Tips for a Leh Ladakh Road Trip | Make Lasting Memories One Trip at a Time

"Because the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at your destination."

You and your lean, mean machine, traversing through beautiful barren landscapes, sometimes lush green, sometimes dusty brown mountains. Revelling at the clear blue day sky and marvelling at the star-spangled clear night sky as you ride on or take a short break and breathe and soak in the place. Nature, at its pristine best. That’s the magic of Leh Ladakh road trip on your bike!

A must-do on any die-hard bike enthusiast’s list, Leh Ladakh road trip is what the dream bike trips are made of!

However, this trip is not a regular road trip and takes a lot out of the rider, both physically and emotionally. Hundreds of kilometres of barren land, with no signs of human habitation, awaits you.

Beautiful and quiet. Glorious, yet tough – it’s a journey of self-exploration and self-discovery. A rendezvous with nature and yourself!

To get the most from this exciting journey, do keep in mind the following road trip tips. These have been put together with suggestions, and experiences of bikers who have gone down the road less travelled.

Leh Ladakh Road Trip Tips

Tune your bike

First off, ensure your bike is in a 100% tip-top working order – serviced, oil and other fluids changed, valves checked, fuel tank cleaned, electricals checked, lights changed, tires checked etc.

Carry a tire-plug kit with a tire-inflation system or a small pump for those emergencies.

Your bike is the be-all and end-all in this trip. So, make sure it looks, feels and performs top-notch.

If you can tinker with your bike, then do carry essential tools like wrenches, sockets and other tools specific to your bike that can help in a sticky situation.

Invest in a good helmet

A sturdy helmet is a must-have on a Leh Ladakh road trip. It can make the difference between life and death. Therefore, do invest in a good quality full-face touring helmet and add to the thrill of the ride.

Choose a helmet made using the latest generation materials to keep you secure.

The trip being long and arduous, it is essential that the helmet is also fitted with the latest safety and comfort features to add to your wellbeing. All this, in a cool looking and stylish helmet, would be like icing on the cake!

Go for trial rides

Roads seem never-ending on long trips like a Leh Ladakh road trip. Six to eight hours on a bike may be no big deal for an experienced road tripper. However, if a couple of hours or so is your previous best, then a long haul might take a toll on you.

Therefore, practice runs before the real deal are highly recommended. One, they build your stamina to ride for longer and two, they will help you understand your bike better.

Also, it will help you figure out if you need to make any changes or adjustments for a more comfortable ride.

Check the seat, handlebars, backrest and footpegsetc., to make sure they are comfortable and easy-to-use for a long-distance journey. Looking into these will help reduce discomfort from an achy breaky back and stiff limbs during the trip.

Watch out for fatigue

Fatigue is a major factor in accidents on such long-distance trips, a bike trip being more exhausting than a car trip.

So, plan and prepare accordingly. Be aware of what would a daily ride be like.

Be mindful of your body’s needs. Listen to the cues and understand when you are tired.

Don’t be in a rush

Make the trip leisurely. Do not make it a race or just something to tick off your list.

Take plenty of breaks, stretch your legs, rest the back and hydrate yourself.

Take in the scenery and the little experiences along the way. Know your limits and enjoy them.

Sign up with a roadside rescue service

All seasoned riders out there will vouch for the fact that best and most thorough of preparations can sometimes fall short.

Also, Leh Ladakh route is full of its own set of trials and tribulations, which can test the best of the riders.

Therefore, joining a roadside rescue service is a great back up plan. Tying up approved tow services and mechanics will save a lot of time and hassle.

Carry all the important documents

Make sure all your bike documentation like licence, insurance, registration etc. is up-to-date.

Valid photo identity proofs are also a must to carry.

One doesn’t know when any of these might be needed and not having them can land you in serious trouble.

Apart from the above, here is an indicative list of things to carry while travelling to Leh on a bike

Carry custom motorcycle accessories like earplugs to minimise the wind noise and protect your ears.
Protective eyewear – sunglasses and rain/night goggles are a must-carry.
Carry an extra pair of gloves (depending on the season) as a backup.
Make sure to carry all the essential riding gear – jackets, knee guard, scarf, rain cover, thermals etc.
Carry proper footwear to ensure you ride comfortably.
Don't forget to carry rain gear to stay protected from those unexpected showers.
Remember to take a first aid kit to take care of general and specific health conditions. Also, do carry medicine for motion and altitude sickness.
Managing loose luggage can be a nightmare for a biker. Therefore, secure your baggage with bungee cords and nets.
Don’t forget the sundry tools like flashlights, headlamps, Swiss knife, duct tape etc.
Do carry a small backpack or fanny pack for easy access to essentials like mobile, glasses, wallet, map etc.
Pack plenty of water. Staying hydrated is of the utmost importance and among the essential things to carry while travelling to Leh on a bike.
Leh has limited connectivity. Ensure you check on your service provider before going for the trip as your GPS can prove to be among the most critical requisites on the trip.
Once in Leh, apply for Inner Line Permit. It will give you access to remote and exotic places like Tso Moriri, Merak, Mahe, Hanle, and more.
Most important – go with the right attitude. Don’t be on a high to ‘break the rules.’ Ride safe, wear a helmet and other safety gear and revel in the trip of a lifetime.

Ultimately, it’s not about reaching the destination; it's more about enjoying what’s on the way.

Don’t go just to reach Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Magnetic Hill or Zanskar and Nubra valley. Instead, go to experience every little thing this trip will throw your way.

Each of these experiences will become a cherished moment for a lifetime.

Go for the Leh Ladakh road trip to enjoy the route, to fall in love with the roads, the tough terrain, the sky, the seamless horizon, the sharp turns, the broken paths, the valley, the snow-capped mountains, the rugged landscape and the challenges that will come your way.

Go forth and conquer – your soul!