Every biker who has successfully completed Srinagar to Leh bike trip describes his journey as rewarding. The scintillating views, the scenic and untouched beauty of Leh, the magnificent monasteries and the pristine lakes – nature at its beautiful best can make your difficult and arduous journey through rugged roads and tough terrain feel worthy, rewarding! Your fatigue and weariness are overcome by a sense of pride and satisfaction, content and peace. The calm and serene you experience after you make it to Leh cannot be described in words.
In this blog. we take you on a visual tour and also provide you with a detailed Srinagar to Leh bike trip itinerary that you can follow if you are planning on such a challenging trip. We discuss why is Srinagar to Leh bike trip so popular, what all places will you be covering during our journey, precautions to keep in mind and more. So sit back and read on.
What makes a Srinagar to Ladakh bike trip so popular?
If mighty snow-capped mountains, amazing vistas, beautiful hills and difficult roads pump up your adrenaline, you are sure to love Srinagar to Leh bike trip. During your journey, you will pass through some of the most iconic passes and peaks in India. A bike ride to Ladakh will also give you the opportunity to explore the Land of Passes. You can also take a detour to explore other towns and cities near Ladakh.
Best Time to Visit
You are sure to have a good time riding along the route from Srinagar to Leh in the summer. The weather is not extremely cold and the roads are free of ice and snow. The temperature is also at its best during the summer. From April till October end is when all the passes and points in Ladakh are open to the public, so it is a good time to go. The average day temperature in the summer is 25°C.
Best Routes to Take – Srinagar To Leh Ladakh
Srinagar – Sonamarg – Lamayuru – Leh
- Distance: 425 kilometres con
Srinagar – Sonamarg
It takes around three hours to get to Sonamarg. So, for an entire day of sightseeing and adventure, we suggest that you leave Srinagar at 5 am, get to Sonamarg at around 8 am, rest for a bit and then proceed to explore what the town has to offer. You have to visit the Thajiwas glacier, where you can enjoy horse rides.
Sonamarg – Lamayuru
For most parts of this journey, you will be driving down the National Highway 1 or the Srinagar Leh Highway. Start your journey early so that you have enough time to tour Lamayuru. The drive is fairly comfortable as the road is in good condition. Once you reach Lamayuru, you can stay at one of the many homestays or choose to explore the place before heading back on the road to Leh.
Lamayuru – Leh
This is the last leg of your journey on the Srinagar Leh highway. The journey will take you around three to four hours. While on your way to Leh, do not forget to stop and explore the Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Magnetic Hill. In Leh, you can enjoy adventure sports, safaris and even explore iconic places such as the Leh Palace and a few historic monasteries.
A route to Follow from Leh to Srinagar (via Drass)
Leh – Batalik – Kargil – Srinagar
- Distance: 462 kilometres
Leh – Batalik
This route passes through the LOC, so it is always heavily guarded. The road is in pretty good shape, so the ride is comfortable. There are a lot of army trucks that ply on this route, so sometimes you may find the road congestion. Leave Leh by 6 am to get to Batalik by 10 am.
Batalik – Kargil
This route begins parallel to the Indus Valley Road. Mid-way, you need to make a steep turn onto the Leh via Batalik Road. The drive from there is comfortable until you reach a portion that passes through many twists and turns. Total drive time is about one hour and 30 minutes so there is no point in stopping along the way unless you want to do a bit of sightseeing.
Kargil – Srinagar
This route is a popular one, so expect traffic in bits and pieces. The roads are fairly good so it should take you around seven hours to reach Srinagar. You can stop midway in Sonamarg for a cup of tea and freshen up. The Dana Pani is a good hotel for snacks and tea in Sonamarg.
Srinagar to Leh Bike Trip Package: Total Cost
You cannot make the drive from Srinagar to Leh in one day. It is necessary to stop at locations along the way for a day before proceeding. You will spend around Rs. 1,000 a day (off-season) and Rs. 2,000 (peak season) for food and stay. Petrol will cost you Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 10,000 depending on the route you take, mileage, etc. Other costs include bike maintenance and entry fees to see attractions.
How to Prepare & Plan for a Srinagar Leh Bike Trip
- If you are taking your own bike make sure it is well serviced.
- Note down the route and mark the places you would like to stop.
- Carry medication as sometimes high altitudes can affect health.
- Do research about hotels and homestays.
- Make sure you are in top physical condition before heading out on a bike trip.
- Wear the right clothes, protective gear and a good helmet.
Things to Remember
- Climatic conditions are extremely harsh so carry enough warm clothes with you.
- Don’t go in the winter as the roads are dangerous and prone to frequent landslides.
- Since you will be driving along the border, there are some parts that have heavy checking, be prepared with documents.
- There are lack of petrol pumps along the way, so stock up on fuel in Srinagar.
Can You Rent a Bike to Leh?
You can rent a bike for Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 a day. You will also have to pay a small deposit which is around Rs.500 – this is refundable.
Do Tour Companies Offer Bike Trips?
Yes, tour companies such as Adventure Nation and the Enfield Riders conduct trips to Leh Ladakh from Srinagar. Tours cost approximately Rs. 70,000 per head; this does not include bike rentals.
What to Carry For Your Srinagar to Leh Trip
- Medication
- All ID proofs
- Bike repair tools
- A camera
- Batteries
- Torch
- Cash
- Chargers
- Woollen clothing
If you are planning a bike trip to Leh from Srinagar and are confused about how to start planning, what route follow and what to carry, follow this guide. It’s got all the details you need to successfully complete a Srinagar to Leh bike trip.
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July 13, 2019
Thank you for sharing the information, it was really nice reading your blog