Trip to Leh/Ladakh

Hi!

We (my wife and I) are planning a trip from Delhi to Leh via Manali around the 12th August and would like to return to Delhi by air on the 18th. Can someone suggest an itinerary?

Also, we would like to know the approximate cost of the road journey from Manali to Leh. I know that Himachal Tourism runs buses on this route, but is that a good option or is it better to hire a taxi? Does the bus give enough opportunity for photography? What about finding accommodation enroute?

Grateful for as much details as possible, including possibility of sharing the Taxi.

Sima and Sandip
New Delhi

I shall be traveling to Leh from Manali end of July, so have done a fair bit of research online. The HPTDC bus from Manali to Leh costs Rs 2000 per head including an overnight halt with acco and food at Keylong. taxis are probably available at the same price .Please remember all this information is gathered and not first hand ones!

just been looking for buses to leh yesterday around manali and posted my findings here

hope this helps

I just got to Manali from Leh. I rode on the HPTDC bus.

Pros:
* Highly skilled driver
* Hassle free travel

Cons:
* If you like to take pics along the way then this might not be a good idea. The route is the most beautiful road I have been on.
* The tented acco is very basic and they make you use the common facilities in the hotel (squat style loos, quite smelly)
* The food they provide is not great either.

If you like, you can upgrade yourself to a hotel room by paying the diff. It makes sense to do that if you are 2 ppl travelling together.

Alternatively you can just pay 1500 for the ride and arrange for food/acco (lots of options available) on your own.

Best would be to book the tickets for 1500 and then decide if you want to use the tent when you get there. You pay an additional 500 bucks for the tent if you decide to use it.

10yearitch I believe they have dorm acco at the HPTDC hotel in Keylong which is quite economical , is it so? Are there any other economical acco in keylong besisdes the HPTDC one?

Hi stephanij,
Yes, they have dorms - not sure how much they charge.

Here is the split up of the 2000.
1500 for the ride
500 for the tent + 1 breakfast + 1 dinner

The rooms are for 1733 - we (my wife and I) paid an additional 733 for the upgrade.

If I were to do it again, I would just pay for the ride and manage the acco and food on my own. The hotel is quite old and grubby. There is hot water if you get the room - not otherwise. The rooms are quite damp and definitely not worth the money.

There are a few guest houses near the HPTDC hotel. I think think there is one called Nordaling or something like that which looked nice.

One of our fellow passengers found a really nice room next to the bus stand for 500 bucks. I did see the room - it was nicer than the one up in the HPTDC place. Attached bath, TV (if it matters) etc ... It was called Ganglong or somthing like that.

Keylong is a small town. You can stay in one of the guest houses and show up at the HPTDC hotel at the time of departure (7 AM sharp).

Cheers!

Thanks all of you for the information. I am going to buy the airticket for Leh today (have already made the booking). So now there's no going back!

We have decided to take the Himchal Tourism bus from Leh to Manali. Shall spend around four days in Leh. So, we should be able to book the bus two days in advance as required by the HTDC. One point is not clear - what are the days that the bus leaves Leh. Is it Sunday and Tuesday? And what are the departure time at Leh and arrival time at Manali? I have also kept the share taxi optionopen.

Another question, if someone could guide - whether or not to take heavy woollens / overcoats, etc. Will sweaters and a jacket (to protect from the wind) be enough?

I have taken your advice and we would rather stay in a hotel or guest house at Keylong. Squat type loo would be too difficult for us!

Once again thanks. Hope it would be a memorable journey.

No need for heavy woollens - In Leh you might just need a light jacket for the evenings.
Pangong etc can cold in the evenings.
Take a warm jacket which you would use for your Delhi winters. That should be more than enough.

The buses run every other day. But they keep introducing 'special' buses if there is a demand.
Once you get to Leh, just stop by their office (opp Chopsticks). They will provide you all the info + you can book your tickets accordingly.

Have fun! Don't try to see everything esp since you have just 4 days.
Just pick the top sights and enjoy.

Thanks a lot, indeed!

you should check out there are festivals going around that time ...its great way to see the tradition f leh ladakh ....accalamtise well and keep diamox with you (or lot of GARLIC)CAN BE HELPFUL IN high altitude ...dont miss your warm jacket ...mountains you never know ....iam sure you wont regret .....
happy touring

Thanks. I shall remember Diamox and the warm jacket.

Hi Sandeep,

Greetings for the day...!!!

I would be traveling to leh by my own Car & would be starting from Delhi on 27th July'10...if you want to join then do let me know....There is still two seat vacant....

We two people are there Me (Vinod from Noida) & Harshjit (An Indiamiker from Mumbai)

If interested do let me know.....

Regards
Vinod Bhakuni

Dear Vbhakuni,

I would have loved to, but my programme starts on the 27th August. Thanks and best wishes for a great trip.

Sandip

Vinod, when you will be coming back?

Hi is juneja,

Greetings for the day...!!!

we would be back on 7-8th august...if interested contact me on 9999071505....

Regards
Vinod Bhakuni