Session and had a Brunch ( Momos with Schezwan ) Prepared by the Army Jawans of  71 Rahshtriya Rifles.

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Now our descend had started for Hunder, after riding through roadless Snowy and rocky terrain we reached Khaslar which was in the Shyok Valley on the bank of River Shyok.

It was a beautiful Hamlet with an utmost Natural beauty within, We Stayed there for quick photo session and had a Mouth watering refreshment before moving to Hunder which was our final Day destination.

Riding through beautiful green Valley along with the Desert in Shyok Valley we reached Diskit which is Famous for Its Monastery and tall statue of Maitreya Buddha.  

We Visited the monastery and explore the History and significance of Maitreya Buddha. It was an experience of utmost Inner peace and Serendipity. Finally we moved to our destination Hunder and reached our camp in Dusk.

Day 10 :- HUDER TO LEH

We all woke up late in that Morning due to Last night party and Tenacious ride a day before . After getting ready and having a breakfast we moved to Visit hunder sand dunes which was cold desert on that mountain valley. 

It was an enjoyable place where we had a lots of Stunts and aerobatics on Sand Dunes along with a bumpy Double hump Camel safari on the sand dunes.

 

 

After visiting sand dunes and other natural places at hunder we left for Leh, it was again same adventurous ride which we had travelled a day before in the reverse way.

We reached  Khsalsar which was our tea break destination and then we again had an  ascend to cross the  Khardung-la Pass and reached the Leh  Before Dark.
(After reaching the Leh and with the end of this Day, finally our Bike tour has ended).

Day 11 :- LEH 

We had Kept this day for rest and local Sight seen at Leh which Includes Leh palace, war Memorial, Magnetic hill, Patharsahib Gurdwara and River Rafting.
We hired a cab and moved to Leh War Memorial, it was a place confined by India army where they exhibited different arms and ammunition used by India Army, and  souvenirs of Past battles they had fought and Won for motherland.

  

    

After War Memorial we reached to place where we had experience the Gravity defining Wonder of Magnetic hill. Despite an Uphill Slop the Vehicles were dragging upwards without any Power or external Push.

After experiencing gravity defying Movement, now it was time to had an adventure with the Gravity in River Rafting. We reached the Rafting Point which is 25 Km far from LEH on the Uphill Mountain terrain on the High velocity river Zanskar. Having our Rafting Costume on our body, We had a quick session by our Rafting Guide about Do's & dont's and Know How of rafting on our Raft and we were ready to had jaw dropping adventure.

We had swiftly sailed for few minutes in the current of river and finally entered into section of Riverine with High velocity water stream full of dangerous whirlpools and dangerous Rocks in Between.  next 15 mins was roller coster Ride for all of us tangled between River Rocks and Raft. 
Finally we  managed to cross that section without any Accident and reaches the End point of our Rafting Point. 

 

   

    

    

  

After River rafting we went to Pathar Shib Gurudwara where we worspshiped gurudwara sahib and ate a Langar which makes us Energise to move further .
Finally we reached Leh palace which was our Final destination for Day and  Leh.

  

Day 12 :- LEH TO KARGIL

With all the Adventurous and Beautiful memories of our Bike trip and Leh we moved to Shrinagar which was our next destination. Our  Journey for Shrinagr to Leh was a Taxi ride from NH1 which travels through Kargil, Drass ,Zozila Pass, baltal and sonmarg.

We checked out from Hotel at morning 8:00 Clock and left for Srinagar in Taxi. It was a long journey of 450 kms travelling through the most dangerous Mountain Terrains of Himalayas ranging from Ladakh to Shrinagar.

After riding for Few hours on NH1 our vehicle stopped at Khalsi where we had Lunch and then move to LAMAYURU which is one of  the oldest Monestry.

After visiting Lamayuru we continued our Journey on NH1 and reached KARGIL in Afternoon, where we stayed at contemporary Hotel which was reflection of Kashmiri Art and Style.

After having refreshment and Kashmiri Kahwa tea at Hotel, we moved for local Sight Seen in Kargil which includes Ancient Shiva temple and Indo Pak Border View.

 

 

Day 13 :- KARGIL TO SHRINAGAR

While moving towards Srinagar from Kargil we halted at DRASS which is a Strategic location near Indo Pak border.

It is a place of sacrifice, courage and Valour of Our India Army. We had spent some time at War Memorial in Drass, It was a Goose-bumping moment for us when we were standing in front of Tiger Hill and Tololing  which was recaptured by Indian Army in Kargil war. 

                    

After Leaving  Drass we Continued our Journey on NH1 where we Crossed Zozila pass, Sonmarg, Baltal and Finally reached Srinagar in Evening.

Day 14 :- SHRINAGAR  

Till this day we were over exhausted and feeling a sense of home Sickness and everyone wanted to reach home as early as they can.

Though we had kept Two Days in Srinagar but we confined to only few Sight seen in Shrinagr which includes Dal Lake and Vashistha Temple 

Day 15 :- SHRINAGAR 

It was a Complete rest day in Srinagar, as most of us didn't left their Hotel room and remain Ideal for Whole day, while some went for Floating Shikara in Dal Lake to cut their boredom. In evening time we went to Local Bazaar for Shopping and had a Local cuisines.

 

 

Day 16 :- SHRINAGAR TO INDORE 

We left Hotel at 5.30 in the Morning for Srinagar Airport to Catch early morning flight for Delhi. the route from Hotel to Airport was under the secure Surveillance of India army.

After reaching Airport we went for Security check and finally Boarded in Flight to reach Delhi.

Flight took off from Shrinagar Airport on time and on looking from Window pane it looks as Himalayan mountain and Peeks covers with snow were waiving off and telling us Good Bye.

Our Flight Landed up in New Delhi and we had a Layover of few hours between our flight to Indore. During the Layover time everyone was so busy in sharing the Pics and Memories of our recently completed journey that no one had noticed that we had missed the final call for Boarding.

After getting a phone call from Airliner we rushed to Boarding terminal and finally boarded in flight to Indore (Our Bade Dada were the last person to board the Flight). We landed at Indore airport at 12:30 in Noon and Finally our trip has come to End after reaching INDORE

     

             

"With all the beautiful Reminiscence collected from the  Motorcycle diaries, All i can say that it was not only the Adventure trip we had done. But it was the best days of Fun,Surprise, Pleasure, Endurance, fight, Anger, Respect, Passion, Commitment and Teamwork we all had together"

Extremely thankful to Our  Tour Organizer  & Backup Crew ( Vision Himalayas) for make this trip happen.

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 Mr. Inder Singh Thakur & Support crew 

(Vision Himalayas)