Ladakh trip - Aug 2007

nayan

Hi
I am planning a trip to ladakh in august 07. flight tickets already booked and hotel reserved

This is my itiniery.
aug 10 - fly to delhi from hyderabad late night.
aug 11 - fly to leh from delhi (air deccan).complete rest whole day.

aug 12-17 - day trips to lamayuru, pongong tso, nubra valley etc and river rafting in Indus. (not anyhing fixed yet).Does the 15th august polo match (mountaingirl's post) still happen?

aug 18 - fly back to delhi(air deccan) and from delhi to hyd.

It would be great if some IMers are going to ladakh at the same time. we could meet up and maybe take some of the day trips together.

Also - has anybody availed the air deccan service to leh?

solo_trekker

I was in Ladakh last July... Spent 2 weeks there and still feel that I haven't been able to see half the things. And that is a fact - unfortunately so.

Limayaru, Pongong Tso and the Nubra Valley are in three different directions - in fact, they form a triangle with Leh in the middle.

To savour both sides of the Nubra valley - towards Diskit and Hunder, and the Panamik side, you need a minimum of 2 - 2 1/2 days. Lamayuru is half-way to Kargil and if u wanna leave early in the morning and return back to Leh, u'll be dead tired.; so just don't. Spend the nite at Lamayuru.

The lake again takes up atleast one night there.

Think, think, think...

Good luck.

Solo Trekker

nayan

yes... I know 1 week is too less for ladakh. But we just cannot get more leave. So will have to do some compromises .....

I was looking into the other threads in this section.... where a single day return trip to lamayuru seemed possible..... It doesnot really matter if we have 2-3 very hectic days. I plan to stay there for 7 days and want to balance one hectic day with a rest/local sightseeing day following it.

Is it entirely impractical? we donot mind very early starts or long jeep journeys.

Abhay_Mysore

While on one hand I understand pressure on time and your wish to squeeze in as many things that Ladakh offers, on the other hand it is fact that Ladakh is not for "run-run" kind of vacation. Essence of Ladakh is touch and feel of amazing geography. Its all about being there in the land of Peace & Lamas and probably being on a lazy and mysterious holiday. Everything is so beautiful and so "timeless", I always return "humiliated" by the sheer magnanimity of nature and realisation of absolute stupidity with which we run our day to day life... in the name of business, corporate life.... so on. Our day today lives just seem so meaningless after Ladakh trip. I have been there 3 times in last 3 years (drove all the way from downsouth Mysore to Ladakh) and every time I returned humiliated by nature and realised a new perspective and sense of humility in my life. Your trip, in that sense, look much of "mumbai local train like... on the clock"... No offence please.

Do what best is possible (Yes, Lamayuru, Pangong Pso are very much possible one day each). In fact you can finish Pangong Lake and Thicksey monestry on return the same day if you start around 7AM from Leh. Pengong is about 4.5 Hrs drive from Leh town. I did it that way last month on 26th May 2007, you would though lose the beauty of both sunrise and sunset at lake because you would reach Pangong about 11AM and leave around 1PM. Also do not forget to feel the "Magnetic Hill" - approx 30 kms from Leh on the way to Lamayuru on Srinagar road. Feel the sheer "intensity" of magnetic field (and the HUGE invisible energy thats flowing around you) when car would climb about 7-8 degree climb in neutral from stationary by sheet force of invisible magnetic field (you would remember those physics experiments on magnetism that you did during 8th or 9th class in school ... only difference being this magnetic field will drive the whole 2 ton car up the hill whereas in our labs we just oriented iron foils with magnetic field on a flat experiment table!!!).

Also, leave one day for Leh town for Permits etc + drive to Shanti Stupa in the evening for sunset and getting some "Ladakh - Yak Yak Yak" tee shirts and similar goodies for yourself. In July end \ August, you would have fresh green peas in Leh vegetable market which are extremely sweet and tasty. In July\August 2005, I enjoyed buying a lot of them on road side market and eating them through the day. May be childish, but they were so sweet, I loved carrying them in car all the time and eating them instead of any other modern day muchines in the car.

I am sure, some other time, you would come back with luxury of some extra time for yourself.

Good luck, and send us some pictures...
Abhay

ananth

Iam also planning for a similar trip ..
but its from august 10 th to 22nd...
have a few doubts..
1. i saw tht u have reserved hotels.. which hotel did u book
and whts the price range.. wht are all the options we have...
do we need to book one for sure ? or can we manage one once we reach there ?
2. how r u planning to do the individual site seeing... are u travelling alone. do you know the rates/tariffs.. can we manage one day trips for transport for one or two ppl alone.. or is there a possiblity to combine with others..

would like to know more about your plan...!!

hello others,
if you have inputs/ answers for these questions. pls pitch in with your comments... thanks...

nayan

Hello Ananth
Sorry for the delay in reply. I was unable to access net for last 4-5 days due to travel.
answering your queries.....
1. We have booked in the cho palace hotel. Tariff is 1400 per night for double bed. We had heard from several sources that it will not be difficult to get rooms without prior booking, but when we called up several of the better known hotels and guest houses, they were fully booked for that week (as you know its peak season+independence day holiday). So we didnot want to take a risk and prebooked the hotel. We are a couple and so a little bit choosy about hotel ..... if you are a group of friends then i am sure you will not be so finicky and will manage to get accomodation in some guest house.

2. sight seeing trips seems to be very expensive. As far as the info I have gathered a jeep hired for a full day trip to a place like pongong tso will cost minimum around 5000. it seems the rates are fixed by the taxi union. I am counting on finding likeminded ppl and going on joint expeditions..... It would be great if i could find a fellow IMer. i guess 4-5 ppl would fit quite comfortably in a SUV and the cost per person would also be a little more managable.

Please look into the first post to see my rough itiniery. At this point I am not sure about the exact places and dates.

We are a couple....30ish.... friendly .... moderately experienced travelers ..... willing to rough it out for the sake of good travel experience ....

would like to know something abt ur plans now

Mickey S

Magnetic Hill is an optical illusion created by the level of the surrounding terrain, giving the impression that a slight downward slope is actually an uphill slope. Sorry.

Abhay_Mysore

Yeh, me too heard of "optical illusion" theory. But wonder if anybody has come to conclusion??? For example has anyone done some magnetic measurements to discard theory of magnetic hill?? Please let me know if you have more info on this.

Thanks
Abay

Mickey S

It's not a "theory"; it's fact. It can be shown that anything will appear to roll upward on that stretch of road - even a plastic beachball. There are many, many similar places across the world, including one right here in Wales. My dad used to take us to it when we were kids, and we were always thrilled by it even though we knew it was an optical illusion.

If you think about it, it's obvious. Magnetic force acts directly towards the object exerting the force; metal ball bearings fly straight towards a powerful magnet, not around it. If a car is being pulled uphill by a powerful magnetic force then the object acting as the magnet must be directly ahead of the car; and if it's powerful enough to move a car then the car is not going to stop until it finally hits the magnetic object, even flying through the air if it needs to.

I did a Google search in an attempt to find a definitive answer. Unfortunately, most websites mentioning Magnetic Hill are Indian and they almost all (including Times of India ) perpetuate the myth of the magic magnetism.

But I found a site called the James Randi Educational Foundation, which describes itself as "an educational resource on the paranormal". It says (I've edited the piece, but you can follow the link above):

A reader reminds us that the old, tired, "magnetic hill" nonsense is apparently immortal, no matter how many times it's debunked. The reason for this belief, I find, is that people just have great difficulty in denying the evidence of their senses, no matter how wrong that may be...

Whittier tells us of Douglas Vogt, who has written a book on the subject, "Gravitational Mystery Spots of the United States." Vogt believes there are no easy answers for what happens on gravity hills. "Basically, they are places that prove our current definition of gravity is wrong," he says. "My belief is more that it's something buried from a previous civilization, such as a device that distorted time or gravity, that is causing it."

OK. But Vogt's explanation is, well, a little exaggerated. In reality it's your brain being fooled by your eyes; in other words, an optical illusion. It's just the angle of the street that makes it look like it's going uphill. But don't expect the believers to allow that simple, factual, explanation, to faze them a bit. They think they have their miracle, and they'll hold it tightly, no matter what....

Abhay_Mysore

Thanks. Indeed "what you see is not necessarily the truth...always... and sometimes optical illusions are the only rightful explanations". Any "theory" is a piece of science which tries to "explain" the "physical phenomenon" on the basis of some scientific reasoning and basis. Both "optics" and "magnetism" are respective "theories" of science. A "fact" without an underlying "scientific theory", whether explicitly explained or not, could be mere piece of information.

What I have heard of the "magnetic hill" on the Leh-Srinagar road is that the entire region is full of minerals which causes the magnetic field. Nothing wrong. This can not be ruled out unless there is some evidence to the contrary. It is said that Govt of India does not allow Geological Survey of this area because of unique mineral richness of the mountain. A large mass of hill can indeed act like a magnet with distant N and S poles with magnetic lines flowing in the air to connect N and S poles underneath. Didn't we do the similar experiments in the physics labs in school when we will put a small magent on the table and "plot" the flow lines around magnet through small iron foils?? Our road could be just in line with such "magnetic flow lines", pushing the car. So your argument that car should fly and hit that "unseen" magnet, even cross the hill in the air, is far too "micro" explanation of the "macro" size of the hill and "volume" of magnetic field around the hill. I am not saying that "thats the way it is".. but it could as well be. We need to know. However, I tend to get confused with magnetic field theory to some extent because car moves up in straight line which means the car (and thereby road) is PERFECTLY aligned with flow lines?? If not, then it car should drag to one side and not just go straight. Well we need to know. Chapter is wide open.

I thought it was "magnetic field". You have added "optical" dimension to it. However, I do not fully agree with corolloris that you have drawn through your experience. It may not be reasonable to draw the conclusion that ,, "all the hills with similar phenomenon must be based on optics theory because a hill in your backyard is proven to be so". It definitely should be one of the answer, but is it the final one??? Any scientific proof for Leh-Srinagar road???

I would try to do some more research on the subject (any inputs from fellow members are welcome). Would definitely spend more time on this hill spot next time around...

Meanwhile, attached is the picture of "Magnetic Hill" sign-board put up by BRO at this spot on Leh-Srinagar road.

Regards
Abhay

Attached Thumbnails

 

hitanshu

Abhay,

That signpost isnt there. Wasnt there on 1st of June!!! Where was it? Plus, the road km signs don't mention it at all!!

There's only a sign saying Zanskar tourist complex 7.5km ahead, just about ~6km short of Nimmu from the Leh side. On other side of road is a very very small mini temple.

__________________
Collated Leh wisdom here:
The Bikenomads Wiki Leh page

Abhay_Mysore

Hello Hitanshu,

I took this photograph on 27th May 2007 while driving from Leh to Srinagar. I would be surprised if it disappeared by 1st June. May be you missed it. It is about 30 kms from Leh. If I remember well, once you leave Leh, you start getting mile stones for Nimu. And if I remember well, you get this "Magnetic Hill" signboard at around Nimu-8Km or 7KM milestone area. Thats about 30 odd kms from Leh.

To my knowledge, there is no mention of this signboard or place anywhere around. I found it because "I was looking for it very carefully right from the moment I left Leh". I had read about this place on the net. If you are not looking for it.... most likely you will miss it.

I am very curious to know whether it is optical illusion or really magnetic field. In fact, today my friend Subroto (Innova car) from Bangalore would be reaching Srinagar. Another friend Ajay (Scorpio car) is reaching Srinagar tomorrow and they will be starting Srinagar-Leh sometime on 6th July. I had a talk with Subroto yesterday night (he had reached Jammu) on this subject of Magnetic Hill. Subroto\Ajay will be stopping at this spot to do some more study. I have asked Subroto to do following:

1. Stop the car at the spot and get out.
2. Walk up the climb.. as it seems. While walking, you should definitely know whether you are climbing up or down (irrespective of what your eyes are telling you). So if you "see" the uphill climb but you feel as if you are climbing-down... then it would support optical illusion theory. On the other hand, if you "see" the climb-up and your walk is also a climb-up... dump the optical illusion theory.
3. Walk half way the climb and just roll a rubber or plastic (non magnetic) ball and see whether it rolls forward or backward. If ball "climbs up"... dump the magnetic theory and uphold the optical illusion theory.

Lets see. Anybody from your friends who are on this route and could experiment at the spot??? Any other info if you may have on this controversial funda???

Regards
Abhay

Mickey S

Still determined to prove that it's magic?

If the slope is gentle enough (after all, the car only rolls at 20 km/h) you will not necessarily know if you're walking downhill - you are just as likely to be fooled while walking as while driving. And if you're going to roll a ball it will have to be a pretty big one to overcome the natural roughness of the road surface.

But, of course, this is India. Why consider a rational explanation for something when a mystical one exists?

Abhay_Mysore

Dear Friend,

Thanks for your comments. There could be many invariants to the experiments which we can try. By the way, neither optical theory nor magnetic theory are magic...nor are we searching for magic.... nor are we trying to accept or reject one magic over other, none of them are magic as such. We will try and find out the theory which fits the situation.

Reg your comment on India: Please consider the fact that the most enchanting optical phenomenon (Raman Effect) was proposed and proven by an Indian and awarded with Noble Prize for Physics way back in 1930. So let us live in this century of knowledge and curiosity. I leave this India and Magic and Mystic arguement there.

Regards
Abhay

ananth

hello nayan,
nice to hear from you !
we are a couple from chennai (just married) 25years,...
we havent done too many trips apart from a few local trips
and the memorable valley of flowers trip tht we did last year..
Pls find our plan below. i guess it would be ideal for us to
meet up and take up the local trips together if you are willing

1. 10th august fly from chennai to delhi (jet airways already
booked) reach delhi in the evening and catch the HRTC bus
(already booked )from delhi on the same night and reach manali on 11th morning.

2. 11th 12th stay in manali (accomodation yet to be booked
planning to visit HPTDC this weekend they have hotels in all ranges)
(places to visit not yet finalised )

3. 13th morning take a bus from manali to leh (yet to be booked - HPTDC)

4. 14th evening/ night reach leh ...

5. 15th full rest (may be visit the market etc in the evening)

6. 16th morning to 20 th morning leh (stay yet to be booked.. )

7. 20th morning (fly from leh to delhi - air deccan already
booked) (you are also taking the air deccan flight so if possible share ur experience with us)

8. 20th night leave delhi (tamil nadu express)

i guess u r staying in leh from 12th to 17th we will be there
from 15th to 19th... if u r willing we can take up the long
trips like lamayuru, pangong lake together (coz with only
5 days in leh i guess we wont be able to manage numbra valley )
We also are under the impression that 5 days is not enough so we
are planning to reach leh on 13th night itself so that we will
have 6 days in leh including 1 day rest )

whats your view on the trips ? have u decided on the places
you are going to visit and the dates.. if we already have an idea of each others plan we can try and adjust it !!

we would also be interested to know any other preperations that you are doing for this trip

Thanks for the response.
ananth