Ride To Heaven On Earth!

Blissful

It is a biker's dream to ride through the magical Himalayan passes, get awe inspired by breathtaking snow clad mountains, witness glacier melts gushing downstream, all screaming for attention.

Riding Thru Glacier Melt

Virgin beauty at its best- The 475 km ride offers thrilling view of deep gorge, mountain peaks, frozen lakes, and more plains. 

The mesmerizing ride starts from Manali, a lovely hill station in Himalchal Pradesh at an altitude of 2050m above sea level. The place has so much to offer - lovely apple orchids, Beas river, natural hot water springs, Hidimba temple, monasteries and thump of Royal enfield bullets crisscrossing Kullu valley. Above all, it is the gateway to Leh.

Picture Says It All

The Himalayan passes connecting Manali and Leh are open for 4 to 5 summer months (mid May to mid October.) Access and condition of the highways, that are maintained by Border Road Organization (BRO), depends on the amount of snowfall. You can check status here.

The area is prone to landslides which could result in heavy traffic jam on the highway. Remember here you are at the mercy of Nature.

Natures Fury

14/15 days would be ideal to ride from Manali to Leh, also cover Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso.

The Route

Manali -> Rohtang -> Keylong -> Jispa -> Baralacha La -> Sarchu -> Gata Loops -> Pang -> More Plains -> Tanglang La (Second Highest Pass) -> Upshi -> Leh.

Jispa, Sarchu or Keylong are best option for night stops. Jispa offers awesome tented cottages by Bhaga river. Avoid staying overnight at Pang due to it's high altitude, I would recommend Sarchu.

Road Map

The first and most important step is to hire the right bike - Royal Enfield, enough said! We hired bikes from Anu Auto works in Manali and the condition of the bikes were pretty good. I would suggest one to ride around the city for a couple of days and get used to the bike. This will help you fix any issues or worst case scenario change the bike before your ride could start. Respect the machine, it will ensure you have a smooth ride.

Keep in mind there is only one fuel station on the Manali - Leh highway at Tandi. Refill fuel in your bike and buy additional fuel (Jerry cans) as there are no petrol pumps for the next 350 kms. However, one would find villagers selling fuel on the way at a premium price, cannot guarantee the quality of fuel though.

Massive Snow Clad Peaks

Day 1 Manali

I had hired a Machismo 500cc, took her for a spin and got a few things fixed. And she was all set to be my best companion for the next 15 days to take me through one of the most toughest yet beautiful terrains. We visited Manali market and Hidimba temple. Manali was awesome, the perfect place to start your trip.

Kick Starting The Trip

Day 2 The Ride Commences

It was the best day of the tour, ending the long wait for this journey to begin. We left early to avoid the heavy traffic in Rohtang pass. It is a 52 km black carpet ride. As we approached the pass, Mother Nature had a surprise- there was a massive landslide the previous night and a heavy truck was literally thrown off the road leaving us stranded.

Traffic Jam Due To Landslide

The calm serene mountains had shown us, mere mortals, what it is capable of. Fury of nature could be unimaginable. Traffic was piled up for kilometers. It was snowing and this made things even worse, the pass soon turned into slick muck making it very difficult to crossover.

The India Army was pressed into action to rescue the truck and clear the road. It was amazing to see how swiftly they started their work. Heavy army vehicles tried their best to get the truck back on road. Like someone rightly said 'You cannot argue with Nature.' The more they tried to lift the truck, the more it triggered landslides. With no options left, we decided to camp that night hoping for the best.

Day 3

The next day we were rudely woken up by a noisy film crew. It was stunning Aishwarya Rai and Akshay Kumar filming a song sequence. After drooling for a bit we rode to the pass. By then, the BRO had turned their attention towards clearing the road. In matter of hours with the help of people stranded, the road was fixed and wheels were set in motion. One by one the vehicles started moving. It was difficult to ride through due to snow. Finally, we crossed Rothang pass and it was such a wonderful feeling.

Our Camp

Third day on there was no looking back, no hurdles, Mother Nature was very kind to us. We were passing through one of the most beautiful landscapes. It was a treat to our eyes mystic land far away from all commercialism, life here was so beautiful. A place where dal chawal and hot maggie was all that one needed and craved for. Those few settlements that you pass through everyone greets you with a smile.

One Of The Very Few Dhabas

Day 4

Pics Do Not Do Justice To This Place

We reached Leh, the then capital city of Himalayan kingdom. Leh is at an altitude of 11562 feet above sea level, hence altitude sickness is guaranteed, please be prepared. It is advisable to stay in Leh for a couple of days and get acclimatised, best to consult a doctor and get prescription to fight AMS.

Black Carpet

Attractions in Leh are plenty, you can ride to Sindh river- one of the best places to watch the sun set, Santhi stupa, Leh royal palace, War museum, and fantastic monasteries.

Rest of the days one could plan according to their convenience, a day's trip to Pangong Tso is highly recommended. This high altitude lake is 150 km from Leh it spreads across India and China.

Pangong Tso

Nubra valley - this cold desert is 150 km away from Leh and is famous for double humped camels. En-route one would pass through Kardhung la (17,582 ft) - the ultimate destination, widely claimed to be the world's highest motarable road. A quite pass housing an Army camp. One would not be able to spend a lot of time there due to the altitude, and low oxygen level. It is beyond explanation to set foot there it can only be experienced not explained.

18000 Feet - Awesome

To visit the above mentioned places you would have to get prior approval. Permits should be obtained from Leh tourist office. It is advisable not to approach tour operators for these permits as you might not get permits for all places, apart from burning a hole in your pocket.

An extensive trip to Kargil - Drass - Kashmir sector is possible if you have couple of extra days to spare. Provided there is no political unrest or curfew imposed. 

Returning to Manali was the toughest part - reason not the ride but parting ways with mighty Himalayas, scenic surroundings, waving and greeting locals, hot maggie and finally saying goodbye to the dear bullet. 

Leh is so charming you will not be able to stop yourself from visiting again! 

Things To Carry

Good Leather Jacket.
Gum Boots are mandatory.
Meds for altitude sickness is must.
Bike spares - fuse, clutch/accelerator cables, tube, chain links.
Puncture Repair kit.
Torch.
Helmet, Balaclava and good pair of riding gloves.
Jerry can.
Thermal wear.
Sunscreen lotion.
Nuts and chocolates.
Saddle bags.
Postpaid sim card. Prepaid cards do not work.
There are very few ATMs carry enough cash.
The lighter you pack the better the comfort.

How To Best Prepare Your Bike For Long Road Trips!

Good maintenance of any vehicle is a must irrespective of taking it on long rides or not, this will ensure you have a trouble free ride. A bikes health and well being is as important as the riders' health. Respect the machine and you will be respected!

Long Ride Preps! 

• Engine oil! It's a must to replace engine oil every 2500-3000 km. Remember engine oil is life line of your bike. It's good idea to replace before long rides.  
• Engine Oil level should be between Max & Min. Do not worry about color, check viscosity. 
• Check/replace gear box oil.
• Check/Replace oil filter every 2500-3000 km.
• Check/replace air filter every 2500-3000 km..
• Check tyre tread depth if reached max lifetime/km do replace. 
• Check/Replace both tubes- will reduce chances of flat tire. 
• Check/replace clutch plates if necessary.
• Check drive and chain sprocket.
• Check condition of chain/weak or cracked links.
• Check/replace fork oil and seal. 
• Carburetor tuning.
• Wheel alignment & Get Rim True done if required.
• Get your bike serviced at-least 2 weeks in advance, this will help you test ride & fix any issues.
• Replace clutch/brake/accelerator cables. Do not discard old cables carry them as spares. 
• Check/replace brake shoe or disc pad if necessary.  
• Check/Replace De-comp cable in case of Standard Bullets 'CI Engine.'
• CI Engine Bullet Check condition of 'Electronic Points.'
• Replace spark plug every 12-15000 km.
• Check/refill battery electrolyte level.
• Recharge battery or replace old one. 
• Check/top up/replace disc brake oil.
• Check if seat cushioning is in good condition. Last thing you want is a sore bum and hard seat. 
• Check if all electrical components are working fine.
• Correct drive chain tension.
• Check and refill tire pressure every week.
• Correct tire pressure for Bullet Solo - F-20, R-30. With Pillion F-22, R-32. 

Spares

• Chain link lock assembly- 2 nos.
• Spark plug.
• Clutch lever (to replace in case of accident/fall) especially while riding to Leh (Black Ice!)
• Quality fuse (5 nos)
• Insulation tape.
• Bike spare Key.
• Butyl Tube. (3.25-19) fits front & rear just fine for Standard Bullet. 
• Headlight/Tail light Bulb.
• Engine oil (20w 50 for CI) for top ups, must after 500 km or in case of oil leak..
• Few nuts/bolts of various size.
• Foot Pump 
• Tubeless puncture kit. 
• Comprehensive Tool kit (original kit must.)
• Cutting plier to remove nail or sharp object stuck in tyre.
• Jerry can for spare fuel. Funnel or cut bottle neck (Dispose responsibly.)
• Bungee cord.
• Petrol pipe 1 -2 mt.
• Lubricant for chain (use every 500 km.)
• Grease. 
• Swiss army knife. 
• Permanent marker, could be used to mark the spot while dismantling wheel in case of flat tyre will be helpful while reassembling.
• First aid Kit.

Daily Checks

• Clean the bike every morning.
• Check engine oil level (best when engine is warm.)
• Check for any leaks.
• Frequently check for any cuts/cracks in tire, remove embedded gravel.
• While saddling bags be sure to tightly secure straps. 
• Start the engine and let in run for few minutes, warn up the engine before hitting the road.
• Max load bike could take is 175 kg, respect that limit. 

Brownie Points 

• While transporting bike always remember to remove the mirrors.
• Do not kill the engine immediately after long rides. Let it idle for few mins. 
• Never use exhaust pipe for support while loading bike.
• Do not over rev if stuck in muck or slush. Get down and try to push the bike. 
• Inspect/Replace helmet visor prior to long ride. 
• Carry all original vehicle documents + Photocopies. 
• Spend time at the work shop and learn basics mechanics.
• Always carry the owner manual, PDF form. 
• Torch is a must. 
• All specifications/numbers are for Standard Bullet CI engine. 
• If CI engine kicker fails! Push the bike down hill, engage de-compressor to release pressure and shift to 2nd gear, the bike should start. 
• I personally do not prefer the 'Leh Luggage Carrier,' instead I use saddle & tank bag. 
• For spare fuel I got an exclusive carrier fabricated (fits 10 liter can.)
• Safety gears absolute must!
• Always help a stranded biker/traveller. 

Above all be a passionate biker and not dare devil! Start early ride slow, enjoy and make memories on the way, appreciate Nature. There is no point in rushing and clocking kilometers. Try and avoid riding post sunset. 

Following the above tips should make sure one has a smooth ride however, if something goes wrong and bike fails do not panic try and identify the issue the solution would be fairly simple most of the times. Bikers are always up for adventures, we would have better stories to share!

"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul!"