I Rode the High Passes including "Khardungla Pass (18380ft ASL)" in Ladakh

[mark_2610]

The Highest Motorable Road in the World:

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Hello everyone..

I am Mark from Shillong,Meghalaya, Northeast India.. Just want to share my ride that i did during July 2012, which is the ride to Leh, Ladakh.. riding through the highest motorable road in the world as it is known. Passing through the height of 18380ft ASL, and continuing our journey towards the Cold Desert (Nubra Valley)..

Here are some pics to share.

At Pangong Tso Lake

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Resting on our way to the Cold Desert (Nubra Valley)

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Coming back from Pangong Tso Lake

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Riding through the desert on the Mountains (Moray Plains)

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Having fun at the Lake

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Here is how My Ride to the High Passes started..
I ship my motorcycle to Delhi from Shillong, Meghalaya. Flew to Delhi and got the bike all serviced and ready for the ride to the mountains, The Himalayas!!

Ready to Ride. This is at Gurgaon..

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Bike all Set to go..

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Rode a few hundreds of kms and we reach Amritsar.. We visited the Golden Temple there.. was so peaceful and so relaxing especially before the ride..

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When we reached Kashmir.. it was raining.. Had to put on my wet suit.. but just can't ride through these beautiful greenness.. so stopped for some pics with the drizzles on the cam.. and on me..

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some more pics of Kashmir.

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We proceed from Kashmir towards Kargil through Zojila Pass

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As we wait.. there was felling of stones.. had to wait for 3-4 hours till they cleared the road....

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Entering into Zojila Pass.. it was slippery...

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The army helped in clearing the stones and we helped too..

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Riding again

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That Kargil.. Started for Leh

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At the magnetic hill.. but nothing happened like we read on the board..

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So we rode off the tarmac

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till how much our Enfield can climb

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Indus Valley.. 20kms approx to Leh

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And we reached Leh.. checked into a hotel at Leh.
We can't stop looking around everywhere.. so magical.. wide open spaces. Unloaded our luggage into the hotel room. freshen up.. and got our passes made to visit Khardung La (The highest Motorable road in the world and Nubra Valley (the Cold Desert).
And also Pangong Tso Lake. Which is a totally different route. We had to come back to Leh from Nubra Valley crossing Khardung La again.
we stayed the night at Leh. Met with some frens who came with a different group. Partied the evening. Talk bout where esle we would ride around Ladakh.
Can't wait for morning to come. so we can load our motorcycles and ride the highest motorable road in the world. Heart was beating fast coz of the excitement. Imagining how it would be there..

And we started....
and we reached Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road in the world 18380Ft ASL)

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Khardung La

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Towards the Cold Desert (Nubra Valley)

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Stayed the night on tents at Nubra Valley....
Left for Leh the next morning... Stayed at Leh.. and left for Pangong Tso Lake.. This time riding alone.. All my friends are tired.. they hired a vehicle to take them to the lake. Was on my own the whole way to the lake and back.. So much fun it was..

Here are some pics of the Pangong Tso Lake

First glimpse of the Lake.. what a sight.. i was breathing in and out so hard.. I went WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! can't imagi

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ne something like that on earth...

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[Dave DRZ]

That is brilliant - thanks for sharing Mark.

This trip is definitely on my bucket list.

Dave

[mark_2610]

Glad U like it Dave.. Will be adding more pictures..

Mark

[PHILinFRANCE]

Great stuff Mark looking forward to the next pics
Phil

[mark_2610]

Thanks Phil.. Pics coming soon..

[mountainwhale]

Fantastic! This is the number one trip I've been wanting to do for the past 15 years. Thanks for sharing

[Barnman]

Looks great Mark, thanks for sharing.

Do you own the Enfield, or is it an hire bike? I am curious if hire bikes are an option and how reliable they would be for a trip like that.

Cheers
Mike

[mark_2610]

You should do it soon Mountainwhale its amazing.. My pleasure sharing.. Ride safe

[mark_2610]

Yes i own an Enfield Barnman. Took my own bike for this ride.. makes it special for me
You can get bikes on hire at Leh itself or if You want You can get them at Delhi, i.e. if U want to ride from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh. Hire bikes depends on the owner who maintains them.. they should be good for the ride, because its not a short ride and not too easy. Try to get a atleast close to new condition if U hire. Then it shouldn't give You much problems.
All the best.. Ride safe

[Redmurty]

Excellent thank you cheers Spud