travel from srinagar - leh via kargil: is it safe?

Hello all,

Am planning a trip around the north starting May 4th 2010 (put my itinery up on the India Travel Itinery Advice forum in case anyone can help!) but am having a little stumbling point when it comes to the Srinagar to Leh route. Plan is to fly into Srinagar, spend a few days there do day trips etc and then do the 2 day shared jeep journey to Leh via an overnight stop in Kargil.

I know the road is open now but I'm still not sure whether this is a wise decision. I don't know anyone who has travelled that way before so just wanted to know what the general feeling was on taking this route? I've heard in the past the road from Srinagar to Kargil was targeted by militants, is it ok now?

In case it isn't a wise idea I'm considering scrapping the Srinagar/Ladakh portion of the trip and heading to Sikkim instead, so it will have quite a significant bearing on my itinery!

Any advice much appreciated

It is not safest in terms of the risks involved as you already said may meet millitantas on way.

Thanks for the response Gaurav. Do you (or does anyone else reading this) actually know of anyone who has taken this route recently? Has anyone heard of tourists encountering any problems? I didn't find any recent incidents when I had a browse through the regional news. It seems like it's just the one day from Srinagar - Kargil that could potentially be problematic, but I really don't want to miss out on Ladakh What to do..

dear its very safe on this route and its awesome scenic beauty enroute and you can cover many places enroute,
sonamarg
kargil
mulbeck
likker monastry
lamayuru monastry
alchi monastry
magnetic hill
pathersahib

i want to go there again and again, nowadays kashmir is packed with tourists, so dont worry and enjoy your trip, am based in kashmir any more clarifications do ask in the open forum

He is right it is absolutely safe and the conditins now are very steady and normal.
I am just back this week... but cudnt plan for kargil route bcoz of tight sched....
Plan it and instead of shared jeep... i suggets you book your own taxi/cab. and then go.

My son took that trip last year without incident. He'd just turned 15. My husband, nephew, and brother in law are going in about 2 weeks. It's a pretty popular road trip for tourists and May is a busy month for travelers going to Leh by road. I think it's fine

I have been in Ladakh a lot and I haven't heard of any tourists having problems from militants in Kashmir. There were two cases in the 1990s, but nothing has made press since then. You have more risk in Srinagar from pushy salesmen!

I came from Jammu to Srinagar and from Srinagar to Leh, and also from Leh to Kargil and from Kargil to Zangskar, last year, all by shared taxis. They were generally fine.

A bit of a squeeze if you're big or want more space in the seat, so consider boking the two front seats for yourself or the three or four middle seats for yourself and a friend. Avoid the far back, as it's uncomfortable and often your eyes are sort of high for the windows so you can't see the view.

Thanks for all the replies! I was feeling a bit nervous but having read these responses and spoken to a few more people I think it will be fine, and the experience would be worth a bit of discomfort on the way there Now I just need to make sure I have enough warm clothing to get through the journey..!

yes dear go ahead and enjoy any help or guidance needed do ask in the open forum

Hello SunnyJii,

I am planning to travel from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil route in my own car....i read all the posts below and they belong to 2010.

Wanted to get the latest information.....it'll be greatful if u could please assist me.

Cheers
Juda

Its safe infact very safe... i had done this route via local bus as a 2 day trip from Srinagar in 2008 with a night halt at Kargil. I personally feel this is a better route as compared to the Manali - Leh one...

Hi . I am planning to travel from Srinagar to Leh on 19th of May. Can you please help me to get a shared taxi or any contact for booking such. Please send me an sms in 09740205322 so we can talk.. thanks in advance
regards

Anishm
You can get the shared taxi from TRC and Kaksar around 1400 to 16oo hundred Rs they cost you

Hello Juda

If you are professional driver then take your car it little risk in the beginning
you can try to go by shared car

Warm regards
Kashmir 1

For Kasmir1,
I am a photographer and I'd ordered a car to travel from Srinagar to Leh for 7 days. Along the way I wanted to stop in the Zanskar Valley.
Can you advise me to order a cabin with a driver?
Thanks

just search in google.com the car rental in srinagar, you can easily find the car rental in srinagar
you not required the accommodation where the services is matter just go through the google


Warm regards
kashmir1