The 434 KM long Srinagar – Leh Highway is like a lifeline in the form of road connectivity between Leh – Ladakh and the rest of India via Kashmir Valley. Srinagar – Leh Highway, also known as National Highway – 1D (NH – 1D), is the most reliable and one of the only two roads to reach Ladakh by road, the other one being Manali – Leh Highway
In this article today, I will share this detailed Srinagar Leh road trip guide in with all of you.
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Let's quickly dive into the details:
Srinagar Leh Travel Guide
Generally, travelers or adventure lovers from all over the world loves or dreams of undertaking this road trip of their lifetime. They want to cover both routes connecting Leh Ladakh to the rest of India, i.e., a lifetime experience road trip traversing Srinagar – Leh – Manali Highways.
Apart from being famous for its enchanting views, the road from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil holds strategic importance for India. Being close to the LOC, you can also see a heavy army presence when you travel through Srinagar – Leh Highway.
The highway runs alongside the Indus River and through some extremely harsh and barren terrain including the three high mountain passes named Zozi La (3528 Mtrs), Namki La (3815 Mtrs) and Fotu La (4108 Mtrs). In any case, Srinagar – Leh highway offers some breathtaking landscapes ornamented by various historical and cultural constructions which are just like a dream treat for any traveler driving/riding through Srinagar – Leh Highway.
Better Acclimatization
Generally, people traveling or flying directly to Leh – Ladakh suffers from acute mountain sickness as Leh (3500 Mtrs) due to a sudden disturbance of altitude with which the body is adapted. However, Srinagar – Leh highway provides a gradual ascent to travelers. Hence, it helps them fight any chances of acute mountain sickness (AMS) caused due to high altitudes and let them enjoy the beautiful vistas in a relaxed manner.
There are other advantages of traveling to Ladakh from Srinagar side than from Manali side.
Season to Travel on Srinagar – Leh Highway
The 434 KM long Srinagar Highway generally remains closed for about six months in a year starting from November to May due to heavy snowfall on the mountain passes mainly Zozi La pass. Zojila pass starts receiving snowfall in November. Then any day of November (generally 15th November) the highway officially ceases to close as it becomes challenging for BRO to clear the snow.
Then, again, as the winter months resides, the BRO guys begin the snow clearance process in the spring season that is in March and repairs the damaged roads, bridges, and other parts of the highway. Finally, after completing this rigorous job of snow clearance and fixing the roads, bridges, etc. BRO announces the opening of Srinagar Leh Highway generally around early May to mid-May.
Pro Tip: You can keep a track of the updated status of Srinagar – Leh Highway using the article Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2020
So, what is the best time to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road?
Hence, the best time to travel from Srinagar to Ladakh via Kargil is from June to October. In late April or early May, if the highway gets open, then generally, the roads are in terrible shape and only improves as the season progress with constant repair work conducted by BRO.
By the end of May, as the road condition stabilizes, June remains mostly stable, and the monsoon comes to the party in July, creates havoc in lower hills connecting Srinagar to Jammu and further to other parts of India.
Is it safe to travel from Srinagar to Leh in monsoons?
The landslides are almost inevitable in monsoon season, which causes road blockages ever now and then. The Amarnath Yatra is in full flow in July – August, do expect heavy traffic and rush from Jammu – Srinagar – Kargil parts of the highway. Even the dominance of armed forces also increase in July – August owing to the security of pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra.
It is almost a nightmare to drive through Zoji La Pass in July – August especially when its raining or has rained previous days but at any day better than Rohtang Pass on Manali – Leh Highway which becomes more than hell during monsoon season.
One may opt to avoid Srinagar – Leh Highway during days alongside Independence Day in India, i.e., 15th August which is when the bandhs and strikes get more active. In the last couple of years (as of 2018), things were mostly stable. I advise you that you keep a check on the latest news on the Kashmir valley for any disruptions and plan to travel from Srinagar to Leh accordingly during this time of the year.
What about September?
As the end of August approaches, the Amarnath Yatra is over, and monsoon starts to reside from Northern India, the conditions improve much more to travel on Srinagar – Leh Highway and in September it could be called as the best time to travel. Still, you will not find any snow, of course. Even in August and late July, snow will be hard to touch except few patches on Zozi La pass.
Since the other side of Zozila Pass mainly Kargil onwards comes under rain shadow area where only the dry winds of monsoon reach. So, in July – August you need to tackle the monsoon rains and their havoc in lower hills only including Jammu, Srinagar, Zoji La pass, i.e., till you reach Kargil where there is very little rain during these months.
Throughout the season, you need to let pass large convoys of army trucks as army also stock up required materials in Leh – Ladakh through Srinagar – Leh road majorly. Traveling behind them may cause a delay of a few hours now and then in your entire journey on Srinagar Leh highway.
Is Srinagar Leh open in Winters?
Due to heavy snowfall at Zojila Pass, the road from Srinagar to Leh remains closed in the winter months from November to April. The actual Srinagar Leh Highway closing time mainly depends on snow in the season, but it is not safe to travel in November due to black ice and cold conditions.
A project has been approved to make Srinagar Leh Highway tunnel at Zojila pass to provide year-round connectivity from Srinagar to Kargil. However, it just got approved, so probably it will take a decade to be realized into reality.
Modes of Travel on Srinagar – Leh Highway
In this section let us look at some of the common modes of commute to make a Srinagar to Leh road trip.
Private Vehicles i.e. Cars and Bikes | Self Drive or Ride to Ladakh
Most people prefer to self-drive or self-ride to Ladakh by their car or own bike, and some also prefer to self-drive or self-ride to Ladakh by hiring a bike or car. In any case, a hired car/bike or personal car/bike, the idea is to live the passion of driving or riding through one of the toughest and adventurous terrains accessible in India.
You can take your own or rented, car or bike to Ladakh, but one must be careful while driving or riding through slushy roads, snow and water crossing or nallas. Also, it is always handy to learn little maintenance tasks of your vehicle before the start of this comparatively less arduous journey than Manali – Leh Highway.
Pro Tip: You must check the article on self drive tips for Leh – Ladakh trip.
Can I take a small car to Srinagar Leh Highway?
For cars, although an SUV/MUV is good to have and a 4WD SUV will help, I have seen hatchbacks (including Altos and Nano) and sedans doing good enough job on Srinagar – Leh Highway then on Manali – Leh Highway. If you want to try your sedan or hatchback drive to Ladakh, then Srinagar – Leh Highway is a better bet when compared to taking a sedan or hatch from Manali – Leh Highway.
However like on Manali – Leh Highway, with sedans/hatchbacks one must drive with extra care and caution even at Srinagar – Leh Highway and especially around Zozila pass (ascend and descend both).
You get less number of challenges on Srinagar – Leh Highway as compared to Manali – Leh Highway with only major hurdle being Zozila Pass. However, even then, whenever you are in doubt, always step out of your car, walk down the path, inspect with your foot and plan the path of exit before crossing a dangerous landslide or water crossing on your vehicle.
You can also park aside and see how others are crossing the risky section to plan your route of escape. In deep water-crossings, try to maintain the momentum without any half clutch measures and complete the entire stretch in one go only.
Similarly, in slush stretches, do not force the issue rather keep the smooth momentum with the required speed to pass you through, without half clutch measures. Do keep an eye on the direction of the vehicle too.
If you get stuck in the mud, then try to back and forth your vehicles to get out of the stuck position. It is always handy to ask your fellow co-travelers to get out of the car and push the vehicle from behind in case the car is struggling to pass through the mud or water crossing stretch.
Things to Carry on Self Drive Trip
Basic toolkit, screwdriver set, small hammer, puncture repair kit, iron rod, two or three “2 ltr” empty bottles of Pepsi / Coke / Limca, etc. to carry extra petrol or diesel (jerry cans will leak, cold drink bottles do not leak), funnel, towing rope, spare tube (must for bikes), Elfy or Fevi-quick (2-3 sachets), jump-start cables/wires, M-seal to prevent leakage, etc. were among the few things which I carried along on my trip to Ladakh. Also, do not forget to get your vehicle (car/bike) serviced about 2-3 weeks before the start of the Ladakh journey.
This will ensure that you have proper time in advance to test your serviced vehicle and get fixed any hitches that may have been introduced in that service
Pro Tip: If you are doing a self drive trip to Leh – Ladakh, then make sure to read my article on 40 Must Have Things to Carry on a Self Drive Trip to the Himalayas
Hiring a Private Taxi | Taxi Number or Private Number
All taxis (except Ladakh registration number) having taxi numbers or tourist permits number plates are only allowed for a drop in Leh Ladakh. As per the taxi union rules, only taxis with Leh number are only allowed to roam in the Ladakh region for sightseeing purposes. No Kashmir based taxis will be allowed for sightseeing.
If you want to travel within Leh Ladakh in your private taxi hired from a place other than Ladakh, then, in that case, you need to hire a taxi with a private number plate only. However, in the latter case, be ready for some queries by the local taxi drivers in Ladakh or police constables on your route. You need to ensure everyone interrogating with you guys have not rented that the vehicle.
If you can get hold of some taxi driver in Ladakh then hire that taxi only else go to Kargil first and change taxi from there. From Kargil, the Ladakh taxi driver can pick you, and you will have the advantage to cover the sightseeing places en-route Leh on Srinagar – Leh Highway like Alchi, Basgo, Likir, etc. before you reach Leh.
If that is not your plan then hire a direct taxi from Srinagar to Leh, but with a taxi hired with Srinagar number plate, you will not be able to do sightseeing en-route especially Sham Valley, as far as I know.
Where to get a taxi from Srinagar to Leh?
To hire a taxi, go directly to Srinagar taxi stand and bargain hard with the local drivers only, for a drop to Leh. Do not involve any tour operator or hotel staff at any stage. The local taxi drivers will charge about Rs 1500-1800 extra for a planned night halt on the way to Leh.
Srinagar to Leh taxi fare is close to Rs 16000 to Rs 17000 for a drop to Leh from Srinagar with a one-night halt, depending on your bargaining power, tourist rush and the time of the year you are visiting. You can refer to the latest taxi rates from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil in the article Leh Ladakh Taxi Rates 2020 – 21.
Srinagar – Leh Bus Service, JK SRTC and Others | Economical mode of travel
JKSRTC ply buses on Srinagar – Leh Highway, which is available at Srinagar Bus Stand near TRC Dal Lake and near Polo Ground in Leh. JKSRTC has both, standard as well as semi-deluxe buses which run on Srinagar – Leh Highway.
The super deluxe bus fare from Srinagar to Leh is around Rs 1320 per person, and semi-deluxe bus fare is Rs 925 per person from Srinagar to Leh. If you prefer to travel by a standard bus from Srinagar to Leh, the bus fare is Rs 470.
There are also private bus operators who run semi-deluxe buses in the form of tempo travelers between Srinagar – Leh. The charges of these buses from Srinagar to Leh is about Rs 1000 – Rs 1500 per seat.
Read the full detailed article on Srinagar to Leh bus services, which talks about their timing from Srinagar and Leh along with bus fare.
Srinagar to Leh buses generally stops overnight at Kargil and Sonamarg for tea and snacks. The bus from Leh does not stop overnight. The JKSRTC standard buses may not be as comfortable, though, but comfort comes with the price.
The bus from Srinagar to Leh starts at 8 AM at present and the bus from Leh to Srinagar starts at 2 PM, runs non-stop at night and arrives at 7.30 AM in Srinagar.
Pro Tip: If you are on a budget Ladakh trip then you can always refer my guide on making a trip to Ladakh by public transport
Shared Taxi | A Cannonball run
You can also buy yourself a seat in a shared taxi that runs every mid-night from Srinagar and reaches Leh on the next evening without any night halt. In the same way, shared taxis are run from Leh to Srinagar as well.
You need to pay about Rs 1800 to Rs 2200 per person for a drop to Leh from Srinagar or a drop to Srinagar from Leh. Of course, since it is shared with 7-8 other people plus the driver and completes the back-breaking cannonball run of Srinagar – Leh in 15-16 hours, you can imagine the level of comfort yourself. This one is the second cheapest mode of travel on Srinagar – Leh Highway but mind you, it could be the toughest on the body too 🙂
Also, not staying at Kargil will mean less acclimatization which may make you feel a bit sick in the first few days when you reach Leh.
Other travel modes
You can also get in touch with some travel agent or taxi union in Srinagar who also runs their private buses or Tempo Travelers on Srinagar – Leh Highway.
You can also travel from Srinagar to Leh flight as well if you want to see some really amazing aerial views of the Himalayas.
Planning Night Stay or Accommodation on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Based on my experience, you can opt to plan a journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway in one of the following ways –
Two Day Trip on Srinagar – Leh Highway
The options of stay or accommodation are minimal on Manali – Leh Highway due to the limited civilization. But on the Srinagar – Leh Highway, you get the respite as there are plenty of civilized places en-route, and you get to find accommodation either one or the other place.
You will find accommodation options every 70-80 odd KMs on an average. But still, a two-day journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway is the most common among all travelers as you tend to see the beauty in a relaxing manner as well as you help your body to acclimatize to the altitude of Leh.
Private Taxis and buses run by JKSRTC also cover the Srinagar – Leh Highway in two days with a night halt at Kargil. Mostly, people break up the journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway in the following ways over two days –
Srinagar – Kargil / Drass (Day 1) and Kargil / Drass – Leh (Day 2)
This option is mostly preferred by people as it evenly distributes the travel time of the entire journey in two days. However, on the second day, you need to leave early in the morning if you are interested in stopping at every other point to take pictures and still reach Leh in time :).
Personally, out of Kargil or Drass, you shall prefer to stay at Kargil due to varied options of accommodation available. But, sometimes, finding vegetarian food becomes difficult in Kargil in the late evening, and hence, you can opt to stay at Drass, which does offer a few accommodation options. However, if you have booked a hotel, you will surely get the veggie food in Kargil too.
The distance between Drass – Kargil is about 60 KMs only which means about 2 hours or more travel time the next day. Hence, prefer to stay at Kargil only.
If you are a vegetarian then most likely, what you can do is that if you are reaching Drass by about early evening, then it is good to take your dinner there and reach Kargil by the late evening or early night time. Maybe tea or coffee with some biscuits will make you feel good for the rest of the night.
It will surely help rather than sleeping without vegetarian food due to its unavailability in Kargil. Many new hotels have mushroomed by 2018, so this is not so common nowadays but something worth keeping in mind and checking with your hotel.
One Day Journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Srinagar – Leh (Day 1)
This option of completing the journey of Srinagar – Leh in a single day is most common among local people or people who are in a high rush and is least I recommend if you want to enjoy your travel.
Shared taxis are the preferred way to avail of this option. Although it could be the cheapest or time saving for you, this back-breaking, cannonball run of 15-16 Hrs with least stoppages does put a heavy toll on the body as well as the mind of an average traveler.
This long journey is extremely tiring and by traversing through the varied amount of altitudes in a single day, you are definitely running a risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) or some severe headaches and for initial days spent in Leh.
Of course, this is true in case you have not stayed overnight in Gulmarg or Pahalgam or Sonamarg on previous nights of your tour. Undertaking this journey in a single day may certainly kill the joy of the journey.
Three Day Journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Srinagar – Kargil/Drass (Day 1) and Kargil/Drass – Lamayuru/Alchi (Day 2) and Lamayuru/Alchi – Leh (Day 3)
Well, by extending the journey of Srinagar – Leh Highway in three days, you give yourself a chance to explore the sightseeing places en-route thoroughly. There are many tourist destinations in the Ladakh region, which are situated on Srinagar – Leh Highway and require time if you wish to explore them.
Hence, by extending the journey with one day you give yourself ample time to explore these tourist places before you reach Leh. For more details on sightseeing refer to the section: Sightseeing on Srinagar – Leh Highway, below in the article.
Very few people follow this option due to a lack of time and to save money. If these two things have no place for consideration at your grounds, then I will say go with it, and you will make your journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway much more than a memorable experience :). The comparison of night halts (Drass/Kargil) is made in the first option, so opt as per your taste.
This option will mostly be available if you are traveling by your own vehicle. To be very frank, this option is not even available if you are hiring a private Srinagar registered taxi as well because Srinagar registered taxis are not allowed for local sightseeing in Ladakh region especially Sham Valley where all these tourist places are present.
In such a case you need to book a taxi to Kargil first from Srinagar and then hire yourself a taxi from Kargil to Leh, or you need to hire a Ladakh registered number taxi. Confirm in advance from the driver if he will do sightseeing for Sham Valley before booking it. Then, in the next two days after covering all tourist destinations including Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Redzong, Alchi, Likir, Sham Valley, etc. on the route you can reach Leh.
Staying one night at Alchi, which is lower in altitude than Leh, also make sure that your body is much more acclimatized to the altitude of Leh and you enjoy a lot better conditions once you reach Leh after a stay at Kargil and Alchi on previous nights.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Alternate Route to Leh from Kargil via Batalik and Dah
There exists an alternate route to reach Leh once you reach Kargil, which is a bit more scenic than the usual route. The usual route goes like Kargil – Mulbekh – Lamayuru – Leh and the alternate, the less used route goes like Kargil – Batalik – Dah – Skurbuchan – Leh.
Please make a note that the route via Batalik requires you to get the Inner Line Permits from either DC Office Kargil or DC Office Leh. So, I will advise that you go to Leh from Kargil via Lamayuru following the usual route and then you can come back to Kargil via Batalik after getting the permits from Leh DC office at the time you apply permits for Ladakh sightseeing places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, etc.
If you are returning via Manali – Leh Highway then you need to take permits from Kargil DC Office to go via the Batalik route and thereby miss the usual route to Leh which goes via Lamayuru.
Video – What to see on Srinagar to Leh Journey
Sightseeing on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Well while traversing this beautiful road of Srinagar – Leh Highway you also give yourself a chance to visit the following places either on the route or with little diversions from the route:
Maitreya at Mulbek, Lamayuru Monastery, Lunar Landscape, Redzong / Rizong Monastery, Alchi Monastery, Likir Monastery, Basgo Palace, Confluence at Nimmu, Magnetic Hills, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, Phyang Monastery, Spituk Monastery.
You need to give yourself time to explore these places, especially Lamayuru, Alchi and Likir monasteries. Hence, if you plan to cover these sightseeing places either while going towards Leh from Srinagar or towards Srinagar from Leh, then give yourself at least three days to cover the entire Srinagar – Leh route.
List of Accommodation or Stay Options on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Srinagar – Leh Highway is much better than Manali – Leh Highway in terms of accommodation options it offers and one can find a decent place to stay within 125 odd KMs at max.
At some places like Mulbekh, Sonamarg, Drass, etc. the accommodation options could be very limited and basic guest house/homestay types while places like Kargil, Lamayuru does offer a varied number of accommodation options for different budget types.
So, it always better to break the journey at Kargil or Lamayuru but, of course, there are not many worries for places of stay on Srinagar – Leh Highway than on Manali – Leh Highway. You can also take a diversion to the towns of Alchi / Likir for a stay there as well. Of course, you will find basic homestay types of accommodation at both Alchi / Likir, but it would be a worthwhile experience in any case.
Here is the break up of accommodation options available on Srinagar – Leh Highway with distances –
- Srinagar – Sonamarg (80 KMs) | Decent number of accommodation options available at Sonamarg
- Sonamarg – Drass (65 KMs) | Decent number of accommodation options available at Drass
- Drass – Kargil (55 KMs) | Many accommodation options available at Kargil
- Kargil – Mulbekh (40 KMs) | Few basic / homestay accommodation options available at Mulbekh
- Mulbekh – Lamayuru (70 KMs) | Decent number of accommodation options available at Lamayuru
- Lamayuru – Alchi / Likir (55 – 65 KMs / 65 – 75 KMs) | Few basic / homestay accommodation options available at Alchi / Likir
- Lamayuru – Leh (125 KMs) | Many accommodation options available at Leh
- Alchi / Likir – Leh ( 65 KM / 55 KMs) | Many accommodation options available at Leh
Please keep in mind that Alchi and Likir are not exactly on Srinagar – Leh Highway and you need to take diversions near Sasapol bridge for Alchi. The distance between Alchi – Likir is about 21 KMs only.
Acclimatization and its importance on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Unlike Manali – Leh Highway, the journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway goes through a gradual increase in altitude, thereby helping our body to get acclimatized properly for the altitude of Leh. That is why I always prefer going through Srinagar – Leh Highway for a road trip to Ladakh than going via Manali – Leh Highway.
By going to Leh – Ladakh from Srinagar Leh Highway, one gives himself a chance to properly acclimatize to the high altitudes, thereby decreasing the chances of being hit by AMS. In the return leg, you can go via Leh – Manali Highway so that your body is properly acclimatized by the time you undertake the varied high altitudes on that route. This route helps you enjoy the Manali – Leh highway in a better way as well.
Having said that even on Srinagar – Leh Highway, it is always good that you take little precautions to minimize the effects of high altitude sickness further. Here are some tips which will help to acclimatize the body faster
- Try to cover the Srinagar – Leh journey in two days with a night halt at Kargil most preferably.
- Keep your body properly hydrated.
- Avoid sleeping at high altitudes.
- Avoid overexertion.
- Avoid tobacco and smoking and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
- Keep your body warm and eat lots of carbohydrates.
- Avoid sleep during the day.
- Sleep in an upright position, if possible.
- Carry preventive medicines for AMS.
- Immediately descend, if symptoms increase.
Fuel or Petrol Pumps on Srinagar – Leh Highway
Again, unlike Manali – Leh Highway, it is easy to find fuel or petrol on Srinagar – Leh Highway. One can get fuel or petrol on Srinagar Leh Highway at the places like Srinagar, Kangan, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Wakha, Khaltsi, Leh
ATMs on Srinagar – Leh Highway
As per my knowledge, there are ATMs available at Ganderbal, Drass, Kargil apart from Leh and Srinagar ATMs. But still, I feel you should carry enough cash with you in Ladakh because ATMs at these limited places can run out of money or become un-operational at any day or time. It has happened to me many times 🙂
Srinagar to Leh Road Conditions
- Srinagar To Sonamarg – Good, Very Good
- Sonamarg To Zojila Pass – Average, Bad, Slushy/Dusty
- Zojila Pass To Gumri – Average, Good
- Gumri To Drass – Good
- Drass To Kargil – Good
- Kargil To Mulbekh – Average, Good
- Mulbekh To Lamayuru – Good, Very Good
- Lamayuru To Saspul – Good, Very Good
- Saspul To Leh – Good, Very Good
Places on Srinagar – Leh Highway with their Distances and Altitudes
Generally, the places of on Srinagar – Leh Highway majorly goes like Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil – Mulbekh – Namika La – Fotu La – Lamayuru – Khaltsi – Sasapol – Nimmu – Leh and the approximate distances between these places is shown below briefly –
- Srinagar – Sonamarg (80 KMs)
- Sonamarg – Drass (65 KMs)
- Drass – Kargil (55 KMs)
- Kargil – Mulbekh (40 KMs)
- Mulbekh – Lamayuru (70 KMs)
- Lamayuru – Leh (125 KMs)
Map of Srinagar to Leh with Distances
Here is the map of Srinagar Leh Highway which you can download by right-clicking & then select the option: “Save Image As…”
Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this Srinagar to Leh Route Map. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.
Pro Tip: In order to get more idea about the routes and distances, please refer the Road Map of Srinagar to Leh Highway.
FAQs – Srinagar to Leh Road Trip
Let us look at some of the commonly asked questions about the Srinagar Leh road trip in this section.
In general, it is fine to travel on Srinagar Leh Highway during Independence Day. The tourist areas remain safe mostly, but bandhs can affect the traffic movement. It is always advised that you leave the Srinagar city in the early morning hours in such cases. It is recommended to follow the news about Kashmir during your travel days and take the decision appropriately.
Summarized View of Facilities or Amenities on Srinagar – Leh Highway
| Facility | Places |
| Accommodations / Stay Options | Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil (Many options), Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi |
| Food / Beverages | Ganderbal, Kangan, Gund, Zojila Pass, Gumri, Khaltsi, Nimmu |
| Diesel / Petrol Pumps | Kangan, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Wakha, Khaltsi |
| Mobile Connectivity | Up to Sonamarg both BSNL and Airtel postpaid connections works, then in Drass only BSNL, once you reach Kargil you will get the Airtel signal, but then in Mulbekh and Lamayuru only BSNL works, in Nimmu Airtel is restored along with BSNL and once you reach Leh both Airtel and BSNL work. You should refer 10 Tips on Mobile Phone Connectivity in Leh – Ladakh. Packet data works but only with BSNL that too with EDGE only. Prepaid connections from outside Jammu and Kashmir do not work in Leh – Ladakh. Carry only post-paid. |
| Fixed Phones | Ganderbal, Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil, Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi, Nimmu and in between these places as well |
| Electricity | Almost all the towns en-route have electricity and I wonder if there is any town which lacks it. |
| Medical Facilities | Sonamarg, Drass (limited), Kargil, Lamayuru (limited) |
| ATMs | Ganderbal, Drass, Kargil |
| Mechanic / Puncture Shops | Ganderbal, Sonamarg, Kargil, Lamayuru (Puncture), Mulbekh (Puncture), Nimmu (Puncture) |
| Liquor Shops | Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil |
You can also check this less than 3-minute video on Discover With Dheeraj YouTube Channel to understand why you should choose Srinagar Leh Highway over Manali Leh Highway. If you like my video, please do not forget to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.
LAST UPDATED: December 2019
This article has been updated with the latest information about Srinagar – Leh Highway and is kept up to date every season to reflect the current status. Feel free to suggest any further updates you deem fit.
Conclusion
I hope this Srinagar Leh guide helps you with all the unanswered questions for making a successful trip from Srinagar to Ladakh. In case, if you still have any questions about your trip to Srinagar Leh Highway, feel free to post them in the comments section of this article.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions about traveling to the Himalayas.
In the end, if you have been to Srinagar – Leh Highway before, kindly share your thoughts and other information you might feel is worth sharing with other fellow travelers and help them.
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2,672 Comments
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Thanks again Dheeraj. I made some minor alterations to my plan. Keen to run it through you.
and have your validation.
May 16-Srinagar Arrival
May 17- Srinagar-Sonmarg ( 2hours on Road)
May 18 Sonmarg -Kargil (8 hours on road)
May 19. Kargil -Leh ( 8 hours on Road)
May 20 Leh
May 21- Leh- Hunder (7 hours on road)
May 22-Hunder -Turtuk- Hunder ( 8 hours on road)
May 23. Hunder – Leh (7 Hours on road)
May 24 Leh
May 25 and 26- Pangong and back to Leh (each day 5-6 hrs on road)
May 27: Leh
May 28 Bangalore
Is this hectic? Very keen on Turtuk. Is the date fine for the journey.
I presume Leh is all about being on the road. So each day 7-8 hour on road with breaks I prsume is doable with family. 2 extra days for any weather contingencies.
Please comment.
Regards,
Chitra
Hi Chitra,
It looks good to me and yes dates are also OK for the journey, do not see any issues. Yes, you correct presume, Leh – Ladakh is a place where destination is the road itself 🙂 … All the best for your journey, do share your experience with us too.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Yes thank you, will write post my trip. Really looking forward to it!!!
Regards,
Chitra
iam planning to travel leh by Cruze , How is the road
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
Hi Dheeraj,
First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank you for creating this informational website.
I am planning to visit Leh in early June this year. Would you be kind enough to send me your mob# at my mail id ? I have a few queries for the trip, and would like to know more about the same from you.
Thanks
Hello Everyone,
Thanks Mr.Dheeraj for creating this informational website.
I am planning to visit Leh Solo in June 10 or June 11this year and returning back to Delhi on June 20,I am looking for travelling buddy and advise
Thanks
Charlie, glad that you liked the information present on the blog. How many days you have in hand? You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
You are alone and private taxis are very costly in Leh but you will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Prateek, as I reply you comment, you will be getting an email from my mailID or you can use Email Us button which is having some issues but will be able to show you the mail address.
Hi Dheeraj,
Firstly, you are a superb job, helping a whole lot of us.
We are planning a road trip to Leh, starting around 20th May. It’ll be 4 of us, in a Scorpio and another SUV. Here’s what we have in mind: Mumbai – Ahmedabad – Ajmer – Karnal – Pathankot; Srinagar – Leh – Manali being the main part of the trip. We have around 1.5 months in hand to complete the circuit trip. We’d like to thoroughly explore Kashmir and Ladakh both; Kashmir – Pahalgam / Srinagar / Gulmarg, Ladakh – Kargil / Leh. Would like to know all the practical possibilities, and also an itinerary from Pathankot to Manali. Kindly suggest ALL the places we can see in Kashmir, Kargil and Leh. We’d like to cover them as per their location, in a way that we don’t have to do too much of back and forth. (Eg. covering Alchi / Likir etc. before reaching Leh, and covering Tsomoriri at the end). 3 reasons why we’d like see EVERYTHING – we have a lot of time, our own cars, and 2 photographers with us.
Your suggestions will really be appreciated, as we are going be on our own. Thank you.
Tanvi Mehta
Tanvi, are you guys interested in exploring all the places like Kashmir (gulmarg, pahalgam etc.), Zanskar Valley, Ladakh. How about Spiti and Lahaul on the way to Delhi? that’s 45 days you have?
Hi Dheeraj,
We’d love to explore all the places in Kashmir, Ladakh, and further on, Lahaul & Spiti as well. We’d like to go by what you suggest us. The duration of 1.5 months is flexible, depending on the number of places we cover. Also, do suggest us a few home-stay and camping options on the way; we’d want to avoid going through travel agents. Thank you.
Tanvi Mehta
Hello Tanvi,
If I were you, I will try to follow the below plan for 45 days. You can increase/decrease the night stays at these places accordingly to your choice. However, I feel the flow of the journey shall be in according to these night halts or in between.
Day 1 | Delhi – Patnitop
Day 2 | Patnitop – Srinagar
Day 3 | Srinagar
Day 4 | Srinagar – Pahalgam
Day 5 | Pahalgam
Day 6 | Pahalgam – Gulmarg
Day 7 | Gulmarg
Day 8 | Gulmarg – Sonamarg
Day 9 | Sonamarg – Kargil
Day 10 | Kargil – Purikutchey/Panikhar
Day 11 | Purikutchey/Panikhar – Penzi La – Drang Drung Glacier – Padum
Day 12 | Padum
Day 13 | Padum
Day 14 | Padum – Kargil
Day 15 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Alchi
Day 16 | Alchi – Likir – Basgo – Leh
Day 17 | Leh Local + Permits
Day 18 | Leh Local Sighseeing
Day 19 | Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (Deskit/Hunder)
Day 20 | Explore Deskit and Hunder
Day 21 | Deskit/Hunder – Turtuk
Day 22 | Turtuk
Day 23 | Turtuk – Hunder – Deskit – Sumur/Panamik
Day 24 | Sumur/Panamik – Khardung La – Leh
Day 25 | Leh – Hemis – Pangong Tso
Day 26 | Pangong Tso (Visit Man – Merak Villages)
Day 26 | Pangong Tso – Thicksey – Shey – Leh (or if OK with basic stay go and stay at Rumste/Upshi)
Day 27 | Leh/Rumste/Upshi – Tso Moriri
Day 28 | Tso Moriri
Day 29 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring – Pang – Sarchu
Day 30 | Sarchu – Jispa
Day 31 | Jispa
Day 32 | Jispa – Udaipur – Jispa
Day 33 | Jispa – Chandratal
Day 34 | Chandratal – Kaza
Day 35 | Kaza (Ki, Kibber, Gette)
Day 36 | Kaza/Langza Homestay (Hikkim, Koumik, Langza)
Day 37 | Kaza – Dhankar – Pin Valley
Day 38 | Pin Valley – Tabo
Day 39 | Tabo – Geyu Mummy – Nako
Day 40 | Nako – Kalpa
Day 41 | Kalpa – Sangla/Chitkul
Day 42 | Sangla/Chitkul
Day 43 | Sangla/Chitkul – Sarahan
Day 44 | Sarahan – Narkanda – Chail
Day 45 | Chail – Delhi
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the response, your feedback was reassuring. I will drop Panamic and Tsomoriri. HOpe hotel accomodations are open in Pangong Post May 20th.
Best Regards,
Chitra
Camps will be up and running by 5th May, so no worries 🙂 …. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Thank you Dheeraj for the ready link. Slightly apprehensive of the recent chinese incursions, anyway we have booked our tickets so no looking back now.
I contacted an Innova driver by name Chamba – 9906999808. would you recommend innova for those terrains. Which vehicle would be optimal. Also any input or experience with Chamba – safe / skilled / catious driver?
One last query – we are planning to stay one night in Sonamarg on our way to Leh. Is the altitude of sonamarg fine for a overnight stay as I believe it is higher than Kargil. From Shrinagar to Sonamarg would the transition in altitude be too early / quick for my daughter to spend a night there.
Really appericate your patience and enthusiasm to reply to all posts here and of course the info on the website is invaluable!!
Regards,
Chitra
Chitra, do not worry about that. AFAIK, things are fine regarding tourist circuit and shall remain so 🙂 … Innova is OK but I prefer Scorpio or Xylo over Innova any day in that terrain. Have a word with others too. Try to read the comments in the article or search for Chamba. Someone must have recommended him.
Yes, Sonamarg is perfectly fine. Overnight stay shall be fine.
Thanks for warm words of appreciation, sometimes really does wonder to keep the fuel running for this passion 😉
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj Sir,
I have following plans for ladakh:
day 1: jammu day
day 2: Srinagar
day 3: kargil
day 4: padum
day 5: kargil
day 6: leh
day 7: hunder
day 8: karu – spangmik
day 9: pangong tso
day 10: manali
I checked your forum and got lot of helpful information and I am really thankful for that.
I have made a plan that I am going to share with you and I need few helps also regarding the tour.
I will start my journey with many things which i have noted after reading your forum but important will be my OWN TENT …..
I have following concerns:
1. Where I can put tent and stay for a night without any permission or will I have to take permission to install tent and stay?
2. From which places I can purchase wood logs to burn near self tent?
3. To visit Padum, do I need permit?
4. If I go kargil – sankoo – ragdum –padum, then is there any direct connected route from Padum to lamayuru or I will have to come back to kargil then move to lamayuru-leh?
5. I will carry one tent for myself. Which places I can stay in own tent and at which places I should/must stay in hotel?
Hi Vivek,
The above plan is not feasible brother as it involves hell lot of traveling. I will suggest you go with below plan to be on practical terms:
day 1: jammu
day 2: Jammu – Srinagar
day 3: Sirnagar – Kargil
day 4: Kargil – Leh
day 5: Leh Local + Permits
day 6: Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley
day 7: Nubra Valley – Leh
day 8: Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
day 9: Leh – Sarchu
day 10: Sarchu – Manali
Regarding your queries:
1. You can pitch your own tents anywhere but I will suggest you pitch them at a place where there are some dhabha tents put up by locals or where other camping guy pitch theirs or somewhere near some house in village. All you will need is to gently ask them (villagers/dhabha guys/camping guys) for permissions. Most likely they will allow, other wise negotiate for small little tip or move on to some other such place nearby.
2. Ask villagers
3. No you do not need permits for Padum, but in 10 days it is unlikely you will make it.
4. No, you have to come back to Kargil from Padum. I will strongly suggest you leave out Padum and take it easy.
5. You can stay at hotel/guest houses/home stay almost all the places in above tour plan, so essentially there is not any need to carry tent. You have home stays which will provide you budgeted stay.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Could you please provide me some information regarding photography permission in Leh and surrounding area. Some of the area surrounding Leh probably requires permit to visit. In such area please let me know whether photography is allowed or not? If possible please provide me area where photography is not allowed particulary Leh and surrouding area.
Thank you,
Regards
Ajay
Wherever the photography is not allowed, it will be mentioned over there. Specially take care of taking pictures of various bridges as most of the bridges, photography is not allowed. IN the monasteries, do take prior permissions before taking pictures and flash is banned almost everywhere inside monasteries. There is not special permit required for photography. Take care while taking pictures around army areas and if required again ask for permissions if you can. This is what I follow and might not be rules for everyone except monasteries.
Hi Dheeraj
We are planning a trip to Leh in June last week. As suggested, we are doing the onward journey by road (Srinagar-Leh highway). We will hire a private taxi from Srinagar.
We are reaching Srinagar at 2 PM. Can you please suggest if we should start our onward journey to Leh on the same day. If yes, then should we stay overnight in Sonamarg or Kargil, given that we will reach Kargil only after midnight. Thanks.
Rakesh, better not start the journey to Leh on that very day and at max. either reach Sonamarg or my preference will be to stay at Srinagar itself.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for an insightful article. Myself and 7 friends are planning to visit Ladakh on 1st week of june. Here is our tour plan:-
Fri (31st May) :Meet up in Delhi and have lunch @ Karim’s (possibly); Leave Delhi for Jammu @ 3:50 PM Shalimar Exp
Sat D: Reach Jammu at ~ 6 am; Leave for Srinagar after breakfast
Sat N: Reach Srinagar; enjoy late evening watching guns and gals; night-stay
Sun D: Enjoy dawn at Dal Lake; Leave Srinagar after breakfast
Sun N: Night-stay in Kargil somewhere bullets won’t fly
Mon D: Chat with soldiers over morning tea & leave for Leh
Mon N: Reach Leh & look for a hotel (NOT near the bus-stand but in the outskirts)
Tue D: Get “passes” for Khardungla/Pangong from DC office]; Go to Khardung; stay away from Chinese intruders
Tue N: Back to Leh; gossip and sleep tight
Wed D: [Early morning MUST]; Leave for Pangong Lake
Wed N: Stay at Pangong in tents; shiver all night
Thu D: Depart from Pangong @ 9 AM, visit a monastery on the way
Thu N: Back to Leh at around 6 PM. Leave Leh late night
Fri D : Keep traveling
Fri N : Keep traveling
Sat M: Reach Manali; Travel to Kalka
Sat N: Reach Kalka
Sun M (June 9): Reach Delhi;
Can you please go through it once and share your opinion about it? Thanks again for your article.
Indradeep, the plan looks fine to me with only that you will be able to reach Manali in the evening and then traveling to Kalka, not sure about that. Will be a tad long.
Hello Dheeraj, Recently came across your website and find the info immensely helpful. Thank you. Am planning a trip From May 16 to May 28 with my husband and 8 yr old daughter. 2 days in Srinagar and rest covering Leh/Ladakh (std itinerary suggested by you). Would the weather be very harsh during those dates. We do not have much flexibility on the dates. Would you recommend we go ahead with the trip or drop it if the weather is not going to be conducive for my daughter.
Regards,
Chitra
Hello Chitra,
Definitely, the weather will be cold especially at the places like Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri but should be manageable if you are comfortable with North Indian winters. Just go prepared with heavy woolens. You have about 13 days for making the trip but before I suggest the tour plan can you please let me know how are you planning to come back? Are you planning to fly out of Leh or planning to come back via same route to Srinagar and then flying back?
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi
Thank you so much for your response.
Originally my plan was
May 16: Bangalore – Srinagar by flight
May 17: Srinagar
May 18: Srinagar – kargil by road
May 19: Kargil-Leh by road
May 20: Leh local sight seeing
May 21:Leh -Khardungla-Hunder Diskit
May 22: Diskit-Panamik-Leh
May 23: Leh – Pangong
May 24: Pangong – Leh
May 28: Leh-Bangalore by flight.
Between 24th and 28th I was contemplating Tsomoriri. But I called up some Leh hotels yesterday their response is not encouraging – in fact asking me to consider a June trip. Also couple of guys were not in favour of me taking the Srinagar -Leh by road with my daughter. Is the road very winding with potential for motion sickness. I can do this trip in 3-4 days instead of 2 if it will suit her better that way.
My daughter is exposed to hectic travel – like 7 hrs on the road types.
Can I cover Tso Moriri, am also keen on Turtuk. Should I drop Panamik.
What are the likely temperatures during day and night during those dates.
Once again, thanks a ton for your time and advise.
Regards,
Chitra.
Chitra, your plan seems fine to me. Do not include anything in it and to make it less hectic drop Panamik circuit and explore Deskit and Hunder at ease. I do not think there shall be any issues but still precautions shall be taken. Temperatures will likely to be in range of 5 Degree Celsius to 15 Degree Celsius.
Dear Mr. Dheeraj,
I would like in early June to follow your itinerary for a Three Day Journey on the Srinagar-Leh Highway (as noted above in your post).
Would you kindly tell me how much my husband and I should expect to pay to hire a private 4WD to take us (but no other passengers) on this route? Let’s assume that I hire a Srinagar-based driver for the first leg. How much should I pay him to take us to Kargil? And how much should I pay the Ladakhi-based driver (that we assume we’ll find and hire once we arrive in Kargil) to complete the second and third days of the journey? Please advise.
Hello Ann,
There aren’t any 4WD drive taxis available on Srinagar – Leh highway. You will get SUVs/MUVs but only 2WD. The expected cost for a dedicated taxi could be around 15-16K considering you will be staying extra night at Alchi. Srinagar to Kargil drop will be about 5-6K. From there they will charge about 9-10K with overnight halt at Alchi/Lamayuru.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thank you, DOW.
If it’s not too much bother, would you also kindly suggest an 18-day Leh itinerary for me and my husband? We plan to spend 18 nights in and around Leh (not including the days it takes to drive from Srinagar to Leh). We’d rather not trek. Is there enough to keep us busy for 18 days? We will fly out of Leh, not travel by car.
Hi Ann,
Ladakh has so many place that it can keep you busy enough for years 😉 … Still, I assume that you have so many days so would want to feel the local culture, get to know about it and be at a very easy pace. Hence, keeping this in mind, please check the below itinerary and we can discuss around it if required.
Day 1 | Leh Rest Day
Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing with Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit
Day 4 | Diskit – Hunder – Diskit
Day 5 | Diskit – Turtuk
Day 6 | Turtuk
Day 7 | Turtuk – Hunder – Diskit – Sumur
Day 8 | Sumur – Panamik – Khardung La – Leh
Day 9 | Leh Rest Day
Day 10,11 | Sham Valley Tour including Alchi, Likir, Basgo, Magnetic hills, Pather Sahib, Confluence at Nimmu
Day 12 | Leh – Pangong Tso
Day 13 | Pangong Tso – Leh
Day 14 | Monastery Tour – Shey, Thicksey, Hemis, Stakna
Day 15 | Leh – Tso Moriri
Day 16 | Tso Moriri – Leh
Day 17 | Leh Rest Day + Shopping or explore Zorawar Fort, Stok Palace
Day 18 | Fly back
Regards
Dheeraj
Thank you, Sir!
have read your articles many a times. I am actually spending 10 nights with 6 in Leh, i each in Nubra, Pangong, Tsomoriri and Achi.
I was advised to skip Panamik while in Nubra. Aslo I am advised to drive directly to Leh from Tsomorii and skip Tsokar. I know there are birds at Tsokar and I would like to see them, but I wonder if the journey would be too tedious? your advice please
Sudhir, definitely it will be a bit longer and rough as compared to the normal route via Mahe bridge. However, you would be passing through Taglang Las pass well from where the views from the vantage point are worth capturing and worth the pain.
HI,
We are reaching to udhampur on 8th JUly at 5.30 p.m. We want to come back to pahelgam before 18th morning since we got heli ticket of 18th from pahelgam. i want to cover sonmarg, leh and if possible gulmarg. Please give the best route to cover all and if I spare two days after Amarnathji whether it is possible to cover gulmarg and srinagar.
Divyesh, please cover just Kashmir that is Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Amarnath Yatra in the required number of days you have. You need 2 days to reach Leh from Srinagar, at least 4 days with in Ladakh for covering Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso and then 2 days again back to Srinagar from Leh. So, in all 8 days Srinagar – Leh – Srinagar are required for a trip to Ladakh which is worth enough.
hello Dheeraj,
am plaing to go next month (may) after 20th… leh via srinagar… it is ok with that date… plz guide me…
Thank u Dheeraj…. cn u tel 1 think if i go Pangong Tso any night stay option is der… and cn i carry petrol…(i hv pulasr 220 with 15 ltr)
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Though you do not need to carry petrol for a visit to Pangong Tso and back to Leh but anyways you can carry so!!
Hi !
I am planning to visit leh in the month of august. I will start for leh by road from Srinagar on 1st august.My return flight is on 12th august from srinagar.Request you to suggest suitable itinerary.
Tripti, in such a case you can follow something like below:
Day 1 | Srinagar – Kargil
Day 2 | Kargil – Leh
Day 3 | Leh Local + Permits
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
Day 5 | back to Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso
Day 7 | Pangong Tso – Leh
Day 8 | Leh Rest Day
Day 9 | Leh – Sham Valley – Alchi
Day 10 | Alchi – Kargil
Day 11 | Kargil – Srinagar
If interested in Tso Moriri then make a two day trip to it on Day 8 and 9.
Regards
Dheeraj
Arvind, Srinagar – Leh Highway has been last week and it should be open to take the route from there.
Thanks for your valuable input.Now i want to know how to fit in Nubra Valley & Tso Moriri without missing Sham Valley & Alchi.
Tripti, try it like below:
Day 1 | Srinagar – Kargil
Day 2 | Kargil – Leh (try leaving kargil early to cover Sham Valley enroute and get a taxi of Ladakh number)
Day 3 | Leh Local + Permits
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
Day 5 | back to Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso
Day 7 | Pangong Tso – Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Tso Moriri
Day 9 | Tso MOriri – Leh
Day 10 | Leh – Kargil
Day 11 | Kargil – Srinagar
OR do day trip to Pangong tso and cover Sham Valley in the other day.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for all the great information that you have given. In the mid/end of Aug what type of clothing is required in Srinagar-Leh route. Please suggest
Thank you,
Regards
Ajay
Dear Dheeraj,
I am planning to reach srinagar on 14th April and then 17th April proceed to Leh via Srinagar-Leh highway its feasible at that time
from Delhi. I have heard that srinagar-leh highway is reopened on 7 april 2013 20 days earlier than last year.
Please respond.
Prem
Yes Prem, Srinagar – Leh Highway has been opened. you can take the route from there.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you for all the valuable advice you have been posting. I have tried to read as many as I can. I am a solo traveler planning a trip to Ladakh in mid August 2013. Below is my plan on how to reach Leh:
Day 1: Mumbai to Delhi by Train
Day 1: Delhi to Manali by Public Bus
Day 2: Reach Manali in the morning. Rest and sightseeing
Day 3: Manali (visit Sohlang Valley)
Day 4: Manali to Keylong overnight
Day 5: Keylong to Leh
In Leh, I would like to trek in the Markha Valley and thereafter include excursion to Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri Lakes and all the popular places of interest. How many days should I then stay in Ladakh?
On return trip my itinerary is as follows –
Day 1: Leh to Kargil
Day 2: Kargil to Srinagar
Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg
Day 3: Gulmarg to Srinagar to Jammu
Day 4: Jammu to Amritsar
Day 5: Amritsar
Day 6: Amtitsar to Delhi
I would appreciate all your expert help
Thank you,
Moiz
Moiz, thanks alot. Well the plan is well though off and for rest of the plan with in Ladakh you will need about 9-11 days for Markha Valley trek and about 6-7 days for nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri lake may be perhaps 2 days each to these places with overnight halt at them.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for all the great information that you have given. In the mid/end of Aug what type of clothing is required in Srinagar-Leh route.
Thank you,
Regards
Ajay
Ajay, not much just carry light woolens and one heavy jacket in case it is required at some night.
Dear Dheeraj,
I am planning to reach srinagar on 2nd November and then next day proceed to Leh via Srinagar-Leh highway its feasible at that time
from Delhi
Sameer, I will not suggest you to go to Ladakh during that time as it is most likely the time for closure of passes and Srinagar – Leh Highway. You might be able to pass through if the highway is open but generally it all depends upon the snowfall in winters.
Hi Dheeraj,
It’s interesting how you’ve responded to literally every question here with eagerness and an attitude to help, really impressive!
Just had a small query. On the second day of the Srinagar-Leh journey, is it possible to do a Kargil-Lamayuru-Zanskar Confluence-Leh trip if we started around 7am? We won’t spend any more than an hour each at Lamayuru and Zanskar. If both aren’t possible, which one is? Finally, is the magnetic hill on the way too?
Thanks!
Saurabh
Hello Saurabh,
Thanks alot buddy for warms words of appreciation!!
Well, easily doable. All these places viz. Basgo Palace, Zanskar Indus Confluence, Magnetic Hills, Gurudwara Pather sahib fall on the way itself i.e. on Srinagar Leh Highway itself and you will be able to visit and see these places on the way to Leh from Kargil
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
First of all, you are doing an excellent job by sharing all useful info.
We are total 4 people planning trip to Leh – Ladhak. We have planned to take a flight from Mumbai to Srinagar on 26th July 2013. It will reach Srinagar at about 2 pm. Since we all have already been in Srinagar before, we would like to start our journey for Leh directly(without staying a night in Srinagar). Now my question is, since we will reach Srinagar at 2 pm, what should be the mode of transport for us to travel Leh? As suggested by you in most of the comments to stay overnight in Kargil, can we get a sharing taxi(which does not cost much) to Kargil at around say 3 pm on 26th? Then next day at early morning, again is it possible to get a sharing taxi from Kargil to Leh? I have heard about JKSRTC buses from Srinagar to Leh(with a stay in Kargil), I will be thankful if you can share its timings with me, is there any such buses available from Srinagar in Afternoon?
We all have planned to wrap up the trip by 4th August i.e from 26th(Mumbai to Srinagar flight) to 4th August(Srinagar to Mumbai flight). I have gone through few sites about places to visit in Leh-Ladhak and below are some places we would like to visit(total days may not be enough though 🙂 that is why I would like to take your suggestion):
– Tso Moriri Lake
– Pangong Lake
– Nubra Valley
– Zanskar valley
– Shanti Stupa
– Magnetic Hill
– The Hall of Fame
– Thiksey Monastery
Please give your valuable feedback with a travel plan if possible.
Thanks again for your help in advance.
Regards,
Kumar
Hello Kumar,
Better stay in Srinagar because it will be too late to leave for Kargil. Next day take the JKSRTC bus to Leh. They have not published the timings but you can contact them using the contact info on their website at the link here: JKSRTC Contact Info
Number of day in hand seems to be less but you might be able to manage it with little efforts. I will suggest that following itinerary for you:
Day 1 | Delhi – Srinagar
— Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
— If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden.
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 3 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 9 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
— Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour
— Overnight at Leh
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have some queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi. We are a family of five, travelling to Kashmir and Leh Ladakh, in the month of June from 10th to 28th.
We have planned 6 – 7 days in Kashmir and then travel to Leh by road via Srinagar.
As mentioned earlier, we are a family of five, ie my husband and me and my 3 kids, where they are of 15 yrs, 13 years and 5 years of age,
How well will my youngest child of 5 years adapt enroute Srinagar – Leh journey. What precautions are best taken. Also what would be the weather conditions at that point in June 17th and will we be able to get to see the snow on the way.
We are taking the route to Leh,ie Srinagar-Kargil- Lamarayu- Leh.
Thanking you.
Hello Nipa,
Nothing much to worry about youngest child specifically because terrain and AMS both does not relate to AMS in any aspect 🙂 … It can hit anyone of any age. Having said that, since you are traveling to Leh via Srinagar and after doing other places as well in Kashmir, your bodies will be acclimatized well enough to take on the high altitude. Just relax only in Leh for the first day, do not exert much and keep your bodies adequately hydrated.
You will be able to see some snow in month of June 🙂
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have some queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey , Is it advisable to go to Leh April 15th onwards ? I want to visit the place as a tourist and want to indulge in any adventure activities that the place has to offer . But I heard in April the roads are inaccessible , and in case of snow fall , what can I do in Leh ? Is it worth going to Leh and not visiting Manali and taking the risk of snow fall.
Hi Rachit,
I think you need to understand there are quite a lot of things here. One is Srinagar – Leh Highway which has a slight chance that it might open by the time you travel to Leh but nothing certain. There is another route names Manali – Leh Highway which will not be opened in any circumstance at that time of the year, usually opens up in June. Now, if both roads are not open then you will have to fly into Leh and out Leh as well. Regarding roads inside Ladakh, they remain open all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall in between. So, if no snowfall happens at the time you are in Ladakh then you will find the in-roads as open only.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
No I’ll be flying into Leh from Delhi . Am I missing on anything ? Like is the road trip from Leh to Manali which is worth the trip ? And how abt the overnight camping in Pangong Lake ?
Rachit, camps at Pangong Tso will not be open by that time of the year and both Pangong Tso and Tso Mriri lakes will be frozen by and large. I will suggest that you postpone the trip by a atleast 3-4 weeks to really enjoy the beauty or colors of Ladakh 🙂
Hello.
We are two families planning to visit Srinagar and Leh starting from 2nd Jun 13 to 10th Jun 13. We plan to spend two days at Srinagar and then proceed to Leh by road stopping at Sonamarg, Kargil and Alchi. Therefater, we will visit Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. We plan to return to Delhi by flight from Leh. Please inform if the Srinagar-Leh highway will be safe to use as per our travel plans.
Yes, I think it should be fine to Travel to Leh by road from Srinagar on those dates as Srinagar – Leh Highway will be open by that time of the year. Also, once you reach Ladakh/Leh then first visit Nubra Valley and then visit Pangong Tso lake.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi,dheeraj
thanks a ton for yr advise regarding trithan valley, i m a nature lover n trithan is such an amazing offbeat destination.we have been there in feb,it was a wonderful experience.now me n my friend are planning a trip to laddakh n we badly need yr suggestion coz its our dream destination n v r planning to explore it via srinagar-leh route on our hatchback.v will start our journey on 9 may after 1 pm from delhi n will have to return back on 18 may morning so v have just 7-8 days,i m a big nature lover n want to explore all the offbeat places on our route,i would b grateful if u can provide us an itinerary( close to mountain n lakes).i have following queries regarding d trip.
1)will d roads be open by 10 may?
2)is it safe keeping recent chineese infiltration in laddakh in mind?
3)will it b possible to start our journey by train from delhi to jammu(overnight),with our ford figo loaded on train(i have read an article in which guys has done this),coz this will save us one day
Abbas, roads are open but it cannot happen in 7-8 days in May. If you are OK with being on the road most of the time in a day, then as well you will need at least 10 days.
Hi Abbas & Dhiraj,
I would like to know options of making my car ford figo travel from mumbai to jammu. what do you feel ford figo with its lower height can sustain the terrains espescially the routes between srinagar to leh and back to manali..
Urvanki, well mostly things depend on the person and his skills behind the wheels, but still 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. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS: Sorry for the delayed response, I was traveling to Spiti Valley for past 10 days.
i m from gujarat. we 7 friends are planing to come for leh ladakh trip. We will start our journey at 16 may 2013 from srinagar to leh.We want to return delhi by manali-leh hghway. Is it fine??
please tell me if road will be open at that time.
How can i get proper details of road opening status.
Rutvik, Manali – Leh Highway will not be open by that time of the year. It usually gets open by the first week of June or later and advised to be riden after about 10 days so that road conditions does get settled 🙂 … You can track the updated status at Manali Leh Highway Status 2013
Hi Mr Dheeraj
This is Manish Kumar from Delhi.
Thankful to you for loads of information above.
We are two couple planning this tour Delhi to Srinagar to Leh and Return thru this route only.
Need few suggestions;
1. Shall we plan in May/June
2. Can we get hired taxi from Srinagar to leh and return; could you pl suggest any reliable taxi providers.
3. If we choose to hire taxi directly but would wish to enjoy other places which Srinagar taxi is not allowed; what is the other way out.
4.Which are hotels at both Kargil/Drass and at Leh to lodge. We are vegetarians, pl suggest.
lastly how much would be the apx total cost of this tour from Srinagar and return.
Looking fwd for a your reply.
Regards
Manish Kr.
Hello Manish,
Better make the journey in June after 15th June type and you wil be able to enjoy both Srinagar – Leh highway as well as Manali – Leh highway which is something not to be missed and will take one day less as well 🙂
For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Call some of the drivers who can come to pick you at Srinagar only and your problem of local sightseeing will be solved. Else they would be happy to pick you from Kargil and then you can take on the journey with them upto Manali. Finally, take volvo back to Delhi from Manali
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Regards
dheeraj Sharma
Hello Mr. Dheeraj,
Thanx for your detailed information about the leh-ladakh trip. It was really helpful but i have few queries. I will list them one by one,
1. We are a group of 5 people living in bhopal, could u please give us suggestions . We have srinagar-leh route in mind for for going to leh and leh-manali route for return journey.
2. We are planning a bike trip so could u suggest options for renting bikes in srinagar for the following route mentioned above. Actually i have found one renting firm from manali but couldn’t find it from srinagar.
3. I am thinking of an 8 days trip. Will that be enough for the following trip.
Hello Anurag,
You cannot rent bikes in Srinagar, best option to reach Leh and then hire bikes in there and finally either drop them to Leh itself or drop them at Manali. At least 12 days will be required to do the entire circuit. You can also do it in 8 days but only Manali – Leh and Srinagar – Leh Highways. You will not be able to do other sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Hey Dheeraj,
Can I plan bike trip with my CBZ? With this I have already covered a trip of 1100 kms for Kedarnath – Badrinath. But there it was an altitude of 3000 or 3500 mts but Leh is in much more, is it preferable with my CBZ? I dont want car ride..Pls suggest.
Sajal, yes you can do the trip to Ladakh as well on your CBZ. I know people with this bike who have done it normally and gruesomely as well 🙂 … Should not be of any concern. Go ahead and plan your trip to Ladakh 🙂
Hey i m an engineering student just to finish..so we r 5 of us planing to visit ladakh..we want to do the trip in cheapest possible..Is there need of early bookings or it can be done the moment we reach….n gimme some tips to reduce cost..
Thanku in Advance.
Hi Sahil,
It depends on your choice. If you do not plan to stay at any specific hotel and if you are OK with searching the place a bit after seeing the room conditions once reaching the place, then I guess you could save some good amount of money too on the hotel bookings. Secondly, it provides you with more and more flexibility in terms of dates you reach on a particular place and allow you any last minutes changes. In places like Ladakh where road conditions are uncertain enough to force a change in plan, the flexibility always top the list.
Finding a place is not that difficult in Leh and your taxi will be able to help you through. Keep this list handy with you: A preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For doubts related to budget for Leh – Ladakh trip, I am sure the link below will help you alot for getting an idea of overall budget:
How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip
Still, in case you have any doubt, kindly let me know.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello Mr. Dheeraj,
As you said there are some options to stay in Drass also. Can you suggest some hotels with their contact nos in Drass?
Better not to stay at Drass as it has very basic accommodations. If possible stay at Kargil which has much more options of stay.
Check out our below plan for us 7 male friends by CAR from aug 9-19 this year. Please let me know if this plan attracts any AMS possibilities & whether it is feasible.
9th Aug- Chennai/Kolkata-Srinagar
10th Aug- Srinagar. Places to visit(if any) from Srinagar can be decided later on.
11th Aug- Srinagar – Kargil
12th Aug- Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
13th Aug- Leh Local Sightseeing(Around the city) + Inner Line Permits
14th Aug- Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (Nubra Valley) – Hunder – Diskit
15th Aug- Nubra valley return along with few sightseeing spots like Magnetic Hill & if possible remaining LEH travel Spots etc. Also, CAMEL RIDES for sure.
16th Aug- Leh to Tso-Moriri ( 7 hours max), stay at Tso-moriri, explore.
17th Aug- Tso-moriri – Pangong Lake. Stay at pangong.
18th Aug- Pangong Tso – Thicksey – Shey Palace – Leh.
19th Aug- Leh-Jammu-Kolkata/Chennai/Bangalore.
Hello Souvik,
I will suggest that you make a day trip to Pangong Tso lake on 16th and then make 2 day trip to Tso Moriri. It will help you ease out the trip + permits for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri will not be feasible for you.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj for the reply.
Just 1 query,we planned to go from Tso-Moriri to Pangong, is that journey difficult permit wise and all…??
Souvik, you need special permits for the direct route of Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri and now permits are not being issued for this circuit.
Hello Mr.Dheeraj Sharma,
Hope you are keeping in good health.
We are likely to plan or take up a trip to Ladakh this May 2013 in our own personal car from Mumbai.We will have two or more vehicles as it will be 5 nuclear families together.The vehicle most likely be INNOVA diesel & possible to have one SWIFT diesel car.As our trip is only possible in the month of May & also having little info about Manali-Leh-Manali not being open in this month,our plan is to travel to Leh from Srinagar.I have few things to ask you and im very much convinced by reading your comments that i will surely get the best possible helpful feedback from you.I will put my queries in numbers below:
1.How many days do we require to enjoy Ladakh trip when we travel by car from Srinagar including the famous lake(name not known) shown in the movie 3 Idiots. As we are also going to be in Kashmir for few days(including Pahalgam,Gulmarg,Srinagar),our trip to Ladakh may not have many days in hand.As i also mentioned earlier,we will have to come back to Srinagar as Manali-Rohtang pass will not be open during this month.
2.Other than me and my immediate family,all other cousins are travelling for the first time to Jammu & Kashmir so keeping this in mind i want your suggestions.I have travelled to J & K in year 2010 by my Innova solo driving(just as an info)
3.Travelling by Innova or a Swift is ok or would you like to suggest some alternative.This query is only related to our journey from Srinagar to Leh and back.
4.Again only to save your time i would like to tell you that i am well worsed with the route upto Kashmir (Srinagar-Sonamarg) hence my focus is only on Srinagar-Leh-Srinagar route.
5.While reading your write-up above,i came across an alternate route you have mentioned via Batalik.I would also request you to give me a detailed information if possible about taking up this route and when is it more appropriate or suitable to go via this point.Though you have specified one should do this route while returning from Leh to Srinagar,i would still like to hear your views.
6.Lastly,as we are travelling in families the eldest person would be of 50yrs and the youngest would be 3-3.5 yrs old.Keeping the age of fellow travellers in mind,what guidelines you would like to give us.
7.Would the GPS be functional on our route to Leh.
Thanking you in advance & all the very best for what you are doing as very few people go out of the way to help others like yourself.
Thanks,
J.Ahmed
Hello J.Ahmed,
First of all it will be better if you make it in Second week of June so that routes towards Manali would also be operational as you already know.
1. Ex. Delhi, keep about 12-13 days to enjoy all three places in Ladakh i.e. Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri Lakes. Add more days for Kashmir sightseeing. Check the Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh which will help you get an idea how to go about it.
2. Nothing much since you are going via Srinagar Leh Highway. Do keep heavy woolens with you though. You might face difficult roads respecially towards Zozi La pass because the roads might just have opened.
3. Innova shall be OK but Swift could be concern and 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
5. Well, for Batalik route you will need permits from Leh or Kargil. I will suggest that you go via Lamayuru route and come back via Batalik route to Kargil while coming from Leh.
6. again, since you are traveling via Kashmir with stays at Pahalgam, Gulmarg I do not think there is any major issue with the age of the people related to AMS too.
7. GPS would work fine.
I hope this helps. Thanks for your praises too 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Mr.Dheeraj,
Thanks for your feedback in detail.My main question is still not answered to get the clear picture in planning the trip.As mentioned earlier in my comment that we can take up this trip in the month of MAY only due to school of most of the kids traveling with us.To further elaborate,we have to return to Mumbai on or before 30 MAY 2013 so please advise the route accordingly.As i am very much sure about Leh-Manali route not being functional during this month,i am compelled to return via Leh-Sriniagar highway only.Keeping in mind all the information given by me,kindly advise how many days are sufficient or required starting from SRINAGAR and coming back to SRINAGAR only.Sorry to say so but i want to save your time in planning things for me as i am fully aware of how many days i need in Pahalgam,Srinagar and Gulmarg including the sight seeing in Srinagar.
Finally if we travel only by INNOVA,would there be any difficulty faced by us all through our journey between Srinagar-Leh-Srinagar route.
If possible,can you also give me a rough idea of how much it will cost us per person (approximate figure) including meal & stay but surely excluding the transport part of our desired jouryney as it will be done in our personal vehicle.
Thanks again for your valuable time and comments.
Awaiting desperately for your feecback.
J.Ahmed
Hello J Ahmed,
1. Yes, you can take this trip in Month of May.
2. Srinagar to Leh and Leh to Srinagar will consume your 4 days. Rest for Leh – Ladakh, you will need at least 7 days to visit all three popular tourist places viz. Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley and Tso Moriri.
3. Innova should be OK to do the trip but not swift which you earlier mentioned.
4. For doubts related to budget for Leh – Ladakh trip, I am sure the link below will help you alot for getting an idea of overall budget:
How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip
Still, in case you have any doubt, kindly let me know.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning a 10 day trip from delhi to srinagar and srinagar-leh highway to ladakh from june 20th to june 30th.I want to see the srinagar area stay in the boat house and ladakh and the lakes in ladakh.Can you suggest the iternary please? Thanks!
Hello Sree,
For 10 days from Srinagar, you can follow the below itinerary:
Day 1 | Srinagar
— Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
— If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden.
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 3 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Taglang La – Pang – Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 9 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 10 | Manali – Delhi
Note: No buffer days for Ladakh trip mostly many a times means trouble, so do plan a day or two as buffer apart from these 10 days.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Dheeraj,
Is it safe to travel by road from Srinagar to Leh for a gp. of 14-16 people (all are bet. age group of 50-60 yrs. need your suggetion.
Hello Mrs. Kanchan,
It is completely safe to Travel. Just be on highway itself and do not plan to take any inner route or off routes from the Srinagar – Leh highway.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Really helpful and detailed information. Thanks so much.
Glad, it was useful for planning your trip to Leh Ladakh. Let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj
i plan for a holiday in the third week of June’13 for 7 days and wish to cover shrinagar and leh….kindly advice how should i plan my itinerary and how many days should i stay at each location so at to enjoy the stay.
shiuli, are you planning to fly out of Leh? 7 days are not enough for Ladakh trip by road.
We will be travelling from Srinagar to Leh on 11th May by road. Would roads be open during this period.
Thanks
Gayatri I m fearing that might be Srinagar-Leh Highway is not properly open in mid of May.
Actually I with my family am planning to visit Leh in end of May.
Gayatri, there are likely chances that Srinagar – Leh road will be open by that but do not take it certain. Usually the Srinagar – Leh route opens by first week of May, so by 11th it should be open but nothing 100% sure.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I m Planning Srinagar – Leh – Manali tour in 2nd week of June 13 for 16 days. Flying from Mumbai to Chandigarh and back. My plan is to stay 1 day in Jammu, 3 days in Srinagar, 9-10 days i have kept for my Journey from Srinagar -leh – Manali & 2 days stay in Manali. Can u pls give me iternary for my stay in Leh? Also want to know, will it be safe to do this journey with my 3.5 year old son. we have been to Rohtang Pass last year with my son (who was 2 year 10 month old that time) he did not had any problem that time. Pls suggest.
Thanks
Chetan
Hello Chetan,
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh. Accordingly, you can add remove days from it but keep them to night stays as mentioned here. May be remove or move rest days here and there.
AMS do not matter with respect to age. It can happen to anyone of any age. The issue with children is that they tend to exert the body considering it the same kind of place they belong to and this elevates the chances of getting struck with AMS. Secondly, they are not much expressive about their uneasy feelings, so it is parents who need to watch out and take care that the child is not suffering from uneasy feelings, headache or nausea and is behaving properly. With 3.5+ year child, I think he/she would be able to convey the uneasiness with little efforts. If you notice any such feeling or he/she tells you about such a feeling then please do not ascend anywhere, either descend to lower altitude or stay at the same place to watch things overnight and if symptom increase then start descending immediately. Same is applicable for any adult as well. And yes, do keep the body adequately hydrated!!
Regards
dheeraj Sharma
Thanks a lot for your valuable guidance for Srinagar-Leh-Manali visit.I have decided to complete my tour between 27/06/2013 to 26/07/2013, by visiting all places.But I fear that during this period,Amarnath Yatra will also be there,would there be any kind of hinderence for Srinagar- Leh route or getting guest house in Leh Ladakh ?
Dinesh Dalal
09825132712
dineshdalal6@gmail.com
Dinesh, getting guest house in Leh – Ladakh will not be affected but yes on the way to Sonamarg you will do find a lot of rush as well as in Srinagar as well. but not something of a big concern as long as you stay on the highway. Be ready for some delays but not big ones.
HI
WE ARE 3COUPLE AN PLANNING FOR LEH LADAK.WE ARE FLYING FROM MUMBAI TO SRINAGAR ON 8 AUGUST AN BACK ON 16TH AUGUST FROM LEH TO MUMBAI.WE WILL BE REACHING SHRINAGAR AIRPORT BY 2.00 IN AFTENOON.WE WILL GO BY ROAD FRM SRINAGAR TO LEH.SO WHAT TIME WE WILL REACH KARGIL FOR NIGHT HALT.AN FROM WEAR I CAN GET BEST PACKAGE WILL ALL MEALS WITH SIGHT SEEN.CAN U SUGGEST SOME GOOD HOTEL IN LEH ALSO.
WATING FOR YOUR REPLY
THANK YOU
RUSHABH
Hello Rushabh,
Firstly, please avoid ALL CAPS, appeals one is shouting. now, regarding your queries, you will not be able to reach Kargil the same day as it require about 7-8 Hrs drive from Srinagar and late night or evening is something I will not recommend. Better enjoy the day at Srinagar itself. Now, you have about 7 days in hand for overall trip excluding the first and the last day. Hence, you can follow an itinerary like below:
Day 1 | Srinagar
Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 3 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 9 | Fly out of Leh
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi m doin ladakh in may end.was gonna skip d road trip but after reading url post I’m not gonna miss doin it.the so much for d valuable tips
Yes, Toral. Do not miss the Srinagar – Leh Highway. Not only it will help you get acclimatized better but also help you see the greener beauty of Himalayas 🙂
Hi dheeraj.dis yr winters late n snowball till now.is it advisable to do d trip in mid may.dates d only date i hv:-|
You never told you gonna do it in May. Many a times the Srinagar – Leh Highways gets open by May first week and I am hopeful that it will open this year as well but yes the picture will get much clear as we come closer to the dates.
Dear Sri Dhiraj ji,
Thanks a lot for your valuable guidance and according to that I have booked our rly tickets from surat to jammu for 17/06/2013 and we will move for srinagar on 18th.After a stay of 4days we will visit Leh & Ladakh with a period of 15 days as we are a senior citizen and wish to see other places of Ladakh leasurely.Pl suggest me a better place than Leh to stay for 3-4 days.I can even extend my stay beyond 15 days as per your suggestion.
Sincerely yours,
Dinesh Dalal
Dinesh ji, you can stay in Nubra Valley for 3 – 4 days and even visit Turtuk during that day for couple of days if you like to see more culture and some lovely landscape of Karakoram range. Then, if you can manage the permits for Hanle, it is also a lovely place to be in for couple of days. If you want to skip Leh then better spend couple of days in Alchi, walks around Sham Valley.
Dheeraj,
Wonderful information about Leh Ladakh. We are a family of 4. (48+40+17+15). Planning to do a 2 weeks trip Leh/Ladakh starting 24th June. Prefer Self Drive from Srinagar-Leh-Manali. I am also into nature photgraphy. Appreciate if you could guide me with a 14 day plan. Also Hotel details if possible. When Do I have to book the Hotels for my stay?.
Many thanks in advance.
Hello Laksh,
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
For the list of good restaurants in Leh – Ladakh or eateries or food joints where food is enjoyed by many travellers including me, you can check the link here: List of Good Restaurants in Leh – Ladakh | Restaurant Reviews
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip including basic medical kit, clothing, must haves etc. at the link here: List of Things to Carry for Leh – Ladakh trip.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have further queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Excellent information. very well structured.
I want to do a self drive 4 wheeler trip from manali to srinagar via leh. But I dont have a vehicle. Is it possible to get a gypsy, SUV on rent at manali, but not with a driver. Just rent the vehicle and drive self. Either Return it at srinagar, or back to manali. If you have such contacts, please let me know. I know bikes can be rented, but dont know about 4 wheeler.
Hrushi, I do not think anybody in Manali does rent self driven cars for ladakh trip. Even other private companies in Delhi NCR have also stopped providing self driven cars to Ladakh. Best bet could be to get one taxi with driver and request that driver let you drive, may be by paying a bit more 🙂 …
Also, I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Hello Mr. Dheeraj,
It’s me Pradeep from bangkok.
Sorry to bother you again ,I forget to ask for your advice on some questions.
I just know that Ladakh taxis are not allowed to roam in Kashmir for sight seeing ,also Kashmiri taxis are not allowed in Ladakh region as well, only drop off is allowed.
Thus, please give your advice how to arrange the private road trip(sight seeing purpose) from Leh to Srinagar ,overnight at Lamayaru, Sonamarg.
After reading your previous comments, it seems to me that it is much better to talk(bargain) face to face with the taxi driver. That means I have to deal with 2 taxis for the sight-seeing road trip from Leh to Srinagar. This will be a really difficulty for me ,please help.
If you have any recommended drivers / taxis both in Ladakh and Kashmir , please advice.
To your opinin, should I better start this trip from Srinagar or Leh.
Best Regards,
Pradeep
Well Pradeep, when you will be coming from Leh towards Srinagar then you will have Ladakh taxi which will be free to roam to all the places before Zojila Pass and there is nothing specific off the road from Sonamarg so that will also be handled. Once you reach Srinagar, the Leh taxi will drop you and then you can use Srinagar taxi for further sightseeing in Kashmir viz. Gulmarg, Pahalgam.
If you are doing the other way round then do all local sight seeing in Kashmir using Srinagar taxi and get drop off at Kargil. Ask the Leh taxi guy to pick you from Kargil and there on you are fine with any sightseeing on the route. Better start the trip from Srinagar side as suggested in the itinerary and enjoy the trip without any worry of acclimatization. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask for any other queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Million thanks for your support.
I want to know how long does it take for private taxi to drive from Lamayuru to Kargil and Lamayuru to Sonamarg (in early October) .
If I start from Lamayuru at 08.30am. , at what time shall I reach Sonamarg.
Pradeep
Hi Mr. Pradeep,
It shall take you about 8 – 9 Hrs from Lamayuru to Sonamarg with good stops in between. 8.30 AM seems fine to me.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi! Dheeraj,
Your Blogs are just wonderful and are of great help in planning a trip to Leh. I had just on question.
Can we get a shared taxi from Srinagar to Kargil and another shared taxi from kargil o leh?
Also do we get shared taxis from Leh to places like Nubra and Pangong Tso?
Thanks alot Rahul. Yes, you can get such taxis from Srinagar to Kargil and another shared taxi from kargil o leh. Yes, you can get lot of shared taxis through travel agents or else there are lots of flyers by the people interested to visit such places at cafes, dine-ins, hotels etc. who look for other people to share taxi cost. It will be easily manageable.
Regards
Dheeraj
Dear Dheeraj,
I am a senior citizen who live in Bangkok, Thailand.
My wife and I are planning for the trip to Kashmir & Ladakh and we want to travel privately by car for 18-20 days (from September 21 to October 9,2013)
I read your blog and found it very helpful. below is my initial plan (not finalized yet),please let me know if this looks good .If it’s not quite Ok ,please kindly give your advice :
D1:Del- Leh – Shanti stupa- Tsemo Gonpa
D2:Leh – Thiksey – Pangong Lake
D3:Pangong lake – Hemis – leh
D4:Leh – Shey Palace – Tsomoriri
D5:Tsomoriri – Tsokar – Leh
D6:Nubra valley
Leh-Diskit-Hunder
D7:Hunder- Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Leh
D8:Leh , Gonpas tour(Phyang, Spituk, Stakna ,Mathao, Stok,etc.)
D9: Leh – Alchi – Likir – Lamayuru
D10: Lamayuru – Mulbekh – kargil – Drass -Sonamarg
D11: Sonamarg – Srinagar (check in houseboat)
D12: Srinagar – Gulamarg
D13: Gulmarg – Pahalgam
D14: Pahalgam
D15: Pahalgam – Srinagar
D16: Srinagar-Yuzmarg-Srinagar
D17: Srinagar , city tour
D18: Srinagar – Delhi
Delhi – Bangkok
D19: reach Bangkok (01.00 am.)
…………………………
Let me know if i should add/less something from the above plan.
Do you think this plan is too long or too exhausting?
Should I add one more day at Ladakh by lessening one day from Kahmir?
On Day 10 ; Is it possible to go
from Lamayuru – mulbekh – Kargil to Sonamarg? If we leave Lamayuru from 7.00am., when will we arrive at Sonamarg?
How much will it take to hire private taxi from Leh to Srinagar with 2 overnight stay (Lamayuru, Sonamarg)? Can this taxi take me for sight seeing at Sonamarg?
What do you think of Yuzmarg? Is it worth spending a day to visit?
Is there a high possibility to have rain in Kashmir during 21-29 September?
Should I have to contact the tour agency (esp.in Kashmir)
in advance ? Can you please recommend a nice one?
Could you please recommend the accomodations (clean with good view and not too expensive) at Gulmarg, Pahalgam ,Sonamarg and Houseboat at Srinagar? , Do I need to make an advance reservation for accomodations?
In case I have to split my tour plan into 2 programs , please kindly design the 12 day trip in Ladakh and the 9 day trip in Kashmir for me.
Please also adviceme about thingsto do & places to see at
Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Yuzmarg , cause I have no idea.
While in Ladakh, Can this trip possible : Leh – Mulbekh – Lamayuru – Likir – Alchi – Leh with one overnight at Lamayuru?
Sorry for disturbing with so many questions.
Looking forward to hear from you soon.
Best Regards,
Pradeep
Hello Mr. Pradeep,
Guess, there will be too much to be covered in one reply. I will try to do it step by step. Please feel free to ask the questions in multiple replies even if they are same. First let’s discuss about the itinerary. This does not look fine owing to many things ams, fatigue etc. I will suggest first that you should go via Srinagar side first and then fly back to Delhi from Leh. This way you will be much much better acclimatized for the Ladakh altitude. Here is the what you can follow for 18 days:
Day 1 | Delhi – Srinagar
— Take rest for the day. May be enjoy Shikara ride or stay in house boat itself.
Day 2 | Srinagar – Pahalgam
Day 3 | Pahalgam
— Just relax for the day and spend sometime around
— May be a visit to Chandanwari
Day 4 | Pahalgam – Gulmarg
— Explore ruins of Awantipura
— Enjoy vistas en-route
Day 5 | Gulmarg – Srinagar/Sonamarg
— Enjoy vistas enroute, especially between Tangmarg to Gulmarg
— May be check out Golf course, if you feel like
Day 6 | Srinagar – Sonamarg
— Rest at Sonamarg
Day 7 | Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 8 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 9 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 11 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 12 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 13 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 14 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 15 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 16 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
— Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 17 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 18 | Fly Back to Delhi from Leh
Please ask other questions from here on to complete your queries and plan 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
As I do not want to waste time staying at Kargil, Is it possible to drive directly from Sonamarg – Lamayuru(changing taxi at Kargil + visit Mulbekh Maitrey) overnight at Lamayuru. To do this ,I can have one more day to spend for more places like Turtuk,etc.
Regarding the driver,I would very much prefer to contact Mr.Rigzin, but as you mentioned that “Rigzin may be pre-occupied most of the time , thus “Can you please recommend few other drivers as well along with their contact numbers and send to my email?
Best Regards,
Pradeep
Hello Mr Pradeep,
I will suggest that you take it easy and travel in the traditional manner of night halt at Kargil. It will help distribute the journey evenly and also altitude wise it wil help you very much acclimatize to the other higher altitudes. You can remove any of the rest day I suggested in the itinerary to visit Turtuk.
It is start of the season, talk to him early enough, may be in June or may itself. Keep reminding him and he will make a note that you are coming and will be available for you in that case. Regarding the contacts of other taxi drivers, well, refer the link below and you will see the list of all drivers in the preferred sequence with their contacts. Contact any of them as they all are good reliable drivers with decent feedback. I think you made a comment too on that article, may be did not go through the list.
Leh Ladakh Taxi Rates 2012 – 13 with contacs of drivers
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Thank you very much ,your advices are very helpful.
I ‘ll call Rigzin as soon as I finish with my plan.
As per your itinerary on Day 11,what do you think if I adapt it as Hunder -Turtuk-Sumur-Leh.
Is there much to see at Dha/Hanu? If it worth visiting? I can reduce a day at Kashmir for visiting Dha/Hanu.
Best Regards,
Pradeep
It will be too much for Day 11, add extra day to Nubra Valley for Turtuk skipping any of the rest day in Leh. That will be much nice. I feel better stick to Kashmir unless you are really interested to see some Aryans and remaining culture at Dha Hanu.
Hello Mr. Dheeraj Sharma,
Kudos for the detailed info and the wonderful advice you are giving. We are the group of 4 adults (38 to 45) + 2 adults (62 & 67), 4 childern (10,13, 15 & 18) planning a trip of Srinagar – Leh and Ladakh. We are starting from Delhi by Road on 24/04/2013. You have stated that road between Srinagar and Leh may not be open until May fist week. Is it almost confirmed? No possibility at all?
Can you pls. suggest 7 to 8 days tour program with Leh/Ladakh or in case the road will be closed alternative tour porgram with Srinagar and other places. Thanks in advance.
Rajesh, last year the road opened in April last week, almost on April 29th when I was in Leh, AFAI remember. Previous year it opened in May. I feel you might need to have your plan flexible enough to either travel in last week or first or second week of May when the roads might get open. This time snow stock is huge owing to very good snowfall.
Can you fly in and out of Leh? Or otherwise, you will have to explore Kashmir only.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thank you for your prompt response. I think what your are doing is as good as social service helping travelers to plan their journeys with relevant and reliable information. May your tribe prosper.
Rajesh
Thanks alot Rajesh!!
Thank You so much!! Do let me know in case you have any doubts or further queries for planning your trip to Leh – Ladakh
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Really wonderful information. The cost that you mentioned from Srinagar to Leh (Rs 12 K). Can you break it up like travel cost, staying at Kargil and food and snacks on the way. And also is it per head cost. We are a group pf 6 guys aged around 25 yrs.
Also one important question: Is Alcohol a total no foe the entire trip or only when we are traveling. Like can we have a peg or two and sleep in night??
Looking forward to hear you.
Regards
Nikhil
Nikhil, guess most of the queries I have replied on the other comment but yes for the new one for alcohol better stay away from it at least 5-6 days into Travel and then take them easy if you are feeling well over the trip. But, at least for the first 5-7 days it is a big NO.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
I was planning a trip to Leh by road during the end of april this year & I wanted to know a few things-
1. Can I b 100% sure that Srinagar-Leh hIghway will b open from 24 April? What are the chances this year? Is there any other way to reach Ladakh by road except Srinagar-Leh hIghway & Manali-Leh highway?
2. How much would a TATA SUMO/Qualis/Travera cost for a drop off to Srinagar from Udhampur?
3. How many hours does it take from Udhampur to Srinagar?
If the roads are not officially open, can I still take the Srinagar-Leh route at that time?
If roads are not open then you will not be able to take Srinagar – Leh route. It depends on your luck at that time.
Hi Nijhum,
1. Nopes, unlikely that roads will be open even Srinagar – Leh Highway, forget about Manali – Leh Highway. Last year the Highway got open in May first week only. There is no other way to reach Ladakh by road than Manali – Leh and Srinagar – Leh Highways
2. You will have to change the taxis in Ladakh because taxis outside Ladakh are not allowed in for roaming in Ladakh
3. Most likely 6-8 Hrs for Udhampur to Srinagar depending upon the traffic conditions.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dear mr.dheeraj kudos to you for all the info on this site.iam planning a road trip to leh from down south in fact iam from kannur district from kerala. plan to start by 1st june and reach srinagar on the 6th.planning to spend 10 days from srinagar to manali. retrn back to kerala startin on 16th.( total of 3weeks holiday. please give me a travel intinery.
hi Rajeev,
So you have about 10 days from Srinagar to Manali. I will suggest the following itinerary in such a case:
Day 1 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 2 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 5 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 7 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 9 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
— Stay overnight at Sarchu
Day 10 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you need any further info. or have any queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
We are four guys planning to visit leh-ladakh in mid july 2013. Can you please suggest how much will be expected fare for taxi from Srinagar to Leh one way with overnight stay at kargil this year in July. Also kindly suggest some economical accommodation in Srinagar and Kargil.Thanks in advance 🙂
Sumit, it will be around 12K from Srinagar to Kargil to Leh with one night halt at Kargil. For Kargil, try to book JKTDC Guest House as other I did find a bit costly. I stayed at Greenland with Rs 800 per night.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks a lot Dheeraj,
Soon I will bother you once again with my detail itinerary.
Thanks & Regards
Sumit Jha
Most welcome anytime 🙂
HI Dheeraj,
we a group of 4 friends planning to a Leh-Amarnath-Srinagar in 2nd Week of Jul.2013. Our ticket for Leh from Delhi are booked for 10th July and return tickets from Srinagar on 18th July. Could you please suggest me itenary.
Hi Dhiraj, Happy New Year.
we 3 families wanted to travel from Shrinagar to Leh in 1st week of June with kids, yongest 4 years. Is it advisable trip with kids?
Hi Atul,
It may be fine to take the children of such age group because AMS do not matter with respect to age and going via Srinagar will help in acclimatization too. It can happen to anyone of any age. The only issue with children is that they tend to exert the body considering it the same kind of place they belong to and this elevates the chances of getting struck with AMS. Secondly, they are not much expressive about their uneasy feelings, so it is parents who need to watch out and take care that the child is not suffering from uneasy feelings, headache or nausea and is behaving properly. If you notice any such feeling or she tells you about such a felling then please do not ascend anywhere, either descend to lower altitude or stay at the same place to watch things overnight and if symptom increase then start descending immediately. Same is applicable for any adult as well. And yes, do keep the body adequately hydrated!!
I will suggest do take advice from your pediatric doctor as well.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
Wheather 10 days are sufficent to get most of Srinagar-Leh-Manali.
Hi Alok,
For 10 days you can follow the below itinerary and can execute your trip successfully:
Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
— Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar
— Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
— If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden.
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 3 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Leh
– Head for Nubra Valley very early in the day and come back by late evening after visiting Deskit. If you have time go little further and see Hunder sand dunes too
– On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
– Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
– Day trip to Pangong Tso
– Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Taglang La – Pang – Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 9 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 10 | Manali – Delhi
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj
We a family of 3 are planning to drive down from Pune to Leh in May 2013. Where are the petrol pumps along the srinagar – leh road? I plan to travel in the third week of May from srinagr to leh. Are the roads open at that time?
Chandan, please go through the article above, it mention some of the places where petrol pumps are available. There are good chances that in thrid week of May, Srinagar to Leh is open.
Regards
dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
First of all thank you for such a superb site, which had almost all the information needed for the trip.
We are family of 5, and planning Srinagar – Leh – Manali trip in the first two weeks of June’13. Our itenary as follows. Could you please suggest me any changes required.
01/06: Chennai – Srinagar/Half day in Srinagar
02/06: Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar
03/06: Srinagar – Pahelgam – Srinagar
04/06: Full day in Srinagar
05/06: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Kargil (Night in Kargil)
06/06: Kargil – Leh
07/06: Leh Sightseeing and permits
08/06: Leh – Nubra Valley (Night at Nubra Valley)
09/06: Nubra Valley – Pangong So (Night at Pangong So)
10/06: Pangong So – Tso Moriri Lake (Night at Tso Moriri)
11/06: Tso Moriri – Keylong (Night at Keylong)
12/06: Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali (Night at Manali)
13/06: Manali sight seeing (Night to Delhi by bus)
14/06: Delhi – Chennai
I haven’t checked for the routes of Leh – Nubra valley – Pangong So – Tso Moriri and also haven’t decided places to cover.
Could you please pour in your suggestions about the itenary and also the routes.. Thank You.
Sorry for not replying it. I was traveling at that time and some how missed the it. Well, there is lot you want to cover in these many days. I will suggest to skip the Kashmir part and do it Ladakh on ease. Direct routes from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso and then from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri and then towards Keylong would be back to back very very long days and nothing enjoyable in it. Better do it as generally, 2 days in Nubra Valley, day trip to Pangong Tso or may be two day trip to make it easy and then 3 day trip for Leh to Tso Moriri, Tso Moriri to Keylong and then Keylong to Manali. This will be much better and enjoyable.
Let me know in case you need any info. or plan revised.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Mr. dheeraj,
i wanted to knw if v can travel frm shrinagar to leh ladakh by road on bike? which bike wil b suitable ? which month of the year wil b good? risk factor and ur advice please..
thank you
Hi Dheeraj,
Please reply.
Gourav, sorry for not replying it as I was traveling and somehow missed these queries. Let me know if you are still seeking the advice.
Dear Dheeraj, congratulations to your excellent site. There is really good information on it. I plan to cycle from srinagar via leh to manali in august 2013. One question is, what can you say about the actual security situation because of the military conflicts. There are so many different infomations. Official governmental sites do warn you, to go this way by your own, private travellers motly tell, that it isn´t a problem. Another question is, if you have to carry a tent on the way from Leh to Manali. I think you wrote, it isn´t necessary. But in most travel descriptions I read, that there is really few possibility for accomodation for byciclists, because of the far distances. thank you for your answer! Norbert
Hello Norbert,
Thanks alot. Well, there isn’t much of an issue as long as you stay on roads, major ones and do not try to explore the interior parts anywhere on Srinagar – Leh Highway. I never went into interiors so cannot comment on the situation there but yes, it is fine to travel the highway. Once, you are in Ladakh, you will not have any such issues and on the way to Leh from Srinagar, there are ample of places on the route where you can stay, so no need of tents there.
Then, I am not sure how much one can cycle in one day but you can check this article and list of places one to find out the accommodation options available on Manali – Leh highway: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/how-to-plan-a-journey-on-manali-leh-highway/, https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/places-on-manali-leh-highway-a-detailed-description/, https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/list-of-accommodation-options-on-manali-leh-highway/
Then, if you can come up with your break-up, I can surely suggest if that could be feasible or not.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any query or doubt.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
We are 6 friends planning to visit srinagar(local,gulmarg,pahalgam)-Leh-manali in around 2nd week of june. Is 10 days sufficent to cover srinagar-leh-manali. In case of time shortage which are the places we can skip and which are must see.
Sir
Those information you have shered it is very useul who plan for visit to Kasmir Valley and Leh also.
Dear Dhirajji, 30/11/2012
We a senior citizen veg couple,want to visit Leh-Ladakh in May-June 2013 for 12 days via Srinagar by sleeper coach(if available)and stay at upper class guest house or c class hotel.After that we will come to Manali & Simla.Pl tell me whether this programme is feasible.
Dinesh dalal
Surat-Gujarat
Hello Dinesh ji,
Well, in 12 days it might become a bit tight including Shimla and considering road journey. Also, I will advise you to make your program in the second or third week of June so that roads both Manali – Leh as well as Srinagar – Leh are open by then and to an extent stabilized as well.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
For the list of good restaurants in Leh – Ladakh or eateries or food joints where food is enjoyed by many travellers including me, you can check the link here: List of Good Restaurants in Leh – Ladakh | Restaurant Reviews
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip including basic medical kit, clothing, must haves etc. at the link here: List of Things to Carry for Leh – Ladakh trip.
For details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any query or doubt.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
We are group of 6 travelling to srinagar and ladakh. we have booked flight tickets. just discovered your site.
May 3rd-9th–srinagar
may 10th-17th– ladakh.
will the srinagar-leh road be opened by 9th may 2013?
Please advice.
Hi Darshan,
You would be staying 3rd to 9th in Kashmir and 10th to 17th in Ladakh? Hope I am assuming right with 10th reaching Leh and then 17th flying back.
So, you have about 6 days in Ladakh:
Day 1 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here:
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 2 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 3 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 6 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
— Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
There are about 50:50 chances that Srinagar – Leh might be open and might be not. I will not completely rely on it though.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
17/12/12012
Dear Sri Dhirajji,
Thanks very very muuuuch for ur valuable guidance.I will repeat my pro as follows:-
srinagar leh manali shimla
4 days 13days 4days 3days
I can change my stay as per ur advice.First of all,I want
details as regards how to book accodomodation in hotels
/guest houses in such places @Rs.400/-to Rs.500/- per day ? After that only I want
to book my rly tickets.Will u
pl throw light on this ?
Thanks,
Dinesh Dalal
Hello Dinesh ji,
Well that is quite a good amount of time.
1. I am not sure about Kashmir and usually prefer on the spot bookings
2. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
3. More details on Manali including sightseeing places, accommodation options, food joints, etc you can go through the Manali travel guide available at the link here.
4. Shimla as well not sure since I generally avoid it for stay.
Regards
dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
i am planning to visit srinagar 2 jun 2013 i would also like to do srinagar to leh road journey by taxi.please advise is pangong lake better than tso moriri.what should i not miss as my time is limited.is there a reputable tour operator ou can reccomend.some of your correspondents talk about home stay.who can i contact.
thank you in advance
Regards
Sanjeev
Hello Sanjeev,
I do not have any correspondents brother, please let me know if you came to know some who is using my or blog’s name for the same?
Now, if you have never been to Ladakh then go for Pangong Tso but it does not mean that Pangong Tso is more beautiful than Tso Moriri lake. Both have their own set of attributes for being beauties 🙂 …
Why do you need any travel agent if you have all the information present on this blog to make a successful trip to Ladakh? Of course, if you have any doubts regarding anything ranging from Taxi to Hotel to Route to Night Stay option etc., you can shoot an email to me or post comment here. Plus you will have more flexibility with planning yourself and no restriction to reach a place in time in order to save the amount given as advance to these travel agents… Above all, planning it yourself, will save you quite good amount of money, as all the information is present here 🙂 …
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
For the list of good restaurants in Leh – Ladakh or eateries or food joints where food is enjoyed by many travellers including me, you can check the link here: List of Good Restaurants in Leh – Ladakh | Restaurant Reviews
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip including basic medical kit, clothing, must haves etc. at the link here: List of Things to Carry for Leh – Ladakh trip.
For details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you need any further details or have any queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, i am really impressed with your suggestions and mindblowing plans for a perfect trip to ladakh. Me and my friends are planning to start our journey from srinagar and i would like to know the place /shop in srinagar so that we can get rented bikes and if possible to return the same in Manali.
Ashish, such a thing is not possible in Srinagar and in fact you will not get any rented bikes in Srinagar. Better hire them in Leh and then if you get such a deal then return them in Manali.
Hi Dheeraj,
I want to visit Ladakh by third week of August, 2013 along with my son. As advised by you, we would enter Ladakh by Sri Nagar-Leh Highway and exit through Leh-Manali Highway. We would like to cover every beautiful place in Ladakh. Time is no constraint for us. Would you please chart a route for us with good hotels for night stays and indicate number of days for stay?
Hello Partha,
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
I hope that helps. Please let me know incase you need more details or have some queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj
Thanks for your reply.U really rock by giving useful tips. It’s really nice to get tips from you b4 planning. Gr8 job & my best wishes.
I have planned the trip from bangalore to leh for 20 days from Nov 25th. What will be the temperature during that period. Is it worth to dare & go coz we are very desperate 2 hav a go. If i am planning the trip from Nov 10 onwards is it better. If all these options doesnt work when is the best time to travel next year. Pls advice..
Hi Suresh,
Thanks alot. Well, you can only have a go at it IFF you like to take such extreme challenges because the chill would be too much and of course not at all the road journey. You should fly in to Leh and fly out of Leh during that period.
If you love to see Snow then plan it between mid June to mid July, if you want to see great colors of Ladakh then plan it in late September types when monsoon resides. All in between is the time of monsoons where in you have to have quite a few buffer days as plan keeps on getting surprises mostly.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Sorry!! I hav plans to drive in fortuner from bangalore on Nov’25 to leh via manali. are the roads open or should i skip the plan
Hello Suresh,
Better plan it next year because even if road is somehow open, it will be very difficult in such extreme cold conditions plus BRO generally stops rescue and clearance operations over Manali – Leh Highway end of October.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Back from a wonderful trip on 20/09/2012. Got busy in office, as I came from a long vacations 🙂 .
Thank you for such a wonderful website & those informative contents. This whole Ladakh tour was planned as per the itinerary suggested by you only. Although we couldn’t maintain the itinerary as planned and we had to skip the Tso Moriri due to our Scorpio breakdown (some clutch pump problem) after Zozila and we forced to stay in Kargil, as the part was not available in Kargil & supposed to get from Sri Nagar, for 2 days, one of our friend had some breathing issues at K-Top because we stucked there for 5+ hrs. due to the land slide. Most of our stays were in military guest houses, except Kargil, and staying in those guest houses is a wonderful experience itself. But as a whole we enjoyed the trip a lot.
Waiting for your crispy pics & write-up on your recent Suru & Zanskar trip.
Thanks a lot for your great help.
Regards,
Chandra Shekhar Vijay (Shikhar)
Hey Chandra,
That is extremely nice to know that you had such a wonderful trip!! Glad you info. on this blog was helpful for you as well and yeah, I have also stayed in those military guest houses which is quite an experience as well. This is the most scary part of Khardung La climb that if you get stuck in traffic or landslide or snow storm then it gets really bad at time. I could imagine from my experience earlier this Spring.
As you are watching, started uploading the Zanskar pictures. Travelogue will be started soon as well and the massive info. content as Travel Guides for Zanskar Valley needs to be written too 😉
How about sharing your experience with T-Log here as well 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I will love to write a T-Log, but I am not at all a good writer like you, I hardly have anything written about this entire trip. What I all got is a Tons of Pics & Videos approx (110 GB). Some of them I posted at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4339579844012.2176502.1122882153&type=1&l=696ef99c71
One of our travel partner is creating a whole movie using all the videos we shot, with some special effects ;).
Awesome is the word I have for it!!! ust loved them and yest will wait for the movie too 🙂 … BTW, I am too not so good at writing but still try my level best to learn it 😉
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Back from a wonderful trip on 20/09/2012. Got busy in office, as I came from a long vacations :).
Thank you for such a wonderful website & those informative contents. This whole Ladakh tour was planned as per the itinerary suggested by you only. Although we couldn’t maintain the itinerary as planned and we had to skip the Tso Moriri due to our Scorpio breakdown (some clutch pump problem) after Zozila and we forced to stay in Kargil, as the part was not available in Kargil & supposed to get from Sri Nagar, for 2 days, one of our friend had some breathing issues at K-Top because we stucked there for 5+ hrs. due to the land slide. Most of our stays were in military guest houses, except Kargil, and staying in those guest houses is a wonderful experience itself. But as a whole we enjoyed the trip a lot.
Waiting for your crispy pics & write-up on your recent Suru & Zanskar trip.
Thanks a lot for your great help.
Regards,
Chandra Shekhar Vijay (Shikhar)
Hi Dheeraj
Tons of thankx 2 your site as it helps 2 finalise not only tour plan but also encourages to visit difficult places like ladakh. with the inputs from your site i along with my friends sucessfully completed the leh tour.Day1-Delhi 2 udhampur via chandigarh &hoshiarpur.
Day2-Udhampur 2 Srinagar and stay in houseboat.
Day3-Srinagar sightseeing and stayed in Sonmarg.
Day4-Sonmarg 2 leh ,no problems faced at zozila
Day5-leh local here would like 2 mention that if u complete the forms which i downloaded from your site it is hardly 15-20 min job at DC office and if u get it done thru travel agent or hotel staff then u have 2 pay 1000/person which is very high(actual 300)
Day6-leh to jispa
Day7-jispa to chandigarh
Dheeraj i would like 2 mention that roads conditions r improving drastically u can maintain time as well as photography and i salute to the brave people who r doing the best to construct and maintain roads at such places and request all the people who r going 2 visit srinagar 2 leh 2 manali whenever pl take sweets, choclates and old sweaters and jackets to give to the workers who r working in such ainhospitable terrain just to ensure that all tourist reach their placs safely.
last but not the least dheeraj u r doing a job which inspires people to visit places like ladakh and in turn when v finish our tour v thank whole heartedly that was possible just bcause of people like u my salute to u and your family who supports u 2 continue such a wonderful service 2 all the travellers, definitely by gods grace would like 2 meet personally and have a cup of tea wiyh u.
Hello C Shree,
Thank you so very much for such lovely wishes and praises. I am so glad that info. present on my blog proved so useful for you guys and you had a wonderful trip. I had just returned from Zanskar Valley trip a day ago, so was not able to get into the network area to get over the comments. These words mean a really good start yet again as I am back in civilized jungle 🙂 …
Would surely, love to share a cup of tea with you buddy. Ring me up whenever you are in Delhi/NCR. It is time to put together all the hell loads of information about Spiti Valley and Suru + Zanskar Valley with other travelers as well.
Cheers!!
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj, it is nice to know about the Srinagar-Leh route from you. It has been highly informative. Im planning to go from 08 Oct to 13 Oct 12, from srinagar to Leh and back is it ok.
Hi Biswajeet,
Though the high mountain passes start getting snowfall at this time of the year but generally Zozi La pass remain open upto end of the October month. I feel you should be able to make through the trip. Just in case of some heavy snowfall, you might need a buffer day or two.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I love your site and I really appreciate the information given by you.I am very much curious to visit over there.
Thanks and regards………
Thanks alot Aastha. Glad you liked the info. present on the blog. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Mr. Dheeraj,
Pls tell if drive from Srinagar-Leh is Easy with Sedan.
And Similarly how will it be if we come back from Leh-Manali in Self driven Sedan.
Thanks
Hello Varun,
Driving via Srinagar – Leh Highway is much OK as compared to driving over Manali – Leh Highway and lots of people have done it in their sedans/hatches recently. 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
Thanks Sir
Hi Dheeraj,
I was reading your blog for the past hour or so and I must commend the kind of help and advice you give to the off roadsters like me……Just a quick question to ask….is it advisable to drive a CNG vehicle at such high altitudes?? if yes….where can I find the last CNG filling point?? I basically want to keep this trip a bit economical in terms of fuel expenses but I also know that the majority of the driving to be done on either petrol or diesel….please advice.
Hello Mayank,
Thanks a lot. You can drive but you will have to use Petrol I believe as you start ascend. Moreover, I think you will not find CNG stations once you enter hills, at least I am not aware of any.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I have been doing a lot of reading on the net for planning our (my husband and myself) trip to Leh via Srinagar. We live in Gurgaon and love to travel around…Leh was on my wishlist for a long time and finally I have booked my flights: Sept 29th Early morning – Delhi to Srinagar and Oct 6th morning – Leh to Delhi. So all in all we have 7 nights and 8 days for our Leh expedition! And ofcourse, we need all the possible help to plan this trip well so that we make the most of the trip while ensuring that we cope well with the harshness of the destination.
Below are the two itineraries that I have prepared….please advice on which one will be more do-able and enjoyable…Thanks!!!!
OPTION 1:
Day 1 (Sept 29th): Arrive Srinagar at 9:30am. Drive to Sonmarg. Overnight in Sonmarg.
Day 2 (Sept 30th): Sonmarg – Zozi la Pass – Drass – Kargil. Overnight in Kargil
Day 3 (Oct 1st): Kargil to Uleytokpo via Namik-La, Fotu-La Pass, Mulbek, Lamayuru. Overnight in Uleytopko
Day 4 (Oct 2nd): Uleytopko to Leh. En route – Alchi, Likir monastery, Zanskar Valley. Overnight in Leh (I am guessing that we should be able to reach Leh by early afternoon, like 12ish… and then relax at hotel/resort)
Day 5 (Oct 3rd): Leh to Nubra Valley. Overnight at Nubra Valley (should I plan overnight stay at some other place than the valley? What are options for a night-stay?)
Day 6 (Oct 4th): Nubra Valley to Leh. Explore Diskit monastery
Day 7 (Oct 5th): Day trip to Pangong Lake (Please advice on by what time (latest) should we depart for Leh to be able to return to Leh the same day)
Day 8 (Oct 6th): Morning Flight from Leh to Delhi
OPTION 2:
Day 1 (Sept 29th): Same as above
Day 2 (Sept 30th): Same as above
Day 3 (Oct 1st): Kargil to Leh. (so I avoid the overnight stay in Uleytopko/Alchi and save on one night for a night-stay at the Pangong Lake)
Day 4 (Oct 2nd): Leh to Nubra Valley.
Day 5 (Oct 3rd): Nubra Valley to Leh.
Day 6 (Oct 4th): Leh to Pangong Lake
Day 7 (Oct 5th): Pangong Lake to Leh
Day 8 (Oct 6th): Morning Flight from Leh to Delhi
So basically, should I plan for a night-stay at Uleytopko for better acclimatization and for enjoying the views en route thoroughly or should I rather save one night and invest it in planning a two-day trip to the Lake. Also, I was not sure if it’s easy to stay overnight at the Lake…keeping in mind the chill as we’ll be there on Oct 4th and the altitude sickness)
Please Please advice and help by sharing your expert opinion and personal experiences.
Many Thanks
Disha
Hello Disha,
BTW, both the options are good but it is always better to have a spare day before you take the flight back as you will be coming across Chang La pass, so we should always spare a day in Leh just to overcome any delay due to closed road. Also, to do itinerary 1, you have to find a Leh numbered taxi because the taxi from Srinagar will not allow you to stop at these places on Day 3. So, do Kargil – Leh as per the second itinerary and then instead of two day trip to Pangong Tso, do either monastery tour near Leh or Sham Valley tour that is Alchi/Likir/Basgo etc. (back tracking a bit)
In Nubra Valley you can either stay at Deskit (Hotel Sten Del/Olthang) or Hunder (Snow Leopard/Goba Guest House)
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks for sharing such a useful informations. Buddy me and 4 other friends are planning to go to Leh. We are moving on 29th after noon @ 12 pm and we have to come back on 7th oct by night. Can u schedule a tour guide for me if we are going by road on our own jeep via jammu srinager leh highway and coming back via leh manali highway. and also tell where we will require permit to go ahead.
Thanks in advance
Praveen
9910788227
Hi Praveen,
Best you can do is like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
— Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar
— Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
— If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden.
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 3 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits | Leh – Khardung La – Leh
— Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Make a day trip to Khardung La and back
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Taglang La – Pang – Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 8 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Delhi
Note: No buffer days for Ladakh trip mostly many a times means trouble, so do plan a day or two as buffer apart from these 10 days.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj,
its a nice tour plan. based on ur input we will get ready our innerline permit doc from here so that we can waste minimum time in getting permission.
thanks once again
Dear Dheeraj,
Please guide will the roads are open in 1st week of oct 2012, Manali leh highway and srinagar leh highway. Do u have any info about when the himalaya car relly is goint to conduct this yr in manali. some of my friend is saying that roads are going to close in oct. Please guide.
Thanks
Praveen
Hello Praveen,
Roads does remain open but Manali – Leh Highway might close down in case of snowfall. Also, the cold will start to set in especially at Manali – Leh Highway. I guess the Raid – De – Himalaya is in second or third week of October this time. That is why I am saying that you should go for it only if you have buffer days in hand because roads does close for a day or two in case of snowfall. Mostly, the road completely closes when BRO stops supporting clearance and rescue operations.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello!
Could you please tell me where is central taxi stand in Srinagar (to find taxi to Leh)?
Thanks,
Victor
Hello Victor,
I guess this link here to Google Maps might help you locate. Otherwise, you can ask about tourist taxi stand at Srinagar, guess near Lal Chowk.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
I have read all the comments .
Please suggest.We have only 4days from Shrinagar to Leh and back. Its my wish to cover Zanskar valley in my tour.
How many more days it will take to cover the Zanskar Vallley and what is site seeing there to see .We have 2 adults and 2 children -15&10years . Can they resist against the low temp.What woolens should we keep.we also want to go Vaishno Devi and Patni Top and see the Srinagar Could u pleae make a plan.
Thanks in advance…
Hello Mukesh,
Not sure if I got it correctly but if you have 4 days only for Srinagar – Leh and Back then you will be using these 4 days in going to Leh and coming back to Srinagar only. No scope of anything else even a local sightseeing of Leh. It takes 2 days to reach Leh from Srinagar with night halt at Kargil. So, try to increase the number of days.
Regards
Dheeraj
dheeraj would you have a list of cheap but clean home stays or hotels to stay in at Lamayuru, alchi and likrit.
we plan to take a shared sumo srinagar – leh and get off at lamayuru where we will stay for 2 days and then go on to alchi and likrit (another 2 days) – is this enough or should we schedule more time here before we go to leh.
Thanks for the help
mahnoor
Hi Mahnoor,
It is good enough time but I am sorry I do not have much references for Homestays around Alchi/Likir/Lamayuru. Perhaps may be my homework for the next trip to Ladakh 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi dheeraj, we had a wounderful trip. Thanks for ur guidance. All your inputs were helpful.
Did not have issue with AMC, just felt breatlessness on long walks d first day. We started off the first day with leh palace and local siteseeing.
Food was good at most off hoyels hotel lamayur at leh is good for indian. Gasmo bakery is good for breakfast pizza and wester food. Best was tibetian kitchen, we had food 3 times they serve best food in leh, but book your reservations for dinner prior at Tibetian kitchen. Food at pangong lake is just ok types. Just to carry something to eat. Warm drinking water with ginger is very effective for Mountain sickness. Let me know if one needs any info. Atisha guesthouse was decent and low budget. Rincing of atisha travel is a very helpfull guy. Very fair in dealing and planning our tour. U can use my reference-Harsh raj singh.
Thank you so much Harsh for the lovely and informative feedback. Glad to know that you had great time over the trip!! Yes, Tibetan Kitchen is also awesome though I had food there just once and that too in a hurry 😀
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj very helpful site this is,how to get a bike on rent n from whom 2 get from srinagar nd d best rate of rent nd wat bout garage nd puncture stations on d way pls mail me earloiest cos m plannin 4 next week
Hi Farhan,
There is no shop that provide you bikes on rent in Srinagar. You can only get them at Leh or Manali for rent.
Regards
Dheeraj
Urgent:
Dear Dheeraj,
Hi,
What to write on permit for the following?
Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley
Route: Leh – Phyang – Khardung La – Khardung – Khalsar – Diskit – Hunder – Diskit – Sumur – Panamik
Leh – Pangong Tso
Route: Leh – Shey – Karu – Shakti – Chang La – Durbuk – Tanksey – Lukung – Spangmik (Pangong Tso)
Leh – Tso Moriri
Route: Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Mahe Bridge – Tso Moriri – Korzok – Mahe Bridge – Tso Kar
Kindly suggest stay options in Srinagar.
Hi Chandra,
Just write Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and you are done. For Srinagar, I am also looking for some options of stay, will post them in a day or two 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello Sir!
My husband and I will be travelling to Leh via road from Srinagar this weekend. We will be returning as well from Leh to Srinagar a few days later. Someone told us that the Highway allows traffic only in one direction each day. So one can travel only in one direction today & only in the opposite direction the next day. Also, the same person said that there are timing restrictions on the Highway, e.g. Kargil -Srinagar stretch can only be used at night. How true are these scenarios with regard to day & time? Please do let me know. This is urgent as I only have 3 more days before I reach Srinagar. Thank you so much! Great blog btw! 🙂
Hi ASarkar,
As I said in previous reply, both the above statements are false. Yes,there is traffic regulations but only for Zozi La pass ahead of Sonamarg. When you cross over it there is no restriction of one way traffic or any other regulation on rest of the highway. I am not very sure about the timings of Zozi La pass now a days, but generally the traffic from Srinagar side is stopped at 6 AM upto 11 AM AFAIK, may be there would be some updated timings. But, definitely not like only day and only night 🙂
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Sorry for the delayed reply.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dheeraj, kudos to your sight is great.
Is it possible to get from Turtuk to Batalik or Urdas or Dah and then onto Kargil without going back to Leh?
The present plan is to use local transport as much as possible. My present route is Kargil – Lamayuru (night stop) onto Alchi (night stop or maybe two nights) Leh a couple of days stop and then onto turtuk for two days. Please let me know by e-mail if there are local buses or share taxis that i can take and their timing. We are three Indian women who will be doing taking this journey. thanks alot mahnoor
Hello Mahnoor,
There is no direct route from Turtuk to Dha-Hanu or Batalik. You have to come back to Leh to go over there. Yes, there are lots of shared taxis that run but not sure if you can get one for Turtuk. Upto Hunder you will surely get one and then may be at Deskit you need to enquire about local transport used by local people to Travel there. For Dha-Hanu, you will again get alot of shared taxis. Just roam around and you will see lots of flyers, white boards asking for people to share taxi cost. You may enquire from local travel agents in Leh for seat booking in such cabs and they also arrange for the same charging a bit more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello!
I just returned from Kashmir a few hours back. It was magical!! I didn’t get a chance to reply to your mail before as I was travelling and didnt have access to the net. However, I wanted to thank you for your help. We didnt face any issues on NH1. And infact our journey was breathtaking! 🙂 I would advice all those going to Leh, to travel atleast one way by road. It not only helps you acclamatize, but u also get to see the gorgeous greens of the land and ofcourse the Kargil War Memorial, Alchi Monastery, Moon Rock etc.
Thanks again! Will def visit Kashmir again. 🙂
Regards.
Thanks alot for the update here, A Sarkar. Glad to know that your journey was great and blog did help you have a memorable experience.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
what are the sanitation facilities on this route? we are a group that has few ladies.. and with long hour delays…nature’s call has to be answered. any tips?
Hi, sanitation is just ok. Need to compromise. Sonmarg hotels, drass army memorial, kargil, lamayuru monentry restaurent are fine. Every 2 hrs u will find. Regards Harsh
Well, on Srinagar – Leh Highway, you have to use some Dhabha/Hotel/Restaurants in the villages which will keep coming every couple of hours. So, do not miss any opportunity for the same when you stop over to dhabha/hotel enroute for food/tea break.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Sorry for the delayed reply.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi! I just returned from Kashmir a few hours back. I’m a female myself and honestly speaking public sanitation is def a problem on the highway as well in Ladakh.
Unless you are in a hotel, u will most likely not find a clean loo to go to. Infact in Ladakh, in most places u will find just a hole in the ground with walls around it! But don’t let me scare you! 🙂 My sis in law and I thought using boulders as covers instead of these so called toilets was a much better and cleaner option!
Don’t worry too much about it though. You’ll do fine….just like we did! 🙂
Enjoy the trip. It will probably be the best one you will ever make!! 🙂
Regards.
Hai, i found this information very usefull. I am planning a trip to leh with my parents (parents age: 60. Is this journey will have any troubles for my parents? I prefer 2 days journey in JKRTC buses. If i travel in november, will there be any snow on the way? Please clarify.
Hi Suresh,
You are doing the right thing of taking them via Srinagar – Leh Highway where the altitude will grow gradually and minimizing the chances of AMS. Just keep the body optimally hydrated and do not over exert anywhere in the initial days of your trip. November would be very very cold, keep in mind. You may get to see snow if lucky at Zozi La pass else no where else.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello dheeraj bhai…i had put up my story here regarding the inner line permit issue with the adc …that seems to have been deleted by the mods…can i know why please?
Hello Kunal,
Thanks for sharing your experience brother… It was not deleted at all but just that you are looking at incorrect place 😀 … Here is the link: Inner Line Permit Comment
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
i intend to drive to srinagar leh by a Ford Figo. its a hatcback. will I be able to do so with this car. I belong to himachal and thus have some experience of driving in thehills, but I haven’t done any passes earlier.
Hi Johar,
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
I will be travelling from srinagar to leh on 20th september. Anybody interested in sharing taxi may please reply
I want to know,whether all the in line permits obtainable at DC office,Leh are also obtainable from DC office Kargil. And the taxi hire charges (range) from kargil to leh.
Hi Panna,
Places for Ladakh like Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley must be taken from Leh DC office only AFAIK though not 100% sure.
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
So while going from kargil to leh, is there any specific (place that worth seeing en route and needs permit) permits that is to be taken from kargil DC, as I will be taking two days and will stay at alchi or nearby.
Hi Panna,
There is a different route that goes via Batalik and Dha Hanu Villages which definitely need permits but you will not be taking that route, so no worries. You can cover Lamayuru Moonland and Monastery, Mulbek Maitrey and other places in Sham Valley like Likir, Basgo, Alchi, Confluence at Nimmu, Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pather Sahib on the way to Leh from Kargil.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
HI dheeraj, thanks. But if next day I plan to visit batalik route and come back to leh, then what should be my itinery (route) and what are the permits I have to take and are they available at leh.
Not sure what you are referring too because if you take route via Batalik from Kargil you need not go back anywhere Or are you saying you want to make a day trip to Dha Hanu Villages and come back to Kargil and then traverse the route from Kargil to Leh via Lamayuru? If yes, then this should be the itinerary only Day 1 visit to Dha Hanu Village and come back either to Kargil and then go ahead towards Lamayuru and Leh/Alchi next day. Permits need to be taken from Kargil in this case.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj, see there are two routes to leh from kargil. one via Batalik and other via lamayuru. If I take the lamayuru route and reach leh and next day wand to visit the batalik route from leh and back to leh, then what should be my route (itinary) and required permits.
Panna
Hi Panna,
That is my concern is that why do you want to go all the way upto Leh and then come back to explore the other route? IS time/number of days not an issue? If you have limited time then better drop one of these routes and save a day. Otherwise, once you reach Leh or Alchi from any of the route, you make a day trip to any of them next day. Or perhaps, do Kargil – Batalik – Lamayuru (you need to return back towards Lamayuru on Srinagar – Leh Highway) and then Lamayuru – Leh next day. But, that much traveling might not be worth if you have limited time. For permits, you should write Batalik, Dha, Hanu.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj,
Yes, i have got one day spare in between. And I would go to the batalik route if it can be visited from leh in one day and if it worth that much travelling. My plan is to Cover Srinagar – leh route in two days. then nubra valley route in Two days (Please guide what to do if I want to add turtuk). Then reach keylong in two days via tso moriri and tso kar. Also please guide me on the two routes to Tso Moriri which one is better and the permits. Can hanley be visited via pangongTso and reach to Korzok on the same day,
if I start early. I am going in mid sept. Is there anything to fear. Me and my wife is going. I dont know, as the date is approaching \i am developing a cold feet.Also U can guide me if u have any better place to add or touch enroute.U have already helped me a lot in the kaza – shimla route, which I will be going after wards.
panna.
Hi Panna,
I will suggest better use that extra day and visit Turtuk and relax more in Nubra Valley to get a much closer feel to nature. Which two routes are you talking about Tso Moriri? There is one: Leh – Chumathang – Tso Moriri and then you continue as Tso Moriri – Sumdo – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali -Leh Highway) – Pang – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali in further two days. No, you cannot do Hanle and then reach Tso Moriri in one day from Pangong Tso as it is even a challenge to reach Tso Moriri from Pangong Tso in a day. Moreover, permits are not being issued for this route by DC office.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any doubts or queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj,
I can adjust +/- 3 days. So if there is anything worth visiting, and should be added, please tell.
panna
Hi Panna,
I would still say that you skip that part and better follow traditional route via Kargil and Lamayuru. If you feel you have time then from Leh make a two day trip to Dha Hanu Villages at later stage but would definitely say if at all you have time then better spend that time in other parts of Ladakh or Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley while you are coming back.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj,
In your comments u always refer to two routes to Tso moriri via Pangong Tso, one is traditional route and other one through which foreigners are not allowed. I am a bit confused. What is the one via Chusul – Tsaga– Mahe– Sumdo. and any other route. I also read the blog written by kunal in the inner line permit section. Kindly guide me in the Pangong tso – Tso Miriri – Tso Kar – Keylong route.Is two days enough. What are the places to write on permit.
Panna
Hello Panna,
Yes, one route is Spangmik to Tso Moriri that goes via Chusul – Tsaga – Loma – Nyoma – Mahe, other one is traditional route that takes you all the way back to Karu from Pangong Tso and then you take left towards Chumathang to reach Mahe – Tso Moriri which is called traditional route.
Third one is that goes like Spangmik – Chusul – Mitpal Tso – Yaye Tso – Mahe which is under construction and only 4×4 is recommended if you get permit for it.
You need 3 days for the Pangong Tso – Tso MOriri – Keylong and it will be very very long last 2 days.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi, My wife & I are travelling from Srinagar-Leh and we are looking at sharing taxi with 2 others. Plan is as below (wanna cover the places enroute):
19th Aug: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
20th Aug: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
On the way see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
Contact me if interested.
Regards,
Santosh
09686844662
Hi Dheeraj,
Can u provide me contacts of any person in Leh who can arrange vehicle (which will roam in Leh and near by places) and hotels at leh or nearby.
Thanks
Hi Pankaj,
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
we are group of 5 people arriving 1 pm at srinagar..is it advisable to hire taxi directly from airport to leh..or what will be the best time to start srinagar leh highway journey…i am aslo planning to stay night at kargil…
If you reach by 1 PM then at max. you can reach is Sonamarg and then continue your journey ahead next day to Kargil and then to Leh. So, it is upto you to either stay at Sonamarg overnight or stay at Srinagar only.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
we, a group of 6 are planning to visit Leh from Sep 29th to Oct 6.
Sat – Sep 29, arrive in Srinagar
Sun – Sep 30, Srinagar – Kargil
Mon – Oct 1, Kargil – Leh
Tue – Oct 2, Leh sightseeing, and arrange all permits
Wed – Oct 3, Leh – Nubra valley (camp at Diskit)
Thu – Oct 4, Travel in the region and head back to Leh / Sakti
Fri – Oct 5, Leh – Spangmik or Sakti – Spangmik depending on where we
camp the previous night
Sat – Oct 6, Spangmik – Khaltse – Spangmik – Leh
Sun – Oct 7, Leh – Delhi morning flight
need to know whether we can reach Kargil if we start from Srinagar in the afternoon on 30th Sep. would prefer to do some sightseeing in Srinagar if possible.
Hi Chris,
The plan looks fine but yes, I will suggest you do any sightseeing you want early in the day on 30th because it takes about 8-9 Hrs to reach Kargil from Srinagar. So, plan the day accordingly as traveling late night shall definitely be avoided there. At max. leave by 10 AM from Srinagar to reach Kargil with day light left in the day.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Any one travelling from leh to srinagar by taxi on 30th or 31st of august.we are a 3 member team, we would like to share the taxi…
Anyone travelling leh to srinagar on19th august’ can pool in a taxi. We are 3people. Rgds Harsh ph 07382629790
Hi dheeraj,
i’m santhosh along with 2 of my friends, have planned a trip to leh from Aug25th to sep 1st. we reach leh from delhi by flight on 25th, and return flight from delhi to chennai is on 2nd september. we have planned to return to jammu via road (srinagar – leh highways). so when will be the right time to start from leh so that we reach jammu on saturday evening to catch a train around 9.pm to delhi and how to plan our road trip. you suggestion will be of great help.
Hi Santosh,
If I get you right you need three days for your travel from Leh to Srinagar to Jammu like Leh to Kargil (30th Aug), Kargil to Srinagar (31st Aug), Srinagar to Jammu (1st Sept). So, now you are left with 5 days and you can follow below plan for the same:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh (29th Aug)
— Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
thanks a lot Dheeraj, is it good to take a bike ride to nubra valley
Yes Santhosh, I feel it should be good to have a bike ride to Nubra Valley. You would surely enjoy it.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
rhanks a lot for your help. Could you reccomend some hostels – budget accomodation in Leh? About the accomodarion in kargil, does it come w.the bus ticket in terms of reservations?otherwise how should i book one?
thanks again!
Hi Luca,
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Once you reach Kargil, you can find some decent economic budget options there too.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey,
Thanks for the info, I did not catch the time of the buses or cabs plying from Leh to Srinagar? Is it possible to catch something during the day or early evening from Leh and reach relatively early in Srinagar the next day? I am convincing myself to be able to complete the travel in a day…cheers!
hi Papia,
I think most of these cabs which does the journey from Leh to Srinagar in a day starts about 2-4 AM at night and continue upto evening as it takes about 15 Hrs to complete the journey. I am not sure if they do it during the day. Buses does halt at Kargil, AFAIK.
Regards
Dheeraj
Dear Dheeraj
At what time permission is granted 2 cross zozila pass in morning hours from sonmarg side and how much time it takes 2 cross.
Hello C Shree,
AFAIK, I think it is after 11 AM and before 6 AM but that changes there so even I am not 100% sure.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
You are “The Man”. Real neat write-up.We (3 guys) are planning the Srinagar-Leh-Manali trip from Aug 31st. Had contacted a travel agent for a package, he quoted around 1.25 Lakhs(Total) for the travel,hotels and food(breakfast and dinner). I will explain the itinerary: Pick up from Srinagar – Kargil ( 1 Night ) – Leh ( 1 Night ) – Pangong ( 1 Night ) – Leh ( 1 Night ) – Nubra valley ( 1 Night ) – Leh ( 1 Night ) – Sarchu ( 1 Night ) – Manali ( 1 Night ) Departure Manali. The issue is we are travelling from Kerala and this guy needs the money upfront. So if we do the tour without their help, like you had said , take taxi from srinagar to leh, and then another one for going around Leh and then again for Leh to manali..will it be cheaper? Would like to hear your inputs on this one. And thanks again for this amazing site.
Hello Tariq,
Why do you need any travel agent if you have all the information present on this blog to make a successful trip to Ladakh? Of course, if you have any doubts regarding anything ranging from Taxi to Hotel to Route to Night Stay option etc., you can shoot an email to me or post comment here. Plus you will have more flexibility with planning yourself and no restriction to reach a place in time in order to save the amount given as advance to these travel agents… Above all, planning it yourself, will save you quite good amount of money, as all the information is present here 🙂 …
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey Dheeraj,
Took your advice, did not take the package tour, instead planned everything from the info on your site. And it went truly well, did the Srinagar-Leh-Manali trip from August 30th to September 8th. And we saved a lot of money too.And would like to thank you again for maintaining this fantastic site on Kashmir Travel.
Thanks allot Tariq, I am really glad that information present on my blog did help you have a fantastic time on your trip 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
You are awesome man..!!! My draft itinerary is below (based 100% on your site) and i have 3 questions:
– is zanskar valley possible by adding 1 day when going from leh to kargil?
– while preparing this I forgot about a rafting. I couldnt find proper resources about some good rafting leh. Can you help in that?
– is nubra on bike advisble?
August:
– 10: Leh (bike hire?) – move around a bit
– 11: Leh (bike hire..) – move around a bit
– 12: Leh-Nubra (if feel comfortable with bike will go by bike) or if I get some cost sharing travel partners will take taxi
– 13: Back to Leh
– 14: to Pangong (by taxi)
– 15: Back to Leh
– 16-19: 4 day easy trek
– 20: Tso Moriri-Tso Kar (by taxi)
– 21: Back to Leh
– 22: rest/ if bike to nubra valley – probably 3 days/ buffer
– 23: leh-kargil
– 24: kargil-srinagar
– 25: whatever- buffer day for roads
– 26: departure (srinagar)
—————————–
Possible changes:
1. smaller trek and go to zanskar valley from kargil: if at all possible by adding a day or 2
2. Squeeze in a day of rafting – where how – clueless as of now.
Thanks
Hi Shubham,
Thanks alot buddy. My answers below:
1. Nopes, Zanskar is not possible in one day. If you are super back breaker rider you need 2 days at least, otherwise 3 for sure else 4. I find myself 5 even short on my upcoming trip 😆
2. I do not have any source but it is done at Nimmu and Chilling and you can do it with Sham Valley tour.
3. Yes, it can be done but depend upon the skills and riding ability you have.
4. Yes, you can rent bikes in Leh and Fort Road in Leh is full of such shops that rent bikes. Depending upon the condition, model, make and tourist rush you can get bikes starting from Rs 600 to Rs 1200. Rather than booking over phone, it is much better to visit the Fort road, check 4-5 shops over there and get a good deal after checking the bike conditions.
5. Your plan looks good to me and yes of course, on 22nd, you can do Rafting + Sham Valley tour.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
– so I wont be greedy & forget about zanskar valley this time
– for trekking – on the net most companies for 4 day trek are charging ~ 18k. DO you know/ have any idea if for easy trek (most probably Sham trek)we can easily get a ponyman and places to stay as we move in much lesser amount?
– from whatever I have read – it is easy to get a company to share taxis for pangong etc. Is it true..??
– (i probably should have booked my return from leh itself) – but anyways this cant be undone
Again Thanks
Hi Shubham,
1. Good Idea!!
2. Getting a deal from here is also costly and you will get the same deal at better price once you are in Leh. I do not have that idea of getting a pony guy but may be some local guy or hotel staff or your driver might help you out.
3. Yes, it is available at much larger scale than any other destination. Private taxis are very costly in Leh but you will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂
4. Dun worry, you will have a rocking trip still!! 🙂
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj, can u pls suggest the best places to covern on keepin 16 17 18 august keeping 15th as a rest.
Hi Harsh,
Best way to utilize 4 days in Ladakh is like below once you have reached Leh by road:
Day 1 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
–For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 2 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 3 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
If you are directly flying into Leh, I will strongly advice you to have two days in Leh and then third day make a day trip to Khardung La or may be leaving early to Nubra Valley and finally the last day for a day trip to Pangong Tso lake.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks so much. The above looks perfect. I have one query. Can we apply ILP before reaching leh via courier, as we are reaching on 15th august. DC office might be closed. Thanks bro u are doing a
very noble act with guiding many. Rgds and god bless u. Harsh
Hi Harsh,
Yes, you can apply through some travel agent or hotel guys based in Leh. They will ask you to send the photoid proofs via email/fax along with money and will send you back the scanned/faxed copy of your permit.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning to visit Leh from Manali via Srinagar. Following is our Itinerary. Let us know if it is fine.
·August 20th: Manali – Jammu
·August 21st: Jammu – Srinagar
·August 22nd: Srinagar – Kargil – Leh
·August 23rd: Rest day in Leh
·August 24th: Leh – Khardung La Pass – nubra Valley
·August 25th: nubra valley – Leh
·August 26th: Leh – pangong lake – tso moriri
·August 27th: tso moriri – Sarchu
·August 28th: Sarchu – Jispa/Keylong
·August 29th: Jispa/Keylong – Manali
Please do let us know if you have any suggestions or any changes that needs to be made to the itinerary. We are planning to cover all the above mentioned places in 10 days (extendable for a day or two).
Hello Anthony,
Here are my inputs below:
1. Srinagar – Kargil – Leh would be like a cannon ball run of over 16 Hrs, so be prepared otherwise break the journey at Kargil. If possible extend a day and do two day trip with overnight halt at Kargil.
2. Leh – pangong lake – tso moriri | This is not possible. You should just make a Day trip to Pangong Tso Lake on this day and then follow like below:
27th | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
28th | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
29th | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dear dhiraj my schedule is decided as follows
september 1 srinagar-kargill
september 2 kargill-leh
september 3 leh
september 4 leh-diskit/hunder
september 5 diskit-panamik-sumur-leh
september 6 Leh-pangong tso
september 7 pangong tso-upshi/leh
september 8 leh/upshi-tsomoriri
september 9 tsomoriri-tsokar-pang/sarchu
september 10 sarchu-manali-drive further if time permits
september 11 drive back to delhi
form delhi i drive to patnitop (spend the night)and then to srinagar and spend a night
I hope it is fine
rgds
venkatraman
Hello Mr. Venkat,
The itinerary looks fine now. Make it to Leh from Panagong Tso as it is hardly 70-80 minutes drive from Leh and can be covered easily on the next day while going to Tso Moriri. This will keep things much simpler with regard to accommodation as well. Also, Sarchu to Manali shall be fine enough for the day. Day overnight and then proceed towards Delhi next day.
Regards
Dheeraj
hello….dheeraj sir . me and my family deciding to go srinagar in september last week or october first week .and we want to go srinagar to leh by road ..and coming back leh to delhi by flight..so please suggest me ..is it safe and easy to go on this way in september ….or first week in october…???
Hello Pranay,
It is fine, if you do not have any issues with somewhat a bit cold conditions though not too much. But, please tell me the number of days you have in hand for any plans you would like to have.
Regards
Dheeraj
would like 2 know whether it is possible to cover srinagar-drass if v start by 2pm from srinagar as our flight arrives at srinagar by 13.30hrs
Hello C Shree,
No, it will not be possible. Kindly avoid it. Maximum, you can do is that you reach Sonamarg with some day light left in the day.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Congrats n thank for making such a informative site.I would like to take help from you regrdng finalizing trip to ladakh.
We are group of six people wanting to go to ladakh from 19th oct to 29 oct through srinagar leh and then to leh- manali highway.
Can u suggest itinerary for it and also estimate cost of total trip.
Awaiting your reply.
Thnks n regards
Hello SG,
Before thinking of such plan or me suggesting anything, I will advice you to read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in Late September or October
You are considering late October which definitely is not the right time to have a road trip to Ladakh.
For queries related to budget for Leh – Ladakh trip, I am sure the link below will help you alot for getting an idea of overall budget:
How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip
Still, in case you have any doubt, kindly let me know.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks For Replying my earlier post and alerting me regarding the tough conditions over there. Since we can get holidays at that time only we don’t have much option. Before this I have done few snow trekking so i will try to brave chilling climate n Hope that our plan will not get disturbed by landslide or snowfall . I am also feeling positive by facts that u have also suggested some groups to visit after 15th Sept as rainy season is delayed.
I have made basic itinerary for us by taking help from your blogs.
Day 1 Delhi – Leh
Day 2 Leh + inner Permits
Day 3 Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
Day4 Hunder – Pangong Tso lAke
Day 5 Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
Day 6 Rest Day
Day 7 Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
Day 8 Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu
Day 9 Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
Day 10 Manali – Delhi
Is this can be possible in month of October?
Or is there any suggested itinerary for week in leh.on that dates (19th Oct to 30 Oct). i am also toying with idea of returning through sr Srinagar nagar highway instead of Manali highway and take a flight from Srinagar to Delhi.
Please Suggest ..
And as we are group of 6 people can you suggest how much will it cost for transportation if we book Scorpio.(Sorry i have read you blog but cnfused) for leh, surrounding and leh-manali/Srinagar.
Awaiting help from you and thanks in advance.
Hello SG,
The itinerary is fine but not suited for the dates as late October for Day 4 and Day 5. Please do not go towards Wari La at that point of time because in case of any eventuality you may not get any help for weeks. Try to stick to normal routes only which are even used by army to ply. Hence, in order to visit Pangong Tso, use the Day 5 and Day 6. As you will not find any accommodations at Pangong Tso, same with Tso Moriri, you will have to stay at Tangste near Pangong Tso (decent guest houses are available) or Korzok Village near Tso Moriri (average types home stays are available). Mind you it will be extremely cold near Tso Moriri and ahead towards Tso Kar and on Manali – Leh Highway, so go with heavy woolens especially the mufflers that protect your neck and throat as most people forget it. Do not hesitate to wear gloves all the time as the cold may get your finger tips to get numb. Only after checking the weather conditions in Leh, try to hit th Manali Leh highway, else come back via Srinagar – Leh Highway only.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj..have some questions …..regarding the trip tp leh/ladakh…dont know how to reach u/////is there an email id..
I have emailed you my contact info.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I have written to you sometime back, thanks for helping us in finalizing the plans. I have some more queries. We are 5 guys traveling in 4×4 which has tank capacity of 95 Liters. We have couple of jerry cans which can hold probably 20 Ltrs each. On normal road it gives me 10 -12 Km / Ltr. The planned route as is LEH to Nubra to Pangong(thru Wari La / Shyok) to Tso Moriri (thru Man – Merek – Chusul) and exit thru Leh – Manali Highway. If we tank up @ Nubra will we be able make it up till next fuel station, which as per the blog is Tandi?
2) We will be traveling thru Srinagar to Leh and rest of Leh during Ramadan, Will there be any issues for food due to Ramadan fasting ?
Thanks
Praveen
Hello Praveen,
1. Well, the above said route, you will not get any fuel at nubra Valley though Deskit has a petrol pump but majority of the times the pump is out of service. So, do not rely over it. The route you are covering would require 1200 approx KMs. So, do carry the spare fuel accordingly.
2. I do not think there should be major issue.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
can we travel leh laddakh in early november?
Hi Anjani,
Yes you can travel to Ladakh but unlikely by road and at least Manali – Leh Highway will be officially closed. Also, most of the good restaurants and seasonal guest houses will be closed, so choice of food and accommodation will be minimum. Staying at Pangong Tso would again be difficult and you will need to stay at some Homestay or at Tangste only.
Not to forget, it will be extremely extremely cold in Ladakh in November.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Harsh,
I am also planning the same trip. Del-Leh via flight and then Leh-Srinagar via road.
Can you tell me how are you coming down to Srinagar from leh? Are you driving or riding? Much Thanks!
hi neeti, we r planning leh srinagar by taxi or second alter by bus.
Hi Neeti, How have you planned your visit at Leh on day wise siteseeing?
hi, We have planned 15th August flight from Delhi to LEH morning, 15,16, 17,18 in Leh. Back to srinagar via raod on 18 noon for evening stop at kargil. As the Leh delhi airfare was expensive we have booked deilhi leh. do you think this is ok? can we coupe up with sickness by 16th morning to enjoy the trip.
Harsh, you will have to spend at least first two days in Leh itself to get your bodies acclimatized. So, you are ;left with 17 only as on 18 and 19th you will be traveling on Srinagar – Leh route.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
thanks dheeraj for the info. we shall probebly extend the stay for 2 more days. I really don't know on the time for accimation' as i was under impresion than 15 morning to evening would be enough as we would arrive by 7.30am.
All the best Harsh for the wonderful journey to Ladakh…
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj/Harsh , I am based in Delhi and planning for sth similar …how many days ideally be planned for stay at Leh and what activities can be planned during those days ..i love trekking ..regards
Hi Deepak,
It depends what you in it for — Trekking OR Sightseeing?
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip including basic medical kit, clothing, must haves etc. at the link here: List of Things to Carry for Leh – Ladakh trip.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma