Trip Report Sep/Oct-11 :18 days of bliss at Zanskar and Remote Changthang with family

Agree with Dheeraj, Sept is really good for many reasons in Ladakh. Saugata wish you a safe and nice trip!!

I can' describe any words are worthy to thank you for your excellent travelogue. I have trekked 4 times to ladakh, but failed to get permissions to some of the areas you have traveled ! If there is a prize for any post in "Indiamike", 2011's one should go to you!!
Alokenath Mallick.
Kolkata

To add to that, he was already awarded the 'Best Public Transport Travelogoue of the Year 2011' award in BCMT.

If everyone contributes 1 penny for each of his valuable posts, he would be a millionaire.

Can you please share the contact info of Regzin ?

Thanks

Hi Subhrendu,
I came across this contact info as posted by Kaushik earlier in this thread:
Car/Driver :Srinagar-Zanskar-Leh : Md. Kazim, very highly recommended. +919419801538
Ladakh part: Regzin, very highly recommended : +919622954779

You'll find a number of extremely helpful info from Kaushik on page 3 of this thread.

Kaushik: hope the contact details haven't changed.

Regards
Supratik

Thanks a lot Aloke for your kind words of appreciation. Indiamike doesn't believe in so called prize/competetion but these comments from you are actually much more valuable and precious than any prize. Thank you again for the encouragement and good words.

Ha Ha Saugata, nice calculation, I am already a millionaire with so much of good words and appreciations from all of you for the effort I put in this log. I wanted this to be informative rather than just experience sharing and if it helps anyone I would be really happy.

Thanks Supratik for answering the query already. Regzin is having another number now so not sure if he still uses the earlier number regularly. If the post can be modified, I could update that in contact details post but anyway updating it here for all. In addition to the number mentioned above, he is now having a BSNL mobile too +919469472772

Those who know his lucky Black Scorpio, (you can see the pic in one of the snaps I attached here) would understand that last 4 digit of the new phone number matches with the Scorpio Registration Number.

Have a safe and nice trip!!

Thanks Kaushik and Supratik.
I am contemplating my own itinerary and hence had qus.
What is special in Chumathang ?
My trip from Hanle-Leh I was thinking of staying overnight at Chumathang. Will that be worth it or should I rather reach leh and spend an extra day in leh ?
Any suggestions ?

@ kshil, dheerajsharma14

Since u have traveled that area extensively please check my itinerary and answer the following queries. We are a family of three adults.

21 May Arrival Leh 0710 hrs, after lunch local sightseeing
like, Leh palace, Shanti stupa etc.Night stay: Leh
(Arrangement of Permit for Nubra valley and Pangong to
be done on 21 or 22 May

22 May Near by places : Spituk, Magnetic hill, Hall of fame,
Confluence of Zanskar & Indus river, Pathar Sahib
Gurudwara,Sankar etc Night stay: Leh

23 May morning leave for Nubra valley, visiting Khardungla
pass, Diskit and Hudur Night stay :Hundur

24 May morning leave for Panamik and Sumur. Return to
Leh in the evening.Night stay: Leh
OR
from Hudur proceed further to Turtuk and return to
Leh and skip Panamik and Sumur side.

25 May morning leave for Pangong lake visiting Shey, Thiksey
on the way to Pangong via Changla Pass.
night stay : Spangmik at the Pangong lake

26 May start around 12 noon for trip back to Leh and visit
Hemis and Stok on the way.Night stay : Leh

27 May White water rafting from Phey to Nimmoo
OR
round trip Leh- Alchi- Likir- Lamayuru- Leh

28 May fly back to Delhi( Dep. time 1040)with lovely
memories

1. How is the month of May to visit that place in regards of natural beauty? Though we can not change our plans now....but still wanted to know....
2. On 24 May which option should we take? We are more interested in natural scenic beauty as compared to visiting Monastaries on that day? Is the experience of hot water springs at Panamik too good to miss?
3. Should we directly go to Tangste from Diskit on 24 May? How will be the roads during that period(Fourth week of May)
4. On 27 May which option should we go for?
5. Please give me also the contacts of good taxi operator who can give us a good bargain.

The photos posted by you are amazing....are u a professional Photographer? Which camera are u using?

Please help me to decide............thanks



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thanks for letting me know......new to this forum....will take care.

Trying to answer your questions in bold:

1. How is the month of May to visit that place in regards of natural beauty? Though we can not change our plans now....but still wanted to know....

It's nice to visit in May with lots of snow all around.

2. On 24 May which option should we take? We are more interested in natural scenic beauty as compared to visiting Monastaries on that day? Is the experience of hot water springs at Panamik too good to miss?

Going to Turtuk and then back to Leh would be quite time taking, plan your day and start very early if you intend to do so. In terms of natural beauties not much of difference between left and right fork across Shyok river, so you can go either but Turtuk would certainly give you a new cultural experience.

3. Should we directly go to Tangste from Diskit on 24 May? How will be the roads during that period(Fourth week of May)

Wari La won't be open so early, talk to local cabbies and confirm Wari La status before you start your direct journey to Tangtse from Diskit, fabulous and much better than Khardungla but I am in doubt if you get that open so early.

4. On 27 May which option should we go for?

It's your interest, if you love rafting do it, traveling in Ladakh also never be boring.

5. Please give me also the contacts of good taxi operator who can give us a good bargain.

I can't assure of bargain as it's completely season and demand driven but reliable cab drivers number you should get in this thread itself.

Thanks for your compliments on snaps, I am not a professional photographer but have seen many amateurs turned pro just because of Ladakh's landscape. Go and feel it.

I used a Nikon D80 with 18-135/70-300/105 Macro.

Have a safe and nice trip!!

Amazing Trip Report and excellent Photos Kshil.. Read the entire log twice. Loved your narration and descriptive writing supplemented by really beautiful captures..

Would you mind sharing the Expense details for the entire trip as we are also planning a trip to Kashmir and Ladakh this year?

Thanks Meavin2011, for your appreciation and kind words. Happy to know that you enjoyed the log.

All Accommodation Costs would be around 600 to 800 in offseason (I mean between Sep 15th to 30th ) except the tent / resort acco in Spangmik / Korzok (Tsomoriri)

Food should be average per day per person within 1000.

Main component is Transport - If you take your individual transport, check this year's Ladakh taxi Union rate chart to understand approx cost. It will substantially reduce if you stick to the well traveled route and share the cab or can use public transport for few legs of journey. If you love driving in high altitude and have the experience and can drive there, it would certainly be saving the cost.

So to sum it up, you have to consider your mode of transport and plan your route to conclude the major component of cost in a Ladakh trip.

Have a safe and nice trip!!

Hi Kaushik, We are planning to Ladakh next month. We are going by SUV straight from Kolkata. Our trip route will be Kolkata - Srinagar - Kargil - Zansar - Kargil - Batalik-Dha Hanu - Lamayaru - Leh - Nubra - Wari La/Shayok - Pangong - Hanle - Moriri - Kar - Keylong - Gramphu - Batal - Chandratal - Kaza - Kalpa - Simla - Delhi - Kolkata. I need some suggestion from you.

Thanks Suman

Wish you a safe and nice trip Suman, would give you a call sometimes soon.