AMS / driving / Leh

jaybel · Jun 15th, 2005, 10:52

Hi..

I now that AMS has been discussed many a times, but how bad is it when drives to Leh from Mnali. Is it lesser than flying into Leh ?. We are driving to Leh all the way from Delhi and i have been assured that we wont notice or get affected ny AMS that much...any truth?? would love to hear frm IM's who have driven to Leh...

Thanks

machadinha · Jun 15th, 2005, 19:44

I haven't been, but the usual advice seems to be that if you want to fly one way, fly into Leh and take the bus out, as the road from Manali to Leh (itself at 3500 meters) climbs to 5300 meters so you'll suffer less from it after having acclimatised in Leh. The road from Srinagar seems to be less taxing as it climbs to "just" 3500 meters. Either way you may feel (very) uncomfortable in Leh for the first few days it seems.

Let's see what experienced folks have to say about it after a gentle bump

Alan D · Jun 15th, 2005, 20:50

People respond differently to changes in altitude and it seems that some people are more prone to AMS than others.

If you are travelling by vehicle from Manali to Leh you sleep as low as possible and this is where the tented camps are. You are only really high when crossing the passes and normally people don't stop on the high passes for very long. You may notice a slight light headedness or nausea but this will pass as you descend.

I've travelled the Manali - Leh road twice now and felt fine after arriving in Leh but I took things easy for the first day or so there.

Dr Funkenstein · Jun 15th, 2005, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

fly into Leh and take the bus out, as the road from Manali to Leh (itself at 3500 meters) climbs to 5300 meters so you'll suffer less from it after having acclimatised in Leh.

I would've thought that it'd be better to bus it up then fly out. Quite a lot of people get AMS quite badly flying from Delhi straight up to the 3500 metres of Leh.

At least the bus trip gives you a bit of a chance to acclimatise. Well, more of a chance than just stepping off a plane at 3500 metres does, at least. The other benefit of the bus is that you're 'climbing high, sleeping low' as Alan says.

If you've got a bit of time, you could aid the acclimatisation by staying in Manali for a bit and climbing a few of the hills or having a trip up to the Rohtang Pass.

camelgirl · Jun 15th, 2005, 23:23

I took the bus from Srinigar to Leh--when you still could and before all the "problems" there, in the 1980s. It was a grueling 2 day trip but fun in one of those little mountain buses spewing diesel smoke.

I guess I had a bit of an altitude problem during the week I was there, nothing serious. A bad headache and waking up all night feeling like I couldn't breath!

And of course losing my breathe every few minutes! Still, it was wonderful to be there (in August). But I also did get a head cold, and felt much too bad to take the return trip by bus, so with a lot of daily trips to someone we managed to get a flight out. That was almost more terrifying than the bus ride in since the plane could only take off 1/2 full due to the altitude and the monastary at the end of the tarmac makes a sharp turn necessary!

Well, maybe they've changed that runway since it's become more tourist oriented since I was there!

Jun 15th, 2005, 10:52	#1
jaybel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 142	AMS / driving / Leh Hi.. I now that AMS has been discussed many a times, but how bad is it when drives to Leh from Mnali. Is it lesser than flying into Leh ?. We are driving to Leh all the way from Delhi and i have been assured that we wont notice or get affected ny AMS that much...any truth?? would love to hear frm IM's who have driven to Leh... Thanks

Jun 15th, 2005, 19:44	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	I haven't been, but the usual advice seems to be that if you want to fly one way, fly into Leh and take the bus out, as the road from Manali to Leh (itself at 3500 meters) climbs to 5300 meters so you'll suffer less from it after having acclimatised in Leh. The road from Srinagar seems to be less taxing as it climbs to "just" 3500 meters. Either way you may feel (very) uncomfortable in Leh for the first few days it seems. Let's see what experienced folks have to say about it after a gentle bump __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jun 15th, 2005, 20:50	#3
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,869	People respond differently to changes in altitude and it seems that some people are more prone to AMS than others. If you are travelling by vehicle from Manali to Leh you sleep as low as possible and this is where the tented camps are. You are only really high when crossing the passes and normally people don't stop on the high passes for very long. You may notice a slight light headedness or nausea but this will pass as you descend. I've travelled the Manali - Leh road twice now and felt fine after arriving in Leh but I took things easy for the first day or so there. __________________ What a long strange trip it's been!

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Jun 15th, 2005, 23:23	#5
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 981	I took the bus from Srinigar to Leh--when you still could and before all the "problems" there, in the 1980s. It was a grueling 2 day trip but fun in one of those little mountain buses spewing diesel smoke. I guess I had a bit of an altitude problem during the week I was there, nothing serious. A bad headache and waking up all night feeling like I couldn't breath! And of course losing my breathe every few minutes! Still, it was wonderful to be there (in August). But I also did get a head cold, and felt much too bad to take the return trip by bus, so with a lot of daily trips to someone we managed to get a flight out. That was almost more terrifying than the bus ride in since the plane could only take off 1/2 full due to the altitude and the monastary at the end of the tarmac makes a sharp turn necessary! Well, maybe they've changed that runway since it's become more tourist oriented since I was there!

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