Ladakh is a bucket list city for travel enthusiasts and wanderlusts. Captured by the scenic views and bike riding, trekking, mountaineering activities you can do there, many souls roam the streets of pure beauty and nature.

One such soul, a wanderer of thrill and adventure found himself in Ladakh. We bring you the truest of stories that encapture the heartbeat of traveling. Finding the peace and serenity from the hustle and bustle of Haryana, Delhi NCR. A software engineer took a flight from Delhi to Leh. Gagan Gungalani is the next star of our travel stories.

Narrating the challenges he faces amidst the pouring rain in the middle of the night. Gagan and his friend find the way out. Let’s follow their trip:

Day 1

Traveling for more than 2.5 years for passion and hobby, Gagan boarded the Delhi to Leh flight on July end 2021. After a ride of 6 hours and a fare of INR 500 to reach there, they arrived at their destination. Booked a moderate hotel room that cost INR 1000 with WiFi, Balcony, and a good network. The duo roamed around the region with a rented bike of INR 1500 to the evening markets.

Day 2

Next Destination, Kashmir route. A bike ride for the adventurous trip on the roads of Kashmir to explore the magnetic hill, monastery, and Shiv mandir. These prime destinations are weaved with scenic views and beautiful sunsets.

Day 3

On day 3, we are en route to Pangong towards the Himalayan region of Ladakh. Passing through the Khardungla park of Leh, a mountain pass with equal scenic views to mesmerize you. 

As you travel higher altitudes, there will be bodily changes like nose bleeding, fever, etc. Make sure you carry the required medicines. Moreover, as you go down the hilly region of the Himalayas, there is no street light, no mechanical support, and it has a rocky terrain. Therefore, a preferred time to depart would be 8-9 am so that you can reach Pangong before night. The journey is long and not preferred for solo travelers.

Gagan and his friend started their journey at 11 in the morning and almost reached their destination at 8 in the evening. On the way, due to rain and rocky terrain, the tube of their tires got busted. Hence, they had to tow the bike which cost INR 3500 to the nearest camp stay which is 5-6 km before Pangong. The camp cost about INR 800 for the stay excluding food. The village is called Phuktse where the repair works are available.

Day 4

In the morning after a tiring night, the duo traveled to Pangong and spent the day bike riding and taking pictures for the memory lane. Later in the evening, they moved back to Phuktse as Pangong was inexpensive for regular travelers. They also explored the four small hills that cave in the region. They had to travel to Diskit Hunder the desert wonder of Leh. Unfortunately, flooding had been reported and travel was restricted for the moment. Hene, they decided to go back to Leh and explore the territory further.

Day 5

Returned to Leh. Here, Gagan returned the rented bikes and explored Leh further. The evening markets, the scenic views, souvenirs for the few. Bike availability is an issue in the region. Therefore, it is suggested to pre-book or visit off-season for better availability and less crowd.

Day 6

With a day in hand, Gagan traveled to Kahrdunga with bikes on rent for the trip. It is one of the famous gateways to the Nubra and Shyok valleys that lie ahead. Situated at an altitude of 18,379 ft (5602 m) it is the highest motorable pass.

Day 7

Our action-packed week comes to an end and our travelers depart for the Delhi flight into the hustle and bustle of life. 

• Preferred Transportation Mode: Rented Bikes
• Budget: INR 22,000 per Person
• Activities you can do are crafting, biking, water rafting, sightseeing, etc.
• Bookings: made on-spot
• Weather: Sunny makes views better as cloudy weather makes Pangong look normal.

Some advice and suggestions:

• Not preferred for solo travelers as the terrains are difficult to cross. So, you might want to go in griup of 3-4.
• You should prefer planning in prior.

So this was the thrilling travel story of Gagan Gungalani to Ladakh. He also happens to be a fantastic photographer, check out his page @gaganwithrucksack, for more photos and videos.

And for more such exciting and authentic travel stories and detailed itineraries follow us on our Instagram page @indiachalk.