jpine, spend some time on bcmtouring forum - like hours, day, nights. You will also find some of greatest photography you have ever seen.
This looks amazing! My SO and I have always wanted to go to India and now Im more determined than ever to make it happen.
When you're ready, pls make a post under regional forum section & I'll help you with free suggestion on routes, local cusines, culture & best locations to visit & ride.
Aargee is flattering me I am just an ordinary tourer. Anyways, if our dates conincide, you are free to join, but if they don't many experienced bikers who do ladakh every year will love to have you for company. Just visit bcmtouring. But one thing, I am a 4x4 tourer, so for bike riding experience, the other folks will guide you much better. A fellow 4x4 tourer discovered a 18100+ feet high pass in September, and I guess lots of bikers will be lining up for that in 2012 :) BTW, you can see my photography here http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718217 I am currently updating 2009 and after that I will post pics from 2010. Later I will add another thread for Spiti.
Aaha!!! Why would I want to flater you??? I know where you make your trips; when Himalayan terrains are like achievement for many of them, its a piece of cake for you with your white truck & the techniques you make your truck to move on the foot covered ices are a must read for everyone. So...I'm talking fact & not flattery my friend :)