Skip to main content

Hitchhiking in Leh


Ladakh has very less and time bound bus services. Private cab may turn little bit expensive for Solo traveller.
Hitchhiking is the way to go for many and I learnt it better in Ladakh.

Meaning:
Hitchhike : Travel by getting free rides from motorists

I hitchhiked multiple times during my journey.


I was traveling from Turtuk to Diskit so as to reach Panamik, but met High mountain group who were very generous to allow me to Hitchhike with them but were going to Pangong. 
I am Thankful to Aman, his father and cousin and all crew and riders. Satyam and High mountains are a very friendly group.

I traveled back from Pangong to Leh via Chang La and it snowed at Chang La. I was in a support vehicle that High Mountains had. A Jeep. Jeep has rear seats at 90° to the direction of travel and I have Vertigo issue and Road condition was pathetic as well which made me feel uncomfortable. Though Amans' father was Riding Jeep really very well to keep up with Bikers. Enjoyed scenery a lot in cold environment.

As I check now, I got to travel about 450+ km with High Mountains. Many thanks to them.
  • Karu to Leh at 10:00 pm with Agata and Maceij (Friends from Poland)
On one day before my trip ended, there was festival in Hemis Monastery. Me, Laura (German), Maciej (Poland - Super nice guy) and Agata (Poland - Super Strong girl) wanted to see festival. And return in night. Personal vehicle was out of question and I felt Hitchhiking was reliable after staying in Leh for around couple of weeks. We left festival place by 9:10 or so, walked almost at the exit of Hemis, where Karu starts and a Van appears allowing us to get on. We sat in an open rear carriage section of some vehicle similar to Milk Van. The icy cold winds were the highlight of the journey.
It was almost 9:30 PM or so. Very very cold evening with breeze and sky filled with Stars when our journey started. 
Maciej and Agatha sang Polish songs and I was getting translation of songs they were singing.
That journey was joyful, very joyful. Must thank the Vehicle owner who happened to drive that night and gave us lift as well.

Walking near Hemis

Journey towards Leh while Hitchhiking

  • Towards Sangam and return
Sangam literally means merger. In Leh, Zanskar River and Indus river merge and there is river rafting possible as well. But to reach Sangam, one has to take bus towards Alchi and get down for Sangam.
From the drop point of bus, it is about 3 km walk to Sangam. I got assistance once again, but this time it was a woman gang who was at my rescue. Although it was a short journey of few minutes, the girls were in enthusiastic mood. When I boarded their car, they asked "Hum ladkiyon se darr nahi lagta?" (Not afraid of us 'The Girls gang'?) and I replied "Me ek bhola ladka hun, meri jaan baksh do" (Please let me go safely, I am a simple guy).
During the return journey from Sangam to Leh, there was a support vehicle for bikers from Belgium and Indians who let me take a ride till Leh entry point.


I thank all those who assists traveler like me.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The economy of Ladakh

(Trip - SEP-18) Majority of residents of Leh and many in Ladakh seem to be in Middle class category. Although expenses for residents also seems high. There are multiple income sources I got to learn ladakhis have which are as follows: Tourism A Major source of income for the region. From Hotel, home stays, restaurants, travel agency, transport companies all are beneficiaries. Military The Military contributes a lot to the region in many ways including joining the army. I was informed 40% of youngsters aspired to join the army and serve the nation with high patriotism and makes their earning as well. The Milk economy Villagers from around Leh, sells Milk to local buyers (may be hotels) at INR. 50 / liter which if sold to government buyers may get around 36 to 37 INR. Still a handsome amount. Consider the scenario where 3 or more cow are there and each produce 15 liter Milk per day approximately. Which turns out to be about 2000+ INR. The economy of Donkey (that...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pure Vegetarian restaurants in Leh

Vegetarian Food (Trip - SEP-18) Ahuja Lassi - Amritsar (MUST TRY : Best) I believe in Vegetarian Diet up to an extent not to consume food in Non vegetarian restaurant as economically my profit share goes into expansion of Non veg food. That's my contribution to non-violence. There are very few pure vegetarian restaurants in Leh but in Amritsar delicious Veg food is available. For me Brothers Dhaba in Amritsar is overrated. Some other food point should be tried. To experience food in Golden temple is good, apart from that, explore amazing food available in and around Amritsar. Listed below are the once I was able to find with lots of walking in and around Leh. Wish it helps someone, someday. Neha Refreshment in Main Market (Leh - 3.5stars on 5) Punjab Tadka restaurant (Leh - 4 stars on 5 ) Best Pure Veg Food possible near Main market (Leh) Tsomori near Main Market on Fort Road (Leh - Not tried) Radhu's in Main market (Leh - Not t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Amritsar and Ladakh experience

A Solo trip without solitude Khardung La, Ladakh Highlighting Places explored I visited Amritsar which is quite a Hot place yet with welcoming people just for a day and for rest of the days of my trip i  went to one of the most hospitable Ladakh with sober Buddhist population. Near Jallianwala baugh, Amritsar The journey spanned from 30-Aug-18 Thursday to 17-Sep-18 Monday. (18 nights, of which 4 days were heavy on intercity travel via trains or flights) Trying to be environment conscious, yet I produced more waste then my last bicycle trip. 5 plastic bottles for water (I lost my cycling water bottle as well :( ) Thermocol and plastic spoon when I consumed maggi at Pangong Couple of plastic wrappers where i consumed ready made fast food I covered following Places during my visit: Amritsar city  -  Leh (ATM - yes, Mobile Phone Network - Yes) Diskit (ATM - yes, Mobile Phone Network - Yes) Turtuk (ATM - No, Mobile Phone Network...
1 comment
Read more