The ride of a lifetime: Manali to Leh
August 3rd, 2010 | Published in India & Around, Living, Photography, Sports & Adventure, Travel | 15 Comments
Over 400 kms on some of the worst roads (and no roads in some places) but the most beautiful countryside. Manali to Leh on cycle spanning 10 days and many many breathless moments (both because of the altitude and the sight of the mighty Himalayan ranges!).
The journey took us through lush evergreen forests, green hills and valleys to barren desert-like mountains with not a sight of tree for a whole day. Many a times we had just the river gushing beside us, endless miles of road in front and the mountains fringing the horizon challenging us as we embarked on our numerous climbs.
Spanning many high passes, numerous climbs, bone rattling downhills and some amazingly scenic landscapes made it the ride of a lifetime and a high like no other!
Meanwhile, here are some pictures:
And some pictures of the team members!
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:27 pm (#)
Had a look at the snaps… Tempting…
August 3rd, 2010 at 8:19 pm (#)
Anita,
The pics make one want to drop it all and go to the hills! Awesome trip, and lovely photographs.
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:52 pm (#)
awesome..
August 4th, 2010 at 10:18 am (#)
Hi Anita, congratulations on doing this trip! Its absolutely out of the world.. Your pics refreshed my memories when i travelled the same route last August (by car). Thank you! :-)
August 5th, 2010 at 11:01 am (#)
Stunning pics. My Ladakh journey has been postponed for a while but I have vowed to go there in the next 2–3 years, god and husband willing :)Sigh..am totally jealous :D
August 5th, 2010 at 10:35 pm (#)
Even i wanna go :)
lovely pics..
August 7th, 2010 at 12:46 am (#)
envious!!! it sure does seem like a ‘ride of a lifetime’ …gorgeous views.
August 28th, 2010 at 6:56 pm (#)
Wow. Sounds and looks very exciting.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:12 pm (#)
Wow — fantastic article, amazing trip, great photographs.… 1 day!!!
October 26th, 2010 at 9:34 am (#)
Realy Nice Blog I Like it
April 10th, 2011 at 10:50 pm (#)
Very nice. Thank you for posting lovely pics. Could you please post camera details and if possible some tips on how to plan such a trip.
Krish
April 11th, 2011 at 11:06 am (#)
@Krish: You’re welcome! I used a point and shoot (IXUS) on the road while cycling. This was easier to carry on me as I didn’t want the weight of an SLR. I used this for most of the pictures. To plan the trip, get a few numbers of agencies in Leh and talk to them. A lot of them do this kind of thing nowadays. We had a support vehicle and a cook who travelled with us. They set up tent every day and we had to reach that point by evening. There are lots of helpful tips online and people who have done it, so I don’t think you’ll find it a problem planning such a trip. If you have specific queries, do email me!
June 22nd, 2011 at 1:18 pm (#)
Hi Anita
Could you share your bike make, details of kit that you carried, any maintenance problems that you faced on route like chain slips, gear slips,etc., precautions that you took before starting the trip to ensure your bike is in good shape.
I plan to do Srinagar — Leh — Manali next year.
I own a Hercules Roadeo Torrent and most of the people say that this bike cannot withstand Manali to Ladakh. I would like to know what’s your opinion on this.
Thanks
Krish
June 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 pm (#)
Correction to my earlier comment: I meant “most of the people say that this bike cannot withstand even Srinagar to Ladakh”
October 8th, 2011 at 1:39 pm (#)
nice pictures…good photography
Another heaven on the Earth Darjeeling