5 Reasons Why You Must Take A Bike Trip to Ladakh

Feel the rage of the winds in Ladakh

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!

About Author

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Resham Bhatia
Resham likes to call herself a humanist and a global citizen. She is an avid foodie, loves to travel, and is a mountain aficionado. In her free time, she cooks desserts, reads travel magazines and dances to her own tunes.