14 Days Trip Plan

Hi All,
I am planing trip to Ladakh in early September with 4 people in the group

My plan are

August 31 Delhi to Manali (bus) *** Stay Overnight bus
September 1 Manali sightseeing *** Stay Manali
September 2 Manali to Sarchu (Jeep) *** Stay Sarchu (Camp)
September 3 Shachu to Leh (Jeep) *** Stay Leh
September 4 Leh day 1 *** Stay Leh
September 5 Leh - Sumur (Nubra Valley) *** Stay Nubra Valley
September 6 Sumur (Nubra Valley) - Leh *** Stay Leh
September 7 Leh - Pankong Lake - Leh *** Stay Leh
September 8 Leh - Lamayuru *** Stay Lamayuru
September 9 Lamayuru – Kargil *** Stay Kargil
September 10 Kargil - Suru Valley *** Stay Kargil
September 11 Kargil – Drass - Srinakar *** Stay Srinakar
September 12 Srinakar *** Stay Srinakar
September 13 Srinakar fly Delhi

Can any one suggest me is it possible to do trip like this?
Please feel free to share your comment & experience.

Is there any things that I should Not Miss, please kibdly suggest.


Thank you for any reply or comment

Additionaly, If any one can give me idea how much does the car rental cost for the route I mentioned above that will be very much appreciated.

Hi Letseetheworld,

I am planning a similar trip in October too. I have not been there but my reply is based on reading. I think most of your planning is pretty good, however you might be rushing the Kargil-Suru-Kargil by trying to do it in one day. I hear the area is really beautiful and merits another day if possible. I am hoping to go further towards Padum (Zanskar) as it is supposed to be absolutely superb. I have seen some photos and they do seem superb. Not sure if you can extend your trip to include that. It might mean 2-3 days extra as it is very remote.

Some members have advised against staying in Sarchu to avoid AMS. Some have suggested Keylong as a more appropriate place on the Manali-Leh route.

Since you are 4 I would advice you try to get an exclusive cab wherever you can as it will give you a lot of flexibility. I found that in Sikkim a couple of years back. We rented a Sumo for 5 people exclusively and it worked a treat. It might work slightly expensive though.

In terms of costs, if I am not mistaken, the ones that I have an idea of:

Manali - Leh ~ 1000-1200 per person
Leh-Nubra-Leh ~ 5-6k full vehicle
Leh-Pangong-Leh ~ 5-6k full vehicle
Kargil - Suru- Kargil ~ 5k full vehicle. (http://kargil.nic.in/tourism/touristinfo.htm)

Hopefully some of the other experienced members will be over to give you more info.

Best of luck with your trip . I am sure you will have a great time. Please do share your experiences when u get back. Will be a great help for me and others hoping to make it.

Thank you so much neeleem for your reply.
I am really appreciated that.
You are right that I should spend more time around Suru.
I will consider that.

For Zanskar, since I have limited of time so I will keep it for the next trip which will mainly focus on Zanskar.

Thank you once again,

Dear letseetheworld,

Plz avoid staying at Sarchu, straight sway, not at all advisable, Sarchu is at approx 4200 mts & very Cold & dry, there numerous posts on IM that suggest, sarchu night stay first up a big no. All experinces of Co-travellers to Leh suggest the same

Try out Jispa , Darcha or Kyelong instead of it

If I were you i'd try & head from Manali to Leh in 1 day without stopping & save yourself an extra day. You haven't really allowed enough time for people in your group to acclimatise,without a day or two's rest some people will feel too weak to do anything! KK

Now I have another Idea.

Would it be more interesting to do the car trip from Kargil to Zanskar than from Manali to Leh?

Reason I am asking is if I fly from Delhi to Leh, I can save 2 more days for spending around Zanskar...

Does anyone has experience about this two routes?

What Should be a good idea?

Is journey from Kargil to Pandum more stunning than from Manali to Leh?

Please kindly advice...

Dear Letseetheworld,

Both the rotues have there own charm, but if i wud have to make a choice, i wud certainly prefer the road less travelled.

Thank you for your advice.
Now I kind of like Zanskar so I will do the Zanskar route.
Now i have more question,
please help me if any one have information.

1. Is it possible to do the day treking trip from Padum to Phugtal Monastery.Or we need to stay over Phugtal Monastery...

2. Is it ok to visit Zangla / Stongday /Karsha in one day by car. from Padum

I have 2 full day and nights around Zanskar so I like to know if it is ok to do trip as mentioned above

Can any one suggest me?

Thank you very much.

2. Is it ok to visit Zangla / Stongday /Karsha in one day by car. from Padum

Yeah it can be done easily, also just before Karsha there is a Pipting Gompa,u can include that. Also u would be blessed with a black top road on this circuit.