[tanwaramit]

Keep them coming, I am glued on this.

I can only imagine doing such a journey on bikes, and with the problems you guys faced, its truly hats off.

[nandishpal]

bro you cant do this.waiting for more & everything.what a ride,what a experience.bore blowing

[janaganesh]

pls post the rest of the experience..waiting eagerly.

[SamtheLeo]

Thanks a lot Guys for your comments.

Our new found friend was riding Thunder bird old model a rented one for New Delhi.

[SamtheLeo]

Then came the highest point on Srinagar Leh Highway Fotula pass, it was already 7:45 pm at this point

[SamtheLeo]

We decided to take a stay at Lamayuru but 4 kms ahead of Lamayuru the newly built road was closed & we were divereted to the old Highway which wass going staright to Khaltse via the Deadly Ghaata loops (we came to know later) it was total dark & we for 24 kms niether saw a light nor found any signs of living being. The depth of gorges was so steep & deep , it was difficuilt to look at them. Even the mountains had different shades.

In all people say there are 20 hair-pin loops but we felt much more!!!!

Finally at 9:30 we reached Khaltse, finding a place to stay became a challenge as all hotels have parking on road & we had our luggage on bikes which we in any case did not wanted to open & ties again. This led us to govt resthouse again which was a PWD "daakbangla" this time.

We met Mr. Dorje there which is a story in itself. Mr Dorje was the Chowkidaar of that place but he was nothing less then a DM of Khaltse.
Chowkidaar sahab was fully under the sound influence of local alcohol.And would only talk in his special ladakhi english.

Daakbangla, only had parking in the name of facilities. There wasr no light in Bathrooms, no water in taps, no arrangement for hot water, & with western toilets there was no mugs as well

When enquired about breakfast & hot water & how would we bath!!! Chowkidaar sahab in his typical fashion replied

"Yeh Ladakh hain Ladakh, yeh roti nahi, Yeh light nahi & yahan koi nahi nahata !!!! Ha ha ha ha" C u two tomorrow.!!!!!!!"

[SamtheLeo]

Morning happened early as the day light comes at 4:45 am in the morning.

Driver from here to Leh was smooth with one break for Maggi & few other monuments like

1. PatharSahib Gurudwara
2. Magnetic Hill road
3. Leh Hall of Fame

However the last 30 or so kms of the road from Nimmu to Leh were worth the whole ride. A finest of tarmac road & barren land as far as you can see

[deky]

Originally Posted by SamtheLeo

We decided to take a stay at Lamayuru but 4 kms ahead of Lamayuru the newly built road was closed & we were divereted to the old Highway which wass going staright to Khaltse via the Deadly Ghaata loops (we came to know later) it was total dark & we for 24 kms niether saw a light nor found any signs of living being. The depth of gorges was so steep & deep , it was difficuilt to look at them. Even the mountains had different shades.

In all people say there are 20 hair-pin loops but we felt much more!!!!

is ghaata loops the same as the jalebi mod or hungroo loops? If yes they are indeed scary, I remember an incident that took place 20 years back and have narrated that in my Memoirs

When enquired about breakfast & hot water & how would we bath!!! Chowkidaar sahab in his typical fashion replied

"Yeh Ladakh hain Ladakh, yeh roti nahi, Yeh light nahi & yahan koi nahi nahata !!!! Ha ha ha ha" C u two tomorrow.!!!!!!!"

Lol, I heard exactly the same thing 20 years back. Some one mentioned that in Ladakh they only have both thrice in their life time. First when they born, second when they get married and the last time when they die...so it must be true..Hahahaha.

[SamtheLeo]

A few more Pics of the way.

[SamtheLeo]

Finally We reached Leh at around 12 except for the CI have some rear brake troubles everything was ok on this day.

We did a hotel (though we had a arrangement to stay at Karu).

Met Ghulam , thanked him for his help, put Bullets for checkup & had some much needed Rest.

I was advised the my bike has been loaded & should be here by tomorrow noon.

Tommorow we plan to go Pangong Tso, have only seen it in 3 idiotas or Wikipedia, hope it meets the expectation.

With this i grabbed a book from my hotel from Dieter Gogowoski named " Himalaya" the seach of Tara. A must read if you wish to know about Laddakh. It also detailed about a Yellow Hat monastery which is 4 days walk on foot away from the nearest road & you need to walk on a frozen river to reach there.

[SamtheLeo]

Dear Deky,

After reading your post i indeed again remembered that night, certainly they are same loops which we are talking here!!! we crossed them in night all alone, totally unwilling!!!

[Irish]

Ashish,

Nice travelogue.

I saw you having the photo session in the evening at Phillaur (around 1 km after crossing Sutlej River). I crossed you at this location in front of Gursewak guest house (dhaba famous for getting Delhi bound return taxis at low fares) in Phillaur.



Anyways, I hope you didn't face any such issues in rest of the journey which delayed your schedule?


Cheers!
Irish

[harishnayak]

Originally Posted by Irish

Ashish,

Nice travelogue.

I saw you having the photo session in the evening at Phillaur (around 1 km after crossing Sutlej River). I crossed you at this location in front of Gursewak guest house (dhaba famous for getting Delhi bound return taxis at low fares) in Phillaur.

Attachment 370731

Anyways, I hope you didn't face any such issues in rest of the journey which delayed your schedule?



Cheers!
Irish

Were you doing the same trip too?? I guess the LEH'ing session has started.

[SamtheLeo]

YouTube - MOV02534.AVI

[SamtheLeo]

On day 8 we decided to leave early as we had to return the same day, reason being the days we have lost due to various bike issues. A 6 night stay will turn to a 4 night stay. It was a bright sunny day & we left early. Had breakfast at Karu & it started snowing at Changla Pass, the worlds 3 rd highest motorable pass.