KTMphil
Senior member
More to come .....
A tour around north India on Royal Enfields
- Thread starter KTMphil
- Start date
esspressolungo
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Bikes
- Honda XR 250
Very nice pictures and report, one gotta love the colors, keep it coming, thanks:RO
2wheels
Community Manager
Another 'Wow'!
This is an exceptionally good report Phil; congrats and thank you.
By the way, how are the REs handling the conditions?
This is an exceptionally good report Phil; congrats and thank you.
By the way, how are the REs handling the conditions?
KTMphil
Senior member
KTMphil
Senior member
Curfew in Srinagar
Curfew in Valley, Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar highway closed - Oneindia News
Srinagar, July 19: Curfew was Friday imposed in Srinagar, many towns of the Valley and areas in Ramban district of Jammu while the Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed in the wake of protests after four people died in BSF firing Thursday in Gool village of Ramban district. A senior police officer said: "Curfew has been imposed in entire Srinagar, Badgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora districts Friday. It has also come into force in Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Sopore and Bijbehara towns.
Read more at: Curfew in Valley, Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar highway closed - Oneindia News
......more on this later!!
Curfew in Valley, Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar highway closed - Oneindia News
Srinagar, July 19: Curfew was Friday imposed in Srinagar, many towns of the Valley and areas in Ramban district of Jammu while the Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed in the wake of protests after four people died in BSF firing Thursday in Gool village of Ramban district. A senior police officer said: "Curfew has been imposed in entire Srinagar, Badgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora districts Friday. It has also come into force in Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Sopore and Bijbehara towns.
Read more at: Curfew in Valley, Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar highway closed - Oneindia News
KTMphil
Senior member
Back to the ride north to Leh.
Some local ladies out and about outside the village
20km south of Leh
A superb old monastery, I thought we were headed to this one, but we were headed to one more spectacular
Some local ladies out and about outside the village
20km south of Leh
A superb old monastery, I thought we were headed to this one, but we were headed to one more spectacular
KTMphil
Senior member
More north, here south of Upshi
Tea in Upshi
Helping Mum wash the cups and plates
Tea in Upshi
Helping Mum wash the cups and plates
KTMphil
Senior member
This was to be our one - The 15th century, Thikse Monastery
From Wiki:
Thikse Monastery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thikse Gompa or Thikse Monastery (also transliterated from Ladakhi as Tikse, Tiksey or Thiksey) (thiksok Nambar tak pe ling) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect, located on top of a hill, approximately 19 kilometres east of Leh[SUP][1][/SUP] in Ladakh, India. It is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest gompa in central Ladakh.[SUP][2][/SUP]
The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus valley. It is a 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple which is installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. A 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two storeys of the building is deified in the monastery. A nunnery is also part of the complex.[SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4]
[/SUP]
[SUP]
[/SUP]
[SUP]
[/SUP]
From Wiki:
Thikse Monastery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thikse Gompa or Thikse Monastery (also transliterated from Ladakhi as Tikse, Tiksey or Thiksey) (thiksok Nambar tak pe ling) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect, located on top of a hill, approximately 19 kilometres east of Leh[SUP][1][/SUP] in Ladakh, India. It is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest gompa in central Ladakh.[SUP][2][/SUP]
The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus valley. It is a 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple which is installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. A 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two storeys of the building is deified in the monastery. A nunnery is also part of the complex.[SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4]
[/SUP]
[SUP][/SUP]
[SUP][/SUP]
Ally
Well-known member
Beautiful colours Phil, great photos.
Ally
Ally
KTMphil
Senior member
An Italian film crew were filming a documentary at the monastery, interesting to see new technology, they're using a quality Nikon DSLR camera lense on "black box" digital video recording body.
This little guy was the star
This little guy was the star
KTMphil
Senior member
What a view from the Thikse Monastery
KTMphil
Senior member
Classic through the wheel shot near Leh (Border Roads Organization )
KTMphil
Senior member
Arriving at Leh and really needing to gas up after 3 days of no fuel stations, just fuel from the support truck
Tried to the Bijoo hotel in Leh, a nice choice if you're up that way but unfortunately full
Managed to gets rooms at the Nivirna hotel
Great food at the Nivirna but the rooms are a little worn
Moved on to the Rafica Hotel in Leh the next day
Tried to the Bijoo hotel in Leh, a nice choice if you're up that way but unfortunately full
Managed to gets rooms at the Nivirna hotel
Great food at the Nivirna but the rooms are a little worn
Moved on to the Rafica Hotel in Leh the next day
KTMphil
Senior member
A stroll around the beautiful old historic city of Leh
From Wiki:
Leh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leh was an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and also between India and China for centuries. The main goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas or cannabis resin from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocade.
Although there are a few indications that the Chinese knew of a trade route through Ladakh to India as early as the Kushan period (1st to 3rd centuries CE),[SUP][1][/SUP] and certainly by Tang dynasty,[SUP][2][/SUP] little is actually known of the history of the region before the formation of the kingdom towards the end of the 10th century by the Tibetan prince, Skyid lde nyima gon (or Nyima gon), a grandson of the anti-Buddhist Tibetan king, Langdarma (r. c. 838 to 841). He conquered Western Tibet although his army originally numbered only 300 men. Several towns and castles are said to have been founded by Nyima gon and he apparently ordered the construction of the main sculptures at Shey. "In an inscription he says he had them made for the religious benefit of the Tsanpo (the dynastical name of his father and ancestors), and of all the people of Ngaris (Western Tibet). This shows that already in this generation Langdarma's opposition to Buddhism had disappeared."[SUP][3][/SUP] Shey, just 15 km east of modern Leh, was the ancient seat of the Ladakhi kings.
During the reign of Delegs Namgyal (1660-1685),[SUP][4][/SUP] the Nawab of Kashmir, which was then a province in the Mogul Empire, arranged for the Mongol army to (temporarily) leave Ladakh (though it returned later). As payment for assisting Delegs Namgyal, the Nawab made a number of onerous demands. One of the least was to build a large Sunni Muslim mosque in Leh at the upper end of the bazaar in Leh, below the Leh Palace. The mosque reflects a mixture of Islamic and Tibetan architecture and can accommodate more than 500 people. This was apparently not the first mosque in Leh; there are two smaller ones which are said to be older.[SUP][5]
[/SUP]
[SUP]
[/SUP]
Snake charmers not doing anything without a fist full of Rupees
[SUP]
[/SUP]
From Wiki:
Leh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leh was an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and also between India and China for centuries. The main goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas or cannabis resin from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocade.
Although there are a few indications that the Chinese knew of a trade route through Ladakh to India as early as the Kushan period (1st to 3rd centuries CE),[SUP][1][/SUP] and certainly by Tang dynasty,[SUP][2][/SUP] little is actually known of the history of the region before the formation of the kingdom towards the end of the 10th century by the Tibetan prince, Skyid lde nyima gon (or Nyima gon), a grandson of the anti-Buddhist Tibetan king, Langdarma (r. c. 838 to 841). He conquered Western Tibet although his army originally numbered only 300 men. Several towns and castles are said to have been founded by Nyima gon and he apparently ordered the construction of the main sculptures at Shey. "In an inscription he says he had them made for the religious benefit of the Tsanpo (the dynastical name of his father and ancestors), and of all the people of Ngaris (Western Tibet). This shows that already in this generation Langdarma's opposition to Buddhism had disappeared."[SUP][3][/SUP] Shey, just 15 km east of modern Leh, was the ancient seat of the Ladakhi kings.
During the reign of Delegs Namgyal (1660-1685),[SUP][4][/SUP] the Nawab of Kashmir, which was then a province in the Mogul Empire, arranged for the Mongol army to (temporarily) leave Ladakh (though it returned later). As payment for assisting Delegs Namgyal, the Nawab made a number of onerous demands. One of the least was to build a large Sunni Muslim mosque in Leh at the upper end of the bazaar in Leh, below the Leh Palace. The mosque reflects a mixture of Islamic and Tibetan architecture and can accommodate more than 500 people. This was apparently not the first mosque in Leh; there are two smaller ones which are said to be older.[SUP][5]
[/SUP]
[SUP][/SUP]
Snake charmers not doing anything without a fist full of Rupees
[SUP][/SUP]
KTMphil
Senior member
LOADS of bike rental companies in Leh, you're only 30km from the highest motorable road in the world
These rent for about 800 Rupees a day
These rent for about 800 Rupees a day
KTMphil
Senior member
Then from Leh, north up to towards the highest motorable road in the road
Bloody amazing view on the way up
Bloody amazing view on the way up
KTMphil
Senior member
We've been taking Diomox on days we knew we'd be at over 4,000 meteres, today would be 5,600 meters and our second time above 5,000 meters, so up we go
Awesome ride up up up from Leh
Awesome ride up up up from Leh
KTMphil
Senior member
Really like their road signs, they make you think as you're riding along
KTMphil
Senior member
Getting near the top, then at 5,000 meters we're stopped while they clear a potential landslide. You can feel your heart beating faster as it tries to pump more oxygen around your body and light headed.
Actually 5,236 meters and stuck there for an hour
Decent view though
Actually 5,236 meters and stuck there for an hour
Decent view though
KTMphil
Senior member
Finally they let us through and we're at the highest motorable road in the world that you can take a vehicle
A little "chilly" up there
It is here
A little "chilly" up there
It is here
aurelandclaire
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2013
- Bikes
- Honda EX5 and Honda Wave 125
Amazing report !
Wonderfull pictures !
We're about to do the same thing in 2 weeks, now we know what to expect.
Thanks so much for your work
Wonderfull pictures !
We're about to do the same thing in 2 weeks, now we know what to expect.
Thanks so much for your work
KTMphil
Senior member
Down the other side and low and behold a Thai lady traveling on her own on a rented bike!
Tea at 4,900 meters on the other side of the pass
Amazing she could work like this at nearly 5,000 meters
Tea at 4,900 meters on the other side of the pass
Amazing she could work like this at nearly 5,000 meters
KTMphil
Senior member
Another epic road sign!
So down the other side, all still feeling a little light headed
(hopefully we'll catch that number plate)
See if you can make out the small houses
So down the other side, all still feeling a little light headed
(hopefully we'll catch that number plate)
See if you can make out the small houses
2wheels
Community Manager
Did Khun Som get her story?
Where's she from in Thailand?
Going to?
Travelled from?
Whatever, she's got b........ she's very brave!
KTMphil
Senior member
Did Khun Som get her story?
Where's she from in Thailand?
Going to?
Travelled from?
Whatever, she's got b........ she's very brave!
She ll put something together when she gets back I think....all in written note form currently.
KTMphil
Senior member
Water seemed to be an issue in some villages, here a group collecting some to take back home
Another good 'un
Tony having some fun on the way down to the Nubra Valley
Another good 'un
Tony having some fun on the way down to the Nubra Valley
KTMphil
Senior member
A bit of regrouping on the northern side of the pass for the ride north to the Nubra Valley
Windy and still cold
Windy and still cold
KTMphil
Senior member
You have to loop back to Leh to get out of the Nubra Valley, but with this scenery its not a problem doing the same road twice
More pockets of water explaining the vegetation
Some fun switchbacks to end the day
& into the Olthang Hotel just before dusk
More pockets of water explaining the vegetation
Some fun switchbacks to end the day
& into the Olthang Hotel just before dusk
KTMphil
Senior member
A quick walk around the town
View attachment 19033
View attachment 19034
Not many sellers left at the market
View attachment 19035
View attachment 19036
View attachment 19033
View attachment 19034
Not many sellers left at the market
View attachment 19035
View attachment 19036
KTMphil
Senior member
This looked a little scary
More prayer stone along the road
One of the cutest shops we've seen
More prayer stone along the road
One of the cutest shops we've seen
KTMphil
Senior member
Monastery in the Nubra Valley
Getting a bit sick of Indian food, with Som being such a wizard in the kitchen, she put some great food together with their limited resources, it made a great change for all of us
Getting a bit sick of Indian food, with Som being such a wizard in the kitchen, she put some great food together with their limited resources, it made a great change for all of us
KTMphil
Senior member
Up to the giant Buddha the next morning and we lucked out with the vizability
KTMphil
Senior member
A quick look to see if the camels were around, no sign of them, so lets see if an Enfield likes deep water
Not a problem at all
Not a problem at all
KTMphil
Senior member
After a quick play, back south over the highest motorable road in the world to Leh
Cha stop
No need for fridges here with glacier water around you
Cha stop
No need for fridges here with glacier water around you
KTMphil
Senior member
Back south more unusual signs
The Indian military base about 100km south of the China border
The Indian military base about 100km south of the China border
KTMphil
Senior member
This was as we as far north as we could get in the Nubra Valley, as the crow flies 72km from the China border
More unusual road signs
More unusual road signs
KTMphil
Senior member
Back south to Leh
Looks like the Austrians couldnt read
Looks like the Austrians couldnt read
KTMphil
Senior member
Yep ...no problems....we were lucky..
