Everything has a start, so do this love story of devil and travel started November 2008. Although this devil in the form of myself had traveled mostly all popular tourist places here in North India by then but never had a chance to do it on his own. Down, out, alone and almost surrendered to the most difficult phase of his life, devil suddenly thought of pursuing his passion of driving to start again @ life, take it a step further and explore if nature has the magic that can save him and turn into the person he was.
Himalayas always had a history of being associated to peace and calmness, so devil decided to have a treatment called “Nirvana @ Himalayas”. He went to find the answer to the questions which haunts him every moment, top of the list being “Me or Devil??” The answer still remains elusive (conclusive to devil :)) but devil is getting closer to the same. By breaking the shackles of all so organized and planned trips, devil decided to head for the unknown adventures on his own wheels and find answers which have eluded him so long. No matter what the answers to the questions are but DEVIL will always be within me as a good teacher in this life.
18 Comments
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hi, Dheeraj,
made an excel file covering Shimla kaza manali route.
lot of information is taken and assimilated from various sites(not sure of when updated).
since I haven’t been there , you are the right person to rectify /add/ delete what ever is required.(lots of info is missing though).
Also after reviewing nd rectifying it,if u could share that on dow website , may resolve lots of initial queries and will help to plan their rides and trips.
if u see any benefits do mail your contact, ..I shall mail u the document.
regards
swapnil
Sure Swapnil, I can surely go through it and make corrections and upload on DoW as articles or single file. Feel free to share it at admin at discoverwithdheeraj.com
Dhiraj, emailed u the file. hope u got it.
regards
swapnil
very nice blog. I am not very keen on travelling on road but like to explore places. Wanted to know how is leh/tso moriri road conditions in september usually. only myself and my husband are planning to travel from bangalore ? how would you compare tso moriri with pangong ?
SR, September is one the best time to travel to Ladakh. The road conditions are also in best shape. In between Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso, if you are first timer and cannot resist the feeling of not seeing Pangong Tso over Tso Moriri then go to Pangong Tso. I always love Tso Moriri over Pangong Tso but the fact is most people regret that they do not see Pangong Tso on their trip and hence suggesting you to do the same 🙂 … Else for me I always visit Tso Moriri and skip Pangong Tso when required 🙂
Hi Dheeraj
I follow your content regularly. I have a question. I am planning to visit Spiti in mid of august but hearing a lot of stuff from people that roads are not in good shape and monsoon is on so you will have trouble. Do you suggest visiting spiti in august?
I am relying on you completely as you have a lot of travel experience in Spiti and Ladakh.
Thanks
Richa
Richa, read the pros and cons of all seasons to visit Spiti Valley at the link: Best Season to Travel on Road to Spiti Valley
I personally will not suggest to travel to Spiti via Kinnaur in monsoon time. However, if you cannot postpone it to September, then it is best to cover Spiti Valley from Manali side only without coming to Kinnaur.
Incredible, Amazed by your effort.
I think this website should also have a link where we can donate for some good cause !
As after reading this i wanted to donate/support this website just to show how much we value your efforts.
*** Please dont take it otherwise broa.
Ha Ha Girish, thank you so very much brother !! I am overwhelmed to see such a feedback and response. However, I will urge you that you go through our DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel and whenever you travel next time to Himalayas, please execute them on our behalf for the first time and that should be the return to DoW from you and I am sure that once you do it, next time you will feel to doit for yourself only brother 🙂
Thank you again !!
Dheeraj,
You might recollect me from IM if not no worries. I am awed with the collection of information you have summarized and categorized in a short span. Had been putting it off to go through your entire site and now it has become so big that it is going to take some time to devour it slowly !!!
Just passing by to wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Regards,
Sumedh
Hello Sumedh,
I am really sorry for the delayed reply, just going through something rough and then had a server issue which took almost last few days to fix it for the site.
I do recognize you very well from IM 🙂 … You are always there to help and provide valuable inputs to other fellow travelers and I have been missing the IM and other Travel forums seriously due to lack of time from all dimensions 😉 …
I am glad you came here and visited my blog and found it interesting, do take your time to read through the info. and most importantly provide your valuable feedback where ever you feel and correct or update my thoughts too. Looking forward to see you here more. Thanks!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I finally stumbled upon the blog /site which is dedicated to travel with a special liking for leh-ladhak travels.
Your blogs are a pleasure to read and inspires us to explore and taste such experiences 🙂 I hope I make it to some of these places this year with the hands on information available on yor site. Thanks for writing 🙂
Hi Mr. Dheeraj. Read many blogs of yours. Your Travel Cv is just amazing. Really like the way you travel. And Mountains…driving…exploring…can’t get better. Thanks for writing for us.
Thank you so much Varun!! So, glad to read your comments and thanks again for liking the blogs/articles so much buddy.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Pleasure sir, really… i have added this site in my Brain’s contact list. Hehe.
Will surf it and want to emulate at least some of your feats.
Again Thanks!!
Dheeraj (it feels as if I am calling my brother because he has the same name) I was astonished to see your pages and moreover stunned by your hospitality to give back every quick and possible reply to your page lovers and thier querries. Well I am stucked with one right now and need some guidance as I am plannig my first trip to Ladakh that too in my own car which is a hatchback and that what is bothering me. Looking forward to your views. Also can you please provide your email id so that I can explain you about that in detail.
Regards
Himanshu Gupta
Hi Himanshu,
I have emailed you my contact as well. For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh, I will say:
You will indeed face few tough challenges on the route. The hatchback/sedan will increase the level of every challenge even further, sedan is the worst candidate. My suggestion will be to go via Srinagar route as it will help you feel comfortable with the driving, provide more acclimatization and then once you have done the local Leh-Ladakh, then come back via Manali side. Secondly, since you are in hatch/sedan, then you need to drive with extra care as well. There will be some sections on the Manali – Leh highway in which you might need to sacrifice some scratches on the underbelly. Just make sure you do not bump the engine sump (know it before where it is placed in your car). You need to protect it all around the trip. Thirdly, whenever in doubt do not rush into the section rather park aside and feel the section with your foot, see how other vehicles are crossing it and make a planned route in your mind to cross that section. At the very least do carry Mseal, quick fix, funnel, jerry cans and towing rope with you all the time.
Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
bingoo…head start ho gaya ye to 😉