A trip to Ladakh is the ultimate relief from the scorching heat of summer in India. Bikers and road trippers eagerly wait for the right time to hit the road to Ladakh in the thick of summer, while the rest of India keeps the fingers crossed in prayer to the god of rains for showers. Evidently, Ladakh road trip is an endless story. Previously, Jatin Kapoor, MD of Alternate Atlas, shared his Ladakh trip story with Indian Eagle. Now, Radhika Sharma from India has her own story to tell on Travel Beats.

I am always fond of traveling though I am unlike travel junkies who are driven by wanderlust. But I am a petrol head cum road tripper with the passion for driving anything that has an engine in it. In June, 2010, my innate desire for driving took me on a trip to the valley of Ladakh in the Himalayas only to discover the pristine beauty that India is. [pullquote]Not all trips make good stories! But my trip will surely make an inspirational story for the readers of Indian Eagle.[/pullquote]

My Ladakh road trip is all about 8 friends, 5 bikes, lots of riding and Ladakh itself. The carrier of choice was Royal Enfield for the life-long journey from Mumbai to Leh via Delhi and Manali. We rode the Royal Enfield bikes for a whopping distance of 5200 kms. Despite being an avid petrol head, I did not drive the bike on that trip. Rather, I preferred being a pillion all the way. We friends got together in Delhi, and then set out for a 520km long ride to Manali when the night began getting darker.

The roads – NH1 and NH3 – were pretty decent and safe much to our surprise. The weather was as pleasant as the ride. It added to the joy of the journey. The erratic spells of rain accompanied us too. Anyway, it took us a full day to reach Manali where we lodged at a quaint Drifter’s Inn. The very first thing that blew our minds away is the scenic beauty of Manali. We breathed in the serene air of the place whose old world charm serenaded our souls.

The bikes were serviced in Manali for hassle-free, efficient riding. We picked a first aid kit, some medicines, some snickers and new helmets too. We took an off road to Rohtang and got closer to our destination. June is a month of the rainy season in India. Rohtang, the lord of all passes on the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, too receives spells of rain off and on. It was a massive hurdle during the trip.

The rainfall caused a landslide which resulted in huge sludge. We got stuck on the way for over 10 hours. One of the bikes broke down adding to our misery. I could not keep up sitting on the back for long; I fell off the bike, and the bike then fell on me injuring one of my feet when the bike was pushing hard to drag itself through the smudge. However, we had a nice time awaiting us ahead just as every cloud has a silver lining.

Once Rohtang was crossed, we were treated to the mesmeric beauty of Khoksar, Beas River, Keylong, Jingspa, ZingZing Bar, Sarchu, Baralachla, and Pang on the way to Leh. Along the way, the lofty mountains kept our company. The roadside (dhaba) street food added some gastronomic joy to the ride across the rough terrains. We got the wonderful company of other bikers too.

It took us 5 days to reach Leh. We took shelter at the roadside hotels along the way (most of them were basically decent tents with blankets and beds at cheap rates). We survived on Maggi for a few days. But the thrill of the trip was worth it. Though neither smooth nor plain like city roads, the roads to Leh are drivable and therefore, worth a mention.

More Inspiration 10 Best Road Trips for Biking in India

We had a nice time over cups of chai (tea) on the roadside camps where we chatted with good-hearted people. The warmth of hospitality is still left with me. The pleasure of having Maggi at high altitudes is many times more than that on plains. The same is true about the taste of food at the roadside dhabas. After an eventful ride for 5 days and nights, Leh was our home for the next three days.

[pullquote]Leh is a perfect holiday destination for different people with different tastes.[/pullquote] There are cafes, adventure spots, and spots for leisure. Leh offers day trips to nearby lakes and hills. The place has a bit of antique charm that makes me feel relaxed with a desire to lay back turning my back on all worries. However, my posterior was relieved only when we checked into a hotel where we got read beds.

Then, we rode our bikes up to Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable pass at 17, 582 ft. What a great feeling! The next couple of days were spent taking trips to the beautiful Pangong Lake and the Shanti Stupa (the temple). Pangong Lake is the most scenic lake that I have ever seen in my life. The shimmering reflections of the surrounding mountains on the pristine blue waters of the lake do still take me on an imaginary trip. Then was the time to hit the road back home.

Leh, the ultimate destination of our biking trip, was worth riding all the distance. Our Ladakh road trip that lasted 10 days gave me a wealth of memories for lifetime. Finally, the road to Ladakh is neither a path of roses nor a bed of thorns. It is altogether a new experience, a pleasant memory, an inexplicable thrill, and an overwhelming joy!

Make sure to visit Ladakh, be with nature, wonder at the daring height of mountains, admire the beauty of lakes, and drink to absolute serenity, at least, once in your life. – Radhika Sharma

About the Author

Radhika Sharma is a media professional with 10 years of collective experience with some of the biggest media networks in India. She has conducted premier technology shows. Though personal technology and TV programming are her fields of work at daytime, she is a diehard EDM music junkie and a writer at night. She loves being a petrol head and secretly a Jedi as well. Radhika does not only take pride in being a traveler but also listen to the foodie in her by spending time with forks and knifes.

About Indian Eagle 

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[pullquote]“Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.” – Angela N. Blount.[/pullquote] If you are looking for life-changing detours in the labyrinth of mountains, hills, meadows or valleys, travel to India and hit the mountainous or hilly or beachfront or landscaped roads with bikes. India’s best road trips are suitable for biking holidays in the Himalayan region, the desert trails, the Deccan plateau, the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, and coastal reaches. Some road trips in India are surreal stories, while some are adrenalin-pumping adventures. Indian Eagle shares 10 best road trip ideas for bikers.

Coorg to Munnar Road Trip 

The road trip from Coorg to Munnar is one of the short road trips in India. Both Coorg in Karnataka and Munnar in Kerala are blessed with greenery in abundance. The Coorg to Munnar road trip is a ride through the corridor of lush green landscapes dotted with tea plantations rolling across forested hills.

ALSO CHECK Munnar Sightseeing Guide

Chennai to Pondicherry Road Trip 

The Chennai to Pondicherry road trip in the Eastern Ghats is like a dream swing in the cradle of panoramic sightseeing. The East Coast Road from Chennai in Tamil Nadu to Pondicherry runs along the Bay of Bengal. The miles-long coastline holds scenic views for riders on the way.

Kalimpong to Siliguri Road Trip 

The road trip from Kalimpong to Siliguri in West Bengal is one of the most challenging trips for bikers because of the precarious Zuluk loops. But the beauty of the landscape on both sides of the road takes away the fear of threats to life. Known as the Old Silk route, the Kalimpong to Siliguri road is steeped in history.

Udaipur to Jaipur Road Trip 

The Udaipur to Jaipur road is one of the biking-friendly desert trails in Rajasthan. Biking along this trail through sand dunes from Udaipur to Jaipur is a poetic experience for those who can drink to beauty in the aridity of desert. The rugged landscape on both sides will make you feel like a rough & tough biker.

Manali to Spiti Valley Road Trip 

The road from Manali to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is ideal for biking and photography. It is one of the high-altitude routes in the Himalayan region, which remains covered in snow for a longer time of the year. Manali is one of the most beautiful summer destinations in India. Spiti Valley is a pure bliss of nature in the solitude of mountains.

ALSO CHECK A Trip to Spiti Valley

Zanskar to Leh Road Trip 

If you love riding at high altitudes for adrenalin rush, the Zanskar to Leh road trip is awaiting you this summer. Biking from Zanskar to Leh is no fun! It is a strenuous activity that puts bikers to a test of endurance. Scenic views of lofty mountains across rocky terrains will leave you with a fulfilling experience.

Road Trip to Rann of Kutch 

The Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is a vast expanse of salty sands beyond horizon. The flat and plain field rolling beyond measure, that is exactly the Rann of Kutch, offers the ultimate thrills of biking. The ethereal beauty of the moonlit night or the twinkling of the stars in the open sky makes biking a surreal experience in the Rann of Kutch.

Manali to Rohtang Pass Road Trip 

You cannot imagine how spectacular sightseeing can be without taking the Manali to Rohtang Pass road trip. The walls of snow on both sides of the road give the visual high that will remain fresh in your memory for years. Biking from Manali to Rohtang Pass is such an inexplicable experience!

Mumbai to Trivandrum Road Trip 

If you are an adventurer in search of panoramic vibes, ride your bike from Mumbai to Trivandrum via Mangalore. This road trip promises to be a celebration of the senses due to pristine beaches and verdant forests on the way. The Mumbai to Trivandrum road trip is part of the Udupi trail for biking.

Bhalukpong to Tawang Road Trip 

The Arunachal trail from Bhalukpong to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is the call to those strong hearts which beat for excitement out of adrenalin rush. Be careful to avoid the traps of danger on the way. Landslides cause roadblocks in the seasons when extreme weather is experienced. If you believe in the maxim “All is well if the end is well,” the Bhalukpong to Tawang road trip is a story to be retold several times.

Travel Beats, a digital content portal by IndianEagle, publishes interesting travel stories, useful travel tips and latest aviation news from India and United States.

The post 10 Best Road Trip Ideas for Crazy Biking Holidays in India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

If you ask “What to see in Ladakh”, we would say “What not to see in Ladakh”. One of the highest and remotest regions in the world, Ladakh is the residence of Buddhist monks, the seat of monastic culture, the hub of monasteries, the haunt of austerity and the abode of peace in the lap of the Himalayas. Besides the beauty of nature, it is the monasteries or Gompas that make the serene landscapes of Ladakh worth several visits for photography, culture and history. Indian Eagle recommends a visit to the seven best Ladakh monasteries which have cradled the Buddhist culture and stood timeless for ages.

Shey Monastery

Shey Monastery is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. This monastery is a must visit in Shey, the once summer capital of Ladakh. Built in 1655 and dedicated to Singay Namgyal, Shey Gompa is popular for the gold-plated copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. There is a trekking route to the hillock which the monastery is located on. The other two attractions of Shey are the Shey Palace and the Rhupla Dance, performed by men in the guise of tigers.

Diskit Monastery

You might want to know which the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Ladakh. It is the Diskit Gompa in the Nubra Valley. Founded in the 14th century, the Gompa is steeped in solemnity. The prayer hall in the center of Diskit Gompa features a larger-than-life Maitreya statue which is surrounded by the impressive sculptures of other deities. The ceiling of this Ladakh monastery is decorated with the fresco of the Tibetan monasteries.

Hemis Monastery

The only Ladakh monastery that commands amazing views of colorfulness is Hemis Monastery, founded in 1630. What makes Hemis Gompa a must visit is the belief that it is the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. The majestic location of the monastery inside a gorge on the western bank of the Indus River is another attraction. It preserves a precious collection of ancient relics, a number of sacred thangkas, and gold & silver stupas. Besides, it is home to the Hemis Festival of Ladakh which fetches thousands of tourists to Jammu and Kashmir in June every year.

Sankar Monastery

Sankar Monastery stands still in seclusion and solitude at the end of a 3km long stretch from Leh. The abode of the head of the Ladakh Gelukpa, the monastery belongs to the yellow hat sect. It is somewhat adventuresome to climb up the hilltop where the Sankar Gompa is situated. Unlike other Ladakh monasteries, the Gompa is adorned with paintings on four sides.

Spituk Monastery

Spituk Monastery is the only three chapel monastery in Ladakh. It was envisioned as the seat of a monastic community and patronized by Lha Lama Changchub Od. The sanctorum (Dukhang) of the monastery features a majestic throne for the Dalai Lama. The center of the Spituk Gompa has a dark old chapel where the life-size images of Tsong-kha-pa and his disciples are on display. This Ladakh monastery is famous for the Gustor Festival, a spiritual extravaganza.

Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery is home to 150 monks in Kargil district. It retains distinction of being one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh. Established by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, it is the official residence of the monks of the red-hat order of Buddhism. One of the five buildings that the Lamayuru Gompa consists of has succumbed to weathering and the test of time.

Likir Monastery

Likir Monastery is known as the abode of peace for the Nagas in Ladakh. Situated on the Leh-Srinagar Highway, the Gompa is bounded by two imposing images of serpent – the Nanda and the Taksako. The Likir Monastery preserves a huge number of clay images of Buddhist monks. Moreover, there are age-old manuscripts, thangkas, books and relics in the treasure trove of this Gompa. A massive Jupiter tree occupies most of the space on the courtyard. Domoschey Festival is a popular annual festival here.

Leh-Ladakh is a short flight away from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, which is served by major airlines flying from major airports across the world. IndianEagle.com books flights to New Delhi at the best prices round the year.

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You have visited India for family occasions, festive holidays, romantic vacations, and pilgrimages. Why not give a twist to your travel taste, with road trips in India during the next visit? The road trips in India tick all the boxes – adventure, photography, nature and beauty – to rank at the top on your personal travel index. The geography of the country is crisscrossed by routes, short and long, for road trips in the coastal areas, mountainous regions, hilly terrains and the desert zone. IndianEagle handpicks the following road trips for your travel plan in 2014. Each of these is a rollercoaster ride of fun and joy.

Mumbai to Goa Road Trip

The road trip from Mumbai to Goa is a favorite of bikers on weekends. This getaway to the beaches of Goa has been riding the waves of popularity since the Bollywood movie Dil Chahta Hai, a story about three friends, became a hit with the youth of India. The route down the NH 17 through Maharashtra’s hinterland is very smooth and fit for vehicles – cars as well as bikes. The Karnala Bird Sanctuary, the Sindhudurg of Shivaji’s times, the Mahabaleshwar Hill Station, and the scenic Vashisti River and Kolhapur are the traps of attraction on the road trip from Mumbai to Goa.

Bangalore to Goa Road Trip

A road trip along the Bangalore-Goa route is full of thrills and spills. It is a craze with the Gen Y. The drive from Bangalore to Goa is as pleasant as swing, in any season of the year, because of the scenic natural artifices hanging over both sides of the route. The route is divided into two – one via Belgaum, and the other via Shimoga. The Belgaum route is preferred to the Shimoga route which may be disrupted due to landslides at any time. The famous Jog Falls, some forts and Murdeshwara on the Bangalore to Goa route bring the itinerary alive.

Manali to Leh Road Trip

If adventure is your cup of tea, get going for the Manali-Leh road trip in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. The Manali-Leh route is a precarious yet beautiful one. Snowfall keeps the route blocked round the year except the month of June when the snow is cleared. Driving along this route in the Himalayas is thrilling and challenging at the same time. August-September is the ideal time for bikers to hit the road from Manali to Leh. Somewhere rough while somewhere smooth, the route passes by beautiful Buddhist monasteries and through mountains.

Dehradun to Nainital Road Trip

The road trip from Dehradun to Nainital in Uttarakhand is one of the getaways with feast for the eyes on the way. The route through hills makes the drive a rollercoaster ride for bikers. It is landscaped with hills and rocks for most of the distance. Those in quest of adventure for adrenalin rush will cherish this road trip as an evergreen memory. The natural beauty of Kumaon Hills is irresistible bait on the way. Including shrines and wildlife parks, there are many things to see and do on the 355-km long route from Dehradun to Nainital.

Chennai to Kanyakumari Road Trip

The Coromandel Coast of India from Chennai to Kanyakumari is dotted with heritage sites, pristine beaches and spectacular waterfalls. The Chennai-Kanyakumari road trip is so full of joy that it can outshine your travel memories in any other part of India. Pondicherry is a must stop on the route. Steeped in tranquility and lavished with natural beauty, it is a seaside town of the Portuguese era. Kanyakumari is just an eight-hour drive from here. This road trip promises a sporty experience.

Jaipur to Ranthambore Road Trip

Among the road trips in Rajasthan, the Jaipur-Ranthambore is a most adventurous one. The route from Jaipur to Ranthambore passes through the major tourist destinations – Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The glamor of palaces, the wonder of desert and the variety of wildlife on the way endear the road trip to riders. Both architecture and nature exist side by side on the Jaipur-Ranthambore route. It provides riders with many opportunities to photograph the beauty of Rajasthan that manifests itself in architecture, desert and wildlife.

Shillong to Cherrapunjee Road Trip

Rajasthan offers road trips through rough and rigid terrains. Road trips in the Himalayan region are made through corridors of hills. The Shillong-Cherrapunjee road trip is a drive in the greenery. The route from Shillong to Cherrapunjee is dominated by lush green landscape on both sides. It makes the drive a breath of fresh air for the mind and the soul. The slippery road makes driving a risky affair in the rainy season. The road is smooth and safe in other times of the year.

Mumbai to Lonavala Road Trip

Looking for a change in the monotonous way of daily life? Do ride a bike from Mumbai to Lonavala. The Mumbai-Lonavala road trip is too short to make whenever you wish. Besides, it offers a refreshing break from the traffic of Mumbai to the tranquility of Lonavala, one of the hill stations at a short drive from Pune too. Lonavala falls on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Catching glimpses of green landscapes hang over the route.

The first step towards making these road trips is booking a flight to India. IndianEagle.com is offering a good range of cheap flight deals for your travel plans in 2014.

The post Drink to Adventure on These Best Road Trips in India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.