Exploring Leh Ladakh by Bike: Tips, Routes, and Best Bike to Go

What is the one dream every biker has? To go on a Leh-Ladakh bike trip. Isn't it? Going on a trip to the ‘land of high passes’ is something every biker dreams of. Navigating the challenging terrain while enjoying the beautiful views of snow-clad Himalayan mountains, soaring peaks, and rugged landscapes is a dream for many. However, it is worth noting that riding a bike in Leh, Ladakh is not an easy feat! The roads are scary, and for tourists, it can be a unique challenge to ride here, irrespective of whether they are seasoned riders. Also, if you do not plan your trip well, you might not enjoy your bike excursion here.
That is why this blog focuses on sharing gritty details about a bike trip to Leh Ladakh, to help you plan and have the most memorable trip of your life. Let’s begin.

Eligibility

Before planning your Leh-Ladakh bike trip, you should know the eligibility criteria. Here it is:

• Being over 25 and having a legal driving license are crucial.
• Having a long bike ride experience is a must.
• Have a group of six people for your Leh-Ladakh trip.
• You should also have a valid license, a legal ID, proof of address, and all other essential documents. 
• Even Indian nationals will need an ILP, or Inner Line Permit, to visit Ladakh’s protected areas.
• International tourists need more permits.

Ideal Duration for Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

The ideal duration for a Leh Ladakh bike trip is 15 days. This is the ideal duration taking into consideration everything from the route, weather conditions, your stops and tourist spots, and more. 

The Ideal time for Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

From June to September, it is the best time for you to visit Leh, Ladakh, for your bike trip. During these months, the roads are open, and the weather is good too. During the monsoon season, the roads are dangerous, so a bike trip during this time should be avoided.

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip- Charges

The charges of your bike trip to Leh Ladakh will depend on multiple factors. Having a budget surely helps. The factors affecting the price of the trip include:

• Accommodations
• Meal choices
• The vehicle you choose 
• Fuel

Calculating all these, the average budget of a bike trip to Leh Ladakh will be around INR 35,000 for 15 days including costs for permits and other things. Not a bad deal!

Best Bikes For Leh Ladakh Road Trip

It is so essential that you choose the best bike for your Leh-Ladakh trip. Go for bikes, which can easily navigate the challenging roads of Leh, Ladakh. Something easy to maintain and safe as well. We recommend driving or renting one of these three bikes for your trip.

Royal Enfield

For a bike trip to the land of passes, the best bike is Royal Enfield. A powerful bike with a strong engine of 350 or 500 CC is ideal for a challenging trip here.

Bajaj Pulsar

Bajaj Pulsar is a famous bike in India. Its variants, like 150CC, 220CC, and 200CC, make it a trustworthy bike to have for your adventures in Leh and Ladakh.

CBR 250

The amazing bike from Honda is a stunning option to choose for your Leh-Ladakh trip. If you have this bike, ensure you replace the Contigo tires to ensure you use the fi and torque technology of this bike to great use. 

Tips to follow for the best Leh-Ladakh bike trip

• Follow all the rules. If you break one, you might get injured severely or even end up dying. 
• If taking the Manali to Leh route, carry extra petrol jars along with full tanks as there are only two petrol pumps on the route. So, be on the safer side and carry extra.
• Learn basic bike maintenance tips, like changing bike tires. 
• Carry cash, as you might need change, and ATMs can be out of money or hard to find.
• Also, only three network operators—Airtel, Aircel, and BSNL—work here, so carry a SIM card from each of these operators. 

Three Best Routes for Leh Ladakh Bike Trip From Delhi

Here are three routes for the Leh Ladakh bike trip with Delhi as the base.

Route 1: Srinagar-Leh-Srinagar

Map: Delhi → Jalandhar → Jammu → Srinagar → Kargil → Leh → Karu → Sarchu → Manali → Delhi

Distance Covered: 2,295 km.

Route 2: Manali-Leh-Manali

Map: Delhi → Manali → Sarchu → Leh → KhardungLa → Nubra Valley → Kargil → Srinagar → Delhi

Distance Covered: 2,569 km

Route 3: Delhi-Leh-Delhi

Map: Delhi → Manali → Sarchu → Leh → KhardungLa → Nubra Valley → Kargil → Srinagar → Delhi

Distance Covered: 2,022 km

Takeaway

A Leh Ladakh bike trip is an enthralling and memorable experience. The thrill you feel as you ride a bike through the challenging roads of Leh Ladakh is unmatched. Choose a bike trip to Leh Ladakh which is slow-paced to ensure you experience this vast landscape fully. On your bike trip, you will experience Leh Ladakh in its originality and even experience the place through a camping expedition. Pause your bike trip to go on adventure tours, and safaris and even stay at the luxurious cottages, homestays, and resorts.

Check out new camo shorts for your trip.