September 26-30, 2016

Do a search for the “Leh – Manali Highway”. You won’t find too much, but for me, I found just enough to inspire me. It is about 440km of some of the most lose yourself, jaw dropping, intimidating, remote, what happens if…, inhospitable, and yet inspiring regions anywhere in the Himalayas and perhaps the world. The sights you see and the people you meet will no doubt enrich your world hold a place in your heart forever. There are no cush hotels. Most nights are spent either in your own tent, or in dhabas, which are basic, temporary road side tent communities that exist for the seasonal sole purpose of providing much needed relief along this route. When winter comes and the snow sets in, the roads close and so do these dhabas. Most of the people who do this (and there aren’t that many), usually catch a bus or private taxi from Manali to Leh. It takes them typically 2 long days of rallying on bombed out, suspension destroying roads, and up and over the unbelievable amount of high mountain passes that are littered along this route, all of which are above 15k feet.  Unfortunately, when you’re not getting car sick, or altitude sick, or concussed from having your head knocked against the window of your vehicle for 14 hours per day as your driver passes trucks up hill, around blind corners as another truck approaches in the opposing direction, you’re likely sleeping and thus miss the magic of this area. Bikes win. Always. It’s not for everyone, but for those that do, it’s something you’ll never forget. More detail to come from my experience….stay tuned.