The Sublime High Altitude Desert

Day 7 (11^th September 2011):

On our way to Khardungla.

Having rested well the earlier day at Leh, we set off enthusiastically at 7am after the morning tea ritual for Khardungla and  Nubra Valley. Khardungla is considered the highest motorable road in the world (altitude: 18380 ft) and Nubra Valley, a desert at that altitude. We have to show the visit permits that we had obtained the previous day at South Pullu check point, 25 kms from Leh. 

Roads to Khardungla

After clearing  that and sharing some tea with the officers there, we proceeded ahead on the really bad roads. But of course, we understand that it must be quite difficult to maintain the roads at that altitude and with such difficult climatic conditions. We reached Khardungla (39 kms from Leh) at around 10:30am. Fortunately for us, we encountered absolutely lovely weather: no rains and the summer temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. And needless to say, we were all very exited that we have managed to take our bikes to the world’s highest motorable road, second time for some of us. We met people from all over country and world there. Everybody was as excited about it as we were. We had some snacks and tea there, in the canteen run by Military. They provided us with free black tea, God bless them! They also have oxygen and medicine facilities  there. 

Finally, there! :D

The Bike Riders at the top!

After leaving Khardungla, the road conditions were very bad again, until North Pullu. North Pullu is 15 kms from Khardungla and altitude here is 15300 ft. It is the other check point, where we have to show our permits again before continuing on to Dikshit and Hunder in Nubra Valley. Diskit is 117 kms from Leh and Hunder, 125. We reached Hunder a bit late, around 4:30pm. Don't worry, it's not worrisome at all. It's just because we took a long break to have fun at Khardungla, a lot of tea-breaks and the road conditions were such that we had to drive very carefully and slowly. At the same time, we were enjoying the unnatural natural beauty at our footsteps. After a while, we came across the beautiful Khalsar river, which was flowing alongside our road. As this region is practically a desert, both sides of the river were full of white sand. Such a picturesque place, Ladakh is! 

Camel Safari at Hunder

Enjoying our dinner at Habib Guest House (Indian seating)

On reaching Hunder we directly went to  Sand Dunes. There, we enjoyed a delightful camel ride after our continuous motorcycle rides. This is the only place in India where we find two-humped camels. Then we booked our accommodation in  the Habib Guest house, where we were welcomed in a homely and friendly environment with very good food. Finally, late in the evening we enjoyed a full moon night in desert with a river flowing by our side, surrounded by ethereal mountains and we swear, we have never experienced anything so divine in our entire lives! We were in a valley at the height of 10000 ft. This is one experience that we would recommend everyone to try and get at least once.

Starting from our Youth Hostel in Leh

South Pullu check point

Enjoying Tea Break at South Pullu (Check Post 15300ft)

In Harmony with the Nature

With the other biker Mr. Anant from Hyderabad

Excitement levels high at Khardungla

 

With our International friends at Khardungla

North Pullu check point

Sand Dunes at Hunder

 

Day 8: 12^th September:

Dikshit Monastry

We had a scrumptious breakfast consisting of Ladhkhi bread with butter, honey and jam with very  good tea at 6:30 in the morning and started our return journey by 7:15am. We were also to visit Diskit, which is 7 kms from Hunder. This place houses a giant idol of Maitray Buddha (Future Buddha) in a bewitching Gompa (Buddhist temple) on the hilltop. The Buddha's statue is so magnificent, it can  be seen from far away. After hearing a short lecture from a lama (Buddhist monk), we continued our return journey. 

The Bike Riders with Shri Rakeshbhai, the Shrimad Rajchandra Group's leader

We reached Khardungla at 2 pm. Once again, the charm of the place captivated us. Also, our thrill was doubled by the fact that we met a big group of followers of the Shrimad Rajchandra clan (Dharmpur asharm) with their Guruji (Teacher), Shri Rakeshbhai. They were all performing dances accompanied by singing patriotic and folk songs. They were all dressed in black coloured dress and exuded a certain positivity around them with their positive attitude and sheer numbers, almost as if they had sucked all the negativity out of the air there. We were simply eleated by this fortunate coincident. Finally, after many crazy, happy moments, we reached Leh at 4.30pm. We spent the evening roaming around in the market. We also booked a utility vehicle for us to carry our luggage upto Manali because the condition of the roads is not that good and with the high mountain ranges on the way, it is bit difficult to ride with two people and luggage of two people.


Our plan for tomorrow is to start for Manali via Tso mori-ri  lake. We are not sure about how much access we might have to the internet. So, we will be back with the updates once we reach Manali. Until then, stay with us! :) 

Our Military brethern

Enjoying the cold wind at the feet of the Buddha

Waiting to road , which was blocked due to landslide, to clear

Picture of the day: Playing Matukdi (a folk dance step) up in the mountains! :D

Meeting other adventurous people: Ladakh on bicycle!