I have to respectfully disagree on some points. If you have never ridden in a developing country before do not start in Delhi or in the plains. You need to start somewhere where their is little traffic. In the cities, it is a death race and the right away goes to the bold. On the plains their are mostly 4 lane roads with eight abreast (two trucks, a bus, a family on a scooter, a cow cart and five pedestrians toting baskets) all seemingly heading right for each other, horns ablairing.

I'd take a cab from Delhi to Chandaghar (make a stiff drink) and observe the "rules" of the road. Then head for Manali, rent or buy a bike and start cruising about the area (Pavarti, Solang). Strart early (1st light for empty roads) the road will be worse condition and narrow, but at least it's just two laner. The front side of the himal has many delights.

I'd stay until I started getting the first hints of monsoon & then bolt for the other side. Rhotang wil be snow free ( on the road ) sometime between June 1st & July first and the monsoon should arrive between June 15 & early July. A June 10th Manali arrival should be ideal.

Bike can now be rented in Manali dropped in Leh. Also, it's not so hard to arrange for one to shipped back in a truck. Bikes can be bought in Manali for $400 to 650 USD. I have sold my bike in leh quickly (45 min) or had no buyers. Most bikers take 4 days to Leh, buy some hash & spend six!

Four day:
1. Leave early & ride a trying day across Rhotang (leave at 6 to avoid traffic on the pass). Gas up in Tandi & pass Keylang and Darcha crossing the Barlacha La in late afternoon and beading down in Sarchu. (a brutal day)

2. Sarchu to Pang. Two High passes and can be some difficult water crossings. Sometimes gas can be had in Pang (don't count on it).

3. Pang across the TranLang La and on to Tsokar a quite pleasant day. Many bite the bullet here & head to leh, arriving at dark, some stay till morning and continue on day four.

Six day the lazy bikers route:
1. Leave in the afternoon stopping at Markhi (under Rhotang).

2. Cross Rhotang and stop in Keylang or Darcha.

3. Barlacha La, Sarchu.

4.Pang.

5. To Toskar, you could consider Pang Tso from here (inner line permit required). or on to Upshi or Leh at Dark.

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India Himal, 3mo,2x; Kazak/Krygyz/Tajik, 3 mo; Kashi-Lhasa, China 219! 6 wk; Nepal, 4 days/trekked 55; Santiago-Ushuia-Cusco, 7 mo; Peru, 3 mo; Chile-Medellin 3 mo; Medillin-Arica, 3 mo