Insider tips for your road trip through Leh Ladakh, India

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Beautiful, awe-inspiring and endless, Leh Ladakh is a land like no other. Given its vast distances, stunning views and endless roads to explore, it is one of the most highly regarded destinations for road tripping in the world!

The best time to take a bike trip to Leh Ladakh is when the snow has melted, leaving the mountain passes open, as the city is otherwise landlocked for most of the year. The area can be reached from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir or Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Many people believe that the trip to Leh itself is just as exciting as their actual stay there, especially if you travel by bike, as you have an uninterrupted view of the stunning panoramas around you.

Our insider tips and tricks are a must for taking the road less travelled and making memories you’ll never forget:

Road trip through Leh Ladakh

Top Survival Tips

 
  • You need to remember that the region of Ladakh is high altitude terrain and that travelling by bike will mean you are exposed to the elements. The key to survival will be maintaining a near constant skin temperature.
  • With most of the day spent in the harsh sun and at high altitudes, it is essential that you carry sunscreen with you to avoid becoming burned. You will also need to regularly reapply to ensure protection
  • Another product that you should carry with you is moisturising face cream – and plenty of it. Your skin will certainly feel the hours spent on the back of a bike and the cream will help it to remain healthy.
  • Make sure that you carry proper clothing, preferably light and long-sleeved items that will protect against the elements. It is recommended to wear a bandana under your helmet to handle your hair.
  • Make sure that you have waterproof shoes with you, as you might have to wade through streams during your trip. Imagine trying to ride with sopping wet shoes, which are just uncomfortable.

Must-Do Activities

 
  • Monasteries – Ladakh is predominately a Tibetan Buddhist region, so you will see plenty of monasteries around. Visiting one will not only offer you an insight into the life of a monk, it will help you to gain a better understanding of Buddhism. These buildings are also filled with artwork and historical artifacts.
  • History – Did you know that Ladakh was an important stopover on ancient caravan routes? When visiting Leh, make sure that you also stop by some of the historical monuments, such as Leh Palace (modeled on the Potala Palace), the Zorawar Fort and the Victory Tour.
  • Cuisine – Your road trip to Leh Ladakh will not be complete without taking the opportunity to try some of the local cuisine. Leh offers a unique blend of Indian, Tibetan and Continental foods. Why not try their specialty butter tea, known as gur gur? Or why not try the local variety of beer, known as chang, made of fermented barley?

If you are in the process of planning a road trip to Leh Ladakh, it is important that you have taken everything that we have said into account. Whether you pick up on a survival tip or two that ultimately make your journey more comfortable or whether you discover an attraction that you would never have otherwise known existed, we hope that this guide teaches you something. And, about all else, we hope that you enjoy your trip to Leh.

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