Prepare for your trip
Juleh! ( A magical Ladakhi greeting that means hello, goodbye, ‘all the best’ – all in a single word ).
India is everything, and more, all at once.
It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.
As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.
A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.
As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country.
RIDING LADAKH
So you have finally given in to adrenaline’s demands and decided to go and ride Ladakh… Or maybe you are still in the process of finding out how thrilling an adventure it is, in the land of high passes with all its beautiful, snow-clad peaks, rugged and spectacular routes that will make sure you have the time of your life.
BIKING GEAR TIPS
The best full face helmet you can get ( you can rent this too ); a pair of eye goggles of supreme quality; a pair of solid gloves.
One or two leather jackets to protect you from the biting winds when they glaze through you; you are going to be mostly covered so sunscreen might not seem that obvious a gear essential to you but having some is a good idea.
Clothes that suit the weather; wisely pack enough, some warm clothes that will last 10 days of use.
At least two pairs of trekking shoes are important. Just one will get dirty after some time.
A first-aid kit is absolutely necessary for the rider. And for the bike, a tool kit.
A valid ID proof ( including your driving license ).
Don’t forget that you are going to deal with high altitude. Hydrate as many times as you can. It is very important and easy to pull off. Half of your travel sickness will go away if you hydrate adequately.
Chargers and power banks for your phones.
A camera to capture all the beautiful and exotic landscapes you will see!
