Ladakh, with its rugged mountains, endless stretches of barren beauty and extreme cold weather, has long held an irresistible charm for adventure bike riders. And this charm of Ladakh brought together 12 travel enthusiasts from across different places in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to embark on a nine-day motorcycle expedition across Ladakh’s mystical terrain.
From the bustling streets of Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy, Karur, Madurai and Kochi, they arrived in Leh as strangers. “I had never met half of them before this trip, but the mountains brought us all together like family,” said Vignesh Paramasivan of Chennai, who came along with his friend Andrew Kingsley J for the ride.
It was Mohammed Ameen from Chennai who really surprised the group when he brought his wife Zainamb Haleema, whom he married a couple of days before, for the ride. For the newly wed couple, the adventure trip was more of an opportunity to get to know each other. “We didn’t think twice when we decided to go for this ride. Though both of our families were sceptical about our decision to go for a Ladakh ride immediately after our marriage, we convinced them because Ladakh was simply irresistible,” said Mohammed.
Our journey began in Leh, where we acclimatised to the altitude before embarking on the ride. As we cruised through changing landscapes—snow-draped peaks, river crossings, barren valleys—Ladakh revealed its raw and mystical charm. Harsh winds, low oxygen, and freezing temperatures often tested our endurance. “There were moments when the cold cut through our gloves and the roads seemed endless, but one look at the mountains and all the pain felt worth it,” said 23-year-old Agal Akash, who was the youngest in the group.
As I was one among them, I too felt an unfamiliar excitement—part fear, part thrill. I still remember the first glimpse of the snow-covered peaks at sunrise. I realised then that this journey was really going to test my nerves.
However, two Ladakhi natives, Padma Dorjay and Padma Rigzin, who joined our group as guides, gave us the confidence to stay positive. Their knowledge of the terrain, weather, and local culture ensured the group’s safety and enriched our experience. “Without Rigzin and Dorje, this ride wouldn’t have been this smooth. They were our guardians on these unknown roads,” said Jaheer Husain S, a native of Karur. Jaheer, who is currently settled in Malaysia, flew to India specifically for the Ladakh trip. “I knew that the extreme cold weather was going to take a toll on my health. But I wanted to be part of this adventure trip,” Jaheer said.
“Ladakh has always been in my dreams. This trip helped me find friends in the most unexpected places. The weather was rough and at times, it really made me exhausted. But we were determined to complete it. The rides to Khardung La and Umling La Passes were tough because of the harsh cold weather,” said Arunprasath Jayakumar from Trichy.
“For us, Ladakh wasn’t just a ride. It was a memorable experience etched on two wheels,” said Mohana Rangan D.
“The initial stretch of the ride after Khardung La was tough. The lack of oxygen and harsh cold weather made me sick. I almost gave up. But the team stood by me. I overcame the tiredness and sickness. Ladakh tested our spirit before letting us in,” said Andrew Kingsley J.
“Riding through the sand dunes of Nubra Valley with the Himalayas towering around us felt surreal. It was like riding on another planet. No photograph or video can ever justify the emotions we felt on those roads,” said Saravanan Jayaraj. His friend Darvin Raj was all eloquent about the snow which captivated him at Khardung La and Umling La. “The snow, the wind, the altitude… were all exciting. It’s pure magic. This is why people risk everything to ride here,” said Darvin.
We were all thankful to Ramya Sri, who was with us all the time on the ground representing the Adventure Addiction Company that coordinated the Ladakh trip for us. She was the driving force behind the entire trip. Ramya was the one behind the scenes ensuring every detail ran seamlessly. “It’s all about trust and timing,” she said. “Once we’re on the road, you have to be prepared for everything—but also not let the stress ruin the experience.”
When the 1,200-kilometre ride came to an end, we didn’t just return with dust-covered bikes and photographs—we carried new friendships, inner strength, and a piece of Ladakh in our hearts.
