Leh for first time bikers.
This page is been set up for those people who are visiting Leh for the first time and have a lot of questions in mind.
Every year bikers from across the globe plan to ride on what is termed as one of the Best /Toughest routes to ride in the world, the 475 kms long Manali – Leh Highway. The Manali-Leh highway is a roller-coaster ride of high-altitude passes, bad roads, landslides, glacial melts, broken bridges and what not. So don’t mistake it for 475 kms on a normal highway and a single day’s ride.
Almost half of the length of this highway is above 13000Ft. The route passes through five high altitude passes including Taglang La 17,480ft (Second highest pass in the world). The terrain is so high and so barren as to have no settled habitation, infrastructural support is at a bare minimum. No repair or service stations after Keylong, no petrol pumps after Tandi for about 350 Kms, almost no “Proper” accommodation on highway. But this scenario on the Manali – Leh Highway gives the excitement of planning, adventure and bliss while riding and Memories of a lifetime after the trip.
1. Planing:
As most of you guys would be coming from places much far away from Manali or in fact India, It’s very essential to plan your tour right. Most of the people are not aware of the harsh road conditions, high altitudes, lack of facilities enroute and simply what they are getting into. The highway is open for just about 4 months, from June till September – Oct.
There can never be a perfect plan to ride on this highway, simply because the road conditions are different every year owing to landslides, amount of snowfall, glacial melts and the progress of Border Roads Organization (BRO), an Army support organization whose job is to build and maintain all roads leading to the Indian Borders.
Each individual or group of bikers have their own plan for the Manali – Leh highway. Some want to do it in one day, some in two days, some in four and others have no specific plan. Many times People Mistake this 475 kms road as city highway road and they think they can do it in 10-12 hours. Well it’s a Big Misunderstanding. This route is full of bad roads (some places almost no roads), River Crossings, Slush, glacial melts, Broken Bridges etc. All this is what makes this route thrilling and full of adventures.
Many bikers rush through this stretch, which is a crime. Manali-Leh should be done leisurely. Your first ever ride on this stretch will be the best; no matter how many times you ride on this road thereafter, you cannot beat your first experience on this route. So for first timers, make sure you have enough time to spend it on this route.
2. The Ride Preperations:
We Strongly advise you to complete Manali to Leh in 3 days. This will help your body get clematise with the High Altitude. We have often seen people trying to be brave and telling us they are “professional” riders and they can do it in two day. It is possible if you don’t suffer from Ams and if you are fit for the next days riding after riding one complete day. But is it fun? Not at all … you are to enjoy the drive, the route, the challenges, being out on the road not rush out from one point to another. There is no point in riding this route if you want to just rush. Take your time, the terrain keeps changing after few kms and they is so much beauty to see and capture in your Camera.
One you arrive in Manali you have to stay a night here. You will be only allowed to cross rohtang pass from 6 Am to 11 Am as its declared one way from this year onwards.
When you are renting a motorbike, it’s always advised to test it before you head out on your adventures. So therefore we Advice all our clients to hire the bike on the day they arrive. Every bike is different. Even though you may have the same bike back home it will be different to ride another bike. Also it will take you few kms to get your hands on the bike and get familiar with the machine. On this day you can visit Places around Manali. Also this is a good way of testing the bike you are going to have for the rest of your trip. During this test run if you encounter any problem wiith the bike or you need some adjustments as per your need, we have time to fix them all up.
At dusk you should get you bike all set and ready including final checkup, Full petrol tank, all your bungee chords and also fill up the spare cans , check up your tool kit and have an early night hoping that it will be clear weather for the next morning.
3.The Ride:
Next Part Coming Soon !
I am planning to come to Leh in my Car 🙂
Are you planning to get any Hero Impulse for the Leh tours? would love to Ride one when time comes.
thz july end….i, ll be on fullmasti…jumpingjapak with Bike Rentals Manali.
I would love to experience such adventure from manali to leh.
We are 2-4 people planning to got to Leh this year on Bike. Obviously, we are the first timers, though we have travelled across till Rohtang once but not on bikes..that is the only reason why we wish to do the whole Manali-Leh on Bike, The scenes are breathtaking and life-changing I feel.
Can you please give me a rough estimate for one person if we wish to go on our own.. i mean not with some bunch of other guys…but on our own…
What time shall we start from Delhi (as we stay in Delhi) if we want to wrap the whole trip in max 10 days as we are working professionals and we keep on going on leaves every quarter? 🙂
i am planning to go Leh in June 2014 by Royal Enfield desert storm 500
Are there any groups going to leh in June 2014? I would like to be a part of them
i am planning to go leh in july 2014 by bullet 350cc please help me………
going too.. we are grp of 2 people..a guy and a girl..u can join in too..may-jun 2014
Am also planning to go on June month. Am from chennai let me know the plan so that i can join with someone @ Delhi
we are also 2 people going for manali-leh biking trip. if we can make a group together then it will be better for all. if interested then my contact no. is 94273 58918. please let us know. @ Raj malhotra and Priya Mehta
we are also planning to Manali to Leh biking trip. We are 3 guys from bangalore and we are willing to join you. +91-9096996009 is my contact no. please let me know.
anyone planning to go between 5-20th??
june? chal !!!!
Hey ,
No we won't be getting any hero Impulse's as they lack power and struggle a lot on this route. We do have KTM though 😉
Let us know what info you require… Happy to help anytime 😉
Im planning a trip in the first week of june..me and a girl..we hope to rent avenger or thunderbird 350…certain details that im worried abt. Regading the stayin arrangements and budget..
Hi Shubham,
I'm planning to go in the first week of June for 9 days starting from May31-June8. Let me know if you come across any group who will be going to leh in june 2014.
Thanks,
Dinesh.
Hi Faisal,
Can you share the exact dates?
Thanks,
Dinesh.
We are 2 guys from bangalore. june 23-july 3. Anybdy willing to form a group with us can contact me on grv1198@gmail.com 🙂
Hi, I would be going in the first week of June. Please let me know if anyone wants to join.
hey i want to go in leh this summer so please guide us like( i wanna i bike from kargil to leh and laddakh so )Possible / not
hi im rakesh from bangalore, i was looking at joining anyone who are starting after july 10 ! u can email me – karakesh@gmail.com
Abhijit Parate hi abhijit. we are also planning to Manali to leh biking. We r 3 – 4 guysfrom blore. u can contact me on 9742189970
did u finally planned..im from delhi and planning in July14
I am planning to explore a bike tour to leh..need help to prepare and getting a rented bike..
Hi…planning trip from 22nd June to Leh,,,please suggest if bikes can be arranged..we are two guys….pz do revert at rovinshukla@gmail.com
YOU CAN JOIN US AS WE HAD PLANED TO GO IN AUG 2014 ON 14 FRM MANALI TOTAL 4 PERSONS ARE GNG IF U WANT U CAN JOIN US.
NO IS 9911666762
we are going in aug can contact us at advo.saurav@gmail.com
Me and my friend going from manali to leh from 26 july on our bullet 350 cc…..anyone interested to join us can call 09876338345
hi guys! i am planning to start to Leh from Manali on 27th of July. Is there any batch starting to LEH on the same day? 9849600476
we are 3 guys from karnal , if any ody wanna jon us do revert on 8th august
See you there brosey.
See you there brosey.
Tapas Ranjan arey waah chal we'l cordinate 🙂 (y)
fucking jealous !!!
Hi, if you are 3, may I join. we can share the rental and gasoline
Bhuwan Sharma hi bhuwan
we are starting from delhi and dates are 30th july evening to 11 aug.if you want to join us drop a mail to murthy.anurodh@gmail.com. we are 5 people.
hi santosh
we are 5 people but we will start from delhi on 30th july..
please let me know if you want to join.. murthy.anurodh@gmail.com
Anurodh Murthy Pls share details .I am intrested
Anurodh Murthy thank you for responding. but i will reaching manali on 26th and starting to leh on 27th mostly. have a wonderful trip 🙂
We are two people planning for bike trip from manali to Leh on 16th August. Any one interested let me know. 🙂
we have 15 person to going to leh-laddak. How many charges of royal enfield bike. manali to leh. plz send me the details. on my email vikas7813@rediffmail.com
Hey! We are planing a trip Leh in July & want to hire enfields in Leh, Is your rental service available at Leh? If yes how much do you charge? thank you
Hello,
Sorry We are based at Manali only .
Thanks
Hey,
Sorry We are based in Manali Only.
Thanks.
Reaching manali on 31st july and leaving for leh by 2nd of aug travelling to leh and coming back without anytime limit we are a group of 4 boys from mumbai if anyone wish to join us could message on fb…we have no hotels booked and nothing planned would do the trip as it comes…if you are a adventure enthusiast and if comfy with the dates then message on fb
am planning for Manali-Leh Bike trip with some of my friends…….is it good to start in mid June??
me and my wife planing to go from manali to leh, can we go on bike single bike? is it okay to ride double on bike for such long distance on hill road? please suggest me
Hi… I am travelling to LEH with 2 more friends on fixed dates 1july to 25 July… if anyone is interested can join us. TIA
Hi… I am travelling to LEH with 2 more friends on fixed dates 15 july to 25 July… if anyone is interested can join us. TIA
Hi guys… I am planning a Manali-Leh bike trip on 21/22 jul with my girl. I have no group yet. Anyone taking off on similar dates? Plzz lemme know…we may club together. Plz contact me on mailtodobi@rediffmail.com
hlw we are 4 friends make same plan at same date so u can join us . if u r interested then plzz mail me on Deep230519956@gmail.com
thanks
We're just 2 guys starting from Manali on 8th August….kindly let me know your plans…
Hi Naga,
Me & my friends have planned a visit to Del -Leh Trip from 16 – 27 Sep 2015. Till now we’re 3 gals & 4 boys, if you are interested in joining pls do let me know (couples are most welcome). As we have gals we can choose a car option & remaining bike option as well. # 9717035353. Our tour plan will be Del-SXR-LEH-Manali-Delhi. Please inform b4 10 sep, i need to confirm with others as well.
Hello Riders,
Me & my friends have planned a visit to Del -Leh Trip from 16 – 27 Sep 2015. Till now we’re 3 gals & 4 boys, if you are interested in joining pls do let me know (couples are most welcome). As we have gals we can choose a car option & remaining bike option as well. # 9717035353. Our tour plan will be Del-SXR-LEH-Manali-Delhi. Please inform b4 30 Aug, i need to confirm with others as well.
anyone availiable for a bike trip … date is now to 5th oct .. we are 2 ..
9634164163
hey this samar khan my cousin and 2 of his frnds are planning to strt this leh tour rght from jaipur as we r jaipur localites so if u are interested to join us too so keep in contact or just text me .9001067505
sorry to mention as this tour we have planned to start is in may-june so just let me know
Anyone interested in Manali to Leh Bike Trip?? I'm planning this trip with my friends and would like to add few more. dhasmana.anikesh21@gmail.com
Hi I like long rides so I am planning to buy ktm duke 390 is it a good option?what other options do I have?which is the best bike for long cross country rides acourding to u?
Personally i dont think KTM is COmfortable for long rides. Better get a cbr if not enfield.
Hey, what if there is any problem in the bike during the trip??? what can we do??
hi….Me and my friends are planning for Leh-Ladakh tour. We are planning to hire bikes from Manali but I also heard about outside bike rule in Ladakh and due to this one have to pay rent too in leh for hiring local bikes for sightseeing in Ladakh region when he have already paid rent in Manali……any firm solution..suggestion to this…plz…