[tsk1979]

I am taking 12 working days off

[adc]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I have chosen the said dates, because these include 2 hols. So with 10 working days off, I get around 19 days.
Attachment 85647
Zanskar/Suru plans are in limbo, due to distanced involved.
Padum is a very nice place, and a rush from there won't do justice to it.

Then Korzok-Hanle(150kms one way) is also a big question mark.

Thats a good schedule framework to plan around. How many days extra should one allot for Zanskar area?

[tsk1979]

Zanskar is a three day run minimum due to distances involved

[dadu]

July onwards to Sep are prone to heavy rains in these areas, not a good time to travel specially on unmetalled roads. Even on metalled roads, this can effect the schedules.

The monsoon might shift by a few weeks here and there.

I would say avoid the monsoons for the safety of everyone and look at a period before it. We can plan for between mid-may till August.

We should also collect the group information by Regions as there would be lead time for every group to reach a central assembly point (delhi ??), ofcourse there should be cutoff date for final confirmations.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by dadu

July onwards to Sep are prone to heavy rains in these areas, not a good time to travel specially on unmetalled roads. Even on metalled roads, this can effect the schedules.

The monsoon might shift by a few weeks here and there.

I would say avoid the monsoons for the safety of everyone and look at a period before it. We can plan for between mid-may till August.

Dadu, IMHO, June and July are the safest period. Followed by mid-Aug to mid-Sept.
Do remember that the entire Lahaul & Ladakh region is a rain-shadow area.
The only hitch comes at Rohtang Pass, which, for a few hours after heavy rainfall, tends to become dysfunctional and/or is simply closed. However, seldom for more than a day or two max.
Buffer days for a trip like this are MANDATORY.

[dadu]

I agree, key being the "buffer days" the later we start the higher the risk of braving the monsoons.

[harjeev]

Guys I might be interested go too. I will be able to give a final confirmation once the dates have been tentatively decided. But I definitely will be going to Ladakh this year

Harjeev + 1
Delhi
Mahindra 550 4x4
Dates flexible

[Shakensoul]

Even my participation is tentative and depends on the dates, as some family engagements are planned in Sept-Oct. I don't want to do the ladakh trip alone as I have a passenger car (WagonR) and I will need the support of a SUV/bigger car to pull me out incase I'm stuck

But its time to plan for the skid plates . So will I need skid plates for the entire car, or only the oil sump and petrol tank ? Any place to get it done cheap and good in delhi ?

[Ym-enjn]

Guys I need your honest opinion. Do you suggest to take along family and kids? I can come in Altis from Jaipur, but only if its practical to bring one 5 year old and one 10 months old at that time, with my wife? I know it might sound funny.. but I hope, may be you all say yes.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Shakensoul

I don't want to do the ladakh trip alone as I have a passenger car (WagonR) and I will need the support of a SUV/bigger car to pull me out incase I'm stuck.

Shakensoul, many WagonRs, Santros, Altos etc. do the trip every year, in STOCK condition. Can't recall any that I've seen being loaded on to a truck, except after a bad crash maybe!

Originally Posted by Ym-enjn

Guys I need your honest opinion. Do you suggest to take along family and kids? I can come in Altis from Jaipur, but only if its practical to bring one 5 year old and one 10 months old at that time, with my wife? I know it might sound funny.. but I hope, may be you all say yes.

The 5 year old would do fine! About the infant, the problem would be how to make out whether AMS has affected or it's something routine. Some Googling required! Don't have any information off hand.

[dadu]

Originally Posted by Ym-enjn

Guys I need your honest opinion. Do you suggest to take along family and kids? I can come in Altis from Jaipur, but only if its practical to bring one 5 year old and one 10 months old at that time, with my wife? I know it might sound funny.. but I hope, may be you all say yes.

I see no issues till manali, beyond that travelling with infant can become difficult.

Found this on searching, No issues in general but should be prepared for contingencies.

[Shakensoul]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Shakensoul, many WagonRs, Santros, Altos etc. do the trip every year, in STOCK condition. Can't recall any that I've seen being loaded on to a truck, except after a bad crash maybe!

I know a wagonR would be able to make it to Leh and back, but I want to take every bit of precaution before I venture out to the mountains. I don't want to come back with a dented or leaking underbelly

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Ym-enjn

I can come in Altis from Jaipur, but only if its practical to bring one 5 year old and one 10 months old at that time, with my wife? .

Originally Posted by anupmathur

The 5 year old would do fine! About the infant, the problem would be how to make out whether AMS has affected or it's something routine. Some Googling required! Don't have any information off hand.

Ym-enjn, here's an article to disappoint you! http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/152/7/683.pdf

Do note that it is not recommended to take infants to very high altitudes.
Main problem being diagnosis of what they are suffering from. Pre-verbal children!

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Shakensoul

I know a wagonR would be able to make it to Leh and back, but I want to take every bit of precaution before I venture out to the mountains. I don't want to come back with a dented or leaking underbelly

I know how you feel, but there is strong evidence to suggest that the driver matters! An unwise move can rupture underbellies!

And, please, if you want your car to emerge unscathed, it would be advisable to take a taxi.
In any case, most Maruti cars will suffer from some rattles after being driven on bad mountain roads. Actually a WagonR could do with higher profile tyres, as I have found the stock rims take too much of a beating on mountain trips. At 34k kms & 5 years age, I'd traded in my WagonR for a new one. Main reasons were: too many rattles and three dented rims!

[Sha]

Originally Posted by Shakensoul

I know a wagonR would be able to make it to Leh and back, but I want to take every bit of precaution before I venture out to the mountains. I don't want to come back with a dented or leaking underbelly

last year I was in keylong after visiting spiti valley, our hired scorpio crossed one stretch(broken bridge) with difficulty, me and my friend were sure no sedan can cross the stretch. while refueling at Tada what we saw shocked us, a WagonR with 5 Adults and three kids(5-8 yrs) and on top fully loaded luggage. when that wagonR has crossed then yours might also can go only driver skills is required.
next time I have decided to hire 800 or Alto which is the best vehicle for himaliayan trip.