Advice wanted for Summer 2006 Ladakh Trip

Hazzah

Hey there - first time caller.

Planning to spend about 6-8 weeks in Ladakh and around in late June-July. Really never been much of a planner (turns some people on, but not me). Can I just figure out everything once I get there? Especially gear for trekking, maps, guidebooks, et al. I have a 4 season tent - should I bring that?

Plus a bonus question: Are there any nice "unguided" routes one can do (i.e. less remote) that one can do to start off with?

Thanks in advance.

kaushaldesai

yeah plz carry ur 4 season tent you will need it ...also carry a good sleeping bag and a good multi fuel stove ...everthing else u can figure out once ur there ......

if ur doing this region for the first time it is advisable to take a guide with u .....beside having a good guide is also an enriching experience as u will get to know the region and its ppl u travelling in better ......

try doing the Rumtse to kibber trek via tso kar and tso moriri ....prisitine area very few ppl go there ......its a grt trek ....

cheers

zzzehar

I just checked "kaushaldesai" 's website http://www.above14000ft.com/

It seems very interesting and well hosted ! Would appreciate if you could also post the charges for all courses.

shahronakm

Buy a nice guide book
Reach Ladakh being one of them. They are updating the book will be out soon.
http://www.reachladakh.com/guide_books.htm

Ronak.

himadventures

kaushaldesai is right about when he said about equipment you require and also about a good guide. Do not venture in those mountain alone.

There is plenty of information on web about packing and factors you should take care when trekking in ladakh.

One thing I am sure about is-take it easy and DO NOT PUSH. Weather in ladakh can be best described like this:
[b]If you are sitting on a chair and half of your body is on shade and half is in sun then you can get frostbite and sunburn both at the same time.

Do not trek alone...try to be with someone..always.

mount cleverest

Hey guys..my first post on IM..and what better place to talk about then Ladakh..

I am planning to take some 10 days off to drive from Delhi to Leh and back..spenmd some 3-4 days in and around Leh..the tentative dates are end of June..would te road possibly be open by that time? I know it has opened early last two years..but then you cant predict the condition a day before you setoff as well..

Also, I intend t drive on my own in my Mahindra Scorpio..any ides if the vehicle would be sturdy enough t handle the terrain and the conditions..

Yogesh Sarkar

Hazzah its up to you if you want to carry your own tent or rent them once you are here. No idea about trekking, not a big fan of exercise (apart from riding my motorcycle) . Since you have ample time in hand, I guess you can plan the trekking route once you are in Ladakh.

Mount cleverest by that time the roads should be open, but the road condition will be a little worse. Guess you Scorpio will be able to take the beating, provided its well maintained. You will need to carry extra fuel for the Manali-Leh route, since the last petrol pump is at Tandi 370kms before Leh. Although you should be able to get diesel at dhabas in Sarchu and pang, the quality of it will be a problem.

Also don’t forget to carry spare engine oil, coolant, bulbs etc. and oh yes a make sure your tyres are in good shape. Apart from that your riding skills and determination will be tested enroute to Baralacha La and Taglang La. These are the places where the AMS strikes big time. Just be careful and use commonsense while driving and you should do fine.

Wishing both of you a pleasant journey

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My Travelogues | My Blog | Ladakh Travel Guide

mount cleverest

Yogesh,
Thanks Bro..will keep this list ready with me for the final preparations..

I imagine I'd have 4 days in Leh..what do you suggest I should be doing..we are three fit, sturdy guys and can walk aroud..though the height will be a hinderance am sure..

Yogesh Sarkar

Mount cleverest the beauty of going through the land route is that you will acclimatize by the time you reach Leh. Make sure you don’t reach Leh on Saturday, since you will have to apply for the permits at the DC’s office and it’s closed on Sunday (not sure if it’s open on Saturday).

Next day you can apply for the permits (easy process); by the evening you should be able to get the permits. In the mean while you can visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Thiksey monastery. I will recommend going till Thiksey monastery even if you are not interested in going inside the monastery, since the view from its parking lot is spectacular.





Next day you can head over to Nubra valley (a must), here its best to spend a night at either Hunder or Diskit. Next day you can do some more sightseeing and visit Panamik and by the night fall return to Leh.

After you return to Leh, you can visit Pangong Tso next day and spend a night there as well. After that another night in Leh and start of you return journey .

But what ever you do, make sure you carry plenty of water and don’t overexert yourself.

Here is the link to my trip log

nevilleb

Yoges, the first photo is nice indeed!

nevilleb

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mount cleverest

Yogesh,
You D MAN!

Thanks once again..this pretty much summed up what I had dreamt of..I wish I had more time..lots more to be honest..but family and work keeps me grounded..but none the less..If I can manage the Manali-Leh drive, the surroundings of Leh..including Thiksey..do Nubra and Pangog Tso..I'd be more then delighted..

Cant wait for June to come!

Yogesh Sarkar

Thanks Neville

Mount cleverest thanks; wish you all the best for you trip to Heaven on earth, Ladakh . But beware, once you come back from there, all you can think is how to go back for more

noknoi

Can I buy a 4 season tent in Leh? As I'm in Bangkok it's so hard to find a tent for cold climate and strong wind.
I'm not thinking of rent because I plan to do the Padum-Darcha trek and not return to Leh again. This all in July-August.

And also wanna know how much should cost ( S size , for me only ).
Anyway, luckily, I already have a 3-4 season sleeping bag(-15c). I hope,together, they could save me from the freeze. ( actually I'm not so sure )
Thanks

himadventures

Bangkok is no good for tents as I tried to purchase twice from those METRO and pnje more big malls...but NO GOOD QUALITY and niether good choice.

LEH has nothing to offer for RENT or for SALE. If you land up and try to search...you wil be handed over a old one but with very 'shakey' price !!

Better to arrnage before you land up. Now a days you can purchase ONLINE and see if you can get delvery.

Otherwise you have choice of DELHI but again,DELHI is substandard.
Please look for AVID on IM and ask him -may be he could come up with some IDEA.

Yogesh Sarkar

check this site out www.stikage.com they are based in Kamla Nagar

also u can try Carabin here is their pricelist

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...isc/Hire_1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...isc/Hire_2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...sc/Purch_1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...sc/Purch_2.jpg

however my friends who had rented tents and sleeping bags from Carabin had a nagative feedback for them. the owner of carabin refused to take their own sleeping bags, claiming they were not his and started demanding money. but after half an hour of argument he gave the deposite back. as for stikage we had brought water proof lowers from them, but not tent.