Planning The Great Ladhakh Trip
- Thread Starter mastersquall
- Start date
Thread Starter
#77
actually snow start melting in april takes till may after that they need to clean the road of all stuff like land slide . specially manali road close because of snow but srinagar road is open .
I am trying to avoid srinagar road . But just now i got reply from another person who visit lot of time . he said after 15may manali road should be opened its best go after 1june to avoid crossing lot of river
I am trying to avoid srinagar road . But just now i got reply from another person who visit lot of time . he said after 15may manali road should be opened its best go after 1june to avoid crossing lot of river
Thread Starter
#79
nothing is confirmed till now . But my safari is going . But i think 2cars might go .
hsrah and his 2friends are coming . Me and one of my friend is coming and 2more are expected . But invitation is open to all but they need to tell us before 20june atleast .
hsrah and his 2friends are coming . Me and one of my friend is coming and 2more are expected . But invitation is open to all but they need to tell us before 20june atleast .
Guys how abt bringing my ikon....
i just saw the news. Manali-Leh roads are open now.
Thread Starter
#83
sure but be ready for atleast 15days leave
strange government website still saying its closed![[confused]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Confused.gif "Confused [confused]")
which you can see in first page
strange government website still saying its closed
which you can see in first pagei dont know man. i saw on some news channel. it was flashing.
Thread Starter
#85
well i am sure when we will go that is after 25june menali route will be opened
Hi Everyone and (Squall),
Congratulation for your determined approach of making it to Leh. Let me try to give you certain information and input, which might be of a little help.
A) Manali - Leh road is still close. BRO is struggling with removing snow stretch between Barlach-la and Nakila passes. Keylong to Darcha stretch is in terrible condition with local 4x4 Gypsys finding it difficult to maneuver.
B) If you are planning to start 25th June onwards, its better you keep a regular weather watch and local information update as well. Let me know if I can be of any help. You can call keylong post office, Hotel Ibex, etc for update.
C) Zingzingbar area is completely under snow and even the BRO (GREF) Camp 109 Rcc has not been able to pitch the tent yet. Which is highly unusual, and shows the amount of snowfall which happened till end March 2011 this year.
D) Tanglangla ledge was in precarious condition when the road closed last season, no information till now on that. ( No BRO presence yet on that stretch) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Tanglang_la is amazingly clear n bright.JPG ( just left of this turn is the deadly ledge)E) No tents has been pitched yet in Bharatpur, Sarchu or Pang. Tent owners of Pang ( Sonam Pangri) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Best Tent at Pang.....JPG are usually based out in Majnu ka Tila during winter selling woolens J and they are on their way back to pitch tent now. Last heard, no one is expecting any tents this year before July mid.
F) With some basic precautions, definitely your Safari would sail through, but I (personal observation and insight) am little skeptical about anyone taking smaller cars during July-August season to Leh. Primarily, because of the safety reason, drivability issues, GC, FWD character of our cars. Sometimes, your own driving pleasure and concentration or adaptability will be hampered, because more often than not, you’ll be helping your friends in small car to either tow out of slush and mud or guiding them in real bad roads. For me, driving to Leh till ( with slush and water all around) August end is a test of pure skill and understanding the ability of your car and extracting maximum out of it yet with love. Help can be provided in extreme cases, but it shouldn’t become a necessity. Your clutch plate, pressure plate & pins, and brakes are your best friend while driving in such condition, not someone who is sitting beside you or behind. (Again, my own perception and observation – Not to hurt anyone)
HVK is definitely a great “road warrior”, his knowledge and insight is unquestionable. It is fascinating reading his blogs and getting information. On Leh road trip, there are certain basic precautions if followed, I am confident of you and your safari making it. I did it in Scorpio in 09 September, and before that I have done it in friends’ accent tornado in 06 (October). I tried in scorpio and had to turn back in 08, July owing to horrible weather ( we tried via Kunjum la and those 3 days the pagal nullah was at its best).
1. Use good tubeless tyres, not the fat good looking one but the recommended spec. one of good quality. Carry a spare new tube, in case. Once in manali, dab the outside/inside part of your tyre ( which goes inside the rim) with some thick oil like engine oil, mustard oil whatever and leave it overnight. Keep it like that)
2. Carry plastic ( 25x2) diesel carrier, one with stopper and then the cap. Tie it in the back with your back seat, in upright.
3. NEVER take oil/Diesel in Tandi, prefer Manali instead.
4. Try to have bigger Jack with you, in case (god forbid) you need to change your tyres. If driving in constant snow for more than hours in undulated roads, reduce your tyre pressure by 5 factors. ( 5 seconds of constant deflate).
5. On the way, you will find 'down' routes. Don’t take them for going up. They are down routes and should be used only for driving down. This is a serious advice. Safari can go up on those routes easily, but a single driving fault may make the car go toppling down.
6. If you are staying at any tent for night stopover, make sure that every alternate 3 hours someone is going out to crank the car and keep it idle for 30 minutes. When you’ll start it in the morning to leave, you’ll know why I advised this.
7. Carry spare coolant, clutch pins ( I guess safari, like Scorpio has one), liquid soap ( will come handy in spraying it in the glass amidst rain !)
8. Once in Leh, take your car to the tata workshop, have them check the Brake pads and shoes, suspension mountings, clutch. If they suggest you to change anything, take the advice, but ask them questions. 50:50, go for what they say.
9. Carry some necessary food items, ( lays and chips will burst open once you cross Barlachla owing to high pressure – try to take chocolate bars and fruit cake preferably)
10. Carry bottles of water ( 1 crate for 2 person). Dehydration is worrisome.
11. Carry diamox ( hams medication). If you feel it, DO NOT WAIT. I needed it during my night stay at Pang while going 2nd time, but never again. Carry medicine for stomach upset/fever and spray for pain/cramps.
12. Try not to drink alcohol or smoke cannabis, even while resting or in tent. It slows your heart, makes you feel cold and disoriented at that altitude.
Happy journey and I am sure you’ll have the best drive you can ever imagine :)
some snaps..
A video of our drive towards barlachla
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/MVI_0428.rar
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/@khardungla.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Our beast !.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Leaving More Plain Behind.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Crossing Sissu.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Pang to More plains.....JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Leaving More Plain Behind.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Getting to Kanglajal ! Bad roads.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/More Plains.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Towards Koksar.JPG
Be Leh”ed”…
Thanks
Amit
Congratulation for your determined approach of making it to Leh. Let me try to give you certain information and input, which might be of a little help.
A) Manali - Leh road is still close. BRO is struggling with removing snow stretch between Barlach-la and Nakila passes. Keylong to Darcha stretch is in terrible condition with local 4x4 Gypsys finding it difficult to maneuver.
B) If you are planning to start 25th June onwards, its better you keep a regular weather watch and local information update as well. Let me know if I can be of any help. You can call keylong post office, Hotel Ibex, etc for update.
C) Zingzingbar area is completely under snow and even the BRO (GREF) Camp 109 Rcc has not been able to pitch the tent yet. Which is highly unusual, and shows the amount of snowfall which happened till end March 2011 this year.
D) Tanglangla ledge was in precarious condition when the road closed last season, no information till now on that. ( No BRO presence yet on that stretch) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Tanglang_la is amazingly clear n bright.JPG ( just left of this turn is the deadly ledge)E) No tents has been pitched yet in Bharatpur, Sarchu or Pang. Tent owners of Pang ( Sonam Pangri) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Best Tent at Pang.....JPG are usually based out in Majnu ka Tila during winter selling woolens J and they are on their way back to pitch tent now. Last heard, no one is expecting any tents this year before July mid.
F) With some basic precautions, definitely your Safari would sail through, but I (personal observation and insight) am little skeptical about anyone taking smaller cars during July-August season to Leh. Primarily, because of the safety reason, drivability issues, GC, FWD character of our cars. Sometimes, your own driving pleasure and concentration or adaptability will be hampered, because more often than not, you’ll be helping your friends in small car to either tow out of slush and mud or guiding them in real bad roads. For me, driving to Leh till ( with slush and water all around) August end is a test of pure skill and understanding the ability of your car and extracting maximum out of it yet with love. Help can be provided in extreme cases, but it shouldn’t become a necessity. Your clutch plate, pressure plate & pins, and brakes are your best friend while driving in such condition, not someone who is sitting beside you or behind. (Again, my own perception and observation – Not to hurt anyone)
HVK is definitely a great “road warrior”, his knowledge and insight is unquestionable. It is fascinating reading his blogs and getting information. On Leh road trip, there are certain basic precautions if followed, I am confident of you and your safari making it. I did it in Scorpio in 09 September, and before that I have done it in friends’ accent tornado in 06 (October). I tried in scorpio and had to turn back in 08, July owing to horrible weather ( we tried via Kunjum la and those 3 days the pagal nullah was at its best).
1. Use good tubeless tyres, not the fat good looking one but the recommended spec. one of good quality. Carry a spare new tube, in case. Once in manali, dab the outside/inside part of your tyre ( which goes inside the rim) with some thick oil like engine oil, mustard oil whatever and leave it overnight. Keep it like that)
2. Carry plastic ( 25x2) diesel carrier, one with stopper and then the cap. Tie it in the back with your back seat, in upright.
3. NEVER take oil/Diesel in Tandi, prefer Manali instead.
4. Try to have bigger Jack with you, in case (god forbid) you need to change your tyres. If driving in constant snow for more than hours in undulated roads, reduce your tyre pressure by 5 factors. ( 5 seconds of constant deflate).
5. On the way, you will find 'down' routes. Don’t take them for going up. They are down routes and should be used only for driving down. This is a serious advice. Safari can go up on those routes easily, but a single driving fault may make the car go toppling down.
6. If you are staying at any tent for night stopover, make sure that every alternate 3 hours someone is going out to crank the car and keep it idle for 30 minutes. When you’ll start it in the morning to leave, you’ll know why I advised this.
7. Carry spare coolant, clutch pins ( I guess safari, like Scorpio has one), liquid soap ( will come handy in spraying it in the glass amidst rain !)
8. Once in Leh, take your car to the tata workshop, have them check the Brake pads and shoes, suspension mountings, clutch. If they suggest you to change anything, take the advice, but ask them questions. 50:50, go for what they say.
9. Carry some necessary food items, ( lays and chips will burst open once you cross Barlachla owing to high pressure – try to take chocolate bars and fruit cake preferably)
10. Carry bottles of water ( 1 crate for 2 person). Dehydration is worrisome.
11. Carry diamox ( hams medication). If you feel it, DO NOT WAIT. I needed it during my night stay at Pang while going 2nd time, but never again. Carry medicine for stomach upset/fever and spray for pain/cramps.
12. Try not to drink alcohol or smoke cannabis, even while resting or in tent. It slows your heart, makes you feel cold and disoriented at that altitude.
Happy journey and I am sure you’ll have the best drive you can ever imagine :)
some snaps..
A video of our drive towards barlachla
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/MVI_0428.rar
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/@khardungla.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Our beast !.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Leaving More Plain Behind.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Crossing Sissu.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Pang to More plains.....JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Leaving More Plain Behind.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Getting to Kanglajal ! Bad roads.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/More Plains.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29322107/Towards Koksar.JPG
Be Leh”ed”…
Thanks
Amit
Hi Everyone,
Any update on the planned trip ? I just got back from a small hiatus and surprised to see no more discussion on this.
I am planning for North East ( NJP- Guwahati - Dimapur - Kohima - Senapati - Churachandpur - Twen tsang - NJP ) this year around August/September, anyone planning anything around the same period, please join the chorus.
Thanks,
A
Any update on the planned trip ? I just got back from a small hiatus and surprised to see no more discussion on this.
I am planning for North East ( NJP- Guwahati - Dimapur - Kohima - Senapati - Churachandpur - Twen tsang - NJP ) this year around August/September, anyone planning anything around the same period, please join the chorus.
Thanks,
A
Hi 350Z !
I don't deny that Leh road trip is challenging, but too much thought and preparation ruins the day, at it says !
In 2009 Sept, Me & a friend went to Manali actually to pick up some stuff ( I have a little land around vashist ). Stayed there for 2 days {(I had leave in my hand :)} and the day we are suppose to come back to Gurgaon, went up to Marhi with a local friend early in the morning, just to pay a visit to some known para-glider and enjoy the ride. Coincidentally, a known raid-de himalaya rally driver was passing by to start his recce of the upcoming rally road, and we started talking and I got the opportunity to drive his mod-gypsy 4x4 till Keylong :)...My friend took my scorpio following my dust and we thought we "ll stay at Keylong that night. Just 1 day detour and we will come back !! Well, we woke up next morning, awesome weather, blue sky, and we never came back to Gurgaon !! after 26 hours we were in Leh :) staying the night at Sonam's tent at Pang !
The equpment we had are -
1. Additional tyre and a heavy duty jack ( standard in my scorpio )
2. Electronic air - inflater ( again I always keep it in my car )
3. 2 Crate of water bottle ( picked from Keylong ) + fruit juices
4. Chocolate bars and dry fruits ( picked from raghu sharma's shop at Keylong beside the post office )
5. Got hold of a local guy to get 2 ( 20 ltr x 2 ) plastic diesel jarricane with the promise of return it on the way back + 20 Ltr of Diesel from a local truck guy.
6. From the same guy, we got a make shift chain ( for towing, in case )
7. 2 Diamox tablets and some common medicine from the army post near zing brar, in case !
8. SBI ATM had 6000 Rs in total which we withdrew from Keylong
And we reached Leh !!
Well, not ideal for any-one traveling for the first time, but too much thought and planning can really make your trip complex and uneventful !!
Just go man...Enjoy...This year post July, it seems the way BRO and 113 and 109 rcc are going ahead with road construction, you can reach Leh in 16 hours flat !
What a pity !
Cheers
I don't deny that Leh road trip is challenging, but too much thought and preparation ruins the day, at it says !
In 2009 Sept, Me & a friend went to Manali actually to pick up some stuff ( I have a little land around vashist ). Stayed there for 2 days {(I had leave in my hand :)} and the day we are suppose to come back to Gurgaon, went up to Marhi with a local friend early in the morning, just to pay a visit to some known para-glider and enjoy the ride. Coincidentally, a known raid-de himalaya rally driver was passing by to start his recce of the upcoming rally road, and we started talking and I got the opportunity to drive his mod-gypsy 4x4 till Keylong :)...My friend took my scorpio following my dust and we thought we "ll stay at Keylong that night. Just 1 day detour and we will come back !! Well, we woke up next morning, awesome weather, blue sky, and we never came back to Gurgaon !! after 26 hours we were in Leh :) staying the night at Sonam's tent at Pang !
The equpment we had are -
1. Additional tyre and a heavy duty jack ( standard in my scorpio )
2. Electronic air - inflater ( again I always keep it in my car )
3. 2 Crate of water bottle ( picked from Keylong ) + fruit juices
4. Chocolate bars and dry fruits ( picked from raghu sharma's shop at Keylong beside the post office )
5. Got hold of a local guy to get 2 ( 20 ltr x 2 ) plastic diesel jarricane with the promise of return it on the way back + 20 Ltr of Diesel from a local truck guy.
6. From the same guy, we got a make shift chain ( for towing, in case )
7. 2 Diamox tablets and some common medicine from the army post near zing brar, in case !
8. SBI ATM had 6000 Rs in total which we withdrew from Keylong
And we reached Leh !!
Well, not ideal for any-one traveling for the first time, but too much thought and planning can really make your trip complex and uneventful !!
Just go man...Enjoy...This year post July, it seems the way BRO and 113 and 109 rcc are going ahead with road construction, you can reach Leh in 16 hours flat !
What a pity !
Cheers
Thread Starter
#90
Sorry guys from my side june as well as july is cancelled as due to my eye problem doctor has strongly advised me against going to any trip atleast for 1 month after that i can . SO look like i will go there in august or September or who know i am mad guy might pack my bags and start journey :P