[Part 1] Bangalore – Chandigarh – Manali

Day -1: Bangalore

Time had raced past to 28^th June 2014 sooner than we anticipated & there we were, woke up early on  Saturday morning around 2.00 AM, started calling everyone just to make sure everyone is ready. Our flight was at 6.30AM, booked cab at 3.00AM since we had multiple pickups from different places, so we decided to leave early. Started sharp 3.00AM from my place, next picked up Guru near Chansandra. Headed towards Deepu’s home near Kadrenahalli, picked Deepu & Vagee. Next it was Sunil’s turn near Vidaya Peeta. Last we picked Sowmya near Dairy circle, to pick all from different corners of the city it took almost 1 hour. Ullas was about to join us from Chandigarh.  Reached Airport well in advance. Checked in all our luggage and we were all set to go.  

Flight took almost 7 hours with one stop in Delhi [3 hours waiting for next connecting flight to Chandigarh]. Since we had enough time for next flight, had breakfast in Delhi airport. Time spent in Delhi Airport was too boring. Breakfast which we had before entering the terminal was not enough for our hungry tummies!! So before boarding our next flight decided to have our lunch, had early lunch at KFC, while having our lunch met Munaf Patel (former Indian cricket player) in next table. Our next flight was on time and boarded our flight to Chandigarh, it was short journey of just 35 minutes. Finally reached our destination Chandigarh without any delay.

Once we reached Chandigarh, we headed towards Panchakula to collect our Bikes from the warehouse of GATI Couriers from who we sent our bikes to Chandigarh. It was about 12KMs from Airport, while getting down from the Taxi guru lost his mobile, but we are not sure where he missed it. (First gift to Chandigarh from our end J). 

Entered GATI warehouse and checked with the staff about bikes, our bikes were standing in one corner of warehouse and by the way bikes were packed we thought our bikes will be fine, but after unpacking we find out some of the minor damages on our bikes. Deepu’s bike mirror was broken; my bikes front indicator was damaged. At this point we have not noticed the bullet, actually bullets center stand was bended.  

Met one more group of bikers in Gati office. Those guys were from Mysore J and they were about to start journey to Leh after one day. After unpacking bikes next challenge in front of us was petrol…!! Since before packing bikes they will empty the fuel tank for bikes safety. The other group guys gave us almost 2 liters of petrol which they barrowed for their bikes.  2 liters of petrol was more than enough for all 5 bikes to reach petrol bunk. Filled full tank petrol for all the bikes and it was my turn to gift something to Chandigarh :P, forgot to collect my ATM card in petrol bunk after paying for fuel (funniest part was I realized it after one week when we reached Leh..!!).

Came back to Gati office where we kept our luggage, collected our entire luggage and we were waiting for Ullas who was about to join us in Chandigarh. He was supposed to reach Chandigarh Airport by 5.30PM. We decided to leave Chandigarh on same day, so by the time he join us we started to tie all luggage to our bikes. I went to airport to receive him, by the time we were back all bikes were ready with luggage tied and without wasting any time we headed towards Manali.

Let me start this wonderful experience with a quote “The one thing to remember about an adventure is that, if it turns out the way you expect it to, it has not been an adventure at all…!!!”. When we started our Adventures ride we planned to reach Bilaspur which was around 150 Kms from Chandigarh, but rain started before we covered 50 KMs of our journey, we were not expecting rain at this point and it was already 8.00PM, as we heard from our friends even roads were not good till we cross Bilaspur. So we dropped our plan to reach Bilaspur and stayed in Baddi… Our first day ride ended before we reach 50 Kms …!!!

Day – 2:  Baddi

Actually our ride started with full fledged from Day 2 only, we were all set for long journey. Our next destination for the day was Manali, which was around 260 Kms. Luckily we will get more day time on this part of the world. Sun rise will happen around 5.00AM and sun set will happen around 8.00PM. So we had very long day time to cover our destination. Woke up early in the morning and got ready very quickly, but took almost 2 hours to tie all our luggage’s to bikes. Since it was our first day of journey took more than expected time to tie our luggage. Finally we were ready to move around 6.30 AM. Done quick round of photo session before we started our journey. 

 With empty tummies we started our journey. We know it’s the best time to cover maximum distance since traffic will be bit less at this time and even heat..!!! As per Guru (he went through ‘n’ number of blogs to collect more and more information) roads till ACC cement factory was not good and its muddy road, his suggestion was better to cross ACC cement factory junction before heavy loaded trucks occupy the road.

Day 2 again rain welcomed us on road, but this time we were fully prepared for the rain. Everyone was riding bikes wearing bomb squad uniform :P (Rain coat). So we did not stop our ride because of rain. Due to rain muddy roads become even worse to ride our bikes. 

Already clock was turned 11.00AM, our hungry tummies were giving signal for a break, but we were searching for some good hotel to stop and have breakfast. Didn't find any hotels when we were together, when we found some hotel one or the other bikes were passed us without stopping…!!! Even we missed one deviation too, but gathered at one tea stall again and had decided to follow Royal Enfield logic for our ride. Decided the positions of each bike, Deepu was Leader followed by Guru, Ullas, Sunil and we were sweepers at last (Vagee & me).

After the deviation to Manali main road, rain was stopped and even road was good.  Finally we reached Bilaspur and stopped for food, by the time we stopped it was lunch time… 

Had nice parotas and some yummy food. After long ride relaxed for a while and back on roads again. Stopped near one reservoir near Mandi for a quick photo session, most importantly some of us were feeling sleepy after heavy lunch.

At this point we switched our partners, Vagee took Ullas bike since he was feeling sleepy and Ullas came with me.  Again we spread up due to tea breaks. Me, Ullas & Sunil were at last and rest of team members were far away from us. From Mandi again it was around 110 Kms to Manali; the ride through this stretch was amazing.

Nicely curved rocks at one side, roaring river at another side, on top of that Slight drizzling, ohhh., I just can’t explain it with words…!!! Unfortunately could not capture this beauty in my camera since it was raining. Usually I used to see this highway in movies, but I was riding on this road on my loved bike.

Once we cross Mandi we will get tunnel which joins road to Manali, this was almost 5KMs tunnel build recently I guess (since lots of work is going on) ride inside this tunnel was simply superb. Seriously it was wonderful experience which we had while riding on this river band J.

We were about to reach Manali but still we don’t knew where are rest of the guys. Got mobile signal at one point and then called Deepu, after calling him only we realized we overtook them and they are behind us. Deepu, Vagee & Guru were waiting for us near Kullu, but we did not notice them. Deepu told us reach Manali and search for Hotel to stay. 

At one point we could not resist our self from stopping for tea break after seeing tea stall next to the river. It was so attractive and nice surrounding too. Luckily we got hotel to stay at this place only. Which was just 8 Kms away from Manali City. By the time rest of the team joined us me and Ullas went and checked the rooms and booked the hotel.  

We covered almost 250 Kms on day 2. Most importantly we reached Manali as per plan without any deviation in the plan. (I guess this is the only day our plan executed without much trouble). 

Day – 3: Manali 

Woke up early morning around 5.00 and shocked by seeing the light outside...!! It was like 7.00 AM in Bangalore. Took out camera and clicked couple of pics... Day started with photo shoot… J 

Our initial plan for this day was to get permission from SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) to Rohtang Pass, some shopping in Manali and go for river rafting and paragliding. While booking room only we asked hotel guy to help us to get permission letter and give contact details of some guys who can take us for River Rafting. He just told us to go to SDM office where we will get permission letter and all. By seeing his response we understood that he is not going to help us, so we decided to go and check for this permission letter by our self. As per plan we were about to leave Manali next day morning, so we had enough time to spend in Manali.

Headed towards Manali city which was around 8 Kms from the place where we stayed. Food at this hotel was not so, hence we thought of having breakfast at some other place. On the way to Manali stopped for breakfast. Gave orders for food. Here one thing which i noticed is, In most of the hotels they will start preparing food items once they get order. Not like Bangalore…!!! After taking orders he said it will take minimum 20 to 30 mins (not ordered any special food here, just Maggi and bread omelet). 

By the time our food is ready, thought of doing photo session in nearby place. 

Water was too chilled at this place and spent some good time here. 

Finished our breakfast and reached Manali around 11.00AM. First important thing to do was to collect permission letter from GFC office. Once went and checked in GFC office then only we came to know that no permission is required for Indian civilians. We just need to enter our details in the check post and we can continue the journey. But we got shocked when they said Rohtang Pass will remain closed on Tuesdays. We were not knowing about this, not even any of our friends informed about this when we were planning (I guess none of them were aware of this). At least hotel guy didn’t inform us when we asked him. Immediately we changed our plan and decided to leave Manali on the same day..!!

Rushed back to hotel, packed all our stuff and started tying our luggage’s to bike. Now one more problem came in front of us. Hotel guys wanted us to pay for 2 days before we leave…!! Since it was already 2.00PM. Had long conversation and settled hotel bill and continued our Journey. Our first target was to cross Rohtang pass which is around 52 Kms from Manali, but we have not decided where to stop and where stay for that night. 

Rohtang pass was very beautiful place (no need to mention, all the places which we pass through this stretch were really awesome places). While entering Rohtang pass we will get one check post there we just need to enter our details, no permission is required for Indian Citizens.  

Again rain started welcoming us. Roads were bit scary too, totally covered by mist and road was not visible properly. Stopped at Rani Nallah for lunch and it started raining heavily. We were no other option to wait till rain stop. Met one police guy who was returning to Manali from some nearby place,  he said you can go till Koksar where we will get option for accommodation.  

Once rain stopped, continued our journey and reached Rohtang pass top around 7.00 PM, Rohtang top is at height of 13050FT height. Trust me we were shivering literally due to cold. Luckily at this point also we got some hot tea J Clicked few pics at Rohtang pass and continued our ride.

It was getting too dark and once we cross Rohtang top roads are also not that good. Before we reach Koksar, I guess just 5 kms before we came across one big water stream created by water fall. Water was too cold and it was frozen moment for us. Water level was also high on the road. It was coming till my knee…!! With all difficulty we crossed the stream, Captain Vagee (:P) was our hero at this moment J. He helped to cross bikes from one end to other end.     

Finally we reached Koksar around 9.00PM. Deepu and Vagee managed to find hotel for our stay. Hotel owner reminded me Mr. Devanad :D with his coat and hat. Though Koksar is very small village the hospitality at this place was very impressive. Food was too good at this place.

Though we have covered only 75Kms on Day 3, due to many reason we were head as per drafted plan. 

Note: Rohtang pass will be closed on Tuesdays. No permission is required for Indians. 

More to follow on the rest of the journey, keep reading!!

Cheers… J

Leh Ladakh Diaries [Part – 1] – Bike trip – Planning

Leh Ladakh bike trip – Dream ride of every biker. Recent days I was seeing many pictures of the Leh – Ladakh bike rides which motivated me to plan for this trip, mainly one of my friends Vinay had been to Leh on his bicycle and captured wonderful pictures in his camera, by seeing those pics decided to plan for this dream trip. I was waiting for right opportunity to execute this plan. Finally decided to execute this plan in this year (Actually I wanted to execute this plan before I get married :P). As mentioned earlier it considered to be a dream ride for all hard core bike ride lovers, being a passionate rider wanted to execute this plan at any cost.

Leh – Ladakh route will open for the tourists from June to September, so we thought of planning this trip in the month of June. Guru and I made a rough sketch of the route. When we planned for this trip, first person we approached is our friend Vinay MP; since he had been to Leh last year I thought he is the right person to guide us. When I contacted him and asked him to help us, he was very keen to help us. Explained him about our plan, after discussing with Vinay we changed our plan, as he suggested we postponed our traveling date to July and trip for two weeks. Applied for leaves well in advance, once leaves approved we gear up with other planning’s.

Next challenge for us was to form a team for this trip. Initially when we planned we were group of just 3, approached my friends who were passionate in travelling, finally we were group of 7 members.

Since the journey involves a lot of planning – we started planning for this trip almost 6 months before the tentative travel dates. Discussions with friends begin & frequent mailers with the subject “Manali – Leh – Ladakh Bike Ride” starts floating around. Gathering information about places, negotiating deals for the bike transportation, catching up with friends who have already achieved this dream journey & collecting information on the challenges & risks involved.

Vinay introduced us with his friends who had been to Leh – Ladakh on bike in recent past. Their inputs also helped us a lot in planning. One common thing we used to hear was, all these planning will not help for that route…!!! Since we can’t predict the weather and road conditions out there.  These words were not scaring us; in fact they were preparing us for worst conditions. We all knew that it would be one of the adventures trips of our life, The one thing to remember about an adventure is that, if it turns out the way you expect it to, it has not been an adventure at all…!!! 

We decided to start the journey from Chandigarh instead of Delhi to save time and we made plan for 16 days with 1 day buffer in case any problems arise. And Dates are fixed from June 28 to July 13 and we booked the flights to Chandigarh through Spice Jet Airlines.

Initially thought of hiring bikes from Manali, but later we decided to ship our own bikes to Chandigarh and start our journey from Chandigarh only. For bike transportation finalized Gati Courier services, again Vinay’s friend Ravi helped us to get contact details of the Courier service.

With the help of Vinay, Guru came up with Route Map and Deepu prepared checklist of things to carry.  Me and Deepu went for shopping and purchased all required bike spares like (Extra tubes, Puncher Kit, Accelerator cable, Clutch wire, etc.,) almost 90% of shopping we finished from Bangalore only, since we wanted to start our journey as early as possible from Chandigarh.

Trip was planned for 16 days, Traveling approximately 3 thousand Kilo meters, covering 3 States (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab), Main places planned to cover are Kulu – Manali, Leh, Kargil, Srinagar & Amritsar.

Approximate Distance: 3,000 Kms

Duration: 16 Days

The Gang: Sandeep, Gurudatt, Kishore, Vageesh, Sunil, Ullas & Sowmya.

Mode of transport: Motor Bike