Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide

Turbanator · 9th May 2022, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP19

With taking all the considerations mentioned in above posts here is my plan. I’ve extended my trip by two more days.

I would request people from North give their inputs on route selection, Thanks.
Plan is to start at 4am from Chandigarh, hoping to reach Jakheni before 1300 hrs.

Unless you have some specific reasons of going to Chandigarh, you should continue on Ambala- Jallandhar Highway and stay somewhere depending on your progress/ tiredness level. Don't forget to have a stop at Haveli Jalandhar!

JohnnyBoss · 10th May 2022, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyPunia

A known person left Leh at 5:15am, was in Manali by 3:30pm.
This route has been improving massively. Even a Skoda sedan did it few days back :-D (before the recent snow)

10 hour for Leh-Manali is somewhat a cannonball run, and would be driving with minimal pit stops. Leh-Jispa would be a much relaxed and enjoyable drive, if one want to enjoy the beauty of the terrain and don't want to stay at tents at Sarchu or Pang, right?

GP19 · 11th May 2022, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Unless you have some specific reasons of going to Chandigarh, you should continue on Ambala- Jallandhar Highway and stay somewhere depending on your progress/ tiredness level. Don't forget to have a stop at Haveli Jalandhar!

My parents are going to join me in Chandigarh, hence.

But if my plans change I’ll consider your route.

C.ARPIT · 11th May 2022, 17:54

I am in Leh right now. Would like to highlight a few points for anyone planning a road trip in coming days.

1. Zojila from Sonamarg to Leh is open on all days. They open the route from sonamarg on alternate days morning 6am and 4pm. The route is open on Fridays also, 12.30-1.30 and 4pm onwards. We crossed on Friday. The road is fantastic. We did Srinagar to Leh in 11 hours with 3 stops.

2. Agham-Shyok route is in good condition barring a few patches. Much better than Wari La and Chang La. Hunder to Merak can be done in 4.5 hours.

3. BRO has constructed a new paved road from Lukung to Merak. Can be done in 40mins max.

4. Chang la is in worst condition. There is no road for almost 50 kms.

5. Road from Leh-Manali is open only from 6am-10am from Upshi post. Plan accordingly. We are stuck in Leh today because of the same reason.

Happy tripping.

Red Liner · 11th May 2022, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.ARPIT

I am in

5. Road from Leh-Manali is open only from 6am-10am from Upshi post. Plan accordingly. We are stuck in Leh today because of the same reason.

Happy tripping.

Thank you. What about from Manali towards Leh? What are the timings if any?

C.ARPIT · 11th May 2022, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Thank you. What about from Manali towards Leh? What are the timings if any?

I don't have any update on that right now. Will post if I get to know something tomorrow.

GP19 · 12th May 2022, 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.ARPIT

I am in Leh right now. Would like to highlight a few points for anyone planning a road trip in coming days.

1. Zojila from Sonamarg to Leh is open on all days. They open the route from sonamarg on alternate days morning 6am and 4pm. The route is open on Fridays also, 12.30-1.30 and 4pm onwards. We crossed on Friday. The road is fantastic. We did Srinagar to Leh in 11 hours with 3 stops.

Wait I’m confused, you are saying the road is opened on all days and then again alternate days. Can you amplify ? Thanks

C.ARPIT · 12th May 2022, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP19

Wait I’m confused, you are saying the road is opened on all days and then again alternate days. Can you amplify ? Thanks

Yes it's open on all days. If the road opens today at 6am then it will open tomorrow from 4pm onwards.

Comrade · 12th May 2022, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.ARPIT

Hunder to Merak can be done in 4.5 hours.

Any idea about

1. Merak to Chushul

2. Hanle to Tso Moriri

3. Tso Moriri to Debring

Thanks!

AnandB · 12th May 2022, 22:29

Very sad to read this. AMS or Altitude Sickness is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly.

Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide-screenshot_20220512222208_facebook.jpg

eRajesh · 15th May 2022, 10:20

From Manali to Leh side, private cars are only allowed to travel from 1pm.

As noted above, roads until Merak have been massively improved. After that though, there are basically no roads. You drive on a cold desert.

We did Leh - Manali in one day. Started early in the morning, 7:30am and reached Manali by 8:15pm. This is with a decent amount of break, including 40 mins rest for lunch and a power nap.

I will STRONGLY recommend this if you are traveling with family, as there are no good hotels/homestays in between. You can find some in Keylong, but at that point, you are around 1.5 hours from Manali.

next_to_random · 15th May 2022, 19:47

Am planning to go the other way by the end of this month - Manali to Leh. Does this road need special gear like 4x4 etc or can a regular 4x2 do this ride? Also, what are the road conditions, possible halts, drive time etc?

I will be riding with my family. What should be my preparations?

Quote:

Originally Posted by eRajesh

From Manali to Leh side, private cars are only allowed to travel from 1pm.

As noted above, roads until Merak have been massively improved. After that though, there are basically no roads. You drive on a cold desert.

We did Leh - Manali in one day. Started early in the morning, 7:30am and reached Manali by 8:15pm. This is with a decent amount of break, including 40 mins rest for lunch and a power nap.

I will STRONGLY recommend this if you are traveling with family, as there are no good hotels/homestays in between. You can find some in Keylong, but at that point, you are around 1.5 hours from Manali.

achyutaghosh · 15th May 2022, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by eRajesh

We did Leh - Manali in one day. Started early in the morning, 7:30am and reached Manali by 8:15pm..

Thanks Rajesh. How was your return to Manali? Did you travel after the recent snowfall? What was the most difficult spot you faced on the route? Are there any daywise restrictions like the Sonmarg route?

Wanderers · 18th May 2022, 12:01

I am planning to drive to Leh starting on Jun 2 from Delhi. Have following plan. let me know your thoughts comments

J2- Delhi-Jammu
J3-Jammu-Srinagar
J4-Srinagar-Kargil
J5-Kargil-Leh
J6-Leh
J7-Leh-Diskit/Hunder
J8-Hunder-Turtuk-Thang-Leh
J9-Leh-Pangong-Tangtse
J10-Tangtse-Leh
J11-Leh-Keylong
J12-Keylong-Manali (want to spend a day in Manali)
J13: Manali-Delhi/Chandigarh

Car: Ford Endeavour
2 people
Anyone travelling in same or near time period?

88_TANK_88 · 18th May 2022, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderers

I am planning to drive to Leh starting on Jun 2 from Delhi. Have following plan. let me know your thoughts comments

J2- Delhi-Jammu
J3-Jammu-Srinagar
J4-Srinagar-Kargil
J5-Kargil-Leh
J6-Leh
J7-Leh-Diskit/Hunder
J8-Hunder-Turtuk-Thang-Leh
J9-Leh-Pangong-Tangtse
J10-Tangtse-Leh
J11-Leh-Keylong
J12-Keylong-Manali (want to spend a day in Manali)
J13: Manali-Delhi/Chandigarh

Car: Ford Endeavour
2 people
Anyone travelling in same or near time period?

Going on same dates but the circuit will be reversed. I will be ascending from Manali and descending from Jammu.

11th May 2022, 17:54	#2179
C.ARPIT Newbie Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Jaipur Posts: 24 Thanked: 56 Times	Re: Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide I am in Leh right now. Would like to highlight a few points for anyone planning a road trip in coming days. 1. Zojila from Sonamarg to Leh is open on all days. They open the route from sonamarg on alternate days morning 6am and 4pm. The route is open on Fridays also, 12.30-1.30 and 4pm onwards. We crossed on Friday. The road is fantastic. We did Srinagar to Leh in 11 hours with 3 stops. 2. Agham-Shyok route is in good condition barring a few patches. Much better than Wari La and Chang La. Hunder to Merak can be done in 4.5 hours. 3. BRO has constructed a new paved road from Lukung to Merak. Can be done in 40mins max. 4. Chang la is in worst condition. There is no road for almost 50 kms. 5. Road from Leh-Manali is open only from 6am-10am from Upshi post. Plan accordingly. We are stuck in Leh today because of the same reason. Happy tripping.
	(5) Thanks

12th May 2022, 22:29	#2185
AnandB BHPian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Raipur Posts: 472 Thanked: 1,854 Times	Re: Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide Very sad to read this. AMS or Altitude Sickness is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly.
	(8) Thanks

15th May 2022, 10:20	#2186
eRajesh BHPian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Kolkata Posts: 45 Thanked: 54 Times	Re: Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide From Manali to Leh side, private cars are only allowed to travel from 1pm. As noted above, roads until Merak have been massively improved. After that though, there are basically no roads. You drive on a cold desert. We did Leh - Manali in one day. Started early in the morning, 7:30am and reached Manali by 8:15pm. This is with a decent amount of break, including 40 mins rest for lunch and a power nap. I will STRONGLY recommend this if you are traveling with family, as there are no good hotels/homestays in between. You can find some in Keylong, but at that point, you are around 1.5 hours from Manali.
	(2) Thanks

18th May 2022, 12:01	#2189
Wanderers BANNED Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Delhi-NCR Posts: 795 Thanked: 1,585 Times View My Garage	Re: Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide I am planning to drive to Leh starting on Jun 2 from Delhi. Have following plan. let me know your thoughts comments J2- Delhi-Jammu J3-Jammu-Srinagar J4-Srinagar-Kargil J5-Kargil-Leh J6-Leh J7-Leh-Diskit/Hunder J8-Hunder-Turtuk-Thang-Leh J9-Leh-Pangong-Tangtse J10-Tangtse-Leh J11-Leh-Keylong J12-Keylong-Manali (want to spend a day in Manali) J13: Manali-Delhi/Chandigarh Car: Ford Endeavour 2 people Anyone travelling in same or near time period? Last edited by Wanderers : 18th May 2022 at 12:04.
	(1) Thanks