Team Bhp At Leh. Anyone Interested?

tsk1979 · 21st April 2009, 12:12

I plan to get permits from ITBP for Marismek la. I am told they are stricter with bikes than SUVs
Here is the revised itenary, this is looking almost final. I will be back in Delhi on Wednesday itself, which will leave a lot of time, and we will be well within 3 weeks.
For those who want to convoy with me but have just 2 full weeks from Delhi, they can go from Leh-Delhi without Tso-Moriri., this way they will be in Delhi on Sunday itself

Team Bhp At Leh. Anyone Interested?-517479271_yzzswxl.jpg

smats · 21st April 2009, 13:03

wow ! came across this thread only today and am totaly hooked. I am in for this trip.
@tsk - do you have any specific dates in mind for the 19 day trip? (Sep 19 by any chance??)
I have a scorpio 2.6 crde and would love to join you convoy.

tsk1979 · 21st April 2009, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by smats

wow ! came across this thread only today and am totaly hooked. I am in for this trip.
@tsk - do you have any specific dates in mind for the 19 day trip? (Sep 19 by any chance??)
I have a scorpio 2.6 crde and would love to join you convoy.

Hi smats, I was earlier planning sept, but I was told that freak snowfall has greater change in september.
So the plan is around mid august. Start on the 14th. Tourist season is about to end, but its not that off season and hotels are still open.
My final date will be confirmed around first week of may when I apply for leave.

smats · 21st April 2009, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Hi smats, I was earlier planning sept, but I was told that freak snowfall has greater change in september.
So the plan is around mid august. Start on the 14th. Tourist season is about to end, but its not that off season and hotels are still open.
My final date will be confirmed around first week of may when I apply for leave.

oh ! sept19 weekend i cud ve managed with fewer leaves (with sept 22,28 and oct2 as holidays). With the mood of the economy, am scareed to even think of 10+ days leaves...

but will surely follow this thread and try to work out something

KSM-Vtec · 21st April 2009, 18:25

Guys anybody planning to do the trip in mid July??

Rajujey · 22nd April 2009, 01:21

I am also planning for this trip in mid July. I will be starting from Idindakarai, Tamil Nadu (a small village near Kanyakumari).

sudev · 22nd April 2009, 07:07

I would say late September/ early October is the best. September does see some freak snow fall - receding monsoon effects. Later on there is window of almost a month-month and half, up to almost Diwali. before any heavy snow falls occur. Some on day fall are cleared in a day.
BUT all this is experience and actual weather is only controlled by the one above 8-)

tsk1979 · 22nd April 2009, 07:59

But sept oct will be very cold also. End aug, early sept will be more enjoyable!

phamilyman · 22nd April 2009, 08:20

by that logic its best to go end may - because while the roads are cleared, the snow's still next to the roads. I still recall a magical Baralachala, with fully frozen Surajtal as well as last 20km from the ZZB camp amidst walls of snow

sudev · 22nd April 2009, 08:37

Yes you can enjoy snow but also remember that it will also impede in your wandering off the road. The area has some incredible plains that can be traversed even in a car (but never do it if you are alone). Also prevents hiking off the roadside even for couple of hours that can beget you some incredible sights. PLUS while the road is cleared it is not repaired in early part of the season.

Yes late in to the year it is colder but very less crowd and less jostling for parking even in Leh bazaar what to talk of Khardungla top!! Much less water / streams roaring across the road and creating landslides that block traffic - some times for a day or two.

One thing is sure. Whatever season it is a journey worth doing. And unlike tsk1979's program I would do a loop with return via Kashmir. 8-)

wanderernomad · 22nd April 2009, 08:56

If you are going in Aug it makes more sense as some of the festivals like the Sindhu Darshan and the Hemis festival are all around 10-15 Aug. But then you need to check for the dates and plan accordingly. September, Crossing Changla can be a gamble if there is freak snow. Moreover, the weather could be brutal in case you are caught/stranded outdoors towards late September.

tsk1979 · 22nd April 2009, 09:38

sudev, thats the reason I am not going in July, which is supposedly the "hot season".
I am hoping that if I reach around Aug 17th or so, the following 2-3 weeks should not have too much rush!

KSM-Vtec · 22nd April 2009, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

I would say late September/ early October is the best. September does see some freak snow fall - receding monsoon effects. Later on there is window of almost a month-month and half, up to almost Diwali. before any heavy snow falls occur. Some on day fall are cleared in a day.
BUT all this is experience and actual weather is only controlled by the one above 8-)

Well i am new to this and would like to know what problems July end could get us into.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajujey

I am also planning for this trip in mid July. I will be starting from Idindakarai, Tamil Nadu (a small village near Kanyakumari).

wow..thats going to be 1 real long drive...so lets try and match our dates so that we can go together, what say?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

Yes you can enjoy snow but also remember that it will also impede in your wandering off the road. The area has some incredible plains that can be traversed even in a car (but never do it if you are alone). Also prevents hiking off the roadside even for couple of hours that can beget you some incredible sights. PLUS while the road is cleared it is not repaired in early part of the season.

Yes late in to the year it is colder but very less crowd and less jostling for parking even in Leh bazaar what to talk of Khardungla top!! Much less water / streams roaring across the road and creating landslides that block traffic - some times for a day or two.

One thing is sure. Whatever season it is a journey worth doing. And unlike tsk1979's program I would do a loop with return via Kashmir. 8-)

Ya even i plan to do the same loop!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

If you are going in Aug it makes more sense as some of the festivals like the Sindhu Darshan and the Hemis festival are all around 10-15 Aug. But then you need to check for the dates and plan accordingly. September, Crossing Changla can be a gamble if there is freak snow. Moreover, the weather could be brutal in case you are caught/stranded outdoors towards late September.

Well from the festival POV it may make more sence but i dont wanna be in a situation where i have to cancel my trip due to something going wrong in that area due to 15th Aug.

tsk1979 · 22nd April 2009, 10:16

I have skipped kashmir due to 2 reasons
1. Political issues
2. I have 3 weeks of and my itenary leaves me with 6 vacant days, which means that if we have the stamina, we will go to Kaza from Sarchu instead of Manali, and come back via Kalpa, seeing pin valley on the way.

ramkya1 · 22nd April 2009, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Have decided to chuck out spiti, since it makes more sense to enjoy Zanskar and Hunder etc., more.
Attachment 127922

Has been following this thread and your plan....

Good idea to leave Spiti out, Gramphoo to Loasar is known to be a dicey section any time of the year. It would make sense to spend time Zanskar, Padam. Many peopole don't do this leg due to time constraints, would be good to finish it while it's still virgin.

Planning to hit the road to Leh in September, 09. Your trip information would be of great use.

Attaching a drive direction map I made from my route research; you must be having all the information you need.... still it may be useful.

Happy Driving,

--Ramky
=====

21st April 2009, 12:12	#256
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,826 Times View My Garage	I plan to get permits from ITBP for Marismek la. I am told they are stricter with bikes than SUVs Here is the revised itenary, this is looking almost final. I will be back in Delhi on Wednesday itself, which will leave a lot of time, and we will be well within 3 weeks. For those who want to convoy with me but have just 2 full weeks from Delhi, they can go from Leh-Delhi without Tso-Moriri., this way they will be in Delhi on Sunday itself
	() Thanks

21st April 2009, 13:03	#257
smats BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NOIDA Posts: 37 Thanked: 2 Times	wow ! came across this thread only today and am totaly hooked. I am in for this trip. @tsk - do you have any specific dates in mind for the 19 day trip? (Sep 19 by any chance??) I have a scorpio 2.6 crde and would love to join you convoy.
	() Thanks

21st April 2009, 18:25	#260
KSM-Vtec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra Posts: 1,562 Thanked: 446 Times View My Garage	Guys anybody planning to do the trip in mid July??
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 01:21	#261
Rajujey Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: ABU DHABI Posts: 10 Thanked: 0 Times	I am also planning for this trip in mid July. I will be starting from Idindakarai, Tamil Nadu (a small village near Kanyakumari).
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 07:07	#262
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	I would say late September/ early October is the best. September does see some freak snow fall - receding monsoon effects. Later on there is window of almost a month-month and half, up to almost Diwali. before any heavy snow falls occur. Some on day fall are cleared in a day. BUT all this is experience and actual weather is only controlled by the one above 8-)
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 07:59	#263
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,826 Times View My Garage	But sept oct will be very cold also. End aug, early sept will be more enjoyable!
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 08:20	#264
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	by that logic its best to go end may - because while the roads are cleared, the snow's still next to the roads. I still recall a magical Baralachala, with fully frozen Surajtal as well as last 20km from the ZZB camp amidst walls of snow
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 08:37	#265
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	Yes you can enjoy snow but also remember that it will also impede in your wandering off the road. The area has some incredible plains that can be traversed even in a car (but never do it if you are alone). Also prevents hiking off the roadside even for couple of hours that can beget you some incredible sights. PLUS while the road is cleared it is not repaired in early part of the season. Yes late in to the year it is colder but very less crowd and less jostling for parking even in Leh bazaar what to talk of Khardungla top!! Much less water / streams roaring across the road and creating landslides that block traffic - some times for a day or two. One thing is sure. Whatever season it is a journey worth doing. And unlike tsk1979's program I would do a loop with return via Kashmir. 8-)
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 08:56	#266
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 2,534 Thanked: 1,276 Times View My Garage	If you are going in Aug it makes more sense as some of the festivals like the Sindhu Darshan and the Hemis festival are all around 10-15 Aug. But then you need to check for the dates and plan accordingly. September, Crossing Changla can be a gamble if there is freak snow. Moreover, the weather could be brutal in case you are caught/stranded outdoors towards late September.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 09:38	#267
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,826 Times View My Garage	sudev, thats the reason I am not going in July, which is supposedly the "hot season". I am hoping that if I reach around Aug 17th or so, the following 2-3 weeks should not have too much rush!
	() Thanks

22nd April 2009, 10:16	#269
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,826 Times View My Garage	I have skipped kashmir due to 2 reasons 1. Political issues 2. I have 3 weeks of and my itenary leaves me with 6 vacant days, which means that if we have the stamina, we will go to Kaza from Sarchu instead of Manali, and come back via Kalpa, seeing pin valley on the way.
	() Thanks