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Go, live your life in Leh for as long as you want.
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Who doesn't like going on a holiday! Whether it is a day off from work or a week off at a hill station. Holidays are not just about spending quality time with loved ones, it is also about that sense of freedom one experiences. A 10-12 days holiday has to be planned well to have a fun and memorable time a restricted time frame.
Photograph: sandeepachetan.com travel photography/Creative Commons
Whenever we talk of a biking road trip, the world famous Manali-Leh road trip pops up to mind. It is a must-do trip, at least once in a lifetime.
The thrill, the adventure and the overall fun it offers is unparalleled. The best part is the journey not the destination, the awesome stopovers. You stop, eat, drink, click, nap, drink in amazing views, laugh, and set off again.
Photograph: Raman Virdi/Creative Commons
Planning a trip already? Read on for info on food, stay, sightseeing, budget, and everything else that matters en-route.
Leave from Manali as early as possible to avoid traffic on the way. Try spending a night at Solang valley, 14 km from Manali, before heading to Leh.
Solang valley helps acclimatise the body for the further high altitudes. So if you leave Manali early morning you can come back to Palchan, the diversion point at Manali, and start the onward journey from there.
After crossing Palchan, Kothi, Gulaba, three small villages, one reaches Marhi, which is at an altitude of 3300 meters.
Marhi does not have hotels but there are a few good eating joints and a liquor shop. CAUTION: Do Not Drink & Ride.
Photograph: Vikramdeep Sidhu/Creative Commons
The Rani Nala glacier point closeby is covered with snow throughout the year, sometimes the fall is as high as 20 feet. You will not find anything to eat here though, just click pictures and continue the ride.
Next is Rohtang pass, at an altitude of around 4000 metres. It's around 50 km from Manali and an extremely crowded in the month of May-June. Keep in mind, it's closed for around six months in winter due to heavy rains and snowfall.
Altitude sickness starts showing its effect from here onwards hence keep yourself hydrated.
Photograph: taNvir kohli/Creative Commons
Next important stop is Tandi (about 57 km from Rohtang) which has the only petrol pump on Manali-Leh Highway. The next pump is 365 km away, hence get your tanks filled here.
Tandi is also a must-stop because the Chandra and Bhaga rivers meet here. This is the same river which is known as Chenab in J&K. Needless to say, click pictures/selfies here, but don't waste time posting them on social media as the network connection is not great.
Photograph: DJ SINGH/Creative Commons
Soon after Tandi is Keylong (about 9 km), the biggest town located on the highway. You can opt for a night halt here; most buses stop here for the night and set off again early the next morning.
Apart from hotels and guest houses, there is an ATM as well. You may want to use this ATM as it's difficult finding one ahead en-route.
Next stop is Jispa village (22 km), located on the banks of the Bhaga river. It has a small monastery, a museum and a beautiful riverside to spend time at. Fixed landline phone connections can also be found here, which are rare henceforth.
Next is a tiny place called Darcha, beyond which vegetation starts reducing and mountains will change colour, oxygen level reduces a bit. Keep yourself hydrated and awake.
Photograph: Henrik Johansson/Creative Commons
After a few more photo op stops comes Baralacha La, second major hurdle to cross after Rohtang. Often one encounters massive traffic jams. Bad slushy roads and water crossings make the journey tiresome for some and exciting for others.
After a while comes Bharatpur, offering food and tented accommodation. You can choose to stay here overnight if not in Keylong. Accommodation is cheaper than Sarchu (further up). The road from Bharatpur is way better than what it was between Baralacha La and Bharatpur.
Then comes Sarchu, at an altitude of 4300 metres. The state changes here from Himachal to J&K. Altitude sickness prevails here, hence it is better to stay overnight at Keylong/Jispa and not in Sarchu. However, while returning from Leh there is no such problem. The distance between Darcha and Sarchu is about 80 km.
Photograph: Axel Drainville/Creative Commons
Lachalung La (about 54 km from Sarchu) follows after a couple of small stop-overs, and this is when you will start feeling a little breathlessness. The altitude is 5000 metres, no vegetation, people, drinks, food, stay options here. Then comes Pang (24 km from Lachalung La), a stop-over for food and clean toilets. Have your morning/evening tea, get energised and then continue further.
A few more small villages and you reach Taglang La, the last and highest pass on Manali-Leh Highway at an altitude of 5300 metres. The oxygen level is low, and there is no food either. Keep riding until you reach Upshi, a small town, which has fuel, food and toilets. The distance between Pang and Upshi is 125 km.
Freshen up if you want or else keep riding to reach the ultimate destination-Leh (55 km from Upshi).
No need to mention, once you reach Leh, the beauty of the place will make you forget all the discomfort you experienced in the last two days.
