‘Gear Up’ for Roads, Romance and Rides: Gaurav’s Bike Trip in Ladakh

Gaurav and his wife boarded their flight to Delhi last year, and from there, to Leh. It was a dream for both of them to have an adventurous trip to Ladakh.

And they thought-

What better to do if not a bike trip!!!

Since managing the trip would have been a task for them, they thought that it would be better to hand over the operations and implementation of the trip to Thrillophilia.

From bikes to camps, they had taken care of it all, and with a WhatsApp group in the picture, everything was much sorted and everyone was well-informed about the trip and its details.

The day they were to start their bike ride, it was a powerful sight to behold- 20-22 people on their bikes, ready to explore Ladakh. Gaurav and his wife were very hopeful for the trip. They did not wish for a secluded travel experience, rather, they wanted to explore the culture and meet new people on the way. Their batch seemed very nice and so did the guides, and this uplifted their aspirations.

And that was a beautiful start to their trip to Ladakh!

The Ride of Nostalgia
The bikes made their way through the expansive valleys and butter-smooth roads in the beginning. As they went further, the roads started becoming more challenging and steeper, at one point they were off-roading through the barren landscapes of Ladakh, admiring the mountain peaks around.

It was a surreal sight to witness, huge spans of land, flanked by naked mountains with no vegetation. There were the snow-covered mountains that stood in contrast against the blue sky. The overall scenery was spectacular, unlike anything that Gaurav or his wife had seen in the rest of India.

They toured the Stok Village and the Sham Village, visited many orchards and savoured some ripe and juicy apricots as well. It was the growing season for the fruit and the entire Sham Valley was filled with Apricot trees, covering the landscape in a blanket of yellow and orange.

The best thing about going on a trip with like-minded people is that there is zero judgment, you can say and do whatever you wish. Ladakh was echoing with laughter and jokes and happiness, it rejoiced in the spirit of the young hearts of these travellers. It seemed as if Ladakh was enjoying having them as well!

There was one time in Nubra Valley, the group had a bonfire. They had bonded over time quite well, and it was one of the best nights on the whole trip.

They were all grooving to some local music at the Nubra Camp Stay. It was a beautiful location with comfortable rooms and a huge space for relaxing. Sitting together with a glass of Old Monk in each of their hands, one of them started to sing a song. You know, how it goes, every group has a song that all of them can sing and all of them can vibe to…

Zindagi Kaisi yeh Paheli hai, Kabhi yeh Hansaye, Kabhi yeh Rulaye…

All their lives were differently aligned. Some had hi-fi jobs, some were working in the public sector, some still tried to pursue doctoral studies and Gaurav was married to his college-time lover. That night unlocked the gate of all the emotions stored within themselves, and they poured out without constraint.

The Candies
As you can understand, the next day they woke up quite late and the trip was delayed. Their guide’s reaction went something like,

“We can get more bonfire time upon reaching Pangong, but the road is long and you all have to get ready within 30 minutes if you wish to make it”

He was a funny man and a very supportive person too! He would join their celebrations at times, and he would crack a few jokes on the road as well. Easy-going and welcoming, touring with him made their trip much better! The group got enough relaxation periods, as well as some thrilling events on the road while riding.

In Gaurav’s words, “Our bikes were good too, never breaking down and always able to cross difficult terrains without a growl. All our accommodations were top-notch, with the services fantastic. Oh, and the food, the bowls and plates of Thukpa, Momos, Khambir, and Skyu, and of course, the local bread- all were a treat to the taste buds.”

Also, the romance and passion in the air of Ladakh was contagious. They felt immensely in love. That is why each village they went to and every person they met was filled with happiness after interacting with them.

They went to places, clicked pictures, and had some charming moments by the shore of Pangong. They even took the camel-back ride together!

The return was peaceful and nice. They even got calls from Thrillophilia to check whether everything was all right, and fortunately, everything was more than fine!

So, next time they hoped to undertake the long-awaited Goa trip, they could add it to their list of adventures together!

Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Bike Trip Reviews