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“I do not have a bucket list, but I do have a bike-it list.”
This popular quote stands true for every biker who sets off on a bike journey to a place like Ladakh, which throws major challenges but rewards beautifully too.
Biking through the most impressive passes in the world is no easy job. The unpredictable weather and extreme conditions of dilapidated roads double the joy and thrill. The only place in India that can match this velocity of thrill is the Land of High Passes, Ladakh. Being the best blend of adventure and serenity, Ladakh offers an unmatchable experience to visitors, and that is what made Chandru and his friends fall for the place. Chandru also ensured that he does not miss out on the heaven that the land of Kashmir is, hence added Srinagar to his itinerary.
Chennai-based Chandru Karunanithi and his friends set off on the journey of their lifetime this July. The biking enthusiasts in them had adrenaline rushing in their veins. However, calm heads survive the longest. They did not let the thrill get the better of themselves, and to ensure that the trip was chalked out nicely keeping in view the uncertainties, they chose Thrillophilia to plan their sojourn which promised a well-planned itinerary.
Zig-zagging through the Passes
Chandru and his six fellow bikers met their companions in Manali, and now they were a group of 13 men, roaring to conquer the mountains on their mean machines. When they were introduced to each other, they knew that they were going to be their friends for the lifetime. After an early-morning breakfast in Manali, they set off on the magnum opus trip – the trip all of the bikers had held close to their hearts for a long, long time.
The route was as scenic as it could have been – with lush green surroundings enchanting the riders all along the way to Sarchu. The road at Jispa was the most adventurous one as streams took to the roads and made the riding an exciting experience. Frequent rain showers ensured that the roads remained wet, posing a challenge for the tough riders, who were not going to budge at any cost.
The frequent showers ensured that the stretch was full of clouds, and the riders drove through them. “On our way to Sarchu, the clouds did not just cover the green mountain peaks in the surroundings but also ventured around us while we rode on the road. This was the most pleasant moment during our journey as the clouds drenched us time and again,” says Chandru, who does not miss out on anything while explaining his favorite journey.
Riding on the wet roads was the biggest challenge for the riders. While they were the most cautious in every minute they spent riding, a biker had a little accident but recovered soon. “It was George, who was riding a Royal Enfield 500cc. Due to the bad condition of the slippery roads, his bike skidded, but he held on to it like a boss. Our “Bahubali” controlled his beast between his legs like it was just an ordinary bike,” says Chandru, describing the might of fellow traveler George by comparing him to Bahubali.
Lurking In and Around Leh
The stretch between Nubra and Leh was an exciting expedition as they crossed the mighty Khardung La and clicked pictures to announce their arrival in the glorious land. The green surroundings had now started to get white as pitch-white snow capped the mighty peaks kissing the skies. On their way to Leh, they crossed high passes like Chang La to reach the quaint town of Leh.
The markets in Leh offered an opportunity for the riders to explore the place and experience the cultural nuances of the lifestyle there. They crossed the popular Magnetic Hill where the endless road hits the horizon. On their descend to Nubra, the snowy surroundings had now started to change into a desert. The transformation was so drastic that just within a distance of a few kilometres, they had climbed down from the highest snowy mountains to the barren white desert at Hunder. Visiting the desert was another exciting experience for the riders as they spotted the double-humped camels and took a ride on them. “The double-humped camel ride was great fun as we rode in the Hunder desert at freezing cold temperatures,” recalls Chandru.
The journey from Sarchu to Leh could not have been better as the riders extracted life every minute out of it.
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Welcome to Heaven – Kashmir
While the Leh expedition was coming to an end, another sojourn to the mesmerizing Kashmir Valley awaited the adventurous riders as they drove to Srinagar via Sonmarg. This journey — as Chandru describes – was a memorable one as crossing the high passes and riding through the hills gave them some unparalleled moments of tranquility. They also visited the Kargil War memorial to pay respect to the martyrs. The riders would now feel the weariness, and Srinagar was the ideal place in the lap of nature to get rejuvenated.
They explored the city of Srinagar and marked their presence at almost all the popular places in the city. Chandru and his fellow riders also took a shikara ride in the jewel of Srinagar – the Dal Lake – which was a serene experience. This quaint ride through the silent waters of the Dal ensured that their bodies, souls and minds were revived just in a matter of few minutes.
While the trip was coming to an end, the riders shared their life experiences and made a pact to stay in touch for their future biking outings.
Chandru is the kind of person who loves travelling. Having traveled to the Land of High Passes, Ladakh to experience adventure and thrill, this wander-lusting soul now aims to explore the northeast India, which is another priceless gem in the country. “Travel to explore yourself,” he says as he signs off to leave you pondering about journey of self-discovery.
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