Ladakhi roads
 

Lovely pictures of some of the Manali-Leh highway, plus the Leh-Khardung La one and more.....a nostalgic tug at my heartstrings!

BBC News - In pictures: Building India's high roads

Top part of the world indeed

India Images 2003 and 2004 Leh, Nubra and Pangong

India Images 2003 and 2004 Zanskar, Kashmir & Lahul, Spiti and Kinnaur Valleys

http://www.thebrightstuff.com/indiaoverview.htm Overview of 2 trips in 2003 and 2004

your expert advice?!
 

[QUOTE=chris;498305]Top part of the world indeed

India Images 2003 and 2004 Leh, Nubra and Pangong

India Images 2003 and 2004 Zanskar, Kashmir & Lahul, Spiti and Kinnaur Valleys

Indian Himalayas TBSdotCom Overview of 2 trips in 2003 and 2004[/QUOTE

Kia ora mai Aotearoa/NZ!

With your experience, would you be able to tell me what the riding weather might be like in the Ladakh/Leh areas in August (as well as Nepal and Bhutan)??

I have a thread I started further up about riding there this year 2015. I've been a few times, and my mate and I are experienced riders. Just looking for info, and we're thinking of buying Hero Impulse 150cc bikes (not the standard RE whales) that are underpowered, but more suitably built to the terrain.

Any help appreciated, even reply in that thread if u like! Cheers:mchappy:

[QUOTE=octopusenvy;501507]I was in the Ladakh area in both 2003 and 2004 in July/August and the weather was mostly sunny during the day (but cold, however you're 3 or more km closer to the sun than at sea level, so it's fine: pack suncream!) and cold at night. It rained and snowed at least once, but that's not a big surprise. Can't comment on Nepal in August as I was only ever there in the trekking/climbing season (which is predominantly October/Nov and March/April/May). Never been to Bhutan.

There must be websites that give weather stats for the region.

You don't need bikes with "power" in the Indian Himalaya. I found the 500cc Bullet perfect for the job. The gradient on the roads is very shallow as army trucks and tank transporters etc have to be able to get to Leh during the short good weather window. On the Bullet it was in 2nd gear in the corners and in 3rd or 4th going up hill. The bike only had 4 gears. And I had a lot of luggage and for some of the way, a pillion. But each to their own.