Why is Bike Tour in North India a Must for Every Bike Owner?

Thousands of years ago, some magnificent human being, rolled a log and understood that man can travel from one place to another, faster. Then came the wheel. Then came the engine. Finally, came the motor bike. Anyone who tells you that bikes are supposed to take you from point A to point B, well how should one say this without sounding extreme, deserves to be avoided. Forever.

Anyone who owns a bike and likes riding it beyond the average work days understands this – bikes are love, an entire experience within themselves. Obviously, you can always buy a convertible car and enjoy the air playing with your hair, but that is not even the point. That feeling of kick starting a bike and riding along the way where your desires are your GPS and your heart is the compass – only a biker can understand.

Now, you need to visit Leh-Ladakh on a bike trip, is the unsaid rule. Comics will joke about it and movies will be made around it but you can only know what it feels like, when you experience it. Riding a few thousand kilometres all by yourself in the company of tarmac and the mountains and the views and freedom, it’s worth all the efforts. If you can picture it, you should go for it.

Popular culture has imbibed it in our brains – Ladakh bike tour is all you have. You can only go so far from the truth! India is vastly expanded in all the four directions, so there will always be roads unexplored and mountains unconquered by you.

You can start from any point A and have your point B in Leh. That said, if you really want this trip to be the most beautiful bike ride of your life, start from Manali. There are many touring options available, so even if you don’t have a bike for yourself you can rent one and kick start your trip. Now, before you set out on your Manali to Leh bike tour, ensure you have the following – a clear route in mind, knowledge about the terrain and the weather, a bike (yes, you will need that) and lots of courage within you. Take it this way, riding at 18,000 ft. is both beautiful and daring, so it rewards to be courageous.

It is highly recommended that you go with an entourage of riders by your side, because mankind is used to conquering in tribes! Besides this way, you will fight together, eat together and ride together. Who knows, at the end of the trip you end up falling in love with bike riding again and also find a few friends for life!

Your trip will start from the beautiful Manali. Once you have enjoyed the trance here, you will set out to explore the testing routes of Rohtang Pass. It is aptly your first test – the unpredictable weather, breath-taking heights and steep turns of the roads will make you question your desire of conquering the road on this bike tour in North India! That said, with a bit of determination and your brotherly riders by your side, this will not be as difficult as it seems and you shall pass the test of the Rohtang Pass.

After this, you will glide with your ride into the calms of Lahaul Valley. The light-hearted would have left by now and the only ones riding alongside would be no less than warriors on horsebacks. Every mile you travel will make you understand how small the worries of your every-day lives are, against these splendid mountains guarding the roads on both the sides.

Soon you shall descend into the Sarchu plains and reach Leh, while the enormity of the mountains and the peace they provide you only keeps ascending. All the brave hearts are finally rewarded with the honour of riding through one of the world’s highest motorable roads at over 18,000 ft. – the Khardung-la. The views of the Nubra Valley and echoes of the roaring engines will be your anthem for the time being.

Finally, after having spent days riding through the roads and nights sleeping in tents, you will reach the Pangong lake, and once you reach there you will know that no matter how tough it was – it was all worth it.

All the imagery that follows you, the clan you develop with your fellow riders, the stories you create with every mile covered and the courage you plant within yourself on looking at the enormous mountains on all your sides – these are the reasons why if you have the desire to go biking through this route, you should embark on the journey at your earliest possible.

For more information email us: tours@shikhar.com