A Leh to Hanle bike trip is a must visit journey to discover the breathtaking surroundings as Hanle is a perfect spot for stargazing, clear skies, and stunning views. With our Leh Ladakh trip packages you can discover the unique beauty of Hanle, India’s first dark night reserve and home to the highest Astronomical Observatory of India.
WanderOn presents the complete guide for bike trips to Hanle where you will get a glimpse of the best routes, best time, activities to indulge in and much more. With Leh Ladakh tour packages, you can cover this dream ride and experience the best of your life in the lap of Himalayas.
What are the Best Routes to Hanle from Leh?
There are two routes that you can take for bike trip to Hanle from Leh:
1. Leh to Hanle via Harong: This is the direct route and one of the best routes to Hanle from Leh. It also offers a lot of homestays on the journey. You can indulge in camping in Hanle or nearby areas, as it will be the best experience of your life.
- Must Visit Spots: Merak, Loma, Kastet, Chusul, Tsaga Village, Tangste
- Distance: Approximately 250 kms
- Time Taken: Around 10 hours
2. Leh to Hanle via Chumathang: Another popular route that is most preferred to reach Hanle is via Chumathang road. Your bike trip to Hanle on this route is ideal as it has smoother roads compared to other route, making it a favourite one among bikers. You can also plan camping in Hanle when on this journey.
- Must Visit Spots: Mahe, Loma, Nyoma, Hemis, Thiksey, Shey Palace.
- Distance: Approximately 235 kms
- Time Taken: Around 9-10 hours
3. Leh to Hanle via Pangong Tso: Another popular route that you can take is via Pangong Tso, this route is full of stunning views which offer an unique experience. The journey involves both adventure and sightseeing spots which look straight out of a picture.
- Must Visit Spots: Pangong Tso & Hanle
- Distance: Approximately 240 kms
- Time Taken: Around 10-12 hours
What is the Best Time to Visit Hanle on a Bike Trip?
The ideal time to visit and cover Leh to Hanle bike trip is usually between May-September which are the summer months as at this time the weather is more pleasant and comfortable for a bike ride with more roads opening and adventure activities operating in full swing. In the summer, you can get beautiful vistas of snow capped mountains, pristine lakes, and peaceful monasteries. You are not recommended to travel in winters due to heavy snowfall, avalanches, and road closures as well as in monsoon season due to heavy rainfall and slippery conditions.
Also Read: 8 Days Thrilling Leh Ladakh Tour
What to Know Before Going on a Leh to Hanle Bike Trip?
Here are few points to remember before going on a Leh to Hanle bike trip:
- Firstly, you need to be aware of the weather conditions and the best time to visit in order to plan your Leh Ladakh bike trip from Leh to Hanle.
- Your Leh to Hanle road trip itinerary must be planned well in advance and you need to make sure you cover both iconic destinations and hidden gems on your journey.
- Next, you need to carry your essential documents like driving license, insurance papers, bike insurance, and travel insurance to avoid last-minute hassles.
- Further, you also need to be aware that every traveller visiting Ladakh has to pay an environmental fee of INR 450 per person which can be paid online or offline.
- The journey from Leh and Hanle has few petrol pumps, therefore you must fuel up your tank in Leh which would be your starting point. For the journey ahead you can carry extra jerry cans of fuel.
- Before starting your journey, you are required to stay a night in Leh in order to acclimatize and adjust yourself with the harsh climate of the region. Then, the next day you can begin your bike trip to Hanle.
- To avoid dehydration, you are advised to take your own reusable water bottle or portable water filter. You can also carry some dry snacks like dry fruits, energy bars, berries, and nuts in order to eat too much during the journey to stay fit and healthy.
10 Places to Visit on a Leh to Hanle Bike Trip ?
Here are few of the places to visit on a Leh to Hanle bike ride, these may vary depending upon the route to take.
1.Indian Astronomical Observatory: Also called Hanle Observatory, a high altitude astronomy station situated in Hanle is operated by Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Situated at a height of 4500 meters, the IAO is one of the world’s highest located sites for infrared, optical, and gamma ray telescopes. In 2022, the area surrounding Hanle became India’s first dark sky reserve.
2. Hanle Monastery: Hanle Gompa is a 17th century monastery located in Hanle Valley on an ancient Ladakh-Tibet trade route. The valley is home to a population of 300 people and the monastery itself hosts up to 10-30 monks. It is one of the largest and best known monasteries of Ladakh.
3. Shey Palace: Shey Palace is the summer capital of Ladakh and residence of the Ladakh royal family, it contains a Shakyamuni Buddha statue, which is the second largest statue in Ladakh. The palace is popular for its significant religious and architectural features as well as Tibetan mural paintings.
4. Rezang La War Memorial
Rezang La War Memorial is a part of the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Indian Army which boosts patriotism, border tourism, local infrastructure, and economy. The memorial is built in memory of soldiers who died in the Battle of Rezang La.
5. Pangong Tso: Pangong Tso, the highest saltwater lake situated in the lap of Ladakh is known for its colour changing ability from blue to green and even red. The lake offers stunning views of the mountains and terrains. When here, do indulge in stargazing and living in a campsite along the lake.
6.Thiksey Monastery: Thilksey gompa is a Buddhist monastery located on top of a hill approximately 19 kms. The gompa is known to resemble the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The Thiksey Monastery is the largest one and hosts a 15 m high statue of Maitreya, the largest statue in Ladakh, covering two stories of the building.
Nyoma is located on the bank of the Indus River, it is a small village located 150 km from Leh. This village is breathtakingly beautiful as it offers panoramic views of hills, valleys, and majestic mountains. The place has a desert-like landscape with rocky trails where you can go for a trek and immerse in the warm hospitality of the locals.
8. Mahe: Located between Nyoma and Upshi in Ladakh. It lies close to the Mahe Field Firing Range which is a unique facility in Ladakh where all types of weapons can be fired.
9. Chushul: Primarily known for its strategic importance and the heroic defense of Rezang La during the 1962 Indo-China War. It is located in the Durbuk tehsil and also known for offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Chushul is a remote village with a population of 850 people, located at a height of 4350 meters.
10.Tangste: Tangste in Ladakh is known for its ancient monastery, historical significance as a site of wars, and its rich cultural heritage reflected in the village's sacred walls and prayer flags. Further, the spot is also popular for being home to an important archaeological site with valuable rock art offering insight into Ladakh’s past and cultural exchanges.
