10 Days of Adventurous Travel in Ladakh - By Bike from New Delhi

  • Day 1: Manali
    11 hours (534 km) from New Delhi

    Start your adventure with a long but scenic journey to Manali, a popular town in Himachal Pradesh. Visit the Hadimba Temple, a serene and rustic temple surrounded by cedar trees. Take a stroll in the peaceful Manali Nature Park which is perfect for bird watching, trekking, and camping.

  • Day 2: Jispa
    4-5 hours (140 km) from Manali

    Travel to Jispa, a remote village in the Lahaul Valley. On the way, visit the Rohtang Pass, a high mountain pass that offers picturesque views of the Himalayas. Take a break at Keylong, a cozy town near Jispa, before checking in to your accommodation in Jispa.

  • Day 3: Leh
    10-11 hours (335 km) from Jispa

    Embark on a long journey to Leh, the largest town in Ladakh. Explore the ancient Buddhist monasteries such as the Thiksey Monastery, the Shey Monastery, and the Hemis Monastery. Make a pit stop at Upshi, a small town en route to Leh.

  • Day 4: Nubra Valley
    4-5 hours (120 km) from Leh

    Take a bike ride to the spectacular high-altitude desert of Nubra Valley. Ride on the famous Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Visit the famous Diskit Monastery which houses a towering statue of the Maitreya Buddha, and take a camel ride on the sand dunes.

  • Day 5: Pangong Tso Lake
    5-6 hours (160 km) from Nubra Valley

    Travel to the breathtaking Pangong Tso Lake, an endorheic lake situated at an altitude of 4,350 m. The lake is renowned for its crystal-clear blue waters and the spectacular view it provides. Spend the night in a campsite near the lake under a starry sky.

  • Day 6: Leh
    6-7 hours (223 km) from Pangong Tso Lake

    Travel back to Leh, through magnificent desert landscapes and small mountain passes. Visit the Shanti Stupa, a white-domed Buddhist stupa, and appreciate the panoramic view of Leh city from the top.

  • Day 7: Zanskar Valley
    5-6 hours (240 km) from Leh

    Explore the secluded and pristine beauty of Zanskar Valley, known for its stunning landscapes, unique culture, and majestic mountains. Visit the Zangla Fort, the Karsha Monastery, and the Stongdey Monastery.

  • Day 8: Kargil
    5-6 hours (210 km) from Zanskar Valley

    Head to Kargil, a historic town located at the center of the conflict between India and Pakistan. Visit the Kargil War Memorial, a museum that pays tribute to the martyrs of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1999.

  • Day 9: Srinagar
    6-7 hours (203 km) from Kargil

    Travel to Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Spend the day exploring the city's Mughal gardens, lakes, and markets. Take a shikara ride on Dal Lake and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Himalayan foothills.

  • Day 10: Sonmarg
    2-3 hours (80 km) from Srinagar

    End your adventure with a visit to the beautiful and serene town of Sonmarg, known as the "Meadow of Gold". Go trekking and horse riding on the glacier at the Thajiwas Mountains, and indulge in trout fishing in the Sind River.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Hadimba Temple (1 hour, ₹50)
  • Manali Nature Park (2 hours, ₹20)
  • Rohtang Pass (2 hours, ₹500)
  • Keylong (1 hour, no entry fee)
  • Thiksey Monastery (2 hours, ₹30)
  • Shey Monastery (1 hour, ₹30)
  • Hemis Monastery (3 hours, ₹50)
  • Diskit Monastery (2 hours, ₹30)
  • Pangong Tso Lake (2 hours, no entry fee)
  • Shanti Stupa (1 hour, ₹50)
  • Zangla Fort (1 hour, ₹20)
  • Karsha Monastery (1 hour, ₹20)
  • Stongdey Monastery (1 hour, ₹20)
  • Kargil War Memorial (2 hours, no entry fee)
  • Shikara ride on Dal Lake (2 hours, ₹400)
  • Thajiwas Mountains (4 hours, ₹500)
  • Sind River (3 hours, ₹300)
  • Total Estimated Costs (excluding travel and accommodations): ₹1,770

Transportation

Biking is the best way to explore all these places with a hire cost of ₹1,000-2,000 per day. The total travel cost for this 10-day trip is approximately ₹15,000-20,000. Note that the bike needs to be equipped with a good engine and breaks to navigate the rough terrain of Ladakh.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, don't miss a visit to the Spituk Monastery, the Alchi Monastery, and the Uleytopko Trek, all located near Leh. If you have less time, skip the trip to Srinagar and directly come back to Delhi from Kargil.

Airports

The nearest airport to Ladakh is the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) located in Leh, 3 km away from the city center.

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