Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh on Bike

With the seasons playing out extreme odds in Ladakh, there is a lot of confusion about what is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh on bike. This is mostly owed to the entry points of getting into Ladakh, Zoji La and Rohtang Pass that stay closed in the season of winter. Also, these entry points get a little tricky to get through at the time of monsoon due to frequent landslides. This leaves a little window of time through the year where you can gain access to the moonscapes of Ladakh.

The months of June to September are considered to be the best time for a visit to Ladakh. Apart from these months, you can also do a Ladakh bike trip in the months of winter, but the temperatures make it very difficult and tricky to ride during your trip to Leh-Ladakh.

Owing to the fact that you can bring your own, as well as hire bikes to ride till Ladakh, there is a slight variation in the cost of a bike for Ladakh trip. Taking into consideration the costs arising out of maintenance, fuel, stay, food, gear, and permits, the cost of a trip on your own bike will cost you around INR 17,000- 20,000, while on hiring a bike can cost about INR 25,000-28,000. This cost makes the summers the best time to visit Leh Ladakh on Bike.

You must check out the Delhi to Leh guide before you start planning your next trip.

Depending on where you start the trip will create variations in the total distance. But assuming that you start your trip from either Srinagar or Manali, the duration of the trip will be somewhere around 7 to 9 days, in which you will not only cover the major attractions of Ladakh but will also cover the starting and ending points of the journey.

Ladakh as a whole is still a mysterious location, and there are still some details that you must know before the beginning of this trip, so make the best of summers, the best time to visit Leh Ladakh on Bike. Whether you are planning an adventurous solo ride or a peaceful Ladakh family trip, being aware of certain things will always help you enjoy your journey better.

• There is going to be a lot of paperwork. If you are an Indian citizen residing in India, you will require an Inner Line Permit to access certain locations like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, etc. For Indians residing outside of India and for foreigners, a Protected Area Permit is a must to access these place.
• That is why upon your arrival, you will be visiting the Leh DC office to get your paperwork stamped. Leh is the center point for you to visit any of these locations and without the paperwork, you cannot visit these places.
• Apart from that, if you are visiting Ladakh on your own bike, you have to keep all the papers ready for the same. The bike needs to be fit for pollution check, needs to be in your name (you cannot bring your relative’s without them being with you), and cannot be an average bike because the terrains are really rough.
• You have to remember that if you are bringing your own bike, you have to maintain a standard of health in it. This is because you may or may not find proper mechanic shops on your way to Ladakh, and this may be a cause to worry.
• Manali Leh highway is prone to landslides during the months of Monsoons. The road should be avoided in these times. Ladakh lies on the rain shadow side of the Himalayas, and so you may think that because everything on this side is pleasant, it may be the same nearby.

During the best time to visit Leh Ladakh on bike, there are plethora of places that you can see, and find all of them on their best. Exploring these scenic destinations also makes for a perfect Ladakh honeymoon trip, adding adventure and romance amidst the breathtaking landscapes. To name these places:

• Nubra Valley and Khardung La Pass
• Diskit Monastery
• Hunder Sand Dunes
• Panamik
• Turtuk
• Pangong Tso
• Shyok Village and Valley
• Sham Valley (Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahab Gurudwara, Confluence of Indus with Zanskar)
• Upshi
• Kargil
• Lamayuru
• Zoji La Pass

Because the time of the year is when the climate is unexpected, the roads are tough and covered in snow, the prices may rise. There are certain factors for this, like lessened road connectivity, a decrease in the incoming of imported goods, and the extreme conditions of weather. This may mean that to take a Ladakh Bike Trip in winters will cost you more than the summers, say somewhere around INR 35,000.

During the snowy months, there is always a pinch of fun left to have in the winters, but there are also always more precautions to take care of. Apart from tips and guidelines that need to be followed in the summers, here are a few more things to take care of if you are planning a Ladakh group tour or even a solo trip.

• It will be really, really cold. So it is for the better of you that you go prepared for the same. Be it clothing or prevention methods for AMS, you need to be prepared.
• Because cold months mean difficulty in sleeping. In Ladakh, you will need way better sleeping gear than normal to enjoy a good night’s sleep. So make sure you carry the same with you.
• Plan your trip on the basis of budget thoroughly. There is a chance that you may not always find the best of places to stay and eat, the ones which stand true to your expectations. So always carry enough cash with you.
• Plan your trip with at least a couple of buffer days in hand to avoid hassles caused by an abrupt snowfall.

Whether it’s a solo adventure or an exciting Ladakh group tour with friends or fellow travelers, being well-prepared during the winter season will help you experience the stunning beauty of Ladakh without any stress.

Click here to check out the Srinagar to Leh guide and start planning your adventure.

• Frozen Pangong Tso (may be inaccessible due to heavy snowing
• Nubra Valley and Hunder Sand Dunes
• Khardung La Pass (It can be dangerous to ride, but exciting as well)
• The confluence of Indus and Zanskar
• Chilling (starting point of Chadar Trek)
• Ulley (Home of the snow leopards and one of the highest settlements in the world)