Glacial streams (nallahs) on the Ladakh and Zanskar routes swell through the day as snow melts.
Key Riding Guidance & Highlights
Glacial melt streams — locals call them nallahs — are one of the signature challenges of Ladakh and Zanskar. They're also very manageable once you understand the one thing most riders get wrong: timing.
Timing is everything
These streams are fed by melting snow, so they're at their lowest in the early morning and swell dramatically by afternoon. That's why our itineraries schedule big crossings early in the day.
The technique
- Walk the crossing first if the depth or the bottom is unknown
- Pick your line — often where the water is widest, as it tends to be shallowest and slowest there
- Steady, constant throttle in first or second gear; momentum carries you, speed drowns the engine
- Look at your exit point on the far bank, not down at the water
Our advantage
Our support crew has crossed these exact streams hundreds of times. We position at the crossing, show you the line, and the backup vehicle is right there.
Our tip: Our tip: If a crossing genuinely looks beyond you, there's no shame in letting the van take your bike across. That's exactly what it's for—especially on a Ladakh motorcycle tour or Zanskar tour, where challenging crossings and rough terrain can be part of the adventure.