Ramesh’s Road Trip to Ladakh with His Friends and Thrillophilia
I had always longed for a break that is raw, grounded, and far from the noise of daily routines.. But when my three closest friends, Arjun, Varun, and Sameer, proposed a road trip to Ladakh, I knew this was going to be different.
“No fancy resorts, no tourist traps, just the mountains and the road,” Arjun has said, smiling.
“And a bike roaring through the Himalayas,” Sameer added, nudging me.
The idea took root in my heart instantly. It had been a while since the four of us did something spontaneous and soul-stirring. So, on the 7th of July 2022, we set out on the journey of a lifetime - one that promised adventure, reflection, and the kind of silence only mountains can offer.
Delhi to Manali: The Journey Begins
As we boarded the overnight Volvo from Delhi, excitement buzzed in the air. We watched the city lights fade into the darkness and be replaced by the rolling hills of Himachal Pradesh.
By morning, we reached Manali. The first breath of fresh mountain air filled my lungs and washed away the exhaustion of the 12-hour journey. We checked into our hotel, freshened up, and spent the day exploring the charming town, sipping hot chai by the Beas River and wandering through the bustling Mall Road.
That evening, we attended a short briefing session and finally got our bikes. Standing beside my Royal Enfield, I ran my hand over the handlebar and felt the thrill settle into my bones. "This is it, boys. The real adventure begins now."
Through the Atal Tunnel
The next morning, we kick-started our bikes and rode towards Jispa. The Atal Tunnel welcomed us into a world where nature reigned supreme. As we emerged on the other side, Sissu greeted us with its cascading waterfalls and lush valleys. We paused at Keylong for a cup of chai and watched the mountains loom over us like ancient guardians.
By evening, we reached Jispa, a quiet little village surrounded by snow-clad peaks. We camped under a sky bursting with stars, and the chill in the air reminded us that we were stepping deeper into Ladakh’s embrace. Sitting by the bonfire, we shared laughter while being wrapped in our jackets.
No screens, no distractions - just conversations and the sound of the wind rustling through the valley.
Sarchu and the First Challenge
The next morning, we rode towards Sarchu, where we crossed Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal, two lakes so pristine that they looked like mirrors reflecting the sky. The real test began at Baralacha La Pass at 16,000 feet above sea level. The thin air and freezing winds made every breath a conscious effort.
The road was treacherous, with patches of ice and loose gravel testing our nerves. Each twist and turn demanded complete focus, which made the ride both thrilling and exhausting.
As we reached Sarchu, the landscape became rough and almost alien. Tall rock formations lined the roads and cast long shadows under the afternoon sun. The air was so thin that it made even small tasks feel like challenges.
That night, the temperature dropped below freezing. Wrapped in layers, I lay awake in my tent, listening to the howling wind and feeling both alive and humbled.
The Road to Leh was a Ride of a Lifetime
The next morning, we tackled the legendary Gata Loops, 21 sharp bends that tested our riding skills. Every twist and turn brought a new view; some were terrifying, while some were mesmerising. The notorious ghost stories of the Gata Loops from the locals added an eerie thrill to our ride, but we were too focused on the road to dwell on legends.
We crossed Lachung La and Nakee La. More Plains, an endless stretch of high-altitude desert, gave us the rare joy of opening the throttle and feeling the bike roar beneath us. The barren landscape, interrupted only by occasional patches of greenery, made us feel like we were on another planet. The winds were relentless as they pushed against us as we rode, but we embraced the resistance, knowing we were nearing our destination.
During the evening, we reached Leh, exhausted but exhilarated. We spent the next day exploring the town, visiting the Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and the beautiful Indus-Zanskar confluence. At Magnetic Hill, we played around with the illusion and watched our bikes appear to roll uphill.
But nothing prepared us for Khardung-La, the highest motorable road in the world. As we reached the top, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This was it.
The view from the top was breathtaking - snow-covered peaks stretched endlessly, and the feeling of standing on the roof of the world was indescribable. We stayed there for a while and let the moment sink in before beginning our descent.
Pangong and the Final Goodbye
Our journey took us through Nubra Valley, where we rode on sand dunes and marvelled at double-humped camels. Then came Pangong Tso - the lake of dreams. As the sun dipped, the waters turned from blue to golden, reflecting the sky.
We stood in silence to absorb the moment. Sameer broke the quietness in the atmosphere with a smile. “This trip… this will be hard to top.”
And he was right. As we rode back through Chang-La, towards Leh, and towards the end of our journey, we all knew something inside had shifted. These roads and these peaks had carved memories that no photograph could fully capture.
The mountains had given us a gift - a memory that would last a lifetime.
Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Reviews