On the 4th day We moved on from Keylong towards Sarchu as we ascended into Barlach-La which had freshly been cleared and still hat snow piling up 10 to 15 feet on both sides of the road. The narrow road did have its share of traffic jams but for our motorcycles any gap was big enough to squeeze through knocking off some snow from the sides as we moved ahead and descended into Sarchu. It was here at Sarchu that we realised that we had gained a lot of height as well as had suffered a significant drop in temperature in a relatively quick time. To make matters worse we stayed in quickly put together tents and had to brave wind-chill as long as we were outdoors. Some of us did fell sick here as symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness prevailed but the Doctors on duty made sure each and everyone was fit the next day in the morning as we started off towards Leh. Some of us who needed additional fuel loaded up at Sarchu.
The 5th day ride from Sarchu to Leh was one helluva gruelling ride as we first entered the 21 Gata Loops and climbed into Lachung-la and then descended into Pang for a lunch break and regroup. As we moved into Pang most of us were very exhausted but just about had the energy to go forward. Yes some of us did feel like calling it quits but the inspirational pointers given by Sachin our leader and the fact that Leh was still waiting was something which drove us on. We moved on from Pang and crossed the vast and deserted More Plains before ascending into Tanglang-La, the second highest pass in this region as well as the world. It was Cold and windy up there and we could hardly stay there for a few minutes just to click the few customary photographs and roll down quickly into Bharatpur. This place usually has a few eateries and an easier road but as weather gods would have it, it was frozen and barren with ice and snow piled on the roads making the river crossing even more challenging. Finally we rode into Upshi at the border of J&K and from there Leh was a smooth ride with paved roads and regularised traffic.
Rolling into Leh we just crashed and called it a day. The 6th day was a day off for all of the participants but the technicians worked overtime to ensure that the bikes were kept in good shape for the next big adventure, namely Khardung-La. After a well earned and well deserved day’s rest in Leh we set off towards Khardung-La on the 7th day of the Odyssey. As we ascended the slow drizzle we had encountered turned to sleet and the temperature started dropping drastically. By the time we reached South Pullu visibility had dropped down to a bare minimum and we could hardly see anything. We managed to still go on and crossed the Highest Motorable road in the world at Khardung-la amidst freezing temperatures and heavy sleet. The snow on the road was making riding difficult but the riders rode on into South Pullu and celebrated this accomplishment. After south Pullu we rode into a very different landscape of Nubra Valley which has the amazing desert mountains and soft sand dunes donning the horizon. The temperature had also become more comfortable as we rolled into Hunder and stayed in comfortable tents at a camp.