6th June2012
The Day – I have been waiting eagerly for the last three years!!!!
According to our original plan this was to be the last morning of the trip in Leh. But after completing our first leg from Ludhiana to Leh we rescheduled whole plan. Taking into consideration that my partner was uncomfortable with off roading and long rides, we decided to drop Turtuk and Agam – Shyok route from our plan. We did regular Leh – Nubra – Leh.
With the first light of the day we put the key in the ignition and kicked started the bikes – our partners in crime.
View on the way
First we thought that it is India gate
With the sun still trying to come out from behind morning clouds we reached South Pullu.
We were the first one to register our name at the TCP that day.
Sir, do you have the permit, asked the personnel manning the TCP
Yes, here it is.
How many people?
Sir, we are two only
Ok, write your name, address, and bike details here in this register, and sign it
Sure, Why all these formalities? (While writing)
Just to keep tab and count of how many people have gone, in case there is any emergency.
It is very cold over here (Me to the TCP in charge)
Yes it’s almost close to freezing point. Come inside; use this heater to warm your hands.
Warming our hands for few minutes we thanked the officer and moved from there.
The condition of the road after South Pullu till North Pullu was very pathetic.
With the day still young, the clock striking 9 in the morning we reached K-Top. I was under the impression that there was no mobile connectivity at the Top. Surprisingly the moment we reached the top, I received a congratulatory call from my best friend.
I was transfixed in ecstasy on fulfilling my dream.
Being early in the day, Cafeteria was still closed same was the case with souvenir shop.
Highest Cafeteria in the World
After spending around half an hour at K-Top we resumed our journey towards Hunder. The day was freezing cold. Riding on the road full of snowy slush and at some places even black ice, we descended to North Pullu. Here we stopped for a cup of tea with a bowl of hot maggi.
Leaving warmth of the cafe we started towards Diskit. All along the way the views were out of this world. We stopped for photos at lot of places.
Few kms before Diskit, the road was blocked due to a landslide. We rode on dry river bed for 2 kms. We skipped visiting Diskit Gompa and went straight to Hundar, famous for sand dunes and double humped camels.
By noon we reached Hundar. After some negotiation we got a room for night at Habib GH. Savoring delicious rice with mix veg we left for sand dunes to spend the afternoon.
In the evening while strolling near river behind GH the sound of hymns came to our ears. We started following it and reached Gurdwara Sahib. It was real bliss to find Gurdwara at such place. We spent most part of the evening there and had Langar as well.
Returning to GH we met two bikers from Delhi. Interacting with them I came to know that one of them was member of the same travelling forum of which I was also a member. They were coming back from Turtuk after doing a day trip.
The Day ended on a high note with satisfaction of fulfilling a cherished dream of riding Victor – The Falcon on the highest motorable road in the world.
To be continued…