Originally Posted by fine69
(Post 2417969)
Alright, so there's two itinerary I could now come up with: 1st Day 1 - Delhi to Sarahan / Bhabhanagar - 528 km / 563 km Day 2 - Sarahan / Bhabhanagar to Tabo (via Nako) - 260 km / 225 km Day 3 - Tabo to Kaza (via Dhankar/Pin Valley) - 47 km Day 4 - Visit Ki/Kye Gompa, Kibber, Langza, Komic Day 5 - Kaza to Khoksar (Trek to Chandratal) - 141 km Day 6 - Khoksar to Sarchu (via Baralacha la) - 150 km Day 7 - Sarchu to Jispa - 83 km Day 8 - Jispa to Manali - 139 km Day 9 - Manali to Banjar (Tirthan Valley) - 93 km Day 10 - Banjar to Delhi - 570 km Questions: 1. In case I wouldn't be able to take the car to Chandratal and trek instead would it be possible to come back and then drive to Khoksar all in one day (assuming I start by 6 AM sharp) |
2. What does Sarchu has to offer, coz I've read a lot about the stay options not being that comfortable and expensive too so would it be wise to come back to Jispa instead? |
3. In case I do come back to Jispa then should a day/night at Keylong (or any other place) be incorporated? |
2nd (in case it is difficult to do the Chandratal trek and then reach Khoksar by late evening) Day 1 - Delhi to Sarahan / Bhabhanagar - 528 km / 563 km Day 2 - Sarahan / Bhabhanagar to Tabo (via Nako) - 260 km / 225 km Day 3 - Tabo to Kaza (via Dhankar/Pin Valley) - 47 km Day 4 - Visit Ki/Kye Gompa, Kibber, Langza, Komic Day 5 - Kaza to Losar (Trek to Chandratal) - 58 km Day 6 - Losar to Jispa - 150 km Day 7 - Jispa to Sarchu / Keylong (via Baralacha la) - 83 km / 126 km Day 8 - Keylong / Sarchu to Manali - 117 km / 222 km Day 9 - Manali to Banjar (Tirthan Valley) - 93 km Day 10 - Banjar to Delhi - 570 km Questions in case this itinerary is better: 1. One common question, is it worth going to Sarchu or should I come back from Baralacha la to Jispa/Keylong instead? 2. If at all I go all the way to Sarchu is it possible to do Sarchu-Manali in daylight? Now something important, last time when we came back from Chitkul the plan was to halt at Narkanda however having been to such a wonderful place Narkanda just didn't fit in in the itinerary any more and we chose to drive down to Delhi directly. I'm pretty sure that having been to Spiti/Lahaul, Tirthan might not look that appealing on Day 9 so in case I plan on doing Manali-Delhi on Day 10 then can that extra day be utilized in a better manner in Lahaul? Or spend that extra day at Kaza itself, go to some remote places, depending on how remote Swift would be able to take us. EDIT: Or spend that extra day in Pin Valley. I haven't seen too many pictures of this valley, is it worth staying a night at? Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try to go to Pin valley when going from Tabo to Kaza, time permitting. |
Originally Posted by fine69
(Post 2417969)
EDIT: Or spend that extra day in Pin Valley. I haven't seen too many pictures of this valley, is it worth staying a night at? |
Originally Posted by dinesha
(Post 2418159)
You should have flexible plan, don’t pre-book hotels and stay additional nights/days if you like pin valley or any other place. Personally I will happily stay additional night in Mud. |
Originally Posted by dinesha
(Post 2418159)
Instead of Kaza consider staying at Rangrik about 5 Kms from Kaza the place is lot more scenic. There is a good hotel-Spiti Sarai there. Owner runs an adventure company from Kaza in partnership with a eurpoean guy. He himself is an avid trekker & Mountaineer. He can arrange all your trek needs for Chandrataal. |
Originally Posted by dinesha
(Post 2418159)
In most probability you will not be able to take Maruti Swift to Chandrataal even if road is open. If you want to use a vehcle you should arrange from Kaza. |
Originally Posted by lordofgondor
(Post 2418187)
My comments are inline: |
Originally Posted by tsk1979
(Post 2418195)
you will be able to go 3kms before chandertaal. 3kms is trekking. If you start from kaza 6am sharp, you should be in khoksar by 6pm. |
Originally Posted by tsk1979
(Post 2418195)
I suggest you keep b.la in your itenary, and concentrate on Spiti Make a kaza - pin valley - dhankar- kaza on day 1 Make kaza kaumic-kaza and kaza kibber losar on day 2 That will give you more time for chandertaal |
Originally Posted by fine69
(Post 2418223)
I don't think the terrain calls for a high GC vehicle or even a 4x4. In fact swift being narrower than other SUVs it should be doable. When you were there did you inquire as to why such vehicles wouldn't have been able to make it to the chandertal parking area?. |
Originally Posted by tsk1979
(Post 2418227)
As prudence, I would advise you to spend 2-3K and get a thin sump guard installed. Even a plastic flexible guard will do as it will protect against minor scrapes and thuds. |
Originally Posted by dinesha
(Post 2418382)
Tanveer Sir, I have been thinking for a while about installing installing Sump Guard in my Civic. It hits lot of speed bumps. Travelling through state and distric roads in UP, Rajasthan and Haryana including many roads in Delhi has become a nightmarish experience. Please advice and recommend a place in Delhi. Regards Dinesh |
Originally Posted by hridayjyoti
(Post 2420225)
Hi fine69, - Btw, are planning to go Sarahan via Narkanda. If so, the stretch between Shimla and Narkanda is in very bad shape. You will definitely scrap the bottom of swift. Better take the road via Tattapani. It is little longer, but road is good and more scenic. Cheers! Hriday |
Originally Posted by hridayjyoti
(Post 2420225)
Hi fine69, - It's better to carry fuel, but make sure the jerry can son't leak. The smell of diesel can cause headache. - There is a petrol pump in Powari, but when I checked there, there was no fuel. So, better fill the tank full in Tapri. - The last Maruti Authorised dealer, is at Rampur. There is only one automobile workshop at Kaza, so better keep few spares of the vehicle. - Regarding the stress between Sarahan and Tabo, it's doable. - Staying at Kaza is not an issue, lots of hotels are there. If everything is full, there are homestays as well. Electricity is a big problem in Kaza. And the petrol pump has a timing from 10am to 6-7pm. So, fill up the tank on arrival. - Btw, are planning to go Sarahan via Narkanda. If so, the stretch between Shimla and Narkanda is in very bad shape. You will definitely scrap the bottom of swift. Better take the road via Tattapani. It is little longer, but road is good and more scenic. -Till Kaza there is no major water crossing, Mailing Nala is bypassed now with a new road. So, that should not be a problem. Cheers! Hriday |
Originally Posted by dinesha
(Post 2418382)
Don’t miss veg thali at “Pappu Dhaba’ in Tapri one of my best meals in the entire trip.... |
Originally Posted by tsk1979
(Post 2418654)
I would recommend plastic guard rather than metal, as an after market metal guard will make a racket if not installed by professionals in this business. |
Originally Posted by hridayjyoti
(Post 2420225)
- It's better to carry fuel, but make sure the jerry can son't leak. The smell of diesel can cause headache. - There is a petrol pump in Powari, but when I checked there, there was no fuel. So, better fill the tank full in Tapri. - The last Maruti Authorised dealer, is at Rampur. There is only one automobile workshop at Kaza, so better keep few spares of the vehicle. - Regarding the stress between Sarahan and Tabo, it's doable. - Staying at Kaza is not an issue, lots of hotels are there. If everything is full, there are homestays as well. Electricity is a big problem in Kaza. And the petrol pump has a timing from 10am to 6-7pm. So, fill up the tank on arrival. - Btw, are planning to go Sarahan via Narkanda. If so, the stretch between Shimla and Narkanda is in very bad shape. You will definitely scrap the bottom of swift. Better take the road via Tattapani. It is little longer, but road is good and more scenic. I actually did take the Narkanda-Shimla road while coming back from Chitkul 3 months back. GC wasn't an issue but the road indeed was the worst I ever encountered. But like Tanveer said, lately a couple of people have reported that the road is comparatively better now. -Till Kaza there is no major water crossing, Mailing Nala is bypassed now with a new road. So, that should not be a problem. That's a relief, hopefully swift makes it through all the water crossings till Jispa too. |
Originally Posted by dinesha
(Post 2420426)
Actually there are two options near Tattapani 1) Shimla - Mashobra - Naldehra - Basantpur - Sunni - Luhri - Sainj -Rampur : about 80 Kms upto Sainj 2) Shimla - Mashobra - Naldehra - Basantpur - Kingal - Sainj - Rampur : about 140 kms |
Originally Posted by tsk1979
(Post 2420544)
Recent visiters to the region have informed that the shimla narkanda stretch has been improved vastly now, and is doable by small cars. |
Originally Posted by fine69
(Post 2420609)
Do the mayapuri guys install plastic guard also? Any other place near South Delhi you are aware of? |
Btw HP map (specially Spiti side) on openstreetmap.org is more or less similar to google/mapmyindia map except just a few more details. E.g. I couldn't find the road to Mud anywhere, shall try google earth today. |
I took the 2nd road around 3 months back when going to Chitkul. This is one of the finest roads in Himachal however its a little narrow with loads n loads of blind turns so one has to be extra cautious when on this stretch. This time I'm thinking that I'd go via Shimla-Narkanda road only. |
Now for some more questions: 1. Would I find a decent accommodation in Mud, Losar & Khoksar (planning to stay there on Day 3, 5 & 6 respectively)? 2. Which place, enroute, do I make the bookings for the PWD/Forest/Circuit Resthouses for stay at Tabo/Kaza/Losar/Khoksar? 3. Are these govt. resthouses the best places to stay or should I check out the private budget hotels instead? 4. Would I, a civilian with no govt. official's contact, be able to make the bookings in the govt. resthouses? |
Originally Posted by fine69
(Post 2420609)
Btw HP map (specially Spiti side) on openstreetmap.org is more or less similar to google/mapmyindia map except just a few more details. E.g. I couldn't find the road to Mud anywhere, shall try google earth today. |
Originally Posted by fine69
(Post 2420609)
1. Would I find a decent accommodation in Mud, Losar & Khoksar (planning to stay there on Day 3, 5 & 6 respectively)? 2. Which place, enroute, do I make the bookings for the PWD/Forest/Circuit Resthouses for stay at Tabo/Kaza/Losar/Khoksar? 3. Are these govt. resthouses the best places to stay or should I check out the private budget hotels instead? 4. Would I, a civilian with no govt. official's contact, be able to make the bookings in the govt. resthouses? |
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