on the way to Leh. We had a long lunch near the Darcha Bridge before attempting to cross Baralacha La pass, which also proved unpassable. Eventually, police allowed us to take the lower, under-construction road across the pass. We arrived at camp in Sarchu after a challenging ride.
We experienced excellent weather since leaving Manali ten days ago. Day ten involved a 250 kilometre ride to Leh, navigating Gata Loops and three passes. The fine dust made riding difficult and fatiguing. We crossed Moore Plains and engaged in some spirited riding. After climbing Taglang La, we descended towards Leh, where the temperature increased significantly. We stayed at a familiar hotel and ventured into town for dinner.
Early the next morning, we visited Shanti Stupa for a city view. The Stupa holds relics of Buddha and is enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama. We then explored Leh Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site built in the 16th century. Afterward, we enjoyed breakfast at a coffee shop before strolling around the shops.
The main reason for returning to India was to ride Umling La, the highest motorable pass. We travelled to Hanle, passing military bases and beautiful valleys along the Indus River. Hanle houses a gamma-ray observatory and MACE telescope. Our accommodation was comfortable, and meals were simple.
We left Hanle and rode to Umling La, encountering multiple switchbacks and signposts indicating our altitude. The bikes lost power at such high altitudes, making overtaking difficult. Upon reaching the top, the cold and difficulty in breathing led to a brief stay before descending back.