Pata hai yaha se bohot dur, galat aur sahi ke paar, ek maidaan hai jahan Srinagar to Leh ki wo road trip hoi hai, jo zindagi badal deti hai.
Planning a heavenly ride from Srinagar to Leh on a bike trip? Then do check out our amazing Leh Ladakh bike trip packages to understand how to plan Srinagar to Leh bike trip in order to truly transform your soul. This journey promises you an unforgettable experience from the beauty of Srinagar to the thrill of Leh.
When on this route, do explore Sangam Point and Kargil War Memorial, experience the well preserved Alchi Monastery and Lamayuru Monastery, feel the illusions of Magnetic Hill, and uncover the peaceful Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
In this blog, we will cover the complete route for Srinagar to Leh bike trip, providing information about the best time to visit, top attractions and the expenses.
Best Route for Srinagar to Leh Bike Trip
The Srinagar Leh bike trip route is more than a road trip, as it takes you to some of the beautiful terrains in the world. Here’s an overview of the entire journey:
Route 1: Srinagar-Baltal-Dras-Kargil-Mulbekh-Namki La-Lamayuru-Leh
The most popular route from Srinagar to Leh around 420 km long, comprises some high altitude passes like Zoji La Pass; a dream route for bikers and off roaders as it provides panoramic views of snow capped mountains and rugged narrow roads, followed by Fotu La Pass, known for its surreal golden hills, moonscape terrain, clear skies and dramatic mountains. When on this route, do witness the Namik La Pass as well which serves as a quick photography spot where prayer flags flutter in the wind.
Pro-Tip: The bike rental in Srinagar cost between INR 800-1800 per day. You can either take your own bike on this route or rent a bike from Srinagar and consider it under your Srinagar to Leh bike trip cost. The popular bike recommendations include Royal Enfield and Himalayan.
Route 2: Srinagar-Sonmarg-Zoji La-Dras-Kargil-Battalik-Dah-Hanu-Aryan Valley-Lamayuru-Leh
While the other route tests your grit, this route soothes your soul, as it passes through the enchanting Sonmarg offering views of breathtaking landscapes, and scenic ambiance. Though the route is quite long, it has some of the best offbeat places like Aryan Valley known for pregnancy tourism, and Lamayuru Monastery; the oldest one, known for the moonland landscapes. When on this route, do visit and immerse yourself in the culture of Hanu and Dah Villages as well.
Pro-Tip: If you aren’t taking your own bike, then you can easily rent a bike with a Srinagar number plate. The bike rental in Srinagar vary depending upon the model and bike conditions, it is advisable to take idea of the expenses before starting the journey.
Also Checkout: 8 Days Srinagar To Leh Road Trip with Nubra, Pangong & Tso Moriri
Best Time for Srinagar to Leh Bike Trip
The best time for Srinagar to Leh Bike trip is between mid-May to September as at this time the weather is less severe and the high altitude passes are open and way more smoother. In the months of May & June you can find snow-capped peaks and gushing streams, while July to September offers clear skies, blooming valleys and the cheer of festivals all around.
Avoid this route in winters, as it could be dangerous to travel from October to April as roads are closed due to heavy snowfall therefore popular passes like Zoji La, Fotu La, and Namik La remain inaccessible.
However, like the Manali-Leh route, monsoon isn't a big concern, making it a safer option to travel. Whether you are a biker or a traveller seeking Himalayan solitude, monsoons are ideal for hassle-free and memorable journeys.
10 Places to Visit Between Srinagar and Leh
Here’s the list of top places to visit between Srinagar to Leh:
- Sonmarg: When travelling from Srinagar to Leh, it is advisable to plan a one day stay in Sonmarg and cover beautiful destinations of Srinagar like Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens. Nigeen Lake. Do take a shikara ride and immerse yourself in the beauty of floating markets.
- Kargil War Memorial: Also known as Dras War Memorial, it is built by the Indian Army, commemorating the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. During the journey, do visit the spot and pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives. Kargil is the second-coldest inhabited place in the world and the memorial stands against the backdrop of famous Tiger Hill.
- Aryan Valley: Your Srinagar to Leh bike trip itinerary must include Aryan Valley. The valley is known for its unique Brokpa culture and distinct attire, the people of the valley consider themselves as descendants of Alexander the great. A unique story behind the place is that the outsiders visit here in hopes of engaging with the Brokpa community for cultural or even reproductive experiences. Also visit Battalik and Dah Villages when passing through this route.
- Lamayuru Monastery: An oldest ancient monastery, Lamayuru Monastery is considered a significant center for Tibetan Buddhism. Often referred to as the “Moonland” and “Moonscape” due to its geological formations, the place is also known for its stunning architecture of intricately carved woodwork and beautiful frescoes.
- Alchi Monastery: Out of the popular 8 monasteries in the region, 4?of them are on this route and Alchi Monastery is the one of them. It is the oldest monastery with four settlements and monuments dating back to different times, the monastery has kept some of the oldest surviving paintings of Ladakh.
- Likir Monastery & Basgo Monastery: Likir is one of the oldest monasteries with a 25 feet tall gold-covered Buddha statue. Another popular monastery on the route, Basgo Monastery which is home to remains of royals of the region.
- Sangam Point: The confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers in Leh, situated at a height of 11,600 feet, the point is considered the highest river rafting point in the world. The meeting of these two rivers is a spectacular natural phenomena, it is a must-visit site of the region.
- Magnetic Hill: A unique hill where there is a mysterious magnetic force emanating from the hills that pulls stationary vehicles within its range and makes them move uphill. Situated at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level, the Magnetic Hill has the Sindhu River, which originates here and goes in Pakistan.
- Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: Another popular spot built in 1517, the famous Gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev ji and is home to a sacred boulder which is believed to have the imprints of the Guru. The iconic spot is situated at a height of 12,000 feet.
- Hall of Fame: A war memorial and a museum that reminds us of the great sacrifices made by our soldiers of the Indian Army. The Hall of Fame also showcases the culture and heritage of Ladakh region.
