While popular tourist destinations in India – Agra, the holy city of Varanasi, the world capital of yoga, Rishikesh, the sea coast of Goa – are bursting at the seams with a huge influx of tourists, the country still has untouched treasures for true adventure lovers.
One of them is the Manali-Leh road, which is fabulously beautiful and the highest in the world. It begins in the Ladakh region, whose name literally translates as “country of passes,” at an altitude of 2050 meters above level. The route stretches through mountains and passes with heights ranging from four to five and a half thousand meters. Breathtaking views open up at every turn here, making the entire journey along the roads of Ladakh unforgettable.
When to go
Traveling through the passes is possible three months a year, from mid-June to September. Already in mid-September there is a possibility of snow falling and severe erosion of certain sections of the road.
There are regular buses from Delhi to Manali. Upon arrival, it is better to stay at least a couple of days to acclimatize a little and prepare your body for the further ascent.
What to ride
The distance from Leh to Manali is 473 kilometers and is usually covered in 3 days. Tourists usually travel along this route by bus, jeep or motorcycle. We advise you to choose the latter – there will be more impressions.
There are many rental companies in Manali that provide this service. It is worth noting that in this region, Indians do not hesitate to charge a high price for renting a motorcycle; the price by Indian standards is fabulous – around $25 per day. While even in densely populated Goa at the height of the season, half the price will seem quite high.
Take a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 500 cc, as the weaker modification cannot cope with the load in the mountains, especially if you are riding with a passenger. When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the motor. In the mountains, a carburetor engine is better suited than an injection engine, since in the carburetor you can adjust the level of air supply to the engine and thus adapt it to the rarefied high-mountain air.
Don’t forget to take a can of gasoline, because there are no gas stations on the route from Keylong to Leh. And it is impossible to overcome this distance on one tank. A spare wheel tube and a pump will not be superfluous.
Every day you will cross several passes, the highest of which is Tanglang, 5334 meters high. Of course, it is quite cold on the passes, even in summer. Be sure to have windproof clothing and warm clothes with you.
Where to live
Overnight stays can be made in the cities of Keylong, Sarchu, Pang. Every city has conditions for tourists, some better, some worse. For example, in Keylong there are a dozen guest houses and several cafes to choose from. And in Panga you can spend the night in a yurt at an altitude of 4657 meters under a dazzling starry sky. Accommodation prices along the entire route are quite reasonable – from 15 to 25 $.
When you reach Le, don’t rush to leave. The old town of Les is included in the list of the World Monuments Fund. At the height of the tourist season, there are cafes, hotels, Tibetan shops and jewelry stores. There are several Buddhist monasteries in the surrounding area, accessible by picturesque roads.
If you no longer have the strength or desire to travel the same route back by land, local airlines operate direct flights to Delhi. Tickets cost around $100. You just need to arrange in advance for the delivery of motorcycles from Leh to Manali, which will cost about another $150.
Text author: Nadezhda Naydenova
