Travel All Parts Of Leh Ladakh By Bike? Ladakh Bike Travel Guide

 Ladhak Bike Travel Guide

Planning to go on a road trip? better yet a bike road trip through the bliss of the Himalayan mountains and valleys that are worth all the trouble? well, I got you all covered. 

Here is my guide to having a perfect Ladakh bike road trip that you will remember for your life. 

First let's get the basics questions out of the way because, at such high altitude, it is very important to keep your body and mind in a healthy condition. 

• Are you conditioned for such an endurance ride?
• You should plan to complete the trip before the monsoons hit.
• Do you have the necessary skills to repair your bike or have someone on your team who can?
• How do you plan to carry your luggage?
• I hope you are not planning to ride at night.
• Get yourselves a complete health checkup before setting out. Be prepared to tackle AMS.
• Get yourselves good riding gear (helmets, knee and elbow guards, weatherproof gloves, shoes and proper riding jacket, reflective clothing, sunglasses)
• Get your bike properly serviced before the trip and ride sensibly and carefully
• Keep yourselves hydrated during the ride
• Have first aid kit handy
• Keep nutrition bars, chocolates, fruits and nuts handy
• Plan your itinerary and identify night halts and backup night halts along the route.
• Finally, be prepared to quit and return home if things get too demanding or difficult.

Now keep these questions in your mind as you plan your trip. Get your equipment ready and have someone who has done bike trips before who can actually guide you.

Renting bikes in Leh: I guess it would be around 1000 - 1600/day for a bullet. Fuel would be extra and if you have your own bike prepare it for high altitude and rough travel. The conditions are very different from what the machine is used to. I'm no bike genius and maybe so are you so it's always better to consult with someone who knows these stuff. 

health conditions to be for a lookout for: 

Oxygen. Oxygen levels are highest at sea level, but they fall steadily at increasing altitudes. Most men won't notice any effect until about 5,000 feet; even at one mile above sea level, breathing is comfortable at rest but becomes laboured with exertion. And the higher you go, the harder your lungs have to work to take in the oxygen you need.

Barometric pressure. When the forecaster predicts low pressure at home, you expect dull, heavy air. But as men ascend to high altitude, low pressure means less efficient oxygen uptake.

Falling temperatures. At home, it's easier to exercise when it's cool. But at heights, cool temperatures mean that your body will have to divert some of its oxygen simply to keep you warm. On average, the ambient temperature falls about 4˚F for every 1,000 feet of elevation.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Thin air lets in more UV radiation, resulting in a higher risk of snow blindness and sunburn.

Dehydration. Mountain air is dry, and breathing is fast at heights. The result: Lots of fluid is lost from the lungs.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common but least serious syndrome. AMS usually begins within the first 6–24 hours at altitude, but it can be delayed by several days. Headache is the most common complaint; that's why the ancient Chinese named one peak Great Headache Mountain and another Little Headache Mountain. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, insomnia, weakness and lethargy, and flu-like symptoms.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious illness that can be fatal. Uncommon at 8,000 feet, HAPE can affect up to 15% of previously healthy people at 14,000 feet. Symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, chest tightness, and mild mental dullness or confusion begin two to four days after reaching altitude.

High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is the most critical form of altitude sickness. It occurs when fluid and pressure build up in the brain; most victims also have fluid in their lungs. Confusion rapidly gives way to bizarre behaviour, incoordination, and hallucinations. Without treatment, HACE progresses to coma and death.

The Drive: Here are a few points worth noting when you are on the drive. these are a few things to look out for and be prepared beforehand. 

• Roads are bad, especially from Sarchu as you approach Pang. So, do not estimate travel time based on distance. We took close to 15 hours from Jispa to Leh with just one break at Sarchu for lunch.
• Acute Mountain Sickness is real and can become ugly very fast. I was hit by AMS overnight at Jispa and had a very bad time till I reached Leh. So, keep yourself hydrated even if you do not feel thirsty, avoid heavy food and do not spend too much time on the high passes. Keep portable oxygen handy, if possible.
• Landslides are quite frequent. We were stuck close to Baralacha La for close to an hour for a landslide to be cleared. So, plan accordingly.
• The landscape is unreal, a thousand shades of brown, if I may put it so! Very little greenery once you leave Jispa. But, the rivers, occasional lakes and mountains give you company.
• Drive safe. Roads are unstable towards the cliffside. So, try to stay on the mountainside as far as possible. Do not attempt to drive if it rains or snows overnight. It can get dangerous.

The best time to visit Ladakh depends on what you want

To avoid the tourist rush but still go by road - (via Zoji La) or May (via Rohtang Jot). Be aware that roads can be in pretty bad shape after being under snow for close to six months. There can be some water crossings as the snow starts to melt. The crowds would still be a month away. Most places in Ladakhwould be accessible around this time. It would still be cold but, pleasant at least by day.

To enjoy the best weather at the cost of peak season - June to August. This is the time when most people visit Ladakh. Everything from food to accommodation

becomes expensive. Weather is at its best, but be careful not to get sunburnt - sunlight can be very harsh at such altitudes. All places should be accessible at this time.

To see autumn colours, beat the crowds and enjoy best riving conditions - late August to mid-October. The crowds would have started leaving. Autumn colours would paint the landscape in hues of yellow, orange and red. Weather would still be good enough for day time. Food and accommodation start to become more affordable. Roads are well cleared, mostly no water crossings and less congested. For me, this is the best time to visit Ladakh.

Some final tips would be to stay at high altitude for a few days to acclimatize to high altitude. So do remember to acclimatize for two days if you fly in to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness.

If you want more tips about the cost of staying or other expenses please reach out to me through email or leave a comment I will be happy to help you and I couldn't cover all the topics in this post so if you want more information please do mention in the comment section and will write another post covering the topics you want. 

Thank you for reading I hope you to have a happy and safe trip.