To attribute the popularity of Manali Leh Highway, a route with no destinations, no petrol pumps, no facilities, no fixed accommodation, literally nothing, goes to RE. Riders started believing that the route is the most difficult terrain in the entire country and riding there gives a sense of achievement.
This encouraged locals to setup camps in Sarchu, Jispa and Pang to cater tourists, although no fixedpetrol pumps still exist ahead of Tandi. With BRO working on no roads every year to keep army
vehicles plying, motorcyclists riding in the route started creating mishaps and traffic jams. National
Green Tribunal started noticing the environmental harm that is brought out by these riders. Permits
for vehicles plying in Manali Leh highway have its roots in this.
More so, Khardung La got falsely famous as highest motorable road all thanks to BRO who claimed it
and motorcyclists who spread it, fooling future tourists.
Moreover, the route starts from Manali and ends in Manali. So, it started making perfect sense for
riders with no own motorcycles/cars to rent one from Manali and visit Leh and drop them off at the
start point. This not only started harming Ladakh landscape but also fed no Ladakhi. Business in
Ladakh for tour operators took a toll. They had to intervene so as to get a fair share of business as it is
Ladakh that is being promoted, visited and harmed.
riders with no own motorcycles/cars to rent one from Manali and visit Leh and drop them off at the
start point. This not only started harming Ladakh landscape but also fed no Ladakhi. Business in
Ladakh for tour operators took a toll. They had to intervene so as to get a fair share of business as it is
Ladakh that is being promoted, visited and harmed.
Everyone wants to visit Ladakh once in their lifetime. It ain’t a pilgrim centre, but for riders, it has
become Mecca. Now, tourists who visit destinations by Car with a driver also have started visiting
Ladakh in the last 5 years, and through Manali Leh highway. These misinformed tourists also add to
the environmental owes and local conflicts.
become Mecca. Now, tourists who visit destinations by Car with a driver also have started visiting
Ladakh in the last 5 years, and through Manali Leh highway. These misinformed tourists also add to
the environmental owes and local conflicts.
For some, Flying to Leh seems to be a better option which is mostly preferred by well-informed
tourists. The flight carriers have realised this and have hiked prices during the season time.
Think thrice before travelling to Ladakh. It isn’t a leisure travel destination. And, if you are
visiting Ladakh, make sure you use Ladakh’s facilities like JK10 Motorcycle, ALTOA Vehicles
and of course, plan how you want to travel to Leh.
P.S. Chadar Trek is no different. Too many inexperienced tour operators from outside the
Ladakh region conduct it. Talk to a local Ladakhi to know how thick the ice sheet was, back
in 2010.
RIDE
Some Facts:
1. There is no petrol pump between Tandi and Karu – 330kms (Is it wise to carry cans of petrol on a
highway that is dangerous. On the highway, Never put other people’s lives in danger)
2. There is no great pass in the entire Manali – Leh Highway. Tanglang La is twelfth highest pass in
the world. (If you want picture with Tanglang La? Ride from Leh. It is closer that way)
3. HP 58 and DL Vehicles, that are rented in Manali or Delhi, are not allowed in Ladakh. Be it Car or
Bike.
4. The names of villages in Ladakh aren’t actual/original names of villages. Nubra is acutally
Dumra, Sakthi is Serthi, Hanle is Umle, Temisgam is Tingmosgang, Tiger is Teggar and the list
goes on. Learn the local names of the places. That way you are not just visiting the destination,
you are learning a bit about the place as well. (BRO changed some names to suit its
convenience. Thinks its Starbucks)
5. Pangong Tso is not the only lake in Ladakh. And it is definitely not the only blue lake there.
6. You cannot see K2 from Turtuk. Heck, you can’t see K2 from Siachen Glacier itself.
7. Marmots can get aggressive. Don’t feed or play with Marmots. Take a picture (of the marmot,
not selfie if you want with a Telephoto lens. Never disturb the wild.
8. Turtuk is not the last village on the Indian Border. Thang is!
9. Dipping yourself in cold waters of Ladakh Lakes or rivers can cause Hypothermia. It is not an
act of bravery but foolishness.
10. There is only one major hospital in Leh. SNM Hospital. If you get AMS, HAPE, Hypothermia
etc, you are in a place where you don’t belong. And you might be occupying a bed that is
meant for a local.
11. Not a fact, but an advice: Never crowd a tourist spot. Take a picture quickly and move. There
are too many Tourists in Ladakh. Be considerate.
Speak to a representative of RIDE before you plan Ladakh tour. We will give you correct information
on the ground reality there.
tourists. The flight carriers have realised this and have hiked prices during the season time.
Think thrice before travelling to Ladakh. It isn’t a leisure travel destination. And, if you are
visiting Ladakh, make sure you use Ladakh’s facilities like JK10 Motorcycle, ALTOA Vehicles
and of course, plan how you want to travel to Leh.
P.S. Chadar Trek is no different. Too many inexperienced tour operators from outside the
Ladakh region conduct it. Talk to a local Ladakhi to know how thick the ice sheet was, back
in 2010.
RIDE
Some Facts:
1. There is no petrol pump between Tandi and Karu – 330kms (Is it wise to carry cans of petrol on a
highway that is dangerous. On the highway, Never put other people’s lives in danger)
2. There is no great pass in the entire Manali – Leh Highway. Tanglang La is twelfth highest pass in
the world. (If you want picture with Tanglang La? Ride from Leh. It is closer that way)
3. HP 58 and DL Vehicles, that are rented in Manali or Delhi, are not allowed in Ladakh. Be it Car or
Bike.
4. The names of villages in Ladakh aren’t actual/original names of villages. Nubra is acutally
Dumra, Sakthi is Serthi, Hanle is Umle, Temisgam is Tingmosgang, Tiger is Teggar and the list
goes on. Learn the local names of the places. That way you are not just visiting the destination,
you are learning a bit about the place as well. (BRO changed some names to suit its
convenience. Thinks its Starbucks)
5. Pangong Tso is not the only lake in Ladakh. And it is definitely not the only blue lake there.
6. You cannot see K2 from Turtuk. Heck, you can’t see K2 from Siachen Glacier itself.
7. Marmots can get aggressive. Don’t feed or play with Marmots. Take a picture (of the marmot,
not selfie if you want with a Telephoto lens. Never disturb the wild.
8. Turtuk is not the last village on the Indian Border. Thang is!
9. Dipping yourself in cold waters of Ladakh Lakes or rivers can cause Hypothermia. It is not an
act of bravery but foolishness.
10. There is only one major hospital in Leh. SNM Hospital. If you get AMS, HAPE, Hypothermia
etc, you are in a place where you don’t belong. And you might be occupying a bed that is
meant for a local.
11. Not a fact, but an advice: Never crowd a tourist spot. Take a picture quickly and move. There
are too many Tourists in Ladakh. Be considerate.
Speak to a representative of RIDE before you plan Ladakh tour. We will give you correct information
on the ground reality there.
