[Honda Monk]

I am fixed from 7th July to 11th August. Prior fixations, need to be in delhi.
So its either before that or after that.

[bruty]

Dear Bhpeans,

I was dreaming from my childhood the day when I will be in Leh & will soak my feet in "Tso Morriri" and it looks like after wait of so many years ( at least 20) my dream is going to be true. It was a long journey, specially convenience wife. At last she has given go ahead.

I surfed the form to read all travelogues and to collate the details provided by my fellow brothers. Based on that I have finalized the following itinerary . Please let me know does it need any changes and is it doable.


1. New Delhi -> Udhampur/Patnitop
2. Udhampur/Patnitop->Sonmarg
3. Sonmarg -> Kargil
4. kargil ->Padum -> (Kargil - Panikhar - Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (250 KmS))
5. Padum -> kargil
6. Kargil -> Leh (Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill – Leh)
7. Leh (Leh - Thikshey Gompa ( v imp)- Hemis Gompa – Leh) Namgyal Tsemo Gompa,
8. Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit - Sumur - Panamik - Sumur –Diskit) 6 am
9. Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso - Tangtse.
10. Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri
11. Tso Morri Lake -> Keylong/sarchu
12. Sarchu/Keylong -> manali
13. Manali -> Buffer Day
14 Manali -> Delhi

The date I have planned to start this trip and live my dream with eyes open is June 15th .

Any suggestions and help is most welcome.

[amolpol]

Originally Posted by bruty

Dear Bhpeans,

I was dreaming from my childhood the day when I will be in Leh & will soak my feet in "Tso Morriri" and it looks like after wait of so many years ( at least 20) my dream is going to be true. It was a long journey, specially convenience wife. At last she has given go ahead.

I surfed the form to read all travelogues and to collate the details provided by my fellow brothers. Based on that I have finalized the following itinerary . Please let me know does it need any changes and is it doable.


1. New Delhi -> Udhampur/Patnitop
2. Udhampur/Patnitop->Sonmarg
3. Sonmarg -> Kargil
4. kargil ->Padum -> (Kargil - Panikhar - Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (250 KmS))
5. Padum -> kargil
6. Kargil -> Leh (Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill – Leh)
7. Leh (Leh - Thikshey Gompa ( v imp)- Hemis Gompa – Leh) Namgyal Tsemo Gompa,
8. Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit - Sumur - Panamik - Sumur –Diskit) 6 am
9. Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso - Tangtse.
10. Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri
11. Tso Morri Lake -> Keylong/sarchu
12. Sarchu/Keylong -> manali
13. Manali -> Buffer Day
14 Manali -> Delhi

The date I have planned to start this trip and live my dream with eyes open is June 15th .

Any suggestions and help is most welcome.

This can be done, but it's a bit aggressive I feel. Can you help with the following information:

- How many drivers and which car?
- Have you driven over 12-14 hours over non-existent roads in the past anywhere, that will determine how much you can endure every day
- Do you want to drive through like a rally or spend time and explore places?

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by bruty

Dear Bhpeans,


1. New Delhi -> Udhampur/Patnitop
2. Udhampur/Patnitop->Sonmarg
3. Sonmarg -> Kargil
4. kargil ->Padum -> (Kargil - Panikhar - Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (250 KmS))
5. Padum -> kargil
6. Kargil -> Leh (Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill – Leh)
7. Leh (Leh - Thikshey Gompa ( v imp)- Hemis Gompa – Leh) Namgyal Tsemo Gompa,
8. Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit - Sumur - Panamik - Sumur –Diskit) 6 am
9. Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso - Tangtse.
10. Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri
11. Tso Morri Lake -> Keylong/sarchu
12. Sarchu/Keylong -> manali
13. Manali -> Buffer Day
14 Manali -> Delhi

The date I have planned to start this trip and live my dream with eyes open is June 15th .

Any suggestions and help is most welcome.

Definitely doable but there are no buffer days for any natural calamities during the Ladakh circuit. I am saying this as i have read a lot of travelogues and up there anything can happen at any moment, especially on the passes.

Day1: Why not do Srinagar?
Day2: Can rest in Srinagar (Buffer Day 1)
Day3: Kargil is fine
Day 4 & 5: May want to skip this for next time, since you stay in Delhi its easier to head up to the mountains again
Day8: Going to Panamik & Diskit on same day, you might be able to enjoy both the places.
Day 9: If Wari La is closed then you will have to back track via K'La

[cataclysm]

Originally Posted by bruty

1. New Delhi -> Udhampur/Patnitop [Long day. Start early]

4. kargil ->Padum -> (Kargil - Panikhar - Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (250 KmS)) [Long day. The road is bad! Could possibly take more than 12hours]

8. Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit - Sumur - Panamik - Sumur –Diskit) [Too much for 1 day! Panamik, Hunder. I would suggest you choose one.]

9. Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso - Tangtse. [A good chance that Wari La might be closed. You will have to backtrack then.]

10. Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri [Long day! Start early]

My answers in bold.

Which car are you taking? You would definitely need some jerry cans as Kargil-Padum-Kargil would be more than 500kms and fuel is available only at Kargil. And same for Leh-Deskit-Wari La-Pangong Tso-Tso Moriri-Pang-Keylong, which would be almost 900kms with fuel available only at Leh and then at Tandi after crossing Keylong. Fuel would be available in black at most Dhabas but the quality would be doubtful.

Cheers

[bruty]

Dear All,

Thanks for all your inputs.

I have Safari and there will be one more driver with me. We also have one Wagon R with us for this trip.

I do not want to rush but want to enjoy every bit of this trip. So I am open to any suggestions. I had couple of PM with TSK and revised the itinerary as below, but still open to changes, only condition is that I have to get back in Delhi by 29th June night or 30th Morning.

I need confirmations on travel distance and time also any information on hotels etc is welcomed.
The changed itinerary is as:
1. New Delhi -> Kud ( 639 KM) (take by Banur-Ropar-hoshiarpur-Dasua-Pathankot.)
2. Kud->Sonmarg ( 256 KM)
3. Sonmarg -> Kargil – Panikhar -> Rangdum (250 KM) ( max 10hrs)
4. Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (104 Km) ( Max 6 hrs)
5. Padum -> kargil -> Mulbek (295km) ( max 12 hrs)
6. Mulbek -> Leh (215km) (Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill – Leh) ( max 10 hrs).- get vehicles check etc.
7. Leh - Local and get permits
8. Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley 275 KM (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit - Sumur - Panamik - Sumur –Diskit) 6 am
9. Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso . (150km)
10. Pangong Tso - Tangtse - Changla – Sakti - Karu - Upshi (132 km)
11. Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri (288 km)
12. Tso Morri Lake -> Keylong/sarchu ( 200 km – 8 hr)
13. Sarchu/Keylong -> manali (230 KMS)
14. Manali -> Buffer Day in case required
15. Manali -> Delhi

[bruty]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Definitely doable but there are no buffer days for any natural calamities during the Ladakh circuit. I am saying this as i have read a lot of travelogues and up there anything can happen at any moment, especially on the passes.

Day1: Why not do Srinagar?
Day2: Can rest in Srinagar (Buffer Day 1)
Day3: Kargil is fine
Day 4 & 5: May want to skip this for next time, since you stay in Delhi its easier to head up to the mountains again
Day8: Going to Panamik & Diskit on same day, you might be able to enjoy both the places.
Day 9: If Wari La is closed then you will have to back track via K'La

I have already spent more than a week in Srinagar 2 summers ago and had visited all the places and hence want to skip this, also it will also keep me out of trouble if conditions in Srinagar are not good. You never know when the situation changes there.

As suggested by tsk, i thought to skip Panamik but will go to Diskit & Hunder.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by bruty

I have already spent more than a week in Srinagar 2 summers ago and had visited all the places and hence want to skip this, also it will also keep me out of trouble if conditions in Srinagar are not good. You never know when the situation changes there.

As suggested by tsk, i thought to skip Panamik but will go to Diskit & Hunder.

You plan is good
couple of points.
1. June is a tough time. Wari la may be closed, and Wagon R may not be able to do even Manali leh highway.
2. Tangste fuel in black is of very good quality. Ditto for Diskit. Avoid buying fuel in Padum and Tso moriri. 20 liters in a jerrycan will be good enough.

Tank up at Kargil IOC and take 20 liters with you.
Then tank up at leh, and take 20 liters spare with you when you go to pangong.
Coming back from pangong tank up at Karu and take 20 liters spare with you for Tso moriri-Keylong stretch.

[bruty]

Thanks TSK, I will keep note of these details.

On your suggestions, I have changed the plan a little, so that I can enjoy the nature and not miss anything. Also it will help to take care of any unavoidable situations in case of slides, bad weather etc.
1. 15Jun- New Delhi -> Kud ( 639 KM) (take by Banur-Ropar-hoshiarpur-Dasua-Pathankot.)
2. 16Jun- Kud->Sonmarg ( 256 KM)
3. 17Jun- Sonmarg -> Kargil – Panikhar -> Rangdum (250 KM) ( max 10hrs)
4. 18Jun- Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (104 Km) ( Max 6 hrs)
5. 19Jun- Padum -> kargil -> Mulbek (295km) ( max 12 hrs)
6. 20Jun- Mulbek -> Leh (210km) (Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill – Leh) ( max 7 hrs).- get vehicles check etc.
7. 21Jun- Leh - Local and get permits
8. 22Jun-Buffer day
9. 23Jun-Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley 215 KM (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit) 6 hrs- 6 am (Turtuk if possible)
10. 24Jun-Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso . (150-180km) 10-12 hrs
11. 25Jun-Pangong Tso – > Durbuk ( Buffer day- idea is to enjoy the lake and nearby places)
12. 26Jun-Durbuk->Upshi->Tanglang-la->Moore Plains->Pang -> Keylong/sarchu ( 200 + km – 12 hr)
13. 27Jun-Sarchu/Keylong -> manali (230 KMS – 10 hrs)
14. 28Jun-Manali -> Delhi

[Rahulk76]

Bruty,

Keep a lookout on MH12 Black Safari loitering around Ladakh during the same time period

Cheers

Originally Posted by bruty

Thanks TSK, I will keep note of these details.

On your suggestions, I have changed the plan a little, so that I can enjoy the nature and not miss anything. Also it will help to take care of any unavoidable situations in case of slides, bad weather etc.
1. 15Jun- New Delhi -> Kud ( 639 KM) (take by Banur-Ropar-hoshiarpur-Dasua-Pathankot.)
2. 16Jun- Kud->Sonmarg ( 256 KM)
3. 17Jun- Sonmarg -> Kargil – Panikhar -> Rangdum (250 KM) ( max 10hrs)
4. 18Jun- Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (104 Km) ( Max 6 hrs)
5. 19Jun- Padum -> kargil -> Mulbek (295km) ( max 12 hrs)
6. 20Jun- Mulbek -> Leh (210km) (Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill – Leh) ( max 7 hrs).- get vehicles check etc.
7. 21Jun- Leh - Local and get permits
8. 22Jun-Buffer day
9. 23Jun-Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley 215 KM (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit) 6 hrs- 6 am (Turtuk if possible)
10. 24Jun-Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso . (150-180km) 10-12 hrs
11. 25Jun-Pangong Tso – > Durbuk ( Buffer day- idea is to enjoy the lake and nearby places)
12. 26Jun-Durbuk->Upshi->Tanglang-la->Moore Plains->Pang -> Keylong/sarchu ( 200 + km – 12 hr)
13. 27Jun-Sarchu/Keylong -> manali (230 KMS – 10 hrs)
14. 28Jun-Manali -> Delhi

[motomaverick]

Safari is Ok for the Padum route but I am not too sure about Wagon R, it is said that this road is a car breaker, so you guys might have to all jump into the safari to complete the Zanskar circuit.

[bruty]

Originally Posted by Rahulk76

Bruty,

Keep a lookout on MH12 Black Safari loitering around Ladakh during the same time period

Cheers

sure Rahulk76, PM me your cellno. Mine is DL 3CBB

[bruty]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Safari is Ok for the Padum route but I am not too sure about Wagon R, it is said that this road is a car breaker, so you guys might have to all jump into the safari to complete the Zanskar circuit.

Sure, if we find road not suitable for Wegon, we will hope into Safari.
Of-course mine is not 4X4 but still with careful driving it is doable.
I have spent all mine childhood in Himachel and driven on non exiting roads in maruti 800 as well.

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by bruty

Sure, if we find road not suitable for Wegon, we will hope into Safari.
Of-course mine is not 4X4 but still with careful driving it is doable.
I have spent all mine childhood in Himachel and driven on non exiting roads in maruti 800 as well.

Ahh! then it should be easy pickings for you on this trip. All the best for your drive, guess we can get first hand updates on the road conditions before the start of our trip on 24th Aug.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by bruty

Thanks TSK, I will keep note of these details.

On your suggestions, I have changed the plan a little, so that I can enjoy the nature and not miss anything. Also it will help to take care of any unavoidable situations in case of slides, bad weather etc.
3. 17Jun- Sonmarg -> Kargil – Panikhar -> Rangdum (250 KM) ( max 10hrs)
4. 18Jun- Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum (104 Km) ( Max 6 hrs)
5. 19Jun- Padum -> kargil -> Mulbek (295km) ( max 12 hrs)
9. 23Jun-Leh -> Khardungla -> Nubra Valley 215 KM (Leh - Kardung La - Diskit - Hunder - Diskit) 6 hrs- 6 am (Turtuk if possible)
10. 24Jun-Diskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Sakti - Chang La - Tangtse - Pangong Tso . (150-180km) 10-12 hrs
11. 25Jun-Pangong Tso – > Durbuk ( Buffer day- idea is to enjoy the lake and nearby places)
12. 26Jun-Durbuk->Upshi->Tanglang-la->Moore Plains->Pang -> Keylong/sarchu ( 200 + km – 12 hr)
13. 27Jun-Sarchu/Keylong -> manali (230 KMS – 10 hrs)
14. 28Jun-Manali -> Delhi

Wagon R would find it difficult to do Zanskar, especially in June. Take the Safari. Would also request you to keep 1 full day at Padum. The effort required to reach there and the beating you car takes, makes it worthwhile to add a rest day at Padum. Plus there are some very scenic monastries around.

Sonmarg to Rangdum will require a steady pace of driving.

Padum to kargil can be done in a day but you will have to maintain again a very steady pace and forget whats happening to the suspension below .

Start very early from Sarchu for Manali. Keep couple of hrs for Rohatang. It always throws tantrums.