Do You Know About Delhi- Srinagar- Leh- Manali Bike Trip?

When it comes to thrill and exploration, the Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-Delhi road route is the most popular trail that enthuses millions of bikers and motorists every year. Especially, the Srinagar-Leh-Manali route is considered the most challenging road track in India. Most recently at a Dhaba near Chandigarh, I felt the heat tempting my instincts when I met two bikers who were returning to Delhi after having concluded the expedition. It pulsated my nerves when they started narrating several exciting incidents of their rich experiences, which even filled me with the spirit of exploration and self-discovery. Their enthralling voices and creative expressions reflected the spirit of extreme pleasure and contentment they were endowed with this adventure bike trip. Above all, the entire setting kept gratifying the splendor of such an accomplishment, which optimistically enriched and propelled my instincts to such a dream bike ride across the heaven on earth.

The Best Adventure Biking Route In India

As the needs, wants, and attitudes of the people are evolving, a general tendency of exploring amazing places has captured the dreams of millions of travelers worldwide. However, a new generation of enthusiastic travelers has evolved, which focuses on the discoveries blended with adventure. The entire Delhi- Jammu- Srinagar- Leh- Laddakh- Manali- Delhi road journey takes you through the most exciting moments contributing significantly to your endless pursuits. However, the joy of this exhilarating trip ascends exponentially when you explore this wonderful route while riding your beloved motorcycle. Starting from the Singhu Border near Narela in North Delhi, the National Highway Number One, also known as NH1, connects New Delhi to Wagah Border in Amritsar, taking you through a series of mesmerizing memories.

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Delhi- Srinagar- Leh- Manali Bike Trip

Tentative Itinerary

Once you have decided to start your journey to unexpected thrills and unknown experiences, you should be well aware of your route. Though, your smart phone is smart enough to help you at every step, yet you must be well aware of everything in advance involving your route map, time required, hotels, road and climatic conditions and other challenges. The ideal time to kick start your dream bike trip would be the early morning hours when the highways are relaxing and winds are exuding.

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Day 1. Delhi to Patnitop and night stay. Distance via NH 44 is 639 kms. The total time required would range between 10 to 14 hours.

Day 2. Leave Patnitop early morning for Kargil and night stay. Distance between Patnitop and Kargil via NH 44 and NH1 is 384 kms. The total time required would range between 8 to 10 hours.

Day 3. Leave Kargil for Leh and night stay. Distance between Kargil and Leh via NH1 is 210 kms. The total time required would range between 4 to 5 hours. You can enjoy numerous sightseeing options available around Kargil and Leh.

Day 4. Leave Leh early morning for Manali and night stay. Distance via Hermis, Pang and Keylong is 473 kms. The total time required would range between 13 to 15 hours.

Day 5. Leave Manali for Delhi via Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Kiratpur Saheb. The total time required to travel a distance of 515 kms till Singhu Border would range between 10 to 13 hours. However, you can alternatively choose to return via Shimla, which requires a left diversion from Kullu or Mandi.

Though many bikers boast of traveling such a long distance within three to four days, however, that would be extremely dangerous and useless, as you would not be able to capture the exceptionally pleasant nerves of the great Himalayan geography. A 5-day trip, though brief, would be ideal to usher you with a rewarding adventure bike journey. The above trip plan enables you with sufficient time to explore nearby attractions at every night halt during this thrilling bike journey.

Trip Preparations

Though the best adventures are never pre-planned, yet you must undertake certain precautions before preparing yourself to begin your dream bike journey since it involves extensive traveling for optimum five days at least. The first thing you must ensure is to get your motorcycle serviced, repaired and customized according to your needs. Once your bike is absolutely perfect to begin with the pursuit, you should arrange the following accessories to avoid any untoward happening during the trip:

1.   Bike Puncture Kit And Spare Tube

2.   Bike Engine Oil

3.   Brake And Accelerator Wires

4.   Medical Kit

5.   Spark-Plugs

6.   Chain Link

7.   Fuel

8.   Bike’s Papers With 10 Xeroxes For Each

9.   Rope

10. Quick-Fix

11. Water

12. Dry Fruits

13. Warm Clothes & Water-Proof Jacket

14. Ankle-high shoes

However, if you want to hire a bike for this trip then you can avail plenty of options in Srinagar, Leh and Manali. Depending upon the choice of your model, you can easily avail the motorcycles between INR 800 and 1600 per day.

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Start With Your Dream Bike Ride Across Delhi- Srinagar- Leh- Manali Route

Once out of Delhi, your stress level would gradually come down, as the sense of extreme freedom rejuvenates your senses. As you move ahead over NH1, you will pass by Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Ambala. You would cross the couple of Toll Plazas, which do not charge bikers. It is suggested to have your belly filled with some delightful meal before you reach Ambala, as locating a reasonable eating joint would really be difficult for many miles ahead. The most popular meal over NH1 is Daal Makhani/Fry with Tandoori Rotis and Butter. Once you reach Ambala, it offers you two feasible alternative routes to your dream destination, the most optimum one is NH44 (An amended highway denomination connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari, which is inclusive of many old highways) via Jalandhar and the other one goes via city beautiful, Chandigarh. More convenient and steady, the NH44 facilitates you with congestion-free multilane rapid highway journey. NH44 passes comfortably ahead via Rajpura, Sirhind, Khanna, Ludhiana, Phillaru, Phagwara until Jalandhar. In Jalandhar, you have to be more cautious, as you have to turn right towards Pathankot via Mukerian at Shaheed Banta Singh Sanghwal Chowk. It would comfortably take around 8-10 hours to reach Pathankot from Delhi’s Singhu Border, which approximates around 458 kilometers via Jalandhar. The alternative route via Chandigarh also takes similar time, however, it somehow is a narrow congested highway. Though shorter, the route via Chandigarh passes through Zirakpur, Kharar, Kurali, Rupnagar, Kiratpur Saheb, Anandpur Saheb, Nangal, Una, Amb, Talwara touching Pathankot Road at Mukerian crossroads. A 467 km journey, the route offers spectacular views of inner countrysides of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Moreover, the alternative anticlockwise journey via Manali, Leh and Sringar can also be considered once you reach Kiratpur Saheb, as it connects Chandigarh to Manali via NH21. However, clockwise journey would be a more pleasant option, as it gradually takes you through the excitement and learning. However, if you want to avoid the tedious ride through plain terrains, you can alternatively book your rail ticket till Jammu, as Indian Railways also facilitate the carriage of your robust bike. A 368 kms journey from Pathankot to Srinagar begins with a more challenging ride that arouses your senses and enthusiasm. During the way, various fragrances blending the soil, water, oxygen and other organic substances are sufficiently enough to expand the size of your lungs.

On your way to Srinagar from Pathankot, you will experience an altogether diverse climatic and cultural heritage, including abundant fresh air, beautiful surroundings, lush greenery, rich ranches, gloomy mountain ranges, chirping birds and grazing mammals. Kathua district’s Lakhanpur Border is your gateway to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, connecting Jammu with Pathankot. While proceeding towards Jammu you should turn right towards Udhampur, soon after you cross the Samba town. This is the point when your favorite Himalayan ride begins towards the valley. You will not even realize if when did you reach Patnitop, a famous hill station on your way to self-actualization. While enjoying the spellbound landscapes, you will reach Srinagar via Banihal, Anantnag and Pampore. You can either opt to stay overnight in Srinagar or move ahead to the adventurous trail between Srinagar and Leh. On the way, you will come across several amazing and beautiful places, such as Chiner, Sonamarg, Baltal, Dras, Kakshar and Kargil. After experiencing the significance of Kargil heights, you will move towards Leh via Saraks, Lamayuru, Nimmoo. There are many tourist attractions over and around this dream adventure highway. While in Leh, you can learn many new things about mysterious Lamas, Monastries and related spiritual pursuits enhancing the native culture. On your journey from Leh to Manali, you will travel carefully via Hermis and Keylong.

The endless roads, chilling breezes, exciting Dhaba breaks, valuable interactions, dynamic climates, challenging maneuvers, difficult terrains and pleasant landscape views throughout your trip will keep enriching your perspective considerably. Though I have accomplished many adventure bike rides to various Himalayan destinations, however, the Delhi- Jammu- Srinagar- Leh- Laddakh- Manali- Delhi bike trip remains the most exciting bike journey throughout.

Affordable Accommodations and Necessary Amenities

Though carrying tents and sleeping bags might be the most appealing option, alternatively, you can locate many cheap hotels to relax during and camping sites over many places during your passionate journey. It is advisable to drive under abundant sunlight, as traveling during the night hours might encounter several difficulties and dangers. You can avail plenty of good accommodation options and facilities on Srinagar- Leh highway as compared to Leh- Manali highway. There are very limited facilities at places like Mulbekh, Sonamarg, Drass etc., however, Kargil and Lamayuru can be better alternatives.  Try to avail accommodation on twin sharing basis as it would cost you reasonable. The Srinagar – Leh journey should ideally take two days with a night stay near Kargil, as it is one of the most dangerous world routes. You should take extra precautions as you would be traveling the highest altitudes with minimum oxygen levels. Though, finding fuel, petrol pumps and ATMs is not a problem till Leh, however, you should prepare yourself while traveling between Leh and Manali, as there are very limited facilities involving fuel or petrol pumps, ATMs and hotels. Your post paid mobile connections will keep you connected till Sonamarg, but you might encounter discrete network problems during Kargil- Manali journey. Your prepaid connections will not work until you are in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, therefore you are advised to carry post paid mobile connection with you. However, you can avail fixed phone lines over many places. In case of a medical urgency, you can avail medical facilities at Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil, Lamayuru while traveling between Srinagar and Leh. The liquor shops are easily available in every town you pass through.

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Cultural, Environmental, Religious and Safety Precaustions

The entire Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal region is culturally diversified, therefore, you must behave decently without hurting the local sentiments. Moreover, you will have to be very much vigilant of ecological aspect, as carrying a valid Pollution Control Certificate is mandatory besides adopting cleanliness etiquettes. Though adventure seekers never bother about their well-being, yet you should focus to complete your journey safely, thus, avoid over-speeding, drunken driving and rash and negligent riding throughout the trip.

The overall distance you would travel during your Delhi- Srinagar- Leh- Manali- Delhi bike trip comes at around 2400 kms including sightseeing diversions. The varying road sizes, rich sights, abundant natural beauty and grandeur of the great Himalayas is sure to enrich your intellectual pursuits. I should not forget to appraise you of a popular notion prevailing among the adventure bikers, “you never return empty-handed whenever you explore the great Himalayas.”