Ladakh: Exploring the highest and coldest desert

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Hi every one, I went to Ladakh in September 2005 on my motorcycle. Finally I have finished and uploaded my trip log, check it out and let me know what you think about it.

To heaven and back

It’s human nature to dream, so is the nature to do what few have done and is considered as a “foolish thing”. There is some allure in doing what only a select few can do, to make it to “The Top of the world”. Once your heart and mind is set on such a task, few things in the world can divert you from it.

For past few years, some thing of this sort had been doing rounds in my head. Ever since I read in BSMotoring of the exploits of their travel writer on Silver colored Bajaj Pulsar 180 conquering the highest and coldest desert in the world. I couldn’t stop picturing myself and my Red Pulsar 180 in place of him and his bike.

As the days drew ever so near for my longest and hardest trip yet. I knew I had something special coming. Soon I will make it to the “Top of the world” (quite literally), do some thing that most will not even dream of.

I was about to embark upon a journey to the vary heart of Himalayas, a place known as Ladakh, land of passes.

Day1 : 4th September 2005 (Delhi – Manali)

Day2 : 5th September 2005 (Manali – Keylong)

Day3 : 6th September 2005 (Keylong - Sarchu)

Day4 : 7th September 2005 (Sarchu - Leh)

Day5 : 8th September 2005 Leh

Day6 : 9th September 2005 Leh – Diskit

Day7 : 10th September 2005 Nubra Valley Part2

Day8 : 11th September 2005 Diskit – Leh

Day9 : 12th September 2005 Leh – Tanksey

Day10 : 13th September 2005 Tanksey–Pangong Tso-Tanksey

Day11 : 14th September 2005 Tanksey – Leh

Day12 15th September 2005 Leh

Day13: 16th September 2005 Leh – Kargil

Day14 : 17th September 2005 Kargil- Srinagar

Day15 : 18th September 2005 Srinagar-Gulmarg-Srinagar

Day16-17 : 19-20th September 2005 Srinagar-New Delhi

Just Touched the Sky: Video of us six riding down from Khardung La(18380ft)

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Wow wow wow, some of those pictures were breath taking....looks like you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

thanks Sweet Tooth

[jmillheiser]

thank you for sharing the story and photos of your trip.

that has to be some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen.

[Skier]

Oh man, thank you very much for those pictures and the writeup! It's flat-out amazing. Do you have any high-resolution shots of that incredible scenery?

[Yogesh Sarkar]

thanks jmillheiser

thanks Skier, will post some 1024x768 and 1280x960 res photos soon

[bok]

hello Yogesh,

if you have an account on flickr feel free to post your pics to the TMW group there...the link is below (post your pics)

[Yogesh Sarkar]

thanks bok, will post pics there in a couple of days

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Just uploaded a few wallpapers, all of them are available in 800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x960 res

[Relsek]

Very nice, I would love to explore that area also, with a local of course.
You took nice pictures and did a nice write up.

**edit** I just watched the video with my wife. Her eyes were bugged out the whole time looking at that road. She wouldn't want to ride it, she was nervous on the blue ridge parkway and the road surface is great there.

Kevin