Road trip: Manali-Leh-Kargil_Srinagar-Jammu: Need advice

Sanjit

Hi

I am planning a two week trip to cover the above circuit starting mid June and would appreciate any advice/tips for the trip;

1. Road conditions for the above route, specially at Baralacha La and Zoji La?

2. Any experiences in using a Pajero for the above trip?

3. What spares and fuel to carry?

4. Road conditions on two side trips to Numbra and Pangong Tso, specialy at Khardung La and Chang La?

5. Options to stay in Numbra?

6. Options to stay either in Alchi or at Kargil?

7. Best place to pick up diesel fuel on the above circuit?

Looking forward to your inputs guys, am taking my 8 yr old son on this one.

Regards

Sanjit

Yogesh Sarkar

Baralacha La was silky smooth last year, heck half of the riders in my group didn’t even knew they had reached the pass and passed it!

Zoji La is always bad, but nothing a Pajero can’t handle, in fact many small cars do this route with ease.

Read this Preparing your car for Ladakh

Road from South to North Pallu is bad (check posts on Khardung La), rest is fantastic tarmac.

Last few kms on both sides of Chang La is little bad, Pagal Nallah near Lukung was in bad condition last year, apart from that nothing to worry about.

Plenty of guest houses in Diskit, Hunder and Sumur, no need to worry about them or book in advance.

Same as with Nubra

Good quality fuel is never the forte of this route, fill up at the first petrol pump you will see at major cities.

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Sanjit

Thanks Yogesh.

I was surprised about your input for Baralacha La as I had heard that this pass is always a challenge. Am I mistaking this for Tanglang La? What would you say about the road for this pass?

Yogesh Sarkar

Baralacha La

2005


2006


2007


Tanglang La is only tough due to steep climb, else the road is almost fully paved, barring a few rough stretches.

Indizen

Great pictures! Very convincing reply.

Sanjit

Wow!!! After looking at these pictures, I want to leave today. Can I be greedy and ask if you have any pics of Tanglangla, ChangLa, Khardung La and Zoji La?

Many thanks in advance.

Yogesh Sarkar

Zoji La


Chang La




Tanglang La


Khardung La

Sanjit

Yogesh

Awesome. Thank you for sharing these. My trip intent and excitement have gone up by several notches. What was your experience with fuel availability and quality? I have a diesel Pajero and would appreciate any fuel refill points and tips from your experience.

Regards

Sanjit

Yogesh Sarkar

Check Ladakh Travel Guide, for every region fuel availability is provided. Fuel quality is not going to be as good as what you will get in Delhi or even on the major highways, but it’s not that bad as long as you buy from petrol pumps.

Check distances and calculate the likely range you would get and carry spare fuel if needed. Don’t buy from locals; they generally mix kerosene in petrol/diesel.

Sanjit

Thanks Yogesh. Appreciate all your help.

sangra

Hi Sanjit,

Thinking of a trip in june myself....driving a Tucson....am a mgmt. consultant based in Gurgaon. All the best !!

Cheers !!

Sunil.

Adventures Anil

HI even i am drivingin my suv from delhi to leh-kargil-jammu in mid june. i have done this circuit 3 times. luking for mates to join me in the trip. any one interested can inform me.

amarshah

just back form Leh ! A awesome experience and great sights. Did it via road from Srinagar and returned via Manali. !

cheers

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Cheers

Amar

Year 2008 Trips - http://amards14.googlepages.com/

shahronakm

Welcome back Amar. Waiting for the pics.

Ronak.

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Yogesh Sarkar

Congrats Amar, how was the trip?