[srikanthpotluri]

Hello Guys,

Planning a ride to Ladakh from June 30th 2018, need help and guidance on route and other stuff - to begin with plan put forward so far -

Dates Day # Departure Arrival Kms Apprx. Time
Jun-30 Day 1 Delhi Chandigarh 264 5 hrs
Jul-01 Day 2 Chandigarh Jammu 342 7 hrs
Jul-02 Day 3 Jammu Srinagar 269 8 hrs
Jul-03 Day 4 Srinagar-Sonamarg-Zozila Kargil 202 6 hrs
Jul-04 Day 5 Kargil Leh 217 5 hrs
Jul-05 Day 6 Leh Leh 0
Jul-06 Day 7 Leh Leh 0
Jul-07 Day 8 Leh-Khardhung La-Diskt Hundur 126 5 hrs
Jul-08 Day 9 Hundur-Panamik Leh 140 9 hrs
Jul-09 Day 10 Leh Pangong Tso 223 6 hrs
Jul-10 Day 11 Pangong Tso Leh 223 6 hrs
Jul-11 Day 12 Leh Tso Moriri 220 6 hrs
Jul-12 Day 13 Tso Moriri Sarchu 228 7.5 hrs
Jul-13 Day 14 Sarchu Manali 223 7 hrs
Jul-14 Day 15 Manali Delhi 557 12 hrs
Jul-15 Day 16 Delhi Bangalore Flight

Please suggest if this is fine. Me and my friend are reaching to Delhi via Flight in the morning of 30th, after taking the bikes, will start noon the same day.

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by SJM1214

This is our itinerary for Leh Trip during May 2018.

We did this plan word to word( different route for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri). Currently we are at Ajmer after doing this entire circuit.

I will come up with a full fledge travelouge as soon as possible.

[ragh_bhushan]

Originally Posted by SJM1214

We did this plan word to word( different route for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri). Currently we are at Ajmer after doing this entire circuit.

I will come up with a full fledge travelouge as soon as possible.

How easy / difficult were the permits for Chushul / Hanle? Awaiting your travelogue

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by ragh_bhushan

How easy / difficult were the permits for Chushul / Hanle? Awaiting your travelogue

Easily available. Chusul village is confusing. There won't be anyone to guide you.

But then, we were frist. We had some benefit of being first. We enjoyed some first comer benefits.

[Krishroy]

Hi All,

We are very close to finalize our trip plan to ladakh, which will be as follows

13-14 Jul: Hyderabad to Delhi
15 Jul: Delhi to Udhampur
16 Jul: Udhampur to Srinagar
17 Jul: Srinagar to Lamayuru
18 Jul: Lamayuru to Leh
19 Jul: Rest Day (Getting IPL, acclimatization etc.)
20 Jul: Leh to Nubra (visit Panamik, Diskit)
21 Jul: Nubra to Pangong (via Shyok)
22 Jul: Pangong to Hanle (via Merak, Chusul)
23 Jul: Drive to Umingla and back to Hanle
24 Jul: Hanle to Tso Moriri
25 Jul: Tso Moriri to Sarchu
26 Jul: Sarchu to Manali
27 Jul: Manali to Agra
28 Jul: Visit Taj Mahal at night (27th Jul was full moon)
29 Jul: Non-stop drive back Hyd

Vehicle: XUV AWD
No of drivers: 3
1. With experience driving Spiti sector, Uttarakhand and other terrains of India
2 & 3. Long drive in many terrains of India including Ghat sections (but never in Himalayas)

Question:
1. Is it a doable trip? Do you find challenge on any particular day?
2. I heard that permit is not available for Hanle & Umingla in 2018? Is it true or we can get it?
3. Do we require a prior hotel booking or booking will be available on spot? (asking this question, as in this sector, we might require to deviate from the planned schedule)
4. From Leh to Keylong, there wont be any Petrol pump; hence we are carrying 20 lt jar for Diesel. Will it be sufficient? Also,heard that diesel is available in Hanle. Is that true?

Thanks
Krish

[naman]

Hi All,

After slurping over the Leh travelogues for the last 6-7 years, it seems finally my first Leh Ladakh trip may be happening. I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from all the content based on which have come up with the following plan.

We are a group of 3 friends and intend to start on evening of 1st June from Delhi.

1st: Leave Delhi around 4-5 pm and reach Jammu by 4-5 am the next day
2nd: Quick break of 4-5 hrs, get freshened up and reach Sonamarg by late evening
3rd: Leave in the first batch, visit Kargil / Drass on way to reach Leh by night
4th: Local Leh and permits
5th: Nubra Valley (Diskit, Hunder), overnight there.
6th: Nubra to Pangong (directly or via Leh). Overnight at a camp near Pangong What is preferable ?
7th: Pangong to Tso Moriri (via Hemis). Overnight around Tso Moriri. This can be dropped and we can go back to Leh. What would be recommended ?
8th: On way back via Manali side. Overnight near Keylong
9th: Drive back to Delhi. Expetcted ETA around 3-4 am on the 10th.

I intend to take my BMW 3 - 2015 F30 (raised GC ~ 158 mm, running regular tubeless). I have heard that roads have improved considerably in the recent times and bridges being constructed on ferocious water crossings. Also have came across others taking low GC sedans (Laura, Linea, etc) without any troubles.

Let me know if this seems doable. If not, my other option is to take a Polo GT TSI or rent a self drive SUV (renting would mean parking it in Leh and taking the local taxi).

Thanks,
Naman

[tstlnt]

Originally Posted by naman

Hi All,

After slurping over the Leh travelogues for the last 6-7 years, it seems finally my first Leh Ladakh trip may be happening. I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from all the content based on which have come up with the following plan.

We are a group of 3 friends and intend to start on evening of 1st June from Delhi.

1st: Leave Delhi around 4-5 pm and reach Jammu by 4-5 am the next day
2nd: Quick break of 4-5 hrs, get freshened up and reach Sonamarg by late evening
3rd: Leave in the first batch, visit Kargil / Drass on way to reach Leh by night
4th: Local Leh and permits
5th: Nubra Valley (Diskit, Hunder), overnight there.
6th: Nubra to Pangong (directly or via Leh). Overnight at a camp near Pangong What is preferable ?
7th: Pangong to Tso Moriri (via Hemis). Overnight around Tso Moriri. This can be dropped and we can go back to Leh. What would be recommended ?
8th: On way back via Manali side. Overnight near Keylong
9th: Drive back to Delhi. Expetcted ETA around 3-4 am on the 10th.

I intend to take my BMW 3 - 2015 F30 (raised GC ~ 158 mm, running regular tubeless). I have heard that roads have improved considerably in the recent times and bridges being constructed on ferocious water crossings. Also have came across others taking low GC sedans (Laura, Linea, etc) without any troubles.

Let me know if this seems doable. If not, my other option is to take a Polo GT TSI or rent a self drive SUV (renting would mean parking it in Leh and taking the local taxi).

Thanks,
Naman

Hi Naman, at the outset, all the best in your endeavor.

As with my personal experience in this region, as a traveler, though not self driven, Polo GT TSI would be the better choice than the other one. It's handy, in emergencies, though wish everything be perfect .

2nd day seems to be bit stretched since Jammu Srinagar section is known for frequent army convoys. If it happens on your day, hopefully , you have to stop at Srinagar or before and reaching sonmarg would be cumbersome.

If you don't have time constraints and if you are a rare visitor to this region, keep 2-3 days more, to
experience the beauty of the mother nature..

[saurabh89]

Dear All,

I am planning for my first long tour on my bullet for Ladakh this June.

Reading through multiple forums, I have come up with following itinerary. Need suggestions on few questions mentioned after the plan:

19 June: Delhi to Pathankot/Patnitop
20 June: Pathankot to Sonmarg
21 June: Sonmarg to Leh via Kargil
22 June: Rest day/Permit
23 June: Rest day/Permit
24 June: Leh to nubra valley (Hunder), still contemplating on turtok
25 June: Hunder to Pangong Tso (stay in camps near the lake, hill or Merak?)
26 June: Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri
27 June: Tso Moriri to Key-long
28 June: Keylong to Manali
29 June: Manali to Chandigarh
30 June: Chandigarh to Delhi

Few questions:

1) Is this itinerary too stretched, since I need to be back by 30th June, should I skip something?
2) Since I will be riding with a pillion, would fitting up a Ladakh carrier create discomfort for the pillion?
3) What all details are required for the permit?
4) I read that camps are not put near Pangong Tso lake, any contacts for camps would help

Thanks!
Saurabh Sathe

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by saurabh89

20 June: Pathankot to Sonmarg

Yes, on paper it's just 423km but believe me that could be very hectic. Some of the stretched between Jammu to Banihal are well(bad) known Traffic Jam stretches. I suggest riding till Jammu on the first day.

21 June: Sonmarg to Leh via Kargil

Stop for a night at Kargil or Lamayuru, so next day you can cover sites like the magnetic hill, Gurudhwara, confluence en route to Leh.

24 June: Leh to nubra valley (Hunder), still contemplating on turtok

Going to Turtuk and coming back to Hunder on the same day could be very tiring. IMO, Staying a night at Turatuk and start for Pangong (from Turtuk) is also hectic. You need one extra day to do Turtuk. Consider Panamik

26 June: Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri

If Korzok(TSO Moriri) is in the equation, stay at Merak. There is a fine homestay facility named Peacefull Homestay. I stayed there on 17/052018.

27 June: Tso Moriri to Key-long

Target Jispa. Or Target Sarchu, if you want to enjoy Baralacha Pass in its full glory.

[saurabh89]

19 June Delhi - Amritsar
20 June Amritsar - Patnitop
21 June Patnitop - Sonmarg
22 June Sonmarg - Lamayuru
23 June Lamayuru - Leh
24 June Leh - Leh
25 June Leh - Khardungla hunder
26 June Hunder - Pangong Tso
26 June Pangong Tso - Merak
27 June Merak - Tso Moriri
28 June Tso Moriri - Sarchu
29 June Sarchu - Manali
30 June Manali - Chandigarh
1 July Chandigarh - Delhi

So, changed the plan a bit post reading more about the roads. Was trying to get the permit online from http://www.lahdclehpermit.in but the same does not seem to work.

Any recommended homestays on the planned route?

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by saurabh89

Was trying to get the permit online from http://www.lahdclehpermit.in but the same does not seem to work.

If you have booked a hotel in Leh, ask that hotel owner/ manager to get a permit for you. You need to send all traveller's Id proof. They charge 100/- more per head.

Any recommended homestays on the planned route?

Sonamarg has many hotels. JKTDC, Sonamarg is best options. Check JKTDC's official website for details and booking.



Lamayuru has plenty of good hotels and small guest house. We stayed at Greenland GuestHouse on the main road. However, please be informed that it was a budget stay.


Merak village has two or three homestay options. We stayed at Peaceful Homestay in Merak. We loved this place.


Korzok( Tso Moriri) have plenty of hotels and guest houses inside the village. It also has plenty of tent accommodation options near the lake. Stay at Korzok will be costliest during your entire trip.

I suggest you end 28une at Jispa or Keylong instead of Sarchu.

[srikanthpotluri]

Dear All,

Change of plans, we both are driving down to Ladakh from Bangalore in a Ritz, a third friend could join us from Srinagar upto Hanle.

Here is the listed itinerary after going through this log in detail -

Dates Day # Departure Arrival Kms Apprx. Time
Jun-30 Day 1 Bengaluru Mumbai 995 16 hrs
Jul-01 Day 2 Mumbai Udaipur 753 13 hrs
Jul-02 Day 3 Udaipur Amritsar 985 16 hrs
Jul-03 Day 4 Amritsar Srinagar 436 12 hrs
Jul-04 Day 5 Srinagar Kargil 202 6 hrs
Jul-05 Day 6 Kargil Leh 220 5 hrs
Jul-06 Day 7 Leh Leh 0
Jul-07 Day 8 Leh- Hunder-Turtuk 200 8 hrs
Jul-08 Day 9 Turtuk Spangmik 251 7 hrs
Jul-09 Day 10 Spangmik-Hanle 210 7 hrs
Jul-10 Day 11 Hanle TsoMoriri 200 6 hrs
Jul-11 Day 12 Tso Moriri Sarchu 230 8 hrs
Jul-12 Day 13 Sarchu Manila 230 6 hrs
Jul-13 Day 14 Manali Delhi 550 12 hrs
Jul-14 Day 15 Delhi Nagpur 1060 17 hrs
Jul-15 Day 16 Nagpur Bangalore 1089 17 hrs
Jul-16 Day 17 Buffer Buffer

Few questions -

1. Is Day 10 & Day 11 - trip doable in Ritz given Chushul and Shyok river routes?

2. I saw in the first page of this great guide - that no need of permits for most places basis new rule, however i also see alot of people posting a day for permits? Completely confused, are the permits needed? If yes - can we get them all done in Leh?

3. Please do confirm if i need to make any changes in the plan as i need to complete the accommodation bookings given peak season and all, planning to book from Srinagar till Tso Moriri, rest we will check and get in as we go., hope this is fine? (of course now searching the logs for options to stay as well).

4. Any other risks or news I need to know of? Like bandh's/strikes etc?

Regards
Sri

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by srikanthpotluri

Dear All,
Jul-08 Day 9 Turtuk Spangmik 251 7 hrs

Instead of Spangmik, stay at Merak village.

Jul-11 Day 12 Tso Moriri Sarchu 230 8 hrs

Try to do Tso Moriri- Jispa. That's doable.

1. Is Day 10 & Day 11 - trip doable in Ritz given Chushul and Shyok river routes?

Yes, easily doable. Cover agham-shyolk route during the first half of the day.

If yes - can we get them all done in Leh?

Yes, Permits are re-introduced. You can get it from Dc office, Leh or you can ask the hotel owner to get it done for you. Don't forget to get Chusul and Hanle stamped in Permit.

3. Please do confirm if i need to make any changes in the plan.

Your plan is good.

[avimal]

I followed similar route from Srinagar to Tso moriri about a week back.

- Cross Zojila early to avoid traffic jam by trucks. We got stuck for 3 hrs and I was told that we were lucky. I think they allow trucks at Zojila in afternoon only.
- You can visit Tyashi near Turtuk. It is the border village opened to tourists recently.
- try to reach lakes early as it becomes windy and cold in evening. Best time is 11 am - 2 pm when color of water will be blue/green.

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by avimal

- You can visit Tyashi near Turtuk. It is the border village opened to tourists recently.

Good Suggestion.
In fact, as per recent news, a village named Thang(after Tyakshi) is opened for tourists. LOC is just 2.5km far from thang. (Turtuk-Tuakshi-Thang-LOC).