[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Mik

Would there be a problem ?

Cops & armymen in J&K may not recognize the system followed by Gurgaon RTO. You don't want to take a chance and get held up on the road.

[Mik]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Cops & armymen in J&K may not recognize the system followed by Gurgaon RTO. You don't want to take a chance and get held up on the road.

Made a few enquiries on this aspect. Looks like it won't be a major problem. Showroom guy has assured that he will try his best to get my RC delivered by the time we leave for the ride.
P.S: We do have a trump card with us. A serving Army Captain is one of the riders

[Harshavarthan]

Here is my itinerary for my drive to Leh. I will be driving to Delhi solo and from there one more guy will be accompanying me till I'm back again in Delhi. I will be taking my i20 diesel.

May 28 – Ramnad (Tamilnadu) - Bangalore – Kolhapur (1075 kms - 17 hrs)
May 29 – Kolhapur – Pune - Mumbai –Surat – Vadodara – Ahmedabad –
Himatnagar (950 kms – 17 hrs)
May 30 – Himatnagar – Delhi (860 Kms - 12 hrs)
May 31 – Delhi
June 1 – Delhi – Jalandhar - Amritsar (Golden Temple) - Pathankot – Srinagar (910 Kms - 18 hrs)
June 2 – Srinagar - Drass - Kargil (210 Kms – 10 hrs)
June 3 – Kargil - Leh (230 Kms - 9 hrs)
June 4 – Leh
June 5 – Leh - Kardung la – Panamik - Deskit (200 Kms )
June 6 – Deskit - Turtok – Hunder – Deskit (180 Kms)
June 7 – Deskit – Leh (120 Kms)
June 8 – Leh - Chang La – Spangmik /Pangong Tso (160 Kms)
June 9 – Spangmik – Chushul – Loma – Nyoma – Mahi – Chumathang (150 Kms )
June 10 – Chumathang - Karzok/Tso Moriri – Chumathang (170 kms)
June 11 – Chumathang – Upshi/Karu (fuel top up) – Sarchu (300 Kms)
June 12 – Sarchu - Keylong (100 Kms)
June 13 – Kaylong - kaza (185 Kms)
June 14 – Kaza
June 15 – Kaza - Reckong Peo (200 Kms)
June 16 – Reckong Peo - Shimla (200 Kms)
June 17 – Shimla – Delhi
June 18 – Delhi – Jhansi (430 Kms)
June 19 – Jhansi – Nagpur (600 kms)
June 20 – Nagpur – Bangalore (1070 kms)
June 21 – Bangalore
June 22 – Bangalore – Ramnad ( Tamilnadu) (540 kms)

I will be starting from Delhi on 31st night at around 10 pm.

Will be crossing Zozila on Saturday. Is there any specific timings to cross Zozila while going from Sonamarg side to Drass?

Can Kaza - Delhi be covered in three days with the above said breaks or do I need an extra day?

Any other route options to drive from Delhi to Bangalore other than via GQ?

Any suggestions will be of great help to me.

Thanks.

[aviorp]

Originally Posted by Harshavarthan

Is there any specific timings to cross Zozila while going from Sonamarg side to Drass?

There is no specific time, but crossing the place after dark is risky and worthless, becaue you'll end up missing the beauty of the place.

Try to cover Zojila before dark, so you don't miss Tiger Hill (After Zojila War Memorial/before Drass town). So, Zojila between 3PM & 5PM approx. I would suggest try to reach Kargil before dark, because it gets really cold in the night.

Can Kaza - Delhi be covered in three days with the above said breaks or do I need an extra day?

Kaza - Reckong Peo (200 Kms)

I don't think there is any place to halt in R.Peo. You'll have to drive down to Rampur.

Try to cover Chitkul if time permits. Rampur-Chitkul-Rampur should be around 230Kms

Any other route options to drive from Delhi to Bangalore other than via GQ?

From the last update I'm aware, the Jhansi/Sagar stretch is not in good shape. I believe even the road is not fully completed from Gwalior as well. So, take the NH8 instead.

Good luck and have a safe trip.

[urban_legend]

Hey Guys,

This is a dream trip for me - as is the case for many of us.

Infact the very dream was inspired by the fellow BHPians. Like many was deeply influenced by HVK/Laluk's ride to Ladakh in 2009 (Raid De Leh Ladakh). Read the countless travelogues and experiences, had no doubt in my mind. Had to do it.

Infact I tried to do it in August 2010. But due to a variety of reasons had to cancel. I have again started planning. This time its right at the beginning of the season. Though apprehensive on the road conditions - but hopefully the roads should be clear by then. Got a Xylo - as of now we are just the two of us - So here's the plan -

DAY - 1 Saturday, June 02, 2012
Mumbai – Ahmedabad - Udaipur - Bhilwara (914 kms)

DAY - 2 Sunday, June 03, 2012
Bhilwara – Delhi - Ambala - Ludhiana - Jalandhar – Amritsar (845 kms)
(is there a shorter route (in terms of time) to Amritsar without touching Delhi)

DAY – 3 Monday, June 04, 2012
Rest day - Stay at Amritsar (Visit Golden temple and wagah border)

DAY - 4 Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Amritsar - Pathankot - Ramban - Banhal - Anantnag - Srinagar - Sonamarg (534 kms)
(is it possible to do it in a day?)

DAY - 5 Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Sonamarg - Zojila - drass - Kargil Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill - Leh (342 kms)

DAY - 6 Thursday, June 07, 2012
Rest Day - Vehicle service and acclamatising (Get permits for Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Chang La, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, Marsimek La - not planning to go to Nubra valley - dont have the days)

DAY - 7 Friday, June 08, 2012
Leh City tour/acclamatising Hemis, Thikse, Shey - and Stok (Palace and Monasteries), Shanti Stupa etc. (Probably do Khardung La and get back to Leh)

DAY - 8 Saturday, June 09, 2012
Leh – Shey – Karu – Shakti – Chang La – Durbuk – Tanksey – Lukung – Spangmik (Pangong Tso) (Pagal Nullah route) - Stay at Tangtse or Lukungor Spangmik

DAY - 9 Sunday, June 10, 2012
Pangong Tso –Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri (Stay at Korzok or stop at Chumathang or Sumdo)
(Is it possible to do it in one day?)

DAY - 10 Monday, June 11, 2012
Tso Kar - Debring - More Plains - Pang - Lachulung La - Naki La - Gata Loops - Whicsky Nallah - Brandy Nallah - Sarchu

DAY - 11 Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sarchu - Baralacha La - Darcha - Zing Zing Bar - Jispa

DAY - 12 Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Jispa - Keylong - Tandi - Koskar - Rohtang - Manali
(read somewhere that Rohtang Pass is closed on tuesdays for maintenance - is it true?)


DAY - 13 Thursday, June 14, 2012
Rest Day - Manali - vehicle check before hitting the plains

DAY - 14 Friday, June 15, 2012
Manali - Delhi

Day 15 Saturday, June 16, 2012
Delhi - Udaipur

DAY - 16 Sunday, June 17, 2012
Udaipur - Mumbai

Is it possible and your thoughts to make it more efficient in terms of time? Also on the status of the Leh - Manali road by 1st week of June.

Thanks!

AJ

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by urban_legend

DAY - 4 Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Amritsar - Pathankot - Ramban - Banhal - Anantnag - Srinagar - Sonamarg (534 kms)
(is it possible to do it in a day?)

Yes. About 10 hours, plus traffic jam time at J&K entry tolls and while crossing Srinagar.

DAY - 6 Thursday, June 07, 2012
Rest Day - Vehicle service and acclamatising (Get permits...

DAY - 7 Friday, June 08, 2012
(Probably do Khardung La and get back to Leh)

Just one day in Leh may be a little tough on your system before heading to K-La. And , why do you need service in Leh unless something goes wrong? IMO a scheduled service would be better performed someplace in Punjab than in Leh, and I see no reason to give the car a full bath with a pressure jet just because it reached Leh.

Spangmik (Pangong Tso) (Pagal Nullah route)

No Pagal Nullah any more - it's been bridged.

DAY - 9 Sunday, June 10, 2012
Pangong Tso –Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri (Stay at Korzok or stop at Chumathang or Sumdo)
(Is it possible to do it in one day?)

Yes, with 12 hours of driving time.

DAY - 10 Monday, June 11, 2012
Tso Kar - Debring - More Plains - Pang - Lachulung La - Naki La - Gata Loops - Whicsky Nallah - Brandy Nallah - Sarchu

DAY - 11 Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sarchu - Baralacha La - Darcha - Zing Zing Bar - Jispa

Tso Kar to Jispa is doable in 1 day again. Not nice to stop at Sarchu - too cold, too high, too windy and too little comfort in terms of available accommodation. Save a day and enjoy it at Tso Moriri.

(read somewhere that Rohtang Pass is closed on tuesdays for maintenance - is it true?)

I believe that is only for Rohtang-bound vehicles from Manali, and not those returning from Keylong (for them the route is always open).

Also on the status of the Leh - Manali road by 1st week of June.

Iffy about opening dates, but this year the road is expected to be opened up earlier than in previous years.

[nix1976in]

Originally Posted by urban_legend

Got a Xylo - as of now we are just the two of us - So here's the plan -

DAY - 1 Saturday, June 02, 2012
Mumbai – Ahmedabad - Udaipur - Bhilwara (914 kms)

DAY - 2 Sunday, June 03, 2012
Bhilwara – Delhi - Ambala - Ludhiana - Jalandhar – Amritsar (845 kms)
(is there a shorter route (in terms of time) to Amritsar without touching Delhi)

DAY – 3 Monday, June 04, 2012
Rest day - Stay at Amritsar (Visit Golden temple and wagah border)

DAY - 4 Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Amritsar - Pathankot - Ramban - Banhal - Anantnag - Srinagar - Sonamarg (534 kms)
(is it possible to do it in a day?)

DAY - 5 Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Sonamarg - Zojila - drass - Kargil Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill - Leh (342 kms)

Is it possible and your thoughts to make it more efficient in terms of time? Also on the status of the Leh - Manali road by 1st week of June.

Thanks!

AJ

Hey AJ,
You seem to be mirroring the route I took last year in my Xylo into Leh. My suggestion is that you can easily push through till Kishangarh and beyond on day 1.

Route was : Mumbai - Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Bhilwara - Kishangarh - Megahighway to Ratangarh.

I stopped at the RTDC Chinkara in Ratangarh which is 1337 kms from Mumbai. The mega-highway after Kishangarh is a dream drive and you can easily cover the 200 odd kms in 2.5 -3 hrs. This will also help you reach Amritsar by noon and Day 2 can be utlised to visit Wagah.

Amritsar - Srinagar is easily doable in a day ( carrying on to Sonmarg wont be a problem).

Day 5 seems to be a stretch. I started from Srinagar at around 8 in the morning and reached Kargil by 3 with a few photo stops, lunch at Drass and a visit to the war memorial. Pushing on to Leh will be quite taxing.

Let me know if any queries.

Regards,
Nikhil

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by urban_legend

DAY - 1 Saturday, June 02, 2012
Mumbai – Ahmedabad - Udaipur - Bhilwara (914 kms)

Are there good stay options in Bhilwara? I would prefer Chittorgarh which is less than an hour's drive before Bhilwara.

DAY - 2 Sunday, June 03, 2012
Bhilwara – Delhi - Ambala - Ludhiana - Jalandhar – Amritsar (845 kms)
(is there a shorter route (in terms of time) to Amritsar without touching Delhi)

It is as good as impossible to reach Amritsar the same day.
The only way you can do so - that too with a very early morning start (do you think you will have the energy & enthu to start at 4 am after having reached Bhilwara (or Chittorgarh) at, say, 9 pm?
The route you should take to reach Amritsar is as follows:
Bhilwara-Kishangarh-Makrana-Ladnun-Ratangad-Sardarshahr-Rewatsar-Hanumangarh-Abohar-Fazilka-Ferozepur-Taran Taran-Amritsar.
This will help avoid Jaipur, NCR & the under-widening NH1 totally, besides helping you have a superfast drive.

DAY - 4 Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Amritsar - Pathankot - Ramban - Banhal - Anantnag - Srinagar - Sonamarg (534 kms)
(is it possible to do it in a day?)

Tough! But desirable.
Why difficult? Long distance, heavy traffic, mountain roads.
Getting acco in Sonmarg is not going to be easy - and ding an advance booking does not make sense since in a road journey, it can be a hit-and-go with high possibilities of time overruns during the drive. Maybe a better idea to stay in Srinagar and leave by 5 am so that you can reach Sonmarg by 730 am - assuming that convoy timings towards Zoji la are 8 or 830 am (??)

DAY - 5 Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Sonamarg - Zojila - drass - Kargil Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Fotu La -Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill - Leh (342 kms)

Possible only if you are able to exit Sonmarg by 830 am. If you get stuck in Sonmarg due to convoy timing mismatches, you have to consider halting at Kargil.

In any case, the Kargil-Leh drive has to be taken over a full day so that you can enjoy the landscapes, stop over at Mulbek & Lamayuru, Nimmu sangam point & Magnetic Hill. Be mindful of the fact that Kargil-Leh is an 8-hour drive at the fastest.

DAY - 6 Thursday, June 07, 2012
Rest Day - Vehicle service and acclamatising (Get permits for Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Chang La, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, Marsimek La - not planning to go to Nubra valley - dont have the days)

Why Marisimik la? Your Xylo cannot climb up M La.

DAY - 7 Friday, June 08, 2012
Leh City tour/acclamatising Hemis, Thikse, Shey - and Stok (Palace and Monasteries), Shanti Stupa etc. (Probably do Khardung La and get back to Leh)

Leave early morning (say, 6 am), visit Khardung la and be back in Leh by 11 am, so that you can do the Leh sightseeing circuit post-lunch. I would suggest it be done as follows: Leh-Shey-Thikshey-Hemis-Leh.

DAY - 8 Saturday, June 09, 2012
Leh – Shey – Karu – Shakti – Chang La – Durbuk – Tanksey – Lukung – Spangmik (Pangong Tso) (Pagal Nullah route) - Stay at Tangtse or Lukungor Spangmik

Since you are short on time, maybe it is a better idea to return to Leh the same day instead of staying back in Pangong. If you leave early morning, you can reach Pangong before lunch time and return the same day. You can use the spare time to shop around in Leh or catch up on any other place you could not see the previous day.

DAY - 9 Sunday, June 10, 2012
Pangong Tso –Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri (Stay at Korzok or stop at Chumathang or Sumdo)
(Is it possible to do it in one day?)

It is a tough day's drive - I would not like to do it this way, especially because the last 20 kms into Tso Moriri is on non-existent "roads" following only tyre tracks across a wide plain where you can get lost in the dark. That is why my idea that you return to Leh the previous day and start off from Leh early morning, guaranteeing you arrive in Tso M a little past lunch time.

DAY - 10 Monday, June 11, 2012
Tso Kar - Debring - More Plains - Pang - Lachulung La - Naki La - Gata Loops - Whicsky Nallah - Brandy Nallah - Sarchu

Now where did Tso Kar come from? I thought you stayed in Tso M the previous day, not Tso Kar?

DAY - 11 Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sarchu - Baralacha La - Darcha - Zing Zing Bar - Jispa

3 hours of drive? Just Jispa - why? You should be driving on to Manali.

DAY - 12 Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Jispa - Keylong - Tandi - Koskar - Rohtang - Manali
(read somewhere that Rohtang Pass is closed on tuesdays for maintenance - is it true?)

Crossing Rohtang Pass - we are yet to find out how difficult it is going to be this year. Going by experience of last 2 years, it was impossible for anything but 4WDs, and in any case, the crossing could take anywhere between 3-8 hours depending on how bad it was and the extent of traffic jams on either side. I would reserve my opinion on the Jispa-Manali section till the Rohtang Pass opens this year.


Surprisingly, I have not seen any time buffering for water crossings en route. Be mindful that in June, the snow melt will mean that certain water crossings will be overflowing in the sun's heat after midday, making it impossible for any vehicle to cross in the latter part of the day. In your case, I note the Kangla jal (after Pang), Zing Zing bar (after Sarchu, which luckily you are scheduled to cross early morning), Stingri & in Keylong itself.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by aviorp

There is no specific time, but crossing the place after dark is risky and worthless, becaue you'll end up missing the beauty of the place. .

Nope, you are wrong.
There are timings. For 4-5 hours traffic from Sonmarg is allowed, and then for 4-5 hours traffic from kargil side is allowed. However timings are not fixed.

[.anshuman]

A new Eco Tax of 200 Rupees(Indian Citizens)/300 Rupees(Foreign Citizens) is now being levied for visiting Ladakh. This tax will not be applicable for residents of J&K.

Non-state subjects (people who are not the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir), who visit Ladakh for non-official purpose, are being levied environment fee from May 5.

The Tourism Department is collecting Rs 300 from foreigners and Rs 200 from Indian nationals, including tourists, businessmen and labourers.

The revenue generated from the environment fee would be utilised for protecting and preserving the fragile environment of Ladakh and for creating tourists facilities at various tourists spots here. A separate committee or board consisting of representatives of all stakeholders of the tourism industry will be formed for the utilisation of the revenue.

Link to full news article: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Jammu & Kashmir

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Mik

Made a few enquiries on this aspect. Looks like it won't be a major problem. Showroom guy has assured that he will try his best to get my RC delivered by the time we leave for the ride.
P.S: We do have a trump card with us. A serving Army Captain is one of the riders

do you have the tax paid receipt?
If so carry it along, and also affix the proper numberplate(I presume you have the number allotted to you).
With tax paid receipt,
document of number allotment
Insurance etc., you will be fine.

[urban_legend]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Yes. About 10 hours, plus traffic jam time at J&K entry tolls and while crossing Srinagar.


Just one day in Leh may be a little tough on your system before heading to K-La. And , why do you need service in Leh unless something goes wrong? IMO a scheduled service would be better performed someplace in Punjab than in Leh, and I see no reason to give the car a full bath with a pressure jet just because it reached Leh.

No Pagal Nullah any more - it's been bridged.


Yes, with 12 hours of driving time.

Tso Kar to Jispa is doable in 1 day again. Not nice to stop at Sarchu - too cold, too high, too windy and too little comfort in terms of available accommodation. Save a day and enjoy it at Tso Moriri.

I believe that is only for Rohtang-bound vehicles from Manali, and not those returning from Keylong (for them the route is always open).

Iffy about opening dates, but this year the road is expected to be opened up earlier than in previous years.

Thank you SS for the reply. Will alter the Sarchu leg and extend it to Jispa. It makes sense. Have read that the climate becomes pretty harsh in Sarchu and ofcourse better not to stay the night in such a high altitude.

The service at Leh was just to ensure that everything is in order. Since next week the "giant" would be traversing landscape where help would be hard to find incase of a breakdown.

The main concern is the date of my journey. Hope BRO does a stellar job this year too and opens the road to public early. On the other front is my leave, doing a fire fighting at my work place to ensure that i get the required days. Who said dreams are easy to acheive!

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hey AJ,
You seem to be mirroring the route I took last year in my Xylo into Leh. My suggestion is that you can easily push through till Kishangarh and beyond on day 1.

Route was : Mumbai - Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Bhilwara - Kishangarh - Megahighway to Ratangarh.

I stopped at the RTDC Chinkara in Ratangarh which is 1337 kms from Mumbai. The mega-highway after Kishangarh is a dream drive and you can easily cover the 200 odd kms in 2.5 -3 hrs. This will also help you reach Amritsar by noon and Day 2 can be utlised to visit Wagah.

Amritsar - Srinagar is easily doable in a day ( carrying on to Sonmarg wont be a problem).

Day 5 seems to be a stretch. I started from Srinagar at around 8 in the morning and reached Kargil by 3 with a few photo stops, lunch at Drass and a visit to the war memorial. Pushing on to Leh will be quite taxing.

Let me know if any queries.

Regards,
Nikhil

Hey Nikhil - Thank you for your thoughts. Glad that I am taking the treaded route. Hope Xylo had not much of a problem in dealing with the terrain. Its got an amazing GC. Did it give you any trouble?

Mumbai - Ratangarh run of 1335 kms seems to be a real long run buddy. I think will break the journey somewhere in the middle. so that we dont over exert. Also want to avoid night driving as far as possible.

On the Sonamarg - Leh stretch will evaluate and take a call once i reach Kargil. That will be really when the trip begins and am sure the spell bound beauty of the landscape will make me trigger happy on my camera! Will keep that in mind.

Would be really happy if you could pm me your log or itenerary if that is not too much of a trouble. Thanks

AJ

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Are there good stay options in Bhilwara? I would prefer Chittorgarh which is less than an hour's drive before Bhilwara.



It is as good as impossible to reach Amritsar the same day.
The only way you can do so - that too with a very early morning start (do you think you will have the energy & enthu to start at 4 am after having reached Bhilwara (or Chittorgarh) at, say, 9 pm?
The route you should take to reach Amritsar is as follows:
Bhilwara-Kishangarh-Makrana-Ladnun-Ratangad-Sardarshahr-Rewatsar-Hanumangarh-Abohar-Fazilka-Ferozepur-Taran Taran-Amritsar.
This will help avoid Jaipur, NCR & the under-widening NH1 totally, besides helping you have a superfast drive.





Tough! But desirable.
Why difficult? Long distance, heavy traffic, mountain roads.
Getting acco in Sonmarg is not going to be easy - and ding an advance booking does not make sense since in a road journey, it can be a hit-and-go with high possibilities of time overruns during the drive. Maybe a better idea to stay in Srinagar and leave by 5 am so that you can reach Sonmarg by 730 am - assuming that convoy timings towards Zoji la are 8 or 830 am (??)



Possible only if you are able to exit Sonmarg by 830 am. If you get stuck in Sonmarg due to convoy timing mismatches, you have to consider halting at Kargil.

In any case, the Kargil-Leh drive has to be taken over a full day so that you can enjoy the landscapes, stop over at Mulbek & Lamayuru, Nimmu sangam point & Magnetic Hill. Be mindful of the fact that Kargil-Leh is an 8-hour drive at the fastest.



Why Marisimik la? Your Xylo cannot climb up M La.



Leave early morning (say, 6 am), visit Khardung la and be back in Leh by 11 am, so that you can do the Leh sightseeing circuit post-lunch. I would suggest it be done as follows: Leh-Shey-Thikshey-Hemis-Leh.



Since you are short on time, maybe it is a better idea to return to Leh the same day instead of staying back in Pangong. If you leave early morning, you can reach Pangong before lunch time and return the same day. You can use the spare time to shop around in Leh or catch up on any other place you could not see the previous day.



It is a tough day's drive - I would not like to do it this way, especially because the last 20 kms into Tso Moriri is on non-existent "roads" following only tyre tracks across a wide plain where you can get lost in the dark. That is why my idea that you return to Leh the previous day and start off from Leh early morning, guaranteeing you arrive in Tso M a little past lunch time.



Now where did Tso Kar come from? I thought you stayed in Tso M the previous day, not Tso Kar?



3 hours of drive? Just Jispa - why? You should be driving on to Manali.



Crossing Rohtang Pass - we are yet to find out how difficult it is going to be this year. Going by experience of last 2 years, it was impossible for anything but 4WDs, and in any case, the crossing could take anywhere between 3-8 hours depending on how bad it was and the extent of traffic jams on either side. I would reserve my opinion on the Jispa-Manali section till the Rohtang Pass opens this year.


Surprisingly, I have not seen any time buffering for water crossings en route. Be mindful that in June, the snow melt will mean that certain water crossings will be overflowing in the sun's heat after midday, making it impossible for any vehicle to cross in the latter part of the day. In your case, I note the Kangla jal (after Pang), Zing Zing bar (after Sarchu, which luckily you are scheduled to cross early morning), Stingri & in Keylong itself.

Thank you so very much HVK for your detailed response. You never disappoint.

Will halt at Chittorgarh. Makes sense, if I get better accomodation options.

Chitorgarh - Amritsar is impossible? Well then will do a Chittorgarh to Ludhiana. Or as you suggest will do the Bhilwara-Kishangarh--Ratangad- Ferozepur- Amritsar route and based on the time will halt at Ferozpur or at a earlier destination and the next day would make a run for Srinagar.

Based on my progress to Sonamarg, will decide on the kargil halt.

Had my doubts, well then M La is out of my itenerary.

Leh on you've made some relevant suggestions, would tweak the rest of itenerary and make it more comfortable and realistic.

Thanks a bunch to all!

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Nope, you are wrong.
There are timings. For 4-5 hours traffic from Sonmarg is allowed, and then for 4-5 hours traffic from kargil side is allowed. However timings are not fixed.

Hi tsk - If I leave early in the morning from srinagar - will the traffic restriction affect my movement towards Kargil? if it is not fixed, then is there anyone in the administration at Srinagar or elsewhere i can enquire before embarking on the drive?

[urban_legend]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Since you are short on time, maybe it is a better idea to return to Leh the same day instead of staying back in Pangong. If you leave early morning, you can reach Pangong before lunch time and return the same day. You can use the spare time to shop around in Leh or catch up on any other place you could not see the previous day.

Missed to ask clarification on one part - We wanted to stay on at Pangong to catch the sunset and the sunrise. Hopefully would get tented accomodation. That was the reason to avoid the day trip from Leh.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

It is a tough day's drive - I would not like to do it this way, especially because the last 20 kms into Tso Moriri is on non-existent "roads" following only tyre tracks across a wide plain where you can get lost in the dark. That is why my idea that you return to Leh the previous day and start off from Leh early morning, guaranteeing you arrive in Tso M a little past lunch time.

How long would it take to reach from Pangong to Tso Moriri? would an early morning start help to avoid the getting delayed or do you think it is too much of risk especially because of the last 20 kms?
Is there any accomodation at Tso Moriri?

Any other alternative?

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Now where did Tso Kar come from? I thought you stayed in Tso M the previous day, not Tso Kar?

Sorry that was a typo. Is Tso Morirri to Jispa passible in one day?

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Crossing Rohtang Pass - we are yet to find out how difficult it is going to be this year. Going by experience of last 2 years, it was impossible for anything but 4WDs, and in any case, the crossing could take anywhere between 3-8 hours depending on how bad it was and the extent of traffic jams on either side. I would reserve my opinion on the Jispa-Manali section till the Rohtang Pass opens this year.

Well mine is not a 4WD then. seems like it will be a tough task to cross Rohtang. Any alternative? I understand you have reserved your comments on this bit.

One more question is it the same scenario while approaching Rohtang from Manali? If it is not so then would do the trip from Manali and exit from srinagar. The reason i entered from Srinagar and exit from Manali was due to the apprehensions on acclamatising to the altitude and to avoid AMS complications.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Surprisingly, I have not seen any time buffering for water crossings en route. Be mindful that in June, the snow melt will mean that certain water crossings will be overflowing in the sun's heat after midday, making it impossible for any vehicle to cross in the latter part of the day. In your case, I note the Kangla jal (after Pang), Zing Zing bar (after Sarchu, which luckily you are scheduled to cross early morning), Stingri & in Keylong itself.

How can i buffer for the water crossings? I think some of the crossings would be reached inevitably during midday. Luckily, SS informed me that Pagal nullah has got a bridge made, so hopefully the dreaded crossing is taken care of. I dont have much idea about the other crossings.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by urban_legend

Missed to ask clarification on one part - We wanted to stay on at Pangong to catch the sunset and the sunrise. Hopefully would get tented accomodation. That was the reason to avoid the day trip from Leh.

OK

How long would it take to reach from Pangong to Tso Moriri? would an early morning start help to avoid the getting delayed or do you think it is too much of risk especially because of the last 20 kms?
Is there any accomodation at Tso Moriri?

Any other alternative?

In 2009, I left Tangtse (1.5 hrs short of Pangong) and reached Tso M at 4 pm, with 1 hour halt at Karu for food. Speed also depends on how bad the approach roads to Chang la are, you can expect 1 hour more time if it is bad. No, unfortunately, you have no alternative to Tso M, it is best you leave as early as possible - but then sun rise will make you wait - so that you can target Tso M at least before 6 pm.

Sorry that was a typo. Is Tso Morirri to Jispa passible in one day?

If More Plains is fine - last year, they were re-laying roads there, but no idea if they survived the winter - you have a good chance of reaching Jispa before 8 pm. But that will mean an early morning start (6 am), no breaks (maybe a small one at Pang) & very little time for photography. Better idea would be to target Sarchu and go on to Jispa only if you reach Sarchu before 430 pm.

Well mine is not a 4WD then. seems like it will be a tough task to cross Rohtang. Any alternative? I understand you have reserved your comments on this bit.

One can say for sure only after Rohtang Pass how good or bad it will be this year. Last 2 years' experience has been very negative. 2WD did not stand much chances crossing Rohtang last year, many had to be towed out of the bad stertches around Rani Nullah.

One more question is it the same scenario while approaching Rohtang from Manali? If it is not so then would do the trip from Manali and exit from srinagar. The reason i entered from Srinagar and exit from Manali was due to the apprehensions on acclamatising to the altitude and to avoid AMS complications.

If you come via Manali, then your problems are compounded:
- Need to obatin permit to cross Rohtang pass, entailing delay & planning to be there on a Govt-working day
- Steep climb from Manali side is extremely difficult compared with descent from Keylong side, besides there being more traffic stuck on Manali side
- Possibilities of being stopped by cops/BRO before Rohtang Pass (if coming from Keylong side, they have no choice but to let you through)

How can i buffer for the water crossings? I think some of the crossings would be reached inevitably during midday. Luckily, SS informed me that Pagal nullah has got a bridge made, so hopefully the dreaded crossing is taken care of. I dont have much idea about the other crossings.

You can only plan such that you get across the danger points before midday. Pagal Nullah is just one of the water crossings (which has been solved). The other points that I mentioned are still a problem.

[urban_legend]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

In 2009, I left Tangtse (1.5 hrs short of Pangong) and reached Tso M at 4 pm, with 1 hour halt at Karu for food. Speed also depends on how bad the approach roads to Chang la are, you can expect 1 hour more time if it is bad. No, unfortunately, you have no alternative to Tso M, it is best you leave as early as possible - but then sun rise will make you wait - so that you can target Tso M at least before 6 pm.

What time did you leave Tangste?

Is there any good accomodation in Tso Moriri? or there is no accomodation then which would be the best destination to stop over Korzok/Chumathang/ Sumdo/Tso Kiagar?

On the route can i do Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri via Chushul - Nyoma - Mahe? then through Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri? Will it save time instead of going through Upshi?

These are the two routes am aware of:

Pangong Tso –Tangtse - Chushul - Nyoma - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri

Pangong Tso –Tangtse - Changla - Sakti - Karu - Upshi - Mahe - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tso Kiagar -Tso Morriri

Is Chang La required to be crossed in both options. Not clear about the route and the time taken and the road conditions

Originally Posted by hvkumar

If More Plains is fine - last year, they were re-laying roads there, but no idea if they survived the winter - you have a good chance of reaching Jispa before 8 pm. But that will mean an early morning start (6 am), no breaks (maybe a small one at Pang) & very little time for photography. Better idea would be to target Sarchu and go on to Jispa only if you reach Sarchu before 430 pm.

I think would do Tso Moriri - Sarchu and the next day Sarchu - Manali. Can then ease my way through the trip.