1. Choose the right bike
You will be traveling through the toughest roads, you cannot afford to compromise on the quality of the bike, so choose one wisely. Pay close attention to the characteristics of the bike and make sure it is in good condition. We recommend – Royal Enfield 350C or An Enfield Bullet, if not you can also go for pulsar bikes.
2. Get your bike repaired
Remember that you are going on a long journey and if you are not sure that your bike has been serviced enough to give you a smooth ride, get it fixed as soon as possible. Get everything fixed because safety comes first – make sure all the parts are working properly so you can navigate a road full of obstacles, rough roads, and much more.
3. Things you must have on hand and easily accessible
Keep a first aid kit handy, as we say, safety always comes first, which should include band-aids, antiseptic, Crocin for fever and body aches, and Avomine for nausea. Weather changes have a huge impact on your body, so first aid should always be your priority.
4. Decide on a route
Although there are two different routes to Leh, one via Manali and the other via Srinagar, and although the former is preferred because of the dangerous terrain, it is mostly advised to take the latter route. Don’t forget to choose the route according to your possibilities and comfort.
5. Don’t be a victim of acute mountain sickness
You can get away with it, but reaching a higher altitude will eventually make you a victim of mountain sickness. If you do not have strong immunity, your body may not be able to withstand the changes in the weather. Better get a complete health checkup before you leave. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma problems should avoid this route. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, stomach upset, and dizziness – so stay hydrated and take breaks in between.
6. Choose the right season
You should not take this trip whenever you feel that the roads will be blocked due to unpredictable weather changes and the roads are extremely dangerous for any type of traffic. The best riding season is from mid-May to mid-October as the roads from Srinagar and Manali open from mid-May.
7. Food to carry
While traveling you should never rely on street vendors for basic food, there may not be anything on the way to provide you with food, so basically you should keep extra food supplies like chips, biscuits, glucose, and other small foods. Keep these food supplies in an easily accessible pocket on your backpack, as these items should be readily available when you’re hungry. We recommend – Carrying a couple of chocolate bars, a small packet of crisps, easy-to-make noodles or oatmeal, and maybe a protein bar for energy.
8. Stops Are Important
You have to do intervals and stops to complete your journey successfully. You can’t afford to be in a rush and impair your body’s ability to complete the journey. Do not overexert yourself or perform any physical activity that may cause unnecessary strain on your body.
9. Carry extra Fuel can
We recommend 10-20 liters of extra petrol as it is quite a long journey and looking for petrol on the way is not a wise choice. Petrol stations are quite far from Ladakh, so make sure you have enough tanks on your bikes to ensure a hassle-free journey.
10. DO NOT use antidepressants or alcohol
It is a big NO to consume any kind of alcohol or anti-depressants while traveling, rather you should avoid smoking and chewing tobacco in the evening. When traveling at higher altitudes, one may face respiratory problems that make it difficult to complete the journey.
11. Stay hydrated
One piece of advice you always get before you go on a trip is: Stay hydrated! If you want to avoid the hassle of finding places to buy a water bottle, keep a reusable bottle that you can also attach to your backpack. A lightweight, leak-proof, filtered water bottle would be a great choice. The filter in your bottle is essential because it removes harmful bacteria.
12. Spare parts you must carry
Spare bike key, spare bungee cords, spare fuse, extra chain lock, spare clutch and throttle cable, chain lube, if inner tube then one spare tube, top up engine oil, and spare headlight bulb.
13. Carry Extra cash
You can’t rely on your cards as there are places where you won’t easily find an ATM and cards may not be accepted in all local shops and street vendors.
14. Protective cycling equipment for safety
Do not forget to prepare safety equipment for the trip – helmets, knee and elbow pads, weatherproof gloves, boots, a proper riding jacket, reflective clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
15. Connecting the phone
Only paid mobile phones from other states work in Ladakh. Even among them, only BSNL has a presence beyond Leh. If you are not dependent on STD Booths then use BSNL/MTNL postpaid connection. It is important to keep your family or a few friends informed of your location every 6-7 hours as it is an unpredictable ride and difficult situations may prevail.
16. Basic documents
Don’t forget to bring your original driver’s license and PUC along with your bike documents, valid insurance, and registration.
17. Sleeping at higher altitudes should be avoided
One should not sleep at higher altitudes, because the oxygen level in the air decreases, which affects the functioning of our brain. It is recommended that you move down to a lower altitude in the evening after spending a day at any higher altitude. Hypoxia has adverse effects on body weight, muscle structure and performance, mental function, and sleep quality.
