Leh and Ladakh - Trip Planning - All queries go here

faustus77 · 10th January 2013, 00:39

Motomaverick
Hi
As mentioned by HVK saar the staff go out of their way to help.
In sep 2011 I went there for my permit.As there was no enquiry desk I walked into the deputy director of planning to ask directions.He called his secretary,helped me fill in the form,sent her with me to the counter where the permits were issued and on top of that she took me to another senior's office where the permits were countersigned.
Some more.When I went back to thank him he made photocopies of the permit for me.
Top that,can you.
As TSK1979 has mentioned,don't worry.Ample hotels.
Regards

kshivaa · 11th January 2013, 22:01

Dear Friends, I am planning to take My THAR CRDe (4 WD) to Leh-Ladakh this June. Planning to also go to Khardung La and Marsimik La. Will I need to change my tires to AT tyres or will the current Bridgestone HT tires be okay to drive there ? I read about the road conditions / incline for Marsimik La - Will I be able to do it in a Thar CRDe? I have read about one person having done it on Tata Safari - any other BHP'ians who have done this before? Will I need to carry snow / mud chains if using HT tire?

thanks
Siva

cataclysm · 22nd January 2013, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kshivaa

Dear Friends, I am planning to take My THAR CRDe (4 WD) to Leh-Ladakh this June. Planning to also go to Khardung La and Marsimik La. Will I need to change my tires to AT tyres or will the current Bridgestone HT tires be okay to drive there ? I read about the road conditions / incline for Marsimik La - Will I be able to do it in a Thar CRDe? I have read about one person having done it on Tata Safari - any other BHP'ians who have done this before? Will I need to carry snow / mud chains if using HT tire?

thanks
Siva

A friend of mine did it on his Thar CRDe in July 2011 with stock Bridgestone HT tyres and had absolutely no problems. Though he got stuck twice, once in Moreh plains and once near Kargil but 4L came to the rescue. That said if you are planning to go for AT tyres just for this trip then I don't think it's recommended. Bridgestone HT would do just fine. In June, due to snow melt there would be some muddy/snowy stretches but nothing that would require snow/mud chains. If you encounter too much ice on the road, best is to reduce tyre pressure and use 4L.

~ H O N D A ~ · 28th January 2013, 19:24

Ah ha..
The thread i've been waiting for, have driven 4 times to mumbai - rajasthan - mumbai. Once to Mumbai - Delhi - Mumbai

I have been planning a trip to leh for a long time in my mind.

I have 2 Cars but don't know if any one is good enough to endure such terrain.

Honda City 1.3 Exi - 2000 - Driven 65K+
Tata Safari 3.0 Lxi - 2005 - Drivel 75K+

I think leaving my cars behind and travelling as co-passenger would be a good idea, but being a huge driving enthusiast that will take out all the fun part from the trip just sitting in the passenger seat.

What do you suggest guys.

motomaverick · 29th January 2013, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~ H O N D A ~

Ah ha..
The thread i've been waiting for, have driven 4 times to mumbai - rajasthan - mumbai. Once to Mumbai - Delhi - Mumbai

I have been planning a trip to leh for a long time in my mind.

I have 2 Cars but don't know if any one is good enough to endure such terrain.

Honda City 1.3 Exi - 2000 - Driven 65K+
Tata Safari 3.0 Lxi - 2005 - Drivel 75K+

I think leaving my cars behind and travelling as co-passenger would be a good idea, but being a huge driving enthusiast that will take out all the fun part from the trip just sitting in the passenger seat.

What do you suggest guys.

If your Safari is maintained well then you should take that. 75+ is nothing for a diesel car but knowing Tata its best to get everything checked. Besides you have ample time to fix anything that might be wrong. The reason for suggesting Safari is for the GC peace of mind.

~ H O N D A ~ · 29th January 2013, 13:53

thanks motomaverick

you are right, its a TATA so i dont think it would be a good idea

i had read in some other thread a person travelling to ladakh in a safari and had trouble with his safari even after he was preparing the car for the journey for last few months.

honeybee · 30th January 2013, 23:15

Considering your vehicle would be exposed to some of the harshest conditions, and without knowing what the specific trouble was, or how the vehicle was prepared, it would be ambitious to write off any particular make/model like that.

Whether Tata or any other manufacturer, it would be prudent to get everything checked.

tsk1979 · 30th January 2013, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~ H O N D A ~

i had read in some other thread a person travelling to ladakh in a safari and had trouble with his safari even after he was preparing the car for the journey for last few months.

Thats me. I suffered two breakdowns. First breakdown delayed me by 1.5 hours. Second breakdown resulted in car out of action for a day and half, and us taking a local cab for the duration for sight seeing.

~ H O N D A ~ · 31st January 2013, 00:19

Hey tsk1979 i had read your post and saw the awsome pictures of your journey.

the problem is my safari is not that well maintained always some noise coming from here and there.. my check engine light up all the time...

plus just the thought of driving a Tata Safari all the way leh and back gives my chills. its not that i have not driven safari on long runs. have driven my safari twice to rajasthan and back (1000 kms non-stop drive one side)

what do you suggest.
i have a Safari 3.0 Dicor 2005, which i bought in 2008

honeybee · 31st January 2013, 09:05

It's still a lot of time till the Leh trip, so why don't you start using the Safari? Regular use would identify most niggles and you can get them all sorted out.

It's important that you have confidence in the vehicle you take with you.

sierrakamat · 31st January 2013, 09:28

For that matter one of my friends took his Sierra 1995 model non turbo vehicle there in 2012 not a single breakdown performed flawlessly .
If your vehicle has to breakdown it will. There was a AUDI going up in flames in Mumbai recently so how does brand matter ?.

motomaverick · 31st January 2013, 09:38

I would go with what honeybee has said, start using the Safari regularly from now and slow but surely iron out all the issue. You said the other vehicle is a Honda City, which I might say would be tough due to its ground clearance. If I were you and want to drive to Leh I would still pick the Safari come what may.

tsk1979 · 31st January 2013, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~ H O N D A ~

Hey tsk1979 i had read your post and saw the awsome pictures of your journey.

the problem is my safari is not that well maintained always some noise coming from here and there.. my check engine light up all the time...

My safari also has lot of noises here and there. Steering jams up on its own, etc., etc.,
However, if you are getting check engine light, it could be a serious issue

Quote:

plus just the thought of driving a Tata Safari all the way leh and back gives my chills. its not that i have not driven safari on long runs. have driven my safari twice to rajasthan and back (1000 kms non-stop drive one side)

what do you suggest.
i have a Safari 3.0 Dicor 2005, which i bought in 2008

If you can sort out the check engine light issue, you are good. The 3.0 is a hardy beast. Just make sure all hoses and belts are in good condition.

kicksperliter · 31st January 2013, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by kshivaa

Dear Friends, I am planning to take My THAR CRDe (4 WD) to Leh-Ladakh this June. Planning to also go to Khardung La and Marsimik La. Will I need to change my tires to AT tyres or will the current Bridgestone HT tires be okay to drive there ? I read about the road conditions / incline for Marsimik La - Will I be able to do it in a Thar CRDe? I have read about one person having done it on Tata Safari - any other BHP'ians who have done this before? Will I need to carry snow / mud chains if using HT tire?

thanks
Siva

Hi Shiva,

I am doing leh ladakh trip this June/August in my Thar CRDe from bangalore. If you are interested to accompany our vehicle nothing beats that. I am reachable on my 9742955155

motomaverick · 31st January 2013, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kicksperliter

Hey Folks,

Looking at the map which is via Mumbai is a Longer route compared to the one I have planned.

The route I have planned is

Day 1: Bangalore - Hyderabad - Nagpur = 1 day travel (night halt at nagpur)
Day 2: Nagpur - Jhansi (UP) - Delhi = 1 day travel (either night stay at Delhi or Chandigarh)

Day 3: New Delhi - Chandigarh - Manali - Leh (stay for 3-4 days at leh ladakh)

Would be taking kargil - Drass sector route to Srinagar.

I was contemplating on reaching Jammu thru Mughal Road (which is once is a life time experience more exquisite than Leh, which is very LESS travelled route or preferred route)

Check out HVK sir's post about Mughal Road drive in his posts.

Return journey would be the route planned via Guj - Mumbai - Pune - Tumkur and Bangalore.

I am keeping 3 weeks of timeline to achieve this.

Hi kicksperliter, your observations are fair enough, the reason for taking the Mumbai route is below

1. The Mumbai route will be much faster compared to the other as it falls under the GQ.
2. We want to visit Wagah border & Khajjiar as well
3. Our drives will be less than 1000 kms in a day so taking it in a relaxed manner even in the plains since its a holiday

Our total days on road will be 23.

10th January 2013, 00:39	#766
faustus77 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: mumbai Posts: 467 Thanked: 189 Times	Re: Leh and Ladakh - Trip Planning - All queries go here Motomaverick Hi As mentioned by HVK saar the staff go out of their way to help. In sep 2011 I went there for my permit.As there was no enquiry desk I walked into the deputy director of planning to ask directions.He called his secretary,helped me fill in the form,sent her with me to the counter where the permits were issued and on top of that she took me to another senior's office where the permits were countersigned. Some more.When I went back to thank him he made photocopies of the permit for me. Top that,can you. As TSK1979 has mentioned,don't worry.Ample hotels. Regards
	(1) Thanks

11th January 2013, 22:01	#767
kshivaa BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 97 Thanked: 34 Times	Re: Leh and Ladakh - Trip Planning - All queries go here Dear Friends, I am planning to take My THAR CRDe (4 WD) to Leh-Ladakh this June. Planning to also go to Khardung La and Marsimik La. Will I need to change my tires to AT tyres or will the current Bridgestone HT tires be okay to drive there ? I read about the road conditions / incline for Marsimik La - Will I be able to do it in a Thar CRDe? I have read about one person having done it on Tata Safari - any other BHP'ians who have done this before? Will I need to carry snow / mud chains if using HT tire? thanks Siva
	() Thanks

28th January 2013, 19:24	#769
~ H O N D A ~ BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 171 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 Ah ha.. The thread i've been waiting for, have driven 4 times to mumbai - rajasthan - mumbai. Once to Mumbai - Delhi - Mumbai I have been planning a trip to leh for a long time in my mind. I have 2 Cars but don't know if any one is good enough to endure such terrain. Honda City 1.3 Exi - 2000 - Driven 65K+ Tata Safari 3.0 Lxi - 2005 - Drivel 75K+ I think leaving my cars behind and travelling as co-passenger would be a good idea, but being a huge driving enthusiast that will take out all the fun part from the trip just sitting in the passenger seat. What do you suggest guys. Last edited by ~ H O N D A ~ : 28th January 2013 at 19:24. Reason: wrong stats
	() Thanks

29th January 2013, 13:53	#771
~ H O N D A ~ BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 171 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 thanks motomaverick you are right, its a TATA so i dont think it would be a good idea i had read in some other thread a person travelling to ladakh in a safari and had trouble with his safari even after he was preparing the car for the journey for last few months.
	() Thanks

30th January 2013, 23:15	#772
honeybee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dombivli Posts: 3,055 Thanked: 2,143 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 Considering your vehicle would be exposed to some of the harshest conditions, and without knowing what the specific trouble was, or how the vehicle was prepared, it would be ambitious to write off any particular make/model like that. Whether Tata or any other manufacturer, it would be prudent to get everything checked.
	() Thanks

31st January 2013, 00:19	#774
~ H O N D A ~ BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 171 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 Hey tsk1979 i had read your post and saw the awsome pictures of your journey. the problem is my safari is not that well maintained always some noise coming from here and there.. my check engine light up all the time... plus just the thought of driving a Tata Safari all the way leh and back gives my chills. its not that i have not driven safari on long runs. have driven my safari twice to rajasthan and back (1000 kms non-stop drive one side) what do you suggest. i have a Safari 3.0 Dicor 2005, which i bought in 2008
	() Thanks

31st January 2013, 09:05	#775
honeybee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dombivli Posts: 3,055 Thanked: 2,143 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 It's still a lot of time till the Leh trip, so why don't you start using the Safari? Regular use would identify most niggles and you can get them all sorted out. It's important that you have confidence in the vehicle you take with you.
	() Thanks

31st January 2013, 09:28	#776
sierrakamat BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 246 Thanked: 77 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 For that matter one of my friends took his Sierra 1995 model non turbo vehicle there in 2012 not a single breakdown performed flawlessly . If your vehicle has to breakdown it will. There was a AUDI going up in flames in Mumbai recently so how does brand matter ?.
	() Thanks

31st January 2013, 09:38	#777
motomaverick Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,898 Thanked: 989 Times View My Garage	Re: Looking for Ladakh long drive-mates in August 2013 I would go with what honeybee has said, start using the Safari regularly from now and slow but surely iron out all the issue. You said the other vehicle is a Honda City, which I might say would be tough due to its ground clearance. If I were you and want to drive to Leh I would still pick the Safari come what may.
	() Thanks