{"id":15021,"date":"2021-11-09T10:41:10","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T05:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/?p=15021"},"modified":"2022-08-03T21:33:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T16:03:57","slug":"road-trip-to-ladakh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/road-trip-to-ladakh\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Bullets Narrating Our Tales Of Ladakh"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first few minutes of the halt and the silences were violated by strange noises. We tried to ignore them until they grew increasingly violent.\u00a0While we still held our grounds, a loud shriek echoed through the valley. It was Aditya \u2014 struck by an intense stomach ache with his tongue and eyes turning red. Cold shivers ran down our spine. Senses were numbed. Time, stopped.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

It was just a random discussion which had made us college buddies realize that the Mecca of all road trips was yet to be lived \u2014 trip to the mighty Himalayas. What made the idea more challenging was the fact that the trip was about to be self-funded. A bold step for college-going guys, but with the internships and other part time jobs in the background, the idea which had now become more of a dream, was all set to be fulfilled. The journey was kicked off from the heat of Delhi to the cool of our next stop Manali, which made us curl in warm blankets in the month of August!\u00a0As the morning took over, the seven of us finally began the expedition on our Royal Enfields to the highest roads in the world. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Seven<\/div>\n

A start in the twilight, light drizzle and the sound of our bullets \u2014 we couldn\u2019t have asked for better.\u00a0Neither could we, in our wildest dreams have imagined, what the future had in store for us. Blissfully ignorant, we rode alongside the most thrilling panoramas and reached Rohtang pass<\/strong>, only to find the roads washed away due to the preceding incessant rains, leaving behind a rough pile of rocks. Yet the high altitude passes along the way were a constant refreshment and a perfect food for amazing clicks. Tempted by the reigning beauty of the landscapes, we halted at all but one \u2014 the Baralacha pass. <\/strong>The reason you ask? We didn\u2019t believe it until we experienced it.<\/p>\n

Initially,we thought of challenging the influence of the pass\u2019 creepy reputation and prior warnings, but as we were running a little behind schedule we consented to the idea of skipping the pass. On arriving at the camping site, we unexpectedly ran into three other groups heading towards Leh, who joined us in the night\u2019s revelries – the music, the dance and the bonfire. People unknown until last night were now travel buddies and with the never ending roads and enchanting views, the trip was far exceeding expectations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cherishing<\/div>\n

Braving the crossing rains and the fear of cloudbursts, we were making our way to Leh. Since our gang had grown considerably, we hired 3 more bikes and post 25 kms rocky ride, through the Hilltop that said, \u201chighest motorable road in the world\u201d \u2014 we reached Khardung La Pass<\/a>. We had never realised the hype about the place until we experienced it first-hand. Lost in the fantastical views, our 2 hours stay at the place got immortalized by photography sessions and the maggi serving shack (read : caf\u00e9). We were now starting to rejoice the fact that we had exploited this opportunity to the fullest, conquering everything, until the Baralacha Pass came up in a discussion. In order to quench this adventure fetish, we decided to face Baralacha, on our way back.
\nEverything, was yet to be conquered.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Conquering<\/div>\n

The oxygen levels were low and the weather was opposing our speed. Yet, we managed to continue our journey without a stop in spite of the danger of a sandstorm lurking on one side and possibility of cloudburst on the other but only until Baralacha pass.<\/p>\n

So here we were again \u2014 the forlorn beauty that we had skipped earlier because of its reputation. Donning a brave face, we were determined on overcoming the hesitation. It were Aditya\u2019s shrieks that shook us into action. We took off immediately, deciding not to stop before the next army base.<\/strong> On reaching the base, our friend in pain was not only given instant medical attention but was offered a ride on an army truck on its way to Manali<\/a>, since he was in no condition to travel on a bike. With zero vision while crossing Rohtang Pass and rain in full flow, we were driving at around 20-25 kmph eager to reunite with Aditya. At Manali, we found him all fit and fine \u2014 bereft of any trace of the phantasmic experience.<\/p>\n

\"Baralacha<\/div>\n

As we continued our retreat journey, violent rains were setting into the quaint of serene roads. Heights were flaunting their victory over vicious depths. We were quiet and strangely satisfied, as though we had surpassed the greatest heights or the deepest lows. It was the murmur of our bikes, narrating our story. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n