Better Leh'd than Never - a 3,004 kms round trip of a lifetime!

[tsk1979]

So Roshun and Anils trip also coincided with yours! Interesting. Waiting for more!

[phamilyman]

hunji, phod the ditta.

Maybe this is now a good time for either you to come over, or vice versa and for me to go through your entire pics folder

[suman]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

So Roshun and Anils trip also coincided with yours! Interesting.

As I mentioned, they were a group of 4 Scorpios - Roshun's, GD's, Anil's & Suman's (Ghosh) who were travelling together. Coincidentally, our departure dates were the same (30th May) but they went through Manali & we went through Srinagar. We finally met up with Roshun, Anil, his wife & Subhasis (Sarkar) at Sarchu on the 9th evening and then again on the 10th, we did the Rohtang ascent & descent in a convoy (though not planned earlier).

[asejwal]

Originally Posted by suman

Arun, depending on when you are planning the trip, I think the Sierra can make it. Will be a little bit of exertion in places but can be done. However, you now have an EX 4x4 - in your place, it would be a no-brainer for me . Nah, I'm kidding, go ahead, plan around mid-August, should go through

That was one prompt response!
Ya, that's wat everyone keeps telling me - when you have a 4x4 Vtt, why are you even thinking of taking your Sierra!?! But then, bhavnaon ko samjho...The 2.2Vtt is brand new, done only 1200kms. till date and dunno why, sentimentally attached - can't talk to the new beast as I talk to the older cousin...

[jkdas]

The location + 3004 kms in 15days => ENVY !

[hemanthisgreat]

Looking forward to your detailed travelogue with bated breath. At least you are giving Team -Bhp the first preference for posting the travelogue.

[SS-Traveller]

Hey Suman! that's a great set of pics on page 1... but that's just the appetiser. Can we now please get on with the main course? And congrats on completing a great trip. By your opening post, it appears to have been entirely trouble-free and fun all the way.

[milindajp]

Very beautiful, amazing images. But yeh dil mange more!!! Please post more images and some more writeup on the trip.

[lordofgondor]

Hey Suman, three cheers to you getting Leh'ed. Interesting set of teaser pics BTW.

Few questions:
1. How's the traffic traversing the Pagal nullah? Are vehicles crossing the nullah or is there a diversion?
2. Did you visit Nubra? I've been reading at places that the place has lost it's charm, too many tourists. What's your take on that?
3. How's the rush in the camps along the Manali-Leh route?

Waiting for the complete travelogue now.

Cheers!
LoG

[suman]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

By your opening post, it appears to have been entirely trouble-free and fun all the way.

Completely trouble free & loads of fun!

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

Few questions:
1. How's the traffic traversing the Pagal nullah? Are vehicles crossing the nullah or is there a diversion?
2. Did you visit Nubra? I've been reading at places that the place has lost it's charm, too many tourists. What's your take on that?
3. How's the rush in the camps along the Manali-Leh route?

• Pagal Nullah was such a disappointment I can't tell you. I'd been waiting for ages to cross this "terror" using 4x4. But guess what? First of all, they've made a diversion, more stones than anything else; secondly there was hardly any water even at 1.30 in the afternoon. Although I did hear that a week before that, it was apparently a slushy mess. But no such luck for us! Will be covering that bit later, but here you go

• Cancelled our Nubra night stay. I did hear about the excessive touristy bits too
• At Camp Himalayan Saga, we were the only ones that evening till Roshun landed up. I didn't see much of a rush in any of the Camps though situation would be different in the coming weeks I'd think

[MileCruncher]

From the pics, looks like the trail has become Innova territory. Suman could you please let us know how many times you had to engage 4X4.

Cheers

[suman]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Suman could you please let us know how many times you had to engage 4X4.
Cheers

At Pagal Nullah? Just one spot where there was a short steep climb over boulders - made it easy hauling up the heavy beast. The Innovas had to depend on momentum & risk scraping their underbellies on those treacherous stones/boulders. It was a lot better chugging up slowly & steadily.

[nkapoor777]

It is going to be special one. I will be glued to the thread from now on. Come on now, don't keep us waiting too long. Ladakh brings us some really special memories for me, you know the reason.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by suman

Completely

• Pagal Nullah was such a disappointment
• Cancelled our Nubra night stay. I did hear about the excessive touristy bits too
• At Camp Himalayan Saga, we were the only ones that evening till Roshun landed up. I didn't see much of a rush in any of the Camps though situation would be different in the coming weeks I'd think

Selfishly I'd say that's good news for me considering that I'd be making this trip in an Esteem. And the thing I like about it is, great power to weight ratio. Hope I won't need to scrape my car's bottom like those Innovas (which are a real sluggish vehicle for steep hills). So where all did you go off-road using the 4X4? Tried Marismek La?

I'll take a call on staying in Nubra when I get there only. But I think the valley's gonna be pretty green with flowers blooming in July. Let's see.

When's 4th July gonna come!

[kpzen]

Sir,
Fantastic start ! I was waiting for the travelogue since couple of days.
Keep posting.