Going for Manali-Leh-Srinagar from 5th Aug - 21st Aug

Hi guys... can you believe it... I planned & booked everything for VOF this August with my wife, but suddenly after my uncle came back from Leh last month & as he described his journey I got mad for Leh & changed my mind for Leh & Leh only below is my proposed plan. I'm going with my wife & parents (age: 61 yrs & 47 Yrs.)... Please suggest

6th August: Delhi to Manali by HPTDC Bus
7th August: After reaching check in hotel & visit Solan Valley in the afternoon
8th August: Start for Sarchu (Cover Roathang, Khoksar, Darch, Zing zing bar & Barlachala)
9th August: To Pang
10th August: To Tsomoriri (Is this right?)
11th August: To Leh
12th August: Depart from Leh, Arrival at Nubra Valley. 159 Kms 99 miles drive approximately taking: 6 hours and 10 minutes (enroute Samsthaling Monastery and Sumur Village, Panamik Hot Sulfur Spring)
13th August: Nubra (Morning after a breakfast proceeds for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. Post lunch visit Hunder and Diskit monasteries. Bactrian camel Ride & Back To Leh)
14th August: Depart from Leh, Arrival at Pangong. 155 Kms 97 miles drive.
15th August: Pongong to Leh.
16th August: Leh - Likir - Alchi (Drive to Likir Gompa, which lies on the right side of Leh-Srinagar road about 4 kms from the main road and is famous for numerous Thankas. Further drive to Alchi Gompa. Overnight at Alchi)
17th August: Alchi - Lamayuru – Kargil (Drive to Kargil over Namika-la (3,697 Mts.), Mulbekh where there is a Chamba statue carved out of a single rock about 144 ft. high, over Fatu-la (4,087 Mts.) which is the highest pass on Leh - Srinagar road and visit Lamayuru monastery which is the unique and oldest monastery in Ladakh. After viewing fascinating view of granite colour soil rocks, drive down through kangaroo curves to Kargil. Overnight at Kargil)
18th August: Kargil – Sonamarg – Srinagar (Proceed to Srinagar via Drass, Minimarg, Zoji'la (3033 Mts.) and Sonamarg. Arrive at Srinagar in the evening. Lunch at Sonamarg.
19th August: To Delhi by flight


My queries are...
1. How to reach Janapath (boarding place for Manali bus) from new delhi rly. station & as i'm reaching at 11 am & the bus is at 6.30 pm is there any place i can cover in delhi?
2. If Tsomoriri is not possible while driving from Manali to Leh is there any other way to put Tsomoriri in my itinerary?
3. Hotels near new delhi rly station to stay.
4. I read in IM there's a way from Pangong to Tsomoriri iin 1 day [Spangmik > Merak > Chusul > Dungti > Nyoma > Mahe > Puga > Karzok [Tso Moriri]]. But when I contacted Dragon tour & travels in Leh thet said that is not for tourists. Permission will not be given for the route. Is it right?
***5. If instead of 19 th Aug flight from Srinagat to Delhi, I spend 1 night there & take the 11 am Spicejet flight from Srinagar To Delhi on 20th Aug [reaching delhi at 12.25 pm] will I be able to catch the train from New delhi rly station at 4.30 pm? Besically then I'll have one more day to travel
6. Does Go Air flights run on time as there's a flight at 7.25 am in the 20th morning from Srinagar to Leh?

Thanks for your help

You need Permission for Tsomoriri from the DC office Leh

Another thing, you need to Hire car for Tsomoriri from Leh. only Taxi Union's Car can go to Tsomoriri.

Diversion of Tsomoriri is from Upshi.

As u r travelling with your parents take another Whole day rest at Leh for acclimitazion.

The rest are OK. I hope All other IM ers will agree with me. Kindly revise your Itinery keeping these points in mind.

Hire an auto Visit Lal kella, Akshar Dham and India Gate. Ask the auto to drop you at Janapath. It will charge you not more than 400 INR.

Reach Leh. Arrange for Permits. Visit Tsomoriri.

Try for rail Yatri Niwas.

The route is OK. It is Mainly covered in Bikes. I just learned few 4X4 Cross the area. Permissions can be obtained from DC office. But it is not advisable for People above 60 yrs of age.

Its OK. You can easily take the 11 AM flight.

Any airlines may have problems for take off during Bad weather condition. Otherwise they run on time.

Happy Journey.

Ohow thanks Samik Bhai. Lots of information I received from you. Really very kind of you
Here's my modified one...

6th August: Delhi to Manali by HPTDC Bus
7th August: After reaching check in hotel & visit Solan Valley in the afternoon
8th August: Start for Sarchu (Cover Roathang, Khoksar, Darch, Zing zing bar & Barlachala)
9th August: To Leh
10th August: In & around Leh
11th August: To Pangong
12th August: To Leh
13th August: Depart from Leh, Arrival at Nubra Valley. 159 Kms 99 miles drive approximately taking: 6 hours and 10 minutes (enroute Samsthaling Monastery and Sumur Village, Panamik Hot Sulfur Spring)
14th August: Nubra (Morning after a breakfast proceeds for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. Post lunch visit Hunder and Diskit monasteries. Bactrian camel Ride & Back To Leh)
15th August: To Tsomoriri.
16th August: To Leh.
17th August: Leh - Likir - Alchi (Drive to Likir Gompa, which lies on the right side of Leh-Srinagar road about 4 kms from the main road and is famous for numerous Thankas. Further drive to Alchi Gompa. Overnight at Alchi)
18th August: Alchi - Lamayuru – Kargil (Drive to Kargil over Namika-la (3,697 Mts.), Mulbekh where there is a Chamba statue carved out of a single rock about 144 ft. high, over Fatu-la (4,087 Mts.) which is the highest pass on Leh - Srinagar road and visit Lamayuru monastery which is the unique and oldest monastery in Ladakh. After viewing fascinating view of granite colour soil rocks, drive down through kangaroo curves to Kargil. Overnight at Kargil)
19th August: Kargil – Sonamarg – Srinagar (Proceed to Srinagar via Drass, Minimarg, Zoji'la (3033 Mts.) and Sonamarg. Arrive at Srinagar in the evening. Lunch at Sonamarg.
20th August: To Delhi by Flight

Also I know a driver from Mandi whoom I contacted & he said he'll arrange all permits for him & his car so that he can personally take his car to Leh & other places like Nubra. And he said no need to book any hotels as we'll be able to find accomodation everywhere easily

Again thanks for the all info

Acclimatization and altitude sickness is an issue for every group that goes directly from Manali to the The Vomit Hilton, even with medication. Not every person , but within every group. Your safe & comfortable options for a first night are all more than a thousand meter lower : Sissu , Keylong and Jispa.




I have never understood this line of reasoning : why should one start acclimatizing in Leh , when you already have spent a night more than seven hundred meters higher ? But yes , you´ll need rest after a night in the tent camps.

(Age is an factor in altitude sickness : your parents are less likely to suffer than yourself. )

Organise your trip with lowest nights first : once you have arrived in Ladakh that means Alchi & Nubra first. The elevation of passes and day trips are not a problem after you´ve had a few nights at 3000+.

Manali-Leh advice here

Ok, better I stay in Jipsa than . And I'll plan accordingly after I reach Leh. First will go for Nubra, then Pangong & then Tsomoriri.... Alchi I'll cover while returning back to Kargil-Srinagar. Thanks

Go by Vistet and Samik's advice on the rest, If you take their inputs into consideration, I think you are ok. Let me put my 2 cents on last 3 questions,

4. It's very much open for any Indian Nationals, permits can be obtained from DC Office. I would suggest you to collect your own permit, writing names of all places in person from DC office rather than depending on agents. One missing name could entirely destroy your plan, ITBP is quite strict and just for a missing name in permit they might force you hundreds of km of detour in that harsh region. Travel agents would tell you thousands of excuses as the driving in that terrian is demanding and ofcourse they won't find the route profitable considering the troubles of driving in that stertch. But that's definitely worth if you can manage a car and experienced driver in that terrain. The best part of Spanmik - Man - Merak - Chusul - Tsaga la - Loma - Hanle - Loma - Noyoma - Mahe - Korzok is it's still untouched and not invaded by mass tourism like what happened for Pangong, Nubra or Leh. But if you want to cover, you have to execute the plan and your accommodations if any in between without depending on Travel Agents.

5. Considering Srinagar as an extremely sensitive airport and located in a region where weather is unpredicatble, delay due to security reason and / or weather is highly likely. Don't take chance on same day connection, stick to your current plan and stay a night extra in Delhi instead. Otherwise keep a train reservation for 21st as well if you want to take a chance.

6. Go-Air is definitely less reliable comparing to Indigo, Jet Lite. Specially Go-Air flights of Srinagar and Leh are infamous for being late. In all travel forums you would get threads menioning instances of problems of running on time for this specific airline.

Thanks Kshil... thats a valuable info. I'll definitely try for the new route.... If I start from Pangong at the early hours I'll be able to reach TsoMoriri I guess

Well I already purchased Go Air 7.25 am flight on 20th last night Should I cancel it? I'm totally confused. Also no train ticket is available from Srinagar.