T R A V E L F E A T U R E - I ndia
M A R I A V I S C O N T I ( words )
V I K A S P A N G H A L ( pics )
RECEIVED
WITH OPEN
ARMS
S
eeking a challenge? Ride in
India.
And I don’t mean Rajasthan
with its perfectly surfaced high-
ways across the Thar Desert. Most
foreign riders start with Rajasthan
because of the ease of getting there,
the rich culture, castles, forts and
colourful villages with their equally
psychedelically attired inhabitants.
You can start your India discovery
ride there, but if you are a seasoned
biker, you could head north to the
Himalayas.
Imagine the map of India looking
like an ice cream cone with a cher-
ry on top. Ladakh and the Zanskar
Valley are the cherry, in many more
ways than one.
Flanked by China and Pakistan and
close to Nepal, this harsh and remote
region has spectacular landscapes,
rugged roads (mainly dirt), little traf-
fic, high passes, glaciers (said to run
with precious jewels), thin air and
the ubiquitous Buddhist Monasteries
TRAVERSE 109
perching on impossibly high crags.
The Zanskar Range, at an average
height of 6000 metres, separates La-
dakh from the Zanskar Valley, which
can be accessed riding from Delhi
via Srinagar, or from Manali via Leh,
Ladakh. Flying to Leh and starting
there is the easiest way. You can get
acclimatised in Leh while exploring
the nearby sights.
This route is my favourite and
one I had done four times in the last
three years, the last time a couple of
months ago.
Here is how it goes:
The Leh to Kargil road is superb
both in quality and views. Tempta-
tion to zoom through to Kargil will be
almost overwhelming but a stop at
Lamayuru is a must and overnighting
there will be best.
This quaint village crowned by its
huge monastery and surrounded by a
lunar landscape will reward you with
incredible sights. Accommodation
is great, either in guesthouses or at