An Ambition - Manali to Leh

It will be a dream ride and it is still in the dream stage. I want to ride from Manali to Leh and further on to Khardungla. Perhaps next year in August. I have more than a year to prepare the body and the mind. And also to do all the planning.

Right now I have a few unanswered questions in my mind. God knows who will be able to answer them. There is a guy in Manali called Navin who runs the Firefox dealership there. He is apparently very dependable and knowledgable.

Most of the blogs I read are by people who did supported rides (that is, they had support vehicles with tents, cooks etc; in short they got taken for a ride by any of the numerous touring agencies). We will do it unsupported. I spoke to Rana. He is game, though he thinks getting 3 weeks out of his practice might be difficult. Understandable. For self-appointed professionals going on a vacation means no work, no pay. That makes their trip all the more expensive.

Let me jot down the questions.

1. Do we need to carry sleeping bag?
2. Do we need to carry mattress?
3. Do we need to carry a tent? 

I have all the three but the question is whether these are necessary to be carried. If yes, then my pannier rack will have to be upgraded and a solid plan devised to carry everything.

Then there are more questions.

1. Do we need a butane burner? 
2. Is butane gas available in Manali? (10th May - called up this company in Delhi called Hans. They said they have no stock in Manali right now. That might or might not mean it will not be available when we go)

If not, then we will have to either go by train or pick it up in Delhi. But Manali being an important base for mountaineering, I am sure these items would be available there. 


If the above is yes, then I will also have to carry the utensils and the ration. So pannier bags will have to be purchased.

Is it easy to find a bicycle cardboard box in Leh? Because I shall be discarding my box in Manali and need a new box in Leh to pack the bike. Is it easily available? I saw couple of well stocked bike stores in Leh. Will check with them.

Used this pic to get the number :-)

10th May - I called up one of the stores in Leh. They said yes it's very much and easily available with them. That's great to know.

We will find those details out later. For now, let me concentrate on the route.

Day 1 Manali To Marhi - 37 km - 

Manali (0 km) - Palchan (10 km) - Kothi (13 km) - Marhi (37 km) 
This looks like the pretty obvious first day for virtually every one. Mostly uphill through green roads. Might rain. Lots of dhabas.

Day 2 - Marhi (0 km) - Rohtang (17 km) - Gramphu (23 km) - Koksar (37 km) - Sisu (50 km)

Rohtang to Sisu is mostly downhill

Day 3 - Sissu - Thandi - Keylong - Jispa