Leh and Ladakh - Trip Planning - All queries go here

[f1fan]

Guys,
Can a Dzire do the trip in May/June?
I know of folks having done the trip in Aug/Sep in a Dzire but I believe none have done it in May/June.

Any idea folks?

Cheers
f1fan

[docjoe]

Originally Posted by f1fan

Guys,
Can a Dzire do the trip in May/June?
I know of folks having done the trip in Aug/Sep in a Dzire but I believe none have done it in May/June.

Any idea folks?

Cheers
f1fan

The Army winter stocking convoys will make life miserable for you. Also, the effects of the winter have not worn off so one can expect extreme weather conditions especially at the passes. I recommend the window from 01 July till 30 Aug if you are with a family, else Apr too is fine.

[docjoe]

Hi guys,

I served in that area from 1996 till 1998 including the Siachen glacier.

I am planning the route in July/Aug 2011.

If anyone wants more details than are available in the spreadsheet, feel free to shoot a mail at mvjoshi69@gmail.com

Check out the link. Many thanks to H V Kumar for his tips.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B5E...thkey=CKHS8-QO

[nix1976in]

How does 13th August to 4th September sound for a trip to Leh from Mumbai? Is it a good window to travel and would the high passes be allrite to shove in a Xylo at that time??

Nix.

[RROD]

Guyz, please count me in.
Please let me know the plan.

[Fauji]

We did Manali - Leh in July this year just before floods hit Ladakh.

Here are my suggestions

a) If doing Manali - Leh, do it over three days. This helps better acclimitisation. Doing over two days is little tiring - as we did - as you climb straight from Manali at 3500ft to Sarchu which is at 13000 ft on Day 1 where you stay for night. This will also help in doing this stretch leisurely and enjoy the drive.

b) We thought of returning via Kargil - Srinagar and catch flight from there to Delhi. But the problem is volatality in Sri Nagar. You neeed to factor this whenever you plan via Srinagar. We had to cancel this stretch at last minute and take the flight straight from Leh. Thanks to stone throwing brigade which was very active then!!

c) Does not make sense to return back to Manali by road if you have already done that while going

[rkbharat]

Originally Posted by f1fan

Guys,
Can a Dzire do the trip in May/June?
I know of folks having done the trip in Aug/Sep in a Dzire but I believe none have done it in May/June.

Any idea folks?

Cheers
f1fan

This year we had one Dzire in the convoy of SX4, Dzire and Safari. Did really well. But under body will definitely scrap at few places, but nothing serious

We started on 28th May

Originally Posted by nix1976in

How does 13th August to 4th September sound for a trip to Leh from Mumbai? Is it a good window to travel and would the high passes be allrite to shove in a Xylo at that time??
Nix.

Yes that window is fine and Xylo should not have any problems. If you can delay it a little 2 weeks or so, you can avoid rains completely

Originally Posted by docjoe

I recommend the window from 01 July till 30 Aug if you are with a family,

That is the most avoidable period due to rain

Originally Posted by docjoe

The Army winter stocking convoys will make life miserable for you.

Winter stocking? I guess starts in October, and specially for Army, I think there no spacially plan as they keep the supply all year via air

Originally Posted by docjoe

else Apr too is fine.

Driving? Passes do not open by then, both Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh will be closed

[nix1976in]

Thanks RK,
The window I mentioned has 4 working off's and coupled with Sat /Sun gives me a 3 week vacation with just 11 working days off the calendar. I guess, I could suffer some rains getting to Manali / Srinagar but then on it would be fine.

If any others are interested in bunching up from 13th Aug thru 4th Sept, pls revert so that we can plan ahead.

Regards,
Nikhil.

[pcpranav]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Thanks RK,
The window I mentioned has 4 working off's and coupled with Sat /Sun gives me a 3 week vacation with just 11 working days off the calendar. I guess, I could suffer some rains getting to Manali / Srinagar but then on it would be fine.

If any others are interested in bunching up from 13th Aug thru 4th Sept, pls revert so that we can plan ahead.

Regards,
Nikhil.

Hi Nikhil,
I too have a Xylo (Mumbai) and intend Leh this year. We have a group of 3-4 guys mostly in my vehicle, and another gang of 4-6 on bikes. Havnt done any preparations yet, but soon would need to setup things. would like to be in touch.

regards,
Pranav

[iridium]

You can check the road status at OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF DISTRICT LEH (LADAKH)

Me also planning a trip in the month of May with wife/son.
Looking at: Sikkim or Leh
Not possible in June since son doesn't have holidays then and don't want to do the trip without son (8.5 years old).

Vacation dates have been finalized and publicised in office: May 09 - May 27.

Planning to do the trip in either Honda Jazz or Swift Diesel.
Will have the car sent to Bagdogra or Chandigarh by truck and drive from there.

Regards
Ravi.

[nix1976in]

Originally Posted by pcpranav

Hi Nikhil,
I too have a Xylo (Mumbai) and intend Leh this year. We have a group of 3-4 guys mostly in my vehicle, and another gang of 4-6 on bikes. Havnt done any preparations yet, but soon would need to setup things. would like to be in touch.

regards,
Pranav

Cool...a Xylo convoy sounds good. Check my thread in the meet section, we could keep in touch there.

[Paco]

We doing Leh from Mumbai in May 2011 too.

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by iridium

You can check the road status at OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF DISTRICT LEH (LADAKH)

Me also planning a trip in the month of May with wife/son.
Looking at: Sikkim or Leh
Not possible in June since son doesn't have holidays then and don't want to do the trip without son (8.5 years old).

Vacation dates have been finalized and publicised in office: May 09 - May 27.

You'll have to postpone the dates for Leh as Zojila only opens by late May. Rohtang opens only Early June.

Originally Posted by iridium

Planning to do the trip in either Honda Jazz or Swift Diesel.
Will have the car sent to Bagdogra or Chandigarh by truck and drive from there.

Regards
Ravi.

One advise. Don't send the car by truck. It may not be in the best of health after the truck ride, unless you sending specifically by Car carrier.

[v&v]

My leh plan is finally making shape. it will be begin mid June.

here is the basic compilation


DAY - 1 DELHI - MANALI 550KMS
DAY - 2 MANALI - SARACHU 230 KMS
DAY - 3 SARACHU-TSOMORIRI-SARACHU
DAY - 4 SARACHU - LEH 255 KMS
DAY - 5 LEH
DAY - 6 LEH - NUBRA 126 KMS
DAY - 7 NUBRA - LEH 126 KMS
DAY - 8 LEH - PANGONG LAKE 170 KMS
DAY - 9 PANGONG - LEH 170 KMS
DAY - 10 LEH - BUFFER
DAY - 11 LEH - KARGIL 230 KMS
DAY - 12 KARGIL - SRINAGAR 200 kms
DAY - 12 SRINAGAR
DAY - 13 AMRITSAR/CHANDIGARH
DAY - 14 DELHI


HOTELS PLANNING TO BOOK

(Manali) The Orchard Greens @ 4K EB-1.5K KID-.8K
(Keylong) Drilbu Retreat @ 2500 EB-1000 KID-.8
(Sarchu) Adventure Camp @ 2500 EB-1000 KID .8
(Leh) Namgyal palace @ 2960 EB-1500 KID-.8
(Nubra Valley) Lharimo North (Cottages) @ 2960 EB-1500
(Pangong) Camp Watermark @ 3600 EB 1600
(Kargil) Caravan Sarai @ 2960 EB-1500
(Srinagar) Houseboats @ 2500 EB-1500


Suggestion for Itinerary and hotels are welcome.

[cyberwhizs]

Just thinking aloud. Will indica dls/ford fiesta be able to make it up the hills? Just thinking. just considering.