A bike trip to Ladakh in summer is like entering a dream. Clear skies, rugged mountains, green landscapes, melting mountains. Leh Ladakh bike trip in summers is like pure magic.
With daytime temperatures ranging between 15-30 degree celsius and dropping between 5-10 degree celsius at nighttime, the spot becomes ideal for sightseeing, biking as well as activities like river rafting, camping, wildlife safari, and trekking.
Get ready to dive into the adventure for a lifetime with our Leh Ladakh bike trip packages, which will surely offer an amazing experience. In this blog, we have provided complete information about popular routes to take, best time to visit, places to visit , as well as activities to indulge in.
Ladakh Biking Adventure In Summer
A Ladakh bike trip in summer, basically between April-July offers a thrilling experience with high passes, breathtaking landscapes, and the chance to experience the region’s unique culture. With our Leh Ladakh tour packages you can pass through some of the highest motorable roads including Khardung La, and Umling La and even Chang La, followed by camping and stargazing nearby pristine lakes like Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso, Tso Kar and visiting monasteries like Hemis, Thiksey and Diskit for a peaceful retreat.
However, when taking that bike trip to Ladakh in summer lying in your bucket list, do not forget to be prepared and take precautions, as already due to high altitude, there can be altitude sickness, and at the time of summers bikers could also face dehydration, therefore proper rest, dehydration, and acclimation is required.
Also Checkout: Best Leh Ladakh Tour Package | 8D 7N
Best Summer Routes for Ladakh Bike Trip
For a Ladakh bike trip in summer, both the popular routes, Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh are ideal, offering stunning views and challenging terrains. However, if you are a first time traveller, then you must take the Srinagar-Leh route which provides a gradual ascent, ideal for acclimatization and if you are a seasoned traveller, then you must take the bike trip of your dreams via the Manli-Leh route, full of adventure and vibe. Another popular route that you can consider is the Leh to Leh route, which takes less time but offers the best of Ladakh.
Here’s a glimpse of all the routes:
1.Manali-Leh Route:
- Opening Time: April
- Highlights: Baralacha La, Gata Loops, Moray Plains
- Difficulty: Gradual ascent, better for acclimatization, varied landscapes
2. Srinagar-Leh Route:
- Opening Time: April
- Highlights: Zoji La, Lamayuru, Kargil
- Difficulty: Higher altitude, best for scenic views
3.Leh-Leh Route:
- Opening Time: Open throughout the year
- Highlights: Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Umling La, Pangong Tso
- Difficulty: Easier once acclimatized
Best Time for a Bike Trip to Ladakh During Summer
The best time for a bike trip to Ladakh in summer is usually between May to September. Both July and August are considered peak seasons due to vibrant landscapes and favourable weather conditions, and June is the hottest month in Ladakh.
Here’s a more detailed glimpse about best time to visit Ladakh:
- April-May: This is the time of early summer in Ladakh, when roads are opening, but weather can be unpredictable with snowfall expected at higher passes. The best part of visiting in this season is the apricot blossoms.
- June: This is the start of peak season, as it approaches, the roads become more accessible, and the weather also turns stable.
- July-August: This time is the peak season, when roads are fully open, and the landscapes appear most beautiful. At this time, a little bit of rain showers add more charm to the beauty of Ladakh.
- September: This is the time of late summers, when weather is still pleasant, however some passes start closing due to the onset of winters.
Pro-Tip: There are several factors that you must consider when taking a bike trip to Ladakh in summer, this includes knowing about the road conditions, safety and security, the proper way to acclimatise, and paying the environmental fees in advance.
10 Places To Visit For Bike Trip to Ladakh During Summer
Here’s the list of places to visit for bike trip to Ladakh during summer season:
1. Pangong Lake: A lake located at a height of 14,270 feet above sea level is the highest saltwater lake in the world, which is known to change colours from blue to green. The spot is ideal for camping and stargazing, and is a must visit destination quite popular among bikers.
- Location: XC8C+CH3, Ladakh, 194201
- Timings: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Things To Do: Lakeside Camping, Bonfire Nights, Stargazing, Photography
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2. Umling La Pass: It is the highest motorable passes in Ladakh at a height of 19,024 feet,
full of rugged terrains, barren landscapes, and unpredictable weather. For breathtaking views of Ladakhi skies and snow-covered mountains, you must take this road.
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3. Khardung La Pass: After Umling La, comes Khardung La, the second highest motorable pass, situated at a height of 5,359 metres above sea level, which is also the gateway to two stunning valleys; Nubra and Shyok. Riding on this road is a big achievement for travellers on a bike trip.
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4.Nubra Valley: A cold desert, nestled in the heart of Ladakh is popular for its unique landscape, green oasis, vast sand dunes, and stunning landscapes. Nubra Valley is a perfect blend of culture and nature. When in Nubra, do experience a camel ride or an ATV ride in Hunder sand dunes.
- Location: At the confluence of Shyok & Nubra River
- Timings: 7:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-7:00 PM
- Things To Do: Bactrian Camel Ride, Bike Riding, Photography, Sightseeing, Camping
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5.Zanskar Valley: Popular for Chadar Trek, which leads to Frozen Zanskar River, where you can actually walk on ice. The Zanskar Valley is straight out of a movie, so dreamy and dramatic with blue and brown landscapes and peaks covered with snow.
- Location:Along Zanskar River
- Timings: Open 24 Hours
- Things To Do: Trekking, Photography, Sightseeing, Visiting Buddhist Monasteries
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6.Magnetic Hill: Based on an interesting physics concept, the hill is known to create an illusion of pulling vehicles uphill which is like against the law of gravity. Situated at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level, do not miss to indulge in this unique experience when in Ladakh.
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7.Zoji La Pass: Located at a height of 11,575 feet, the pass serves as the connecting point between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Known for its sharp bends, narrow roads, the Zoji La pass is one of the most critical and challenging passes in the world that you must ride on when in Ladakh.
- Location: Forest Block 192230
- Timings: 6:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- Things To Do: Trekking, Hiking, Nature Walks
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8.Tso Moriri Lake: This lake will definitely leave you spellbound with its blue water and untouched beauty. This lake attracts bikers as well as wild animals and migratory birds. When here, do stargaze the clear Ladakhi skies and set up a camp nearby. The place is also known for the best sunrise and sunsets.
- Location: X729+8R8, Karzok, 194404
- Timings: Open 24 Hours
- Things To Do: Photography, Meditation, Souvenir Shopping, Photography
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9.Kargil: A popular spot that gained significance after the Kargil War of 1999, the place reminds us of the sacrifices made by our soldiers on this land. Beyond that, the spot is also known for its raw beauty and ancient traditions, becoming quite popular amongst bikers these days.
- Location: Along the Suru River, NH 1, 194103
- Timings: Open 24 Hours
- Things To Do: Visit War Memorials, Explore Monasteries, Mountain Biking, Nun-Kun Trek, Visit Suru River & Valley
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10.Thiksey Monastery: Resembling Potala Palace in Tibet, this monastery is like pure magic to the soul. A twelve-storeyed complex which houses many Buddhist art items like stupas, statues, wall painting, swords and even thangkas. A must visit spot, includes Maitreya Temple, which is the largest statue erected to commemorate the visit of 14th Dalai Lama in 1970.
- Location: Thiksey, Ladakh 194201
- Timings: 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Things To Do: Photography, Meditation, Souvenir Shopping
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Tips for Ladakh Bike Trip in Summer
Here are some of the best travel tips and the list of essential things to carry for bike trip to Ladakh in summer:
- First and foremost, you should plan your visit after gathering information about the best time to visit, popular routes, must try cuisine, accommodations, bike rentals, and environmental fees as well as items and documents that you must carry.
- To acclimatize and adjust with the harsh surroundings, you must spend 1 or 2 days in Leh, relax and hydrate yourself enough and then move onto Ladakh.
- As this is summer time, it is essential to carry a reusable water bottle, in order to stay hydrated all the time. You can also carry portable purifying units to save time by not visiting extra miles for water.
- Another suggestion is to carry a few snacks for munching along the way, such as nuts, biscuits, berries, chocolates and energy bars to make sure you are fit enough throughout the journey.
- The next important travel tip is with respect to bikes. If you are carrying your own bike or renting it, it is essential to have a driving license, bike registration and insurance papers.
- Further, to save your time, you must pay the environmental fee online in advance, which is to be paid by every traveller visiting Ladakh.
- Another important thing is to make sure you carry extra jerry cans of fuel, as fuel stations are at faraway places.
- Lastly, to avoid any serious complications, it's important to carry your personal medications if any and a first aid kit for your bike trip to Ladakh.
- Further, as summer is the peak season, you have to make sure to book your accommodation in advance to get the best deals and avoid last minute hassles.
