Seeking advice on Ladakh & Kashmir trip with limited time

Arcsim

Hey guys,

I am currently living in Chandigarh, doing an internship. I'm planning a budget trip with some friends of about 10 days or so to Ladakh and Kashmir at the end of August. Tentatively, the circuit that I intend to complete via ground transport is Chandigarh -> Manali -> Leh -> Srinagar -> Jammu -> Chandigarh. There are good overnight volvo bus services between Chandigarh, Manali, and Jammu so I'm OK with that aspect of the trip. Basically I'm just looking for some advice regarding transportation to/from Leh, as well as what there is to do in Kashmir. Here are some specific questions.

1. What's the best and most cost-effective way to get from Manali to Leh? We'll be around 6 people and want to see as much scenery along the route as possible. I also want to avoid taking one of the HRTC 3x2 buses.

2. How much time should we budget for Leh and the surrounding area? I'm a big fan of mountain scenery and cultural tourism, but I think perhaps seeing Buddhist monasteries would get old after a few.

3. What is the best way to get from Leh to Kashmir or Srinagar?

4. With a limited amount of time, where should we go in Kashmir? For the record, I'm a big fan of jaw-dropping mountain vistas as well as unspoiled natural areas, so anything like that would also be ideal. We're also up for seeing any other interesting sites and eating good local food.

Thanks! Any help planning my itinerary would be greatly appreciated. I only have the Rough Guide with me and it doesn't even cover Kashmir, so I'm relying on you guys for advice.

mridula

When we did Manali Leh it was like this.

If you search the forum there is a lot of advice about Ladakh. From leh to Srinagar do you wish to fly?

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Mridula

Travel Tales from India

freetime

Hi
I have just returned from a similar trip and would recommend it highly.
The end of August is towards the end f the season but there are still plenty of people there to keep the shops and restaurants open. Many things to see around there.
I have travelled from Himachal on the bus (2 days) and spent 4 days in Leh seeing the monastries and hanging out.
You can then move onto Kashmir by bus or shared jeep (shared jeep about 1200 to 1500 rupees eah and a 15 to 18 hour journey). You can always stop enroute to visit Lamayaru monastry about 6 hours from Leh towards Srinagar (there are guest houses for overnight stays) which is one of the oldest and best. This would add value to the trip to Srinagar and save you time too on your round trip.
A visit to Srinagar is well worth the time. It is safe for tourists, with a different culture and feel to Leh. Personally I love Srinagar and have visited several times in the past (just come back from there).
Stay on a houseboat on Nigeen Lake not Dal Lake. Ignore the touts on arrival. Dal Lake is crowded noisy and polluted while Nigeen is quiet, with less hassle, less polluted with beautiful birds and views of the mountains. There are houseboats in the lake from Nigeen Bridge(get there by bus or 70 rupees in auto).The greatest place to stay are on the western side of Nigeen where the houseboats have good gardens. Take a bus to Lal Bazaar and 10 minute walk or take shikara from Nigeen Lake bridge and look at the selection on the western bank from the water. You will see then what I am talking about.
Have a great time - and you will I am sure.


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santos_g15

find my reply inline.