[faustus77]

Originally Posted by ani_meher

I am planning to visit Sri nagar - Leh Ladakh - Manali in the first 2 weeks of September. The Ladakh festival is from 1-15 september every year. Do I have to book the hotels before hand, or can I book then whenever i reach? Will there be sufficient occupancy given the festival dates?

Hi
In September 2011 I drove to Leh and landed up at a hotel around 6 in the evening).Not only I was able to get a room I bargained too.This was in spite of the festival and a busload of tourists from Bombay.
After 3 nights I checked out and after a few hours checked in again. I was able to get a room again, a bigger room and at the same price.
This is my experience and it could be different.To be on the safer side you could call the hotel 2/3 days before you reach and book.
Regards

[pcpranav]

Originally Posted by Shutterbugger

Guys, given I am planning to go to Ladakh either this year or the next, I went through this entire thread and kept taking note of what advice and info folks had to share as. I have organized these notes and put together the attached document which I think covers a lot of the basic info. The intention is for this to be some sort of an FAQ for Ladakh newbies like me who come to this forum to get gyan. I saw that a lot of generic questions were getting repeated which can be avoided through this document...at least that's my endeavour

Of course there will be a lot of detailed info shared in response to very specific route queries which I have left out since they are very specific to one's circumstance/needs. I have also aggregated scattered info on hotels for everyone's benefit.

There might be some odd snippets included here which are more pertinent for me (such as the detailed accounts of folks' experience travelling in a Linea (I own one) )

I look up to the veterans to provide their comments or corrections on any of the content included here. Once a sizeable number of comments are received and a wholesome update of the document is required, I shall do that and re-post it.

Thanks in advance for your comments

thats an excellent document that you have put efforts into, well done. surely it'll help a lot of people.
though I have no guts to ask you for more, but few Maps could also be added, especially including (but not limited to!) the blessings of gurus like HVKumar, TSK1979, Vardhan.Harsh

[Mik]

Here is a bit of good news.
Quoting a post on bcm-touring by zack2137

"Originally Posted by zack2137
Cold day today, very very cold.
Stok and other ranges received heavy snow fall all day. Everything is white now. Mild snowball in Let and around too.

The good news is we got our permits in a breeze.
Chushul was denied, security reasons. We gave up, without putting up a fight.
Agham Shyok is permitted too, technically. Except that we were warned to go there on our own risk.

Rest was signed, hanle, tso moriri, turtuk all of it."
http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/lada...-3/#post810261

If i am not wrong, to get to Hanle this time, we will have to take the road from Upshi. With no permits for Chushul, going there from Pangong Tso will not be possible.

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by Mik

If i am not wrong, to get to Hanle this time, we will have to take the road from Upshi. With no permits for Chushul, going there from Pangong Tso will not be possible.

Should be doable from Pangong Tso if you start early, once you reach Upshi what I gather is that its good roads towards Hanle. Besides even if you reach late to Hanle you spend the first half of the next day there before going back to Leh or Tso Moriri. Hanle's main attraction is the observatory and the night sky for folks with non 4x4 vehicles.

[Mik]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Should be doable from Pangong Tso if you start early, once you reach Upshi what I gather is that its good roads towards Hanle. Besides even if you reach late to Hanle you spend the first half of the next day there before going back to Leh or Tso Moriri. Hanle's main attraction is the observatory and the night sky for folks with non 4x4 vehicles.

Thanks. What i actually meant was that Pangong Tso - Man - Merak - Hanle route and even the route from Tangste - Erath - Chushul - Hanle will not be possible according to my understanding.
Pangong Tso to Upshi took around 4 hours last year. How far would be Upshi to Hanle - any pointers ?

[Shutterbugger]

Originally Posted by pcpranav

thats an excellent document that you have put efforts into, well done. surely it'll help a lot of people.
though I have no guts to ask you for more, but few Maps could also be added, especially including (but not limited to!) the blessings of gurus like HVKumar, TSK1979, Vardhan.Harsh

Good idea...here are some of the maps that I have. Some were downloaded off of this very thread, some others have been taken from the blog of Romesh Bhattacharji which had maps included in his book Ladakh-Changing Yet Unchanged as well as those that were not published, plus other online sources. Though I don't know if any of them is actually what the veterans have used.

In fact I remember a reference in the thread to a file with all possible route combinations for Ladakh that was prepared by HVK and put up here. But I haven;t been able to find it anywhere. If anyone has it and can re-upload it here it would be a huge help

Thanks!!

PS: Mods-can you please add the maps to the post upfront? Thanks

[bruty]

Thank you Tanveer and Mik, though I will confirm about this at Sonmarg.

Is it true that Zojila pass is closed for maintenance for a day in a week. I heard is is closed on Monday is it true and I am planning to cross Zozila on Monday morning.

Mod Note: Please use the EDIT buttons instead of typing one post after another on the SAME THREAD!

[tsk1979]

Have patience guys.; A full ladakh travel guide from a driving POV is in the works, with all routes, distances, etc.,
Should be up by next week!

Originally Posted by Mik

If i am not wrong, to get to Hanle this time, we will have to take the road from Upshi. With no permits for Chushul, going there from Pangong Tso will not be possible.

Are you willing to stand up for your rights?
If so, then permits for Chushul is no issue.
ILP and security reasons in the same sentence do not compute.
For security reasons, the permit in question is PAP, or Protected Area Permit.
That applies to foreigners, not to Indian citizens.
As an Indian citizen, the Leh DC office cannot deny you Chushul.
Protected Area Permits
http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/ForeigD-FAQs-onPAPandRAP.pdf‎

So what is the ILP, or inner line Permit. Well Inner line permit is not for security reasons. This is what the Minister or Home Affairs said in Parliament.

A set of questions were asked in the Rajya Sabha

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the areas in the country which need special permission for entry by
Indians and foreigners;
(b) what are the rules and regulations made for the purpose;
(c) what are the reasons for prohibiting Indians to enter those areas;
and
(d) whether there is any proposal for providing relaxation in the matter
and if so, the details thereof?

the answer was as follows, pay attention to "c"

The main aim of ILP system is to prevent settlement of other
Indian nationals in the States where ILP regime is prevalent, in order to
protect the indigenous/tribal population.
Notification under Section 3(1) of Criminal Law Amendment Act,
1961 is issued in the interest of the safety or security of India or in the
public interest.

Full discussion in the Rajya Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.393
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27TH FEBRUARY, 2013/PHALGUNA 8, 1934 (SAKA)
AREAS NEEDING SPECIAL PERMISSION FOR ENTRY BY INDIANS AND
FOREIGNERS
393. SHRI SABIR ALI:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the areas in the country which need special permission for entry by
Indians and foreigners;
(b) what are the rules and regulations made for the purpose;
(c) what are the reasons for prohibiting Indians to enter those areas;
and
(d) whether there is any proposal for providing relaxation in the matter
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI R.P.N. Singh)
(a) & (b): Special Permission for entry by Foreigners
Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling
between the ‘Inner line’ and the “International Border of the State” have
been declared as Protected Area.
Currently, Protected Areas are
located in the following States:-
(i) Whole of Arunachal Pradesh
(ii) Parts of Himachal Pradesh
(iii) Parts of Jammu & Kashmir
(iv) Parts of Rajasthan
(v) Whole of Sikkim(partly in Protected Area and partly in Restricted
Area)
...2/
-2-
R.S.U.S.Q.NO. 393 FOR 27.2.2013
Further, under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, the
following areas have been declared as ‘Restricted Areas’:-
(i) Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Entire Union Territory
(ii) Sikkim - Part of the State
A foreigner is not normally allowed to visit a Protected/Restricted
Area unless it is established to the satisfaction of the Government, that
there are extraordinary reasons to justify such a visit. Every foreigner,
except a citizen of Bhutan, who desires to enter and stay in a Protected
or Restricted Area, is required to obtain a special permit from a
competent authority delegated with powers to issue such a special
permit to a foreigner. In cases where the powers have not been
delegated to any subordinate authority by the Government of India, the
application for special permit should be referred to the Ministry of Home
Affairs for prior approval.
Special Permission for entry by Indians
(i)
Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulates visit of Indians to States where
ILP regime is prevalent under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
In terms of of Section 2 of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations,
1873, the Inner Line Permit system is prevalent in the three North
Eastern States, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.
Citizens of other States require ILP for visiting these three States.
(ii)
According to Section 3(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act,
1961, the Central Government may by notification in the Official
Gazette, declare any area adjoining the frontiers of India to be a notified
area and thereupon on and after such day as may be specified in, and
subject to any exemptions for which provision may be made in the said
notification, no person who was not immediately before the said day a
resident in the area declared to be a notified area by the notification,
shall enter or attempt to enter that area or be therein, except in
accordance with the terms of a permit in writing granted to him by a
person, not below the rank of a Magistrate of the First Class, specified
in the said notification
...3/-
-3-
R.S.U.S.Q.NO. 393 FOR 27.2.2013
(c): The main aim of ILP system is to prevent settlement of other
Indian nationals in the States where ILP regime is prevalent, in order to
protect the indigenous/tribal population.
Notification under Section 3(1) of Criminal Law Amendment Act,
1961 is issued in the interest of the safety or security of India or in the
public interest.
(d): With a view to promote tourism, some protected/restricted areas,
notified by the Government of India from time to time, can be visited by
foreign tourists, either in groups, or as a couple in the case of a
husband and wife, or by individuals, after obtaining the necessary
permit from the competent authority. Powers have been delegated to
various authorities to issue the special permit, without the prior
approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, to facilitate foreign tourists
subject to the following exceptions:
(i)
Special instructions applicable to foreign diplomats and members
of the United Nations and International Organisations holding
Diplomatic/Official Passport are issued by the Ministry of External
Affairs.
(ii)
Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals
of Pakistani origin shall not be issued a special permit without the prior
approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
*****

So when you go there, and are denied Chushul, go to the DC office, and ask for the MHA notification issued in Sept-October 2010 which directed the local authorities not to deny permits for any region.
Yes, the Ministry of Home Affairs actually sent a notification.

So stand up to your rights. And put up a fight. Its your right as the citizen of this country.

[Rahulk76]

Ok, which is a better route to take. Trip is for next month

We will go anticlockwise to leh and adjoining areas via sarchu side. Now to reach there there are couple of options. We want to avoid the mess at gurgaon delhi road

1. Pune - udaipur - chittorgarh-Bhilwara-Kishangarh-Makrana-Sujangarh-Ratangad-Saradrashahr-Hanumangarh- ??????? ---Keylong - Sarchu


Now the ???? is the thing which i need help with.. Whats the best way to approach.

* Usual-> Hanumangarh or ???? - Chandigarh -Manali - Keylong - Sarchu?

* Hanumangarh or ???? - ChandigarhShimla – Kalpa – Kaza - Keylong - Sarchu ?

* Hanumangarh or ???? Chamba - Keylong - Sarchu ?



Not all if but would like to see most of them listed below

a. * Pongong Tso
b. Tso Kar
c. Tso Moriri
d. Polokong La
e. * Nyoma
f. Loma
g. Tsaga
h. *Chushul
i. Man
j. Merak (near Pongong Tso)
k. Upshi
l. Hanle
m. * Hunder (Nubra Valley)
n. *Turtuk (closest point to Siachen)
o. Mahe
p. * Panamik

Then proceed from Leh - Kargil - Srinagar - Jammu and return via hanumangarh - udaipur - Pune.

For roaming around Leh, the permits would be needed and i am assuming its better to get the permits before hand.?

What is the situation of OoS vehicles requiring permits at Manali.. is it done away with or still there. Can it be obtained in advance ?

Any help advice appreciated.

[faustus77]

Rahul
Hi.
Any particular reason why you want to go via Sarchu and return via Srinagar?
Since you are doing the full circular route why not do it the other way i.e. go via Srinagar.
The chances of AMS are reduced.
Another point that I have mentioned on a different site is when you go via Srinagar the mountain is on your left, which makes it safer. And when you drive from Leh to Manali again the cliff is on your left. As I went and came back via Srinagar I am not too sure about Manali to Leh but what I what have seen in hundreds of photographs bear that out. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.
Also when you drive from Leh to Manali you don't need a permit.
Regards

[Rahulk76]

Originally Posted by faustus77

Rahul
Hi.
Any particular reason why you want to go via Sarchu and return via Srinagar?
Since you are doing the full circular route why not do it the other way i.e. go via Srinagar.
Regards

Well since you asked, yes the reason is that we would in all probability going to Amarnath yatra and its starts from 28June. So around 29th 30th sometime we want to be there. so somewhere towards end of second week our vacation starts and ends by 1st week of july

Yes permits is a challenging issue so is the Fuel while embarking on this route. Lets see how this permit thing clears up in a few weeks.

Cheers.

[bruty]

You need not touch Chandigarh for going to Manali.
You can either take Panchkula, Pinjor and SwargGhat route or

Ambala, Kharar, Roopnagar,Kiratpur, Swargghat

[Nonstop-driver]

Originally Posted by kicksperliter

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

I too am planning one in June. Details below.

Originally Posted by prabhatshah

Hello friends,

Am planning a trip to leh from mumbai in late may or june depending upon road conditions. Will be travelling by scorpio crde 2wd.

Am planning to go via srinagar but on going through the forum, ...

Going via Srinagar is always advisable to get you better acclimatise to the thin air so as to avoid AMS. Also, this avoids the madness at Rohtang too!

I too am planning a trip in June, dates are yet to finalize. Primary purpose would be to go berserk with the camera, so no hurry or urgency to touch upon all the points (after all, we will not be going on a char-dham yatra!). Entire trip would be covered in 10-15 days and the route would of course be going via Srinagar and return via Manali (Chandartal is the only must).

[ambarshante]

Hello team-bhpians I am planing a trip to leh from Chandigarh near 20 th June this year . I am a big time maruti 800 fan and own a 1997 model type 1 800 and now i want to do this trip on it . Only two people will be riding in it and we will be going through Sri nagar and if the roads will be in bad shape via rohtang side then will follow the same route to come back.I am bit prepared for underbelly scratches.
Do you people this maruti can make through this route ?

The car is in good condition and I dont think it can trouble us on the way except the ground clearance problem . For reference you can see this thread and take an idea of the car.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...93-000-km.html

Eagerly waiting for the suggestions .

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by ambarshante

Hello team-bhpians I am planing a trip to leh from Chandigarh near 20 th June this year . I am a big time maruti 800 fan and own a 1997 model type 1 800 and now i want to do this trip on it . Only two people will be riding in it and we will be going through Sri nagar and if the roads will be in bad shape via rohtang side then will follow the same route to come back.I am bit prepared for underbelly scratches.
Do you people this maruti can make through this route ?

The car is in good condition and I dont think it can trouble us on the way except the ground clearance problem . For reference you can see this thread and take an idea of the car.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...93-000-km.html

Eagerly waiting for the suggestions .

The M800 & the Alto are the most popular cars within Ladakh.