Leh, 24th December 2012 - 1st January 2013

Hi, I along with a couple of others are planning a trip to Leh this winters. We know that it will be rather cold (infact very), are prepared to bear it out. Anyways, in the 7 days that we have we plan to visit Nobra, Pangong Lake, and Tso moriri. I would need advice on if this is feasible. The trip is in a rather nascent stage, and the itinerary is yet to be developed. Would need help here. Further this will be our first trip to Leh. We havnt encountered such high altitudes before, but thats probably not gonna deter us to try it. We would need some of the exprienced travellers to give us some ideas on the itinerary and also of staying options there in December, in Leh, Nobra, Pangong, and Tso Morini. I guess we wont be staying at all these places, and some of them may be day trips, but the information will be helpful in developing some sort of a plan. Finally anyone who is willing to join in the crazy trip is more than welcome.

in December it will be freezing cold -0 temp , will it ok with you?

-0? I thought it will be -20 to -25C? Yes i am fully aware of how cold its going to be, and thats one of the reasons we are planning a trip at that time.

Are you flying into leh? I guess as the routes might be closed.

And since you are flying you need to know about AMS and what is acclimitazation. Go to the leh and Zanskar section and check for the AMS thread ( I am not sure why it is not sticky any more)

Found it - here is the link Manali - Leh highway, how to avoid AMS?

Also read Leh/Ladakh in 5 days or less

And about your crazy trip - it indeed is. Coz you plan to do day trips to most of the places. Reading the threads suggested by me will help you evolve your plan.

All the best.

Hiya,
I am planning to do a similar trip along with my cousins around 22 Dec. I am trying to get in touch with tour operators in India, but most of them are advising against travelling in Dec. But that is the only time I am going to be there and if I want to ever see Leh, I am afraid it has to be during Xmas time. Can you share some trip plans if you have made any.
Thanks.

Either of you planning the trip may want to look at this thread for ideas : Serendipity takes me to Ladakh (not in december but was in a very cold season). There're some useful details as well.

If you end up getting there solo, ZikZik guest house is a good bet. Large, calm place and the owner is very helpful and accommodating of solo travelers. Actually almost all Ladakhis I met during my 12 day trip were very sympathetic of every problem I had.

N_T usually is the first to chime in with advise on AMS (especially when vistet is not around). I'd suggest you to heed that advice. I had a bad bout of AMS and cold approaching Khardungla top and had to cancel a significant part of my trip including the lakes (Pangong / moriri). And i went in August - peak summer in Ladakh! The cold in December is not going to be of any help.

Please do post your experiences here if you end up getting there, it's beautiful!!

Your trip is too short to visit three such far away places. You'll spend all your time in the car on long bad roads. Is that really what you want to spend your six days doing?

The weather will be good and cold, well under 0C at night. Take warm clothes. I've spent many winters there.