Planning trip to Ladakh on the 13th of August

Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this forum - I have been following this forum for a long time now and I cant even begin to tell ull how helpful it was for my last trip to Rajasthan.
Now, I and another friend of mine are planning to go to Ladakh this August (13th August - for around 15 days).
We did approach a travel agent but the figure he came up with for the trip was really astronomical.

Following is a rough Itinerary that we want to follow:

1. Manali - Leh (Jeep)
2. Visit TsoMoriri (either on the way or come back from Leh)
3. Visit Pangong Sa
4. Visit Leh and the Monastaries around Leh
5. Visit Nubra valley (Diskit) if possible.

This probably is too much to cramp into 15 days and we will probably have to leave out the Nubra Valley or one of the great lakes.

I would really be obliged if you guys can help us plan this trip and pull it off.
we were wondering if it would make sense to hire a Qualis from Delhi to Leh (costs around 6Rs,. INR per km) and from there hire a taxi (Ladakh Taxi union). Also, for booking the hotels at the various places I would need some guidance from ull.

I am probably asking too many questions in one go but I really hope you guys understand my excitement (its been a while since I have wanted to go to Ladakh to click some/a lot of snaps - and finally i have been able to get my leave approved ) and pardon me if I have asked anything wrong ....

I hope to hear from you guys soon,

Thanks a ton,
-rahul

If you are stretched for time.. you can take a flight back from Leh to Delhi.. that way u will end up saving 3 dayz..

Yes, That is what we have planned - to take a flight back from Leh. With that, do you think 15 days are fine to cover the following
1. Manali - Leh (Jeep)
2. Visit TsoMoriri (either on the way or come back from Leh)
3. Visit Pangong Sa
4. Visit Leh and the Monastaries around Leh
5. Visit Nubra valley (Diskit) if possible.

Waiting to hear from ull.
Thanks,
-rahul

Hi,
First dont hire a jeep from Delhi ... Get it from manali .. too many options and too many good rates to go by .. the best way from Delhi to Manali by the volvo .. 15 days are good to do Leh .. I mean enuff to seep it in ...

My suggestion would be to do the Tsomoriri lake on the way back .. you get to experience more ... Manali Leh with a stop at Sarchu/Jispa (2days) ... Leh Pangong Leh (2 days) .. The Nubra valley trip (4-5 days) .. Leh - Lamayuru - Alchi Leh (1-2 days) .. Leh tsomoriri (1 day) .. Tsomoriri - Sarchu (1day) .. Sarchu manali (1 day) ... I hope this helps .. in 13-14 days you would do the max ... keep one day for Hemis as well ... If I were you I would skip Pangong and Local leh and head to Zanskar Instead ... a great place knockin on time ... Have a great journey ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

Hi Guys,

Dhananjay - Thanks for that respone - it was/is very helpful.

Based on the inputs that I have got and some googling I have come up with the following itinerary.
PLease go through it and any suggestions/ comments that you have a re most welcome.
The txt in blue is where I would particularly need some help from you folks. What places to stay in and whether i need to book before raching there?....

Day 1: Delhi to Manali (around 12 hrs Drive) - Overnight in Manali (any suggestions?)
Day 2: Manali Sightseeing - overnight in Manali
Day 3 & 4: Manali - Leh (Two days drive)
Day 3: Manali - Rohtang La - Keylong - Baralacha La - Sarchu (stay overnight - tents??)
Day 4: Sarchu - Namika La - Lachalung La - Pang - More Plains - Tanglang Pass - Leh (overnight at Leh - which hotel??)
Day 5: Leh Monastery Tour - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis - Stok Palace (overnight at Leh??)
Day 6: Leh - Karu - Changla Pass - Tangtse - Pangong Tso (Overnight at Tangste??)
Day 6: Pangong Tso - Leh (Overnight at Leh)
Day 7: Leh - Likir - Alchi - Lamayuru (On the way we can go to Ridzong Gompa) - (Overnight in Lamayuru??)
Day 8: Lamayuru - Leh (Overnight in Leh)
Day 9 & 10: Leh - Khardung La - Nubra Valley - Diskit - Hunder (Not sure about the exact plan for these two days)
Day 11: Nubra - Leh (Overnight in Leh)
Day 12: Leh - Upshi - Tso Moriri (Overnight Tso Moriri)Day 13: Day free at Tso Moriri (maybe a buffer day) - Overnight at Tso Moriri
Day 14: Tso Moriri - Tso Khar - Leh / Tso Moriri - Manali (Depending on Flight or Jeep to Delhi)
Day 15: Delhi / Leh - Delhi (If from Tso Moriri we head back to Leh)

Thanks a lot for all the help guys,

Regards,
-rahul

Hi,
The itinerary is great ... Meticulous planning .... Sunshine guest house in Manali or The Kalpana Hotel are nice ... If something more fancy then the Johnsons lodge and Banon resorts are good ... Sarchu you should stay in tents ... I cannot recommend anything in Leh as I stay at a friends house everytime ... However I have heard Shambhala ia good place ... I dont see a point in spending two days at tsomoriri ... if you wanna just lie down in a deep slumber or invoke your angels then it is another thing .. I would suggest moving up to Tsokar instead ... Nubra base yourself in Sumur and explore around from there ... There are good guest houses there ... Tsomoriri should definitely be on the way back ... Pangong it is great to camp by the lake ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

Hi Dhananjay,

Thanks a lot for the reply. I will look into the hotels that u have suggested and also, will move upto tsokar rather than spending two nights at Tso Moriri.
One more question though.
For the Nubra Valley - (I have 2 days) and it will be foolish to try and cover the part up river (Tirit, Lukung, Tegar and Sumur) and down river (Diskit Hundar). Can you suggest which one of these two would be more appropriate?

Thanks a lot for the help once again

Regards,
-rahul

Hi Guys,

Back with a few more questions -

1. What are the typical rates of taxis in Ladakh - for e.g. for a Leh - Tso Moriri trip (covered over two days).
2. Does anybody have any information about some travel agent in ladakh who can book a couple of flight tickets for me?

Thanks guys, and I will bother ull again with more questions soon.

Regards,
-rahul

am goin to Leh via one of the routes : Manali or Srinagar and comin back by the other. we are a team of 3. anybody interested in joinin can get in touch. much of the plan is in place. we are goin from 10th to 24th aug. teaming up will bring down the expense and we will also be able to do a private vehicle and not take the local transport. thus halting at any location on the routes will be possible. will await a reply. u can also mail at tannaravi@hotmail.com

Hi All,

This is my 1st message to this platform, Though have been a regular to pick up great tips posted.
I'm planning a trip from Manali-Leh on bike by July End (A week Max). Requested several travel agents to organize it but invain.
Can any of you please let me know where can I get a bike rented in Manali? At what terms? Any contact Nos?

Thanks,

Dear ,
we me n my wife r going del - leh by air on 10th of august n move there on rented motorbike and go srinagar on 16th by taxi. Return back from srinagar on 20th aug by air. if our dates matching anywhere we r glad to see u.

I would recommend against Sarchu. It is too high and too cold and makes for a miserable experience on the way up. Better stay at Jispa. There is a fixed camp, a hotel, and a couple of new smaller lodges. This will result in a longer 2nd day on the way up but your night rest will be far better.

Hey Rahul, my comments inline in Red.

Thread is over 4 year old!

More than sufficient provided you dont mind spending too much time traveling than on ground hahaha its doable