Unfortunately we repeated the same mistake again. Woke up late at 0900 Hrs and then took shower with cold water. Me and Natwar took shower with the coldest water in our life. Never before we took shower with the water which was cold like ice. After doing yoga and having breakfast at the same restaurant where we had dinner yesterday night started the journey at 1200 Hrs. In the way a guy asked us about the petrol as the cans were empty. He informed us to fill our tanks at Thandi as there is no petrol filling station 365 Kms from Thandi till Leh. We got our tanks filled and purchased engine oil where we were charged almost twice of the MRP which was very annoying. The sky was open and there was pleasant sunshine. As you move ahead, the flora and fauna starts changing. The tall trees disappear and this is the place where you can get cold and sunburns at the same time. Also carry drinking water with you because as the height increases, you will find snow and water disappears. It gets cold on the passes and the road is very bad with lot of small pointed stones. So make sure your tyre quality is very good because in case you get a puncture then that will result in lot of time wastage. If you leave on time, say at 0800 Hrs and stop biking at 1700 Hrs then you can enjoy the complete journey and also you will meet many bikers on the road. They will wave hands for you and keep on motivating the bikers whom you meet in the way. Many non Indians also drive through that way and we were surprised to meet some cyclists too. After Keylong you wont find mobile phone network and electricity till Leh and it is difficult to ride till Leh from Keylong in one day so make sure you call your family about that you wont be available on phone. You will pass from Jispa and Darcha and before Sarchu you will find many beautiful mountains whose photographs can prove to be the best wallpapers for your computer. Its heaven. You will also find many army stations and a request to you not to click their photos and post them on social networking sites. In case of an emergency you can use army satellite phone that comes just before Sarchu but that phone is not open for civilians all the day round. There is a specific timing for that, which is before 1300 Hrs. Sarchu is the border of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir so here you will have to get your entry in the police check post. They will ask for the vehicle number and for non Indians, they need your passport number. If you reach Sarchu before 1700 Hrs then do enjoy a walk on the bank of river. During the sunset, the hills around Sarchu really get very beautiful. You will find a bike mechanic at Sarchu. There are no hotels there and only tents are avaliable for rent. We got a big tent with two beds and blankets including dinner. All this costed us 200 Rs. There are many tents so there is no problem in finding one. It was cold there and I am very sure that if you go there in the early or late part of year then it must be too cold there. You may start getting effect of altitude sickness in Sarchu. Me and Natwar suffered from insomnia that night and there was also slight headache. After taking dinner we both slept. Though there is no danger of robbery in that area, still please take care of your luggage and petrol cans. Loss of appetite was there but still eat as much as you eat normally because being empty stomach is not good in that area.
Suggestions for today are:
Check air and oil in your bike before leaving Keylong.
As you get closer to Sarchu, you will find many beautiful places so leave early from Keylong and get many good photographs.
You may also start facing altitude sickness so please take proper care.
There is no mobile phone network or electricity in Sarchu. So make sure you call your family in advance and also carry an extra battery for your camera because there is no electricity till Leh from Keylong.
Its cold in Sarchu. Take care of that.
GALLERY
(Please click on the image to enlarge it)
(There are videos after the photos)
View from rest house in Keylong
Bikers coming to Keylong
Tent where we stayed in Sarchu
Keylong-Sarchu Road
Way towards Keylong
Our tent in Sarchu
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Bridge on Keylong-Sarchu road
Entrance gate at Keylong
Keylong-Sarchu road
View at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Himachal Pradesh Government bus
Last petrol filling station at Thandi
Keylong-Sarchu road
Bikers at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Change in vegetation
5 minute halt
Change in vegetation
Bikers passing from Keylong
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Darcha
Bridge at Darcha
Monasteries at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Truck at Darcha
This man helped us in getting our bike repaired. Thank you
Keylong-Sarchu road
Overtaking is very risky
View at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Darcha from top
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Waterfall on the road
Milestone
It get difficult for four wheelers to cross each other
You will find such waterfalls on the way that are strong enough to slip you down
BRO machine
Room at Keylong
Waterfall on the road
Ladies working
A clear lake. Co ordinates are 32.7524N, 77.2558E
Change in vegetation
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
A truck polluting the heaven
Keylong-Sarchu road
30 minutes halt
My brother Natwar in relaxed mode
Spiral roads
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Natures creations
Prayer wheel at Keylong
View at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Road and river
Temporary stay
Keylong-Sarchu road
Room for rent in Keylong
Spiral roads
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Temple
Natures creation
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Buddhist flags
Road through the waterfall
Starting the journey from Keylong
View at
Keylong-Sarchu road
View at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Crystal clear water at
Keylong-Sarchu road
Snow in the way
Snow in the way
Nature's painting
A boy with a tent
Natures creation
Natures creation
Restaurant in the way
Keylong-Sarchu road
Sunset and waterfall
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Keylong-Sarchu road
Breakfast at Keylong
Heights that we have to cross
Evening at Sarchu
Tent where we had dinner
The same tent from inside
Tent roof
The tent where we stayed for night
Keylong-Sarchu road
Photography
VIDEOS
Stop in between Keylong and Sarchu (Himachal Pradesh) INDIA
5 comments:
hey dude when did you go to leh and which bike you have ?
Very Nice Ankesh JAY MATA DI
@Rossi, we departed on July 17 2012 and reached back to Udaipur (Rajasthan) on August 01 2012. Motorbike used was Royal Enfield 350cc
@Shakti dada.. Jai Mata Di.. Mt Everest next :)
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