Traversing the Manali-Leh Highway (4)

Day 5: Sarchu to Upsi

The morning starts off with a typical boring scene along the Manali-Leh highway...


Lachulangla- at 16,600', the 3rd highest motorable pass in the world


Pang is one of the temporary tent "cities" where you can get basic supplies and a bed if need be. We stopped to grab lunch at one of the many tent dhabas along the way.



We actually stopped off at the same dhaba for food on the way back. I recognized one of the dhaba owners from her photo in a book, so we cut out her page and gave it to her.


Her name is Dora and has 2 kids that she sees only once a year. She only makes about $1000 a season. She was so happy to see her page that she gave us some candy when we left, I felt like I 6 years old again, hah!


Morey Plains-


As much as I love the Royal Enfields, I'm not the biggest fan of any part but the engine on this bike. After I heard a clinking sound of metal hitting asphalt, I just knew that it couldn't have been good...

Yep, that's my rear brake. Never thought to bring an extra one of those, doh!

Ordinary if this was New Delhi or any other major city this wouldn't have been too bad, but it's still nearly 200kms from Leh! I still had to go through such Manali-Leh highway sights such as...

Tagalangla- at 17,500', the 2nd highest motorable pass in the world.



Going up without a rear brake wasn't too bad, going down was a different story. Let's just say it took awhile...

Finally, we're starting to see stupas and prayer wheels! After 487kms, several stops for attention-needy PEG, lots of magi (ramen), momos (potstickers), and thukpa (noodle soup) at tent dhabas, and 6 scenic, yet grinding, days, next stop Leh!