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Originally Posted by glasswave
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.
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Was just presenting my point of view, last thing I would like to do would be to ride a bike with gears on the wrong side (right hand side) for the first time and that too in hills on the narrow hilly roads. But then again it is my view; some might be comfortable doing this in plains while others in hill.
As for the Delhi - Manali highway, 200+kms is on the fantastic NH-1 highway (barring towns like Sonipat and Panipat), NH-21 could be pretty scary for a person riding for the first time in India. But it only last for a little over 100kms before one finds himself riding in the Himalayas.
One can also take the diversion from Zirakpur crossing towards Shimla and either use the Shimla - Mandi highway or cross Jalori pass and reach Aut and then move on to Manali. There by cut down the amount of riding done in the plains.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glasswave
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.
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Agreed that you can drop motorcycles in Leh, for that you don’t even have to buy motorcycle since quite a few renters these days allow this thing to be done.
But what if you want to ride to Srinagar?
I don’t think it would easy to sell a bike there, which means you will have to buy the bike at Manali in all probability and then come to either Chandigarh or Delhi and find buyers who will be ready to buy it from you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glasswave
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.
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If you can make it to Sarchu (230kms from Manali) covering Rohtang La and Baralacha La, then you can certainly do 260kms on the second day covering Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La, especially since the fantastic road after Tanglang La ensures you can ride at 80+kmph for the most part.
In any case the itinerary like this can only be decided based on the amount of time at hand, of course if one had a month or more then one can do this route lazily.