[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by aniket.tiwari27

Guys, do you think Vento TDI can do Leh Laddakh? It is a new car and has done 3140 Kms. Plan to do this trip either in June/August. 2 passengers and respective luggage.

Any car can do ladakh. A lot matters on your luck. With a vento, there is a chance of busting the underbody, but then with very careful driving you can be safe.
However, the question is what happens when there is a water crossing with rocks underneath. then it becomes a hit and miss.
However, if you stick to Srinagar route, you have a better chance.
That said, make sure your car has under body skid plate protection.
Most cars nowadays have exposed engine sumps.
If you can tag along some SUV drivers it will be better. for example, the indo polish drive guys had swifts, but also had a few SUVs to get them through

[frequentflyer]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

There are a few structures on the banks of pangong. Sunset will not be special, as pangong will be towards your east/NE
So sunset will be lost behind the mountains.
Sunrise will be better.

Thanks. I found a Delhi company has built some Deluxe huts near the lake and these are the closest accommodations with en suite facilities. One needs to look for a search for camps of Ladakh to find this. I plan to take an Innova from Srinagar to Leh-Nubra-Pangong. I do not think it should be a problem as it has a better ground clearance.

[ashwinsid]

(not sure if there is any other thread for Leh road updates, so posting here)

First pictures: Snow cleared -- Road to #Leh re-opens today





Pictures courtesy @pawandurani on twitter

[aviorp]

I'm planning to go via Manali and wish to cover Tso Moriri/Hanle or Pangong first. Is there any other place in order to get Permits besides going to Leh? (maybe in Delhi?)

Also, is still Tandi the only place to get Fuel between Keylong and Karu?

[Gentle Giant]

Thanks Ashwinsid, this is great news!! Now we can start planning for the precise dates.

[lightinin95]

Hello there,

Planning to do the Srinagar - Drass - Leh circuit by road (1-7 Jun). Stay arangements are in place in Srinagar (29 - 31 May). We are a family of 4 : Couple with two teen kids.

Am seeking an opinion on stay / travel details for this itinerary.
1 June - Srinagar to Drass / Kargil : Recommended stay options in Drass / Kargil pls. I read sometwhere that Drass is better.
2 & 3 June - Drass / Kargil to Leh : Recommended stay options in Leh. Homestays recommended?
4 June - Stay in Nubra Valley : Recommendations pls
5 June - Stay in Leh
6 June - Stay in Pangong Tso : Recommendations pls
7 June - Stay in Leh

Will fly back to Jammu on 8 Jun.

Do I have to plan to secure the transport arrangements right now? Or should I do in Srinagar (29-31 May)?

Do I have to secure any hotel / home stays in Drass / Kargil / Leh / Nubra Valley / PangonsTso now? Or can I take a chance after reching that place (I do not want to - due to tourist season). If so, where to contact?. Not looking for luxury stays - just some clean accomodation for the family.

Regards,
Sam

[Sunney]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Any car can do ladakh. A lot matters on your luck. With a vento, there is a chance of busting the underbody, but then with very careful driving you can be safe.
However, the question is what happens when there is a water crossing with rocks underneath. then it becomes a hit and miss.
However, if you stick to Srinagar route, you have a better chance.
That said, make sure your car has under body skid plate protection.
Most cars nowadays have exposed engine sumps.
If you can tag along some SUV drivers it will be better. for example, the indo polish drive guys had swifts, but also had a few SUVs to get them through

Can you pls explain more on this 'skid plate' ? I am also planning a drive to Ladakh on Linea.
Where can I get it fitted, at what costs, how is it helpful at bad bumpy, rock-strewn, broken roads?
Thanks...

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by aniket.tiwari27

Plan to do this trip either in June/August. 2 passengers and respective luggage.

Biggest issue, if at all as I see is rain. Early June is OK but as you get close to July-August, chances of roads getting ruined is more. That said..

Originally Posted by aniket.tiwari27

Vento's GC as per brochure is 168mm.

Doesn't really matter. As Tanvir mentioned..

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Any car can do ladakh. A lot matters on your luck.

This is 100% true. I've seen Accent/City/Ikon on these roads. And during our 2010 trip, this one too.



I'm not trying to scare you or anybody here at all. Just keep this in mind that July-August have more rain than early June. Yet, you may get smooth drive all the way up. Just be mentally prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

Again, I'm not trying to throw any spanner here. Few images would help you to understand. Tanvir and HVK can add more, I'm sure.

After one full day of heavy rain. This was in Zing Zing bar.



Rain continued next day and this was the road after Sarchu. See the dates on the images if you can manage.





Also remember, in Manali-Leh route you'll ascend heights much quicker than Srinagar-Leh route.
Though I find Srinagar-Leh is boring in terms of visual delight.

And finally, have a great trip.

[Harshavarthan]

Originally Posted by Sunney

Can you pls explain more on this 'skid plate' ? I am also planning a drive to Ladakh on Linea.
Where can I get it fitted, at what costs, how is it helpful at bad bumpy, rock-strewn, broken roads?
Thanks...

I think Linea and Punto comes with a factory fitted skid plate.

[SunnyPaaji]

Originally Posted by ashwinsid

(not sure if there is any other thread for Leh road updates, so posting here)

First pictures: Snow cleared -- Road to #Leh re-opens today

Pictures courtesy @pawandurani on twitter

Indeed a good sign. Which road is open, Srinagar - leh or Manali - leh?

[tsk1979]

Srinagar Leh is open. Manali leh is not.
But expect disruptions for some time every time it snows.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Srinagar Leh is open. Manali leh is not.
But expect disruptions for some time every time it snows.

Last year if i remember correctly it opened around June 13th or 14th.
We came around 24th. Then entire route from Leh to Manali was bad.

[Gentle Giant]

We have finally frozen the dates of our travel. We start Mumbai on 15th June. The first halt is at the Ajmer Dargah, after spending a day there we continue-on to Delhi. We reach Delhi on 18th June but do not halt there but continue our journey to Manali. Hopefully, we can expect ride smoothly during that time. Any thoughts any one?

[Sunney]

The best time to Leh is around mid-Aug. to mid-Sept. according to HVK.
June-July rains. August bad roads do to just finished rains.
By August road repair will start, by mid-Aug to early Sept. repaired roads are available. End of Sept. snow starts again....

So, mid-August will be the apt time, we planned then.
We start from Cochin, Kerala, plan to finish in 12 days.
Anybody can join as convoy...

[Irish]

A bad news for those who are planning to do Leh via Manali this time. An article in today's TOI suggests that one would need to take permission to take Non HP vehicle to Rohtang.

MANALI: If you are planning to drive your vehicle beyond Manali in Himachal Pradesh this summer, then don't forget to take permission from the local transport department.

The Kullu administration has issued a directive imposing a ban on the entry of all vehicles bearing non-HP license plates on the Manali-Rohtang highway. Only vehicles registered in Himachal can cross the Rohtang Pass, which connects Kullu to the tribal district of Lahaul Spiti and to neighbouring Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Source: Non-Himachal Pradesh vehicles banned on Manali-Rohtang national highway - The Times of India

I can see following reasons (my own) for this move:

• Minimize the traffic jams at Rohtang - Which is NOT possible as the tourist who go to Manali will always visit the Rohtang Pass.
• Boost the taxi business in Manali - Getting permission for Non HP will be tougher so tourists will 'forced' to hire local taxi.

Cheers!
Irish