![]() | #181 |
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![]() | #182 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() I was not going to post this until the Kargil -Leh leg came in my travelogue. But since there is some confusion reigning here on routes from Padum, might as well clear some doubts with facts. I am not sure of how the Keylong side Padum route is. But here is a glimpse of how Nimmoo side road is. The road begins at the confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers at Nimmoo. It is nearly a proper road no doubt about that. It goes down from the main highway, a bifurcation leads to the base made down on the Indus river's bank, and this road "Zanskar Valley Road" leads over a bridge to the other side mountain besides the Zanskar river bank going inside into Zanskar Valley to Padum. It is indeed a proper road. But not advisable. We were even thinking to drive down to the base created on Indus river bank. But let go of the adventure considering various factors. It is very much possible the Keylong side road is similar. ![]() ![]() |
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![]() | #183 | |
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]() Quote:
Quite a few people venture down to the confluence for river rafting, and few go till chilling to see the BRO camp working. The trek route in winter is a walk over the frozen zanskar, however, in summer the route is from Lamayuru to Padum. This chilling axis is a new route being cut to make Zanskar valley all weather. Last edited by tsk1979 : 28th July 2013 at 02:53. | |
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![]() | #184 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore
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Ah! thanks tsk1979 for clearing this confusion! | |
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![]() | #185 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
![]() Still, I suspect the road may be tread-able for the likes of Safari and Scorpio by now, even if it may be worse inside. The gmaps even show a Spangmik to Chushul route but which is not there on paper. Those who have done it will know what rough road it gets at times, which is still doable by many and is not recommended for low GC cars. My guess is these 2 Padum routes could be similar or worse in present tense. There is also a good account of the Nimmoo-Padum route work as of Sep 2011 in Somendra's account of his exploration at Padum, when he narrates blasting in progress at Chilling having traveled from Padum to Chilling http://somendras.com/?p=728 | |
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![]() | #186 | ||||||
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All I see is 1. Leh-Kargil 2.Kargil-Rangdum 3.Padum 4.-> Chilling Road head Quote:
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After Rohtang tunnel is done, the Darcha-Padum-Route will remain open all year round after completion as this circuit does not get as much snow as the Baralacha La. However this is a long term plan currently forecasted for 2015(Padum chilling earliest date of completion), and 2017(Padum-Darcha earliest date of completion) Last edited by tsk1979 : 29th July 2013 at 14:26. | ||||||
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![]() | #187 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore
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HVK Scorpio at the dead end at Chilling ![]() You can read the full account of Nimmu to Chilling road here. I still would not believe that this road has become motorable Last edited by laluks : 29th July 2013 at 14:37. | |
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![]() | #188 | ||||||
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The fact is even if they are shown on the map, they do not exist per se to be able to drive upon them, e.g. it is only the starting part from Nimmoo side which looks promising but inside, as atleast I do no know, it would not be the same. So one cannot just judge by how it looks or whether it shows in an map without knowing the actual quality. Harsh, HVK/Laluks accounts show ample vision atleast till 2011 on what situation is out there and also of Somendra as I had read it sometime back. Quote:
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It is a gruesome terrain out there and it is quite understandable that they take ages to build/rebuild the roads in there. Now isn't that adding to the information on the Ultimate Guide and to these future routes? I hope people just do not get absurd ideas just for the sake of it by looking at some nice pics or maps. Also, I just hope if there are bits of information missing for reality check, they get added to the guide to guide others. | ||||||
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![]() | #189 |
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| ![]() @parsh, I am now quite confused. Are you advising the reader to take the Nimmu-Padhum route knowing that the route is not completely built or to avoid it for now? |
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![]() | #190 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
![]() But even then, how could you think that I would advice anybody to take the Nimmoo-Padum route at all when it only looks good from outside (as in pics) but truly is incomplete as per various information all over. Refer my earlier posts altogether and in totality this is what should come out. The snaps I posted of Nimmoo route were to showcase how it looks great from outside but truly could be unthinkable insides. When someone looks at such roads, its tempting to think that, hey, this is doable, without knowing about entire stretch. Atleast, I have absolutely no idea about that route firsthand and only knew it to be far from complete with info from past logs. However, you guys have the relevant information from your travels (as you also posted from Aug 2011 and Harsh's logs too). Just that there is no further update on the status of that route and similarly on the other one towards Manali side. Just that people don't realize the information because it is spread all over and at times difficult to pin-pointedly find out, there is no one place to locate it clearly and the maps end up showing things that should not be. AND if even this is confusing... No, I am not advising anybody to take this or the other route. They are far from complete even if they are shown clearly (though not concrete like others) on map and only look good from their respective ends. Last edited by parsh : 29th July 2013 at 19:49. | |
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![]() | #191 | |
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![]() | #192 |
BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore
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| ![]() Dear Tanveer, As already thanked you for the well written "Guide' and your reply but on reading further posts of the other travellers on this route-please advice on the following:- a) Is it adviceable, as well as feasible to drive to Pangong Tso, in my Ritz, to & fro in a day? Will the Ritz take that road? Or should I hire a Cab? b) Plan to stay at Leh for 4 days-two for acclimitization and visiting tourist spots within it and two for sight seeing around Leh-any advice keeping the Ritz in view? c) Planning Srinagar-Kargill (stay 2 days) and then onto Leh? Or just one day at Kargill? d) Way back-is Leh sonamarg possible in a day? e) Please recommend some staying options at Sonamarg, Kargill & Leh-mid segment or budget please. f) Is Nubra Valley feasible in the Ritz? Is a day enough? Thanking you in anticipation. Jude Last edited by Judemayne : 30th July 2013 at 10:34. Reason: An extra question |
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![]() | #193 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: --
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a) Is it adviceable, as well as feasible to drive to Pangong Tso, in my Ritz, to & fro in a day? Will the Ritz take that road? Or should I hire a Cab? The road was pretty rough, Chang La was very bad. At many places, saw marks of water crossings as well. Maybe after the monsoons, if BRO repairs the roads it should be fine. b) Plan to stay at Leh for 4 days-two for acclimitization and visiting tourist within it and two for sight seeing around Leh-any advice keepingf the Ritz in view? Leh and around is pretty easy. Lots of hatchbacks here. c) Planning Srinagar-Kargil (2 days) and then onto Leh? Srinagar to Sonamarg won't be a problem. Roads were pretty good. After Sonamarg till about the Baltal turn-off, the roads were decent. After that, it was a nightmare! Huge potholes, slush and lot of truck traffic! By now I guess, the roads might have been repaired. If its any consolation, I did see an i20 and Swift on the same route. d) Way back-is Leh sonamarg possible in a day? We did the reverse in a day. Sonamarg to Leh. It was hectic with limited time for pit stops. Time the start to not get stuck at Zoji La. Do check about the timings before leaving. While coming back, we started from Leh by early evening and reached kargil by nightfall. Next day, started early(~4am) and reached Srinagar by afternoon. e) Please recommend some staying options at Sonamarg, Kargill, Leh-mid segment or budget please. Sonamarg has good stay options, depending on the time you visit and tourist rush, it is possible to get a good deal by landing up there without any booking. Kargil was very crowded and the stay options weren't great either. Somehow we managed to find a decent enough room. Though I don't remember the name now, it was right opposite a big hospital - Up an incline on left after crossing the main taxi stand (if you are coming from Leh). Last edited by Dry Ice : 30th July 2013 at 10:40. | |
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![]() | #194 | |
BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore
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Thank you for your immediate reply-we are starting on 15 Aug-going via Amritsar-so will be in around Kargill/Leh from about the 24 Aug to about 01 Sep-hopefully by then the roads to Leh from Sonamarg should be better?? ![]() Last edited by Rehaan : 10th September 2013 at 18:39. Reason: Fixing quote | |
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![]() | #195 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: --
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PS: I had pasted the rate card for Taxis this year on the previous Leh trip planning thread. ATB! | |
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