SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

Day 0
The riders congregated in Manali for the start of the ride. Registration formalities were complied with, bikes were checked up and small niggles fixed, and a briefing was provided to all participants about what to expect for the coming days.

DAY 1
An acclimatization day for the group. The riders set out from Manali and passed through the Atal Tunnel, before turning right towards Gramphoo and then hitting the off-road stretch to Chattru, a taste of what was to come in the days ahead. The water crossings were extremely deep due to the heavy rain that had been falling all monsoon, and the riders had a challenging time making it there and back, before continuing on towards Sissu for the night. 

DAY 2
Incessant rain caused a change in the planned itinerary, with the road being washed away short of Padum. As a result, the group was forced to stay back inn Sissu for the night. To make the best of a situation that was far from ideal, the group was led up to Baralacha La and back for the day – a mixture of tarmac and dirt culminating in the flag hoisting on Independence Day at 16000 feet plus! Definitely a memorable experience for all.

DAY 3
The following morning, we set out early from Sissu, determined to make our way to Padum and continue our adventure as planned. The tarmac was smooth and we rapidly ascended Shingo La, after which we were greeted by dirt, slush and long water crossings – a first for many of the participants. Just beyond Kargiak, an extremely deep water crossing had trapped a number of trucks and heavy vehicles, blocking our path. We rode the bikes up a narrow walking path and subsequently over an old wooden bridge, scarcely wider than the bikes itself, before rejoining the main road beyond and continuing on our way. A tough day all in all, with the group arriving in Padum just as the sun was setting.

DAY 4
Day 4 took the group from Padum to Kargil, via the Drang-Drung Glacier and Pensi La, with over a hundred kilometers of off-road in between. The dirt was fast and wide, with roadworks in progress, and the riders made good progress. A short stop at the spectacular glacier, and the troops carried on to Rangdum for lunch. More dirt and broken roads followed before the smooth tarmac roads through the Suru Valley, and the riders finally arrived in Kargil in the evening after an extremely rewarding day. Day 5 was initially scheduled to be an optional rest day for the group. With our itinerary being altered due to the rain on Day 2 however, the riders had to make their way from Kargil to Padum via Lamayuru without any additional rest. This is by far the most spectacular day on the ride, with incredible views, close to no traffic en route and new Passes to be summited (for most!). The group made its way over Sirsir La and Singhe La, before the crazy steep descent from Lingshed into the gorge where they would ride on both sides of the Zangskar River. The day was grueling and technical, with even the smallest of errors being punished with a fall. The river was flowing high due to the rainfall in the region, and had even made its way onto the dirt path at points, adding an extra element of treachery. Finally, the group made it into Padum under the cover of darkness – an epic day and one which will surely live long in the memory of all present!

DAY 5
Day 5 was initially scheduled to be an optional rest day for the group. With our itinerary being altered due to the rain on Day 2 however, the riders had to make their way from Kargil to Padum via Lamayuru without any additional rest. This is by far the most spectacular day on the ride, with incredible views, close to no traffic en route and new Passes to be summited (for most!). The group made its way over Sirsir La and Singhe La, before the crazy steep descent from Lingshed into the gorge where they would ride on both sides of the Zangskar River. The day was grueling and technical, with even the smallest of errors being punished with a fall. The river was flowing high due to the rainfall in the region, and had even made its way onto the dirt path at points, adding an extra element of treachery. Finally, the group made it into Padum under the cover of darkness – an epic day and one which will surely live long in the memory of all present!

DAY 6
The final day of the ride was the return from Padum to Manali. The riders were fully in the zone by this point, and covered the dirt section with ease, making it up to Shingo La by the early afternoon. Smooth tarmac followed, and the group was in Darcha in time for a late lunch. More tarmac followed under the clear sky, before turning into the Atal Tunnel. Thick fog greeted us on the other side – a stark reminder of how much distance the tunnel has reduced from the journey to Sissu, and we gingerly made our way down into Manali and to our hotel. Certification and celebrations followed, to cap off a truly exceptional ride.
Zangskar remains one of the most challenging riding destinations in the world, despite the speed of the roadworks in the region. It truly is the last of the (relatively) untouched regions in the Himalayas that is accessible to the general public, and one that provides a unique experience every single time we go back!