Ask any motorbike fanatic for a destination for a road trip, and without a second thought, it will be Ladakh. The next time when wanderlust itches, take a motorbike trip to Ladakh and surrender yourself to the beauty of the Land of High Passes. Tough terrains, barren lands, pristine blue lakes, gigantic mountains and patches of greenery urge you to take the untraveled path. The exorbitant charisma of this scenic land is branched into several places that make road trip a splendid one. If you also have been bitten by the travel bug and you need to feed your wanderlust, travel to Ladakh!

For the sweeping scenic beauty of Ladakh Treks and Passes

ladakh bike trip

The stark blue sky paired with snow-laden mountains, lush vegetation and unspoiled blue lakes together form a surreal scene that every rider wishes to have a view of. The beautiful and robust roads meandering through the bleak mountains will let you ride some of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. An expedition through Khardung La to Nubra Valley and the road through Leh to Srinagar are some of the best routes in Ladakh region where you can zip through the mountainscapes.

Known as the roof of the world, Ladakh also houses some of the best treks, many of which are on the bucket-list of an enthusiastic trekker. Enclosed between the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges, Ladakh’s stark beauty will make you want to stay here forever. The landscapes wear the colors of nature which make the entire landscape a picture-perfect shot for anyone who loves to do nature photography. Some of the most prominent treks of Ladakh are Chadar trek, Markha valley trek and Tso-moriri Lake trek.

For the excellence of starry nights and Pristine Blue Lakes

A starry night in Ladakh
A starry night in Ladakh

The extensive lakes of Ladakh are marvelous in terms of beauty and elegance. The perfect amalgamation of blue sky and water makes the lake a picturesque spot for shutterbugs and nature adorers. Pangong Lake is lately popular among the tourists (thanks to the movie 3 idiots) due to its unparalleled beauty and the dramatic blue color of the water. In winter, every year a gala festival over the frozen lake is organized for ice- skating enthusiasts.

 

The many colors of Pangong Tso
The many colors of Pangong Tso

The feeling of camping alongside the Pangong Lake and coming out of the tent to such a breath-taking view every time, cannot be expressed in mere words. The starry nights near the campsite are so mesmerizing, it will totally bewitched you into its sheer glory. So if you are planning a trip to Ladakh, make sure to visit Pangong Lake. It will surely leave you awestruck with its charming landscapes that will be imprinted in your heart forever.

For the colorful Festivals of Ladakh and its monasteries

celebration at hemis festival
Hemis Festival in Ladakh

The warm culture and vibrant festivals Losar, Hemis and Naro Nasjal will definitely be a pleasure to anyone visiting Ladakh. The festivals are celebrated as a win over the evil, and the rituals follow a procession of troupes dressed in colorful costumes. And singing, dancing and listening to traditional music brings out peace and prosperity within them. The traveler spirit in you will find a deep connection if you let your soul delve in the trance state. And if you could not connect, enjoy the drama performance and click pictures of the colorful surrounding around you.

 The majestic Key Monastery with the magical views of the stars in the background
The majestic Key Monastery with the magical views of the stars in the background

Do not miss a visit to the historic monasteries to have an insight about customs and traditions of the Ladakhi people. The carving and wall paintings of the monasteries depict tenets of Buddhism and Buddha. Some of the monasteries you can explore are Shey, Thiksey, Matho, Phyang and Key Monasteries.

To savor the lip-smacking cuisine of Indo-Tibetans

Devour tasty Ladakhi cuisine. In picture: Thukpa
Devour tasty Ladakhi cuisine. In picture: Thukpa

You must have tried momos and thukkpa of various places, but the authentic flavor of Ladakh is just spectacular to the taste senses. The exotic chilly flavor in the thukkpa and the crunchiness of the fresh vegetables makes it a delightful slurp. And each bite of the freshly prepared momos will make you crave for more and more. The difference in the taste of Indo-Tibetan cuisine is the mystical spice hidden in the valley. It gives their thukkpa and momos a distinct flavor. Also, at many places you will be served with Timok, which is a bread much like an alternative to roti. To combat the freezing temperature, Ladakhi people eat chilies to keep their body warm and ready for harsh winters.

The pull of Magnetic Hill

Magnetic Hill Ladakh
Magnetic Hill Ladakh

Located 30 kilometers from Leh, Magnetic Hill is one of the most desired spots to visit in Leh. The strong magnetic properties of the hill pull cars uphill. The signboard at the Magnetic Hill invites you to stop your car, switch it off and leave it in neutral. As soon as you do this, your car starts moving uphill at a speed of 10-20 km per hour. People coming to this place make sure to experience this strange phenomenon once in a lifetime.

For bikers, their only love is to get on their bikes and snake up through the barren mountains of the region while enjoying the spellbinding scenic view. Well, I don’t think any biker will want to miss such a heavenly place. So gear up guys, pack up your bags and plan the next trip to Ladakh!

Winters adventures in India draws millions of intrepid travelers who love to explore the wilderness in its true form. Winter in northern India is filled with an abundance of activities, and is also the perfect time to experience some adventure in the South. If words like snowfall, coffee and snuggling appeal more to you, then head North, and to get some warmth, the southern regions welcome you with open arms. So this winter if your wanderlust feet are itching, it is time for you to take one of the winter adventures to make sure you have spent this season right.

Skiing: Slithering on snowy-slopes

Skiing
Skiing in Gulmarg is only for the gallant and the gusty

Snow-capped gigantic mountains surround India’s North, which also serves as a great spot for skiing. Snaking through the white-powdered snow, while taking in a panoramic view of the entire snow-dressed region makes up for an astounding thrill. You can fulfil your search for snow in Gulmarg(Jammu and Kashmir), Auli(Uttarakhand), and Manali(Himachal Pradesh). Gliding on snow laden slopes will give you memories you can treasure forever. Plus the skiing gear looks quite cool!

Gulmarg-ski-resortAn ultimate postcard location, Gulmarg looks so blissful in winters that you won’t be able to take your eyes off it. Snow settles so perfectly and delicately on the houses, meadows and trees that the entire city looks out of this world. Slide on the shimmering snow while taking in the entire perspective of the snow-covered Pir Panjal mountain range. This place experiences snowfall from December to March, so make your winters exhilarating. To better convince you, hit movies like Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Haider have been shot here, owing to its immense natural beauty.

skiing in Auli

Nestled in Garhwal Himalayas, 250 km from Rishikesh, skiing in Auli is gaining a lot attention among skiers, and snow lovers. Due to its good variation in the slopes, skiers get a great amount of thrill while skiing. What is better than a slide from 3 km high-rise slopes? Isn’t it an adrenaline you wish to experience? And with a drop in elevation of 500 m from peak-high altitudes, Auli is one of the best skiing grounds in the world.

Hot Air Ballooning: Talking to the air

Hot air Ballooning Goa

Rising above the clouds, taking in the marvellous spectacle of the horizon, and peeking through the clouds to see little patches of land; hot air ballooning gives a grandeur perspective of the entire world one lives in. If you always wanted to see the earth from a bird-eye-view, you must take this exhilarating ride to meet the sky. India is a land of diverse locations, culture, people and terrains. A ride from the above will be just spectacular due to the variety in terrains India boasts of.

Jaipur Hot Air Ballooning
Jaipur Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning in Goa is an additional  perk to the bag of thrills that this beach paradise boasts of. What a sight it would be! Hovering over the sparkling azure sea with the golden shores. If you have less time, and still want to explore the city of sunlit beaches, take the amazing balloon ride and you will thank yourself for the awesome choice. And to add more winter adventure to your bucket-list, you can choose to do hot air ballooning ride in Jaipur, Pushkar, Lonavala and Neemrana.

Paragliding: Flying like a bird

Paragliding

Have you ever thought what it would be like to soar high in the sky and experience a bird’s eye view of the world? If you do, plan your next trip adventurous and give Tandem Paragliding at Bir-Billing a try. The best way to feel like you’re flying without dying is through a jump from the second highest Paragliding site in the world. It will take your senses to next level, which is why Bir-Billing is one of the best gliding sites in the world. Jumping off from an edge and rising high in a second gives you an adrenaline rush you will love, which is what winter adventures are all about! You can experience this insane thrill at Kamshet in Maharashtra as well.

Scuba Diving: A peek into the underwater world

Magical underwater world!
Magical underwater world!

Feel like you are a part of the ocean as you swim through the rainbow of colorful marine life and reef fish at the top, and that amazing wall of white soft corals. Explore the world under the surface of the oceanic water in Goa and Netrani Island. Leave your stress at the surface, and plunge deep into the water to discover a world existing into our own world. Before you attempt Scuba Diving in Goa, you will be trained by experienced divers, who will impart some basic, but important skills required to do it.

India is enriched with bewitching landscapes and cities, and to experience the diverse nation, what is better than these adventures? Choose whatever suits you best, because when it comes to an adventure, India has tonnes of exhilarating activities which makes this country an ideal getaway destination for adrenaline seekers. Make your holiday awesome!