Srinagar - Leh : bus or Jeep share in June?

Aren

we are planning on going to Leh in the first week of June via Srinaga (orginal plan of leh-manali shelved as road will not be open!). have heard that Kargil is a bit of a grubby place and bus services are not as good as teh volvos along the Manali route (which we did in 2006). So thinking of a jeep...
1. any comments on bus services available and stop over options?
2. Recommendations for reliable jeeps - vehicle and driver
3. anyone interested in sharing a jeep 4/5 June?

thanks!!

soledad

Hi Aren!
First of all welcome to IM
And,I would like to know,how can you be so sure that Manali-Leh route won't be open by late May? I think there were some news of it opening on April 15th.
And I am planning to do the Manali-Leh and later on Kashmir trip too;How many people are you? You may join us in our Qualis,if you wish; Here is my Ladakh Itinerary :-
http://www.indiamike.com/india/ladak...2008-a-t54037/

Aren

Thanks for repying, Soledad!
Manali - Leh route closed or not? I am going on the basis that it opens later than the Srinaga route...I've been reading your posts and conversations with Dilliwala..wow! you totally lost me there! i am no way as familiar with the area as you two. We did the Leh- Manali run by bus in Aug 2006 and it was wonderful. Now i am going back to Ladakh for three months June - Sep and the immediate need is to get from Delhi to Leh setting off from Delhi on app 3rd or 4th June. I don't mind either route as I can always take the other on the way back in Sep.
Reason for thinking of sharing a jeep option is to allow for more flexibility than the bus (though it was spectecular and the driver and helper gave us the hot seats in teh driver's cabin and acted as very good guides to point out speacial peaks!)

But - to get back to your plan - seems the dates are not quite in line with ours. but lets see if there are any more ideas posted...

great to be planning a trip!!

soledad

Ohh yes,you are right, that region is really too beautiful to describe in words! And,nevermind,I understand what you are looking for is a little different than I thought to be, earlier.

All I have to say is that,on your way to Leh from Delhi, you must think of reaching Manali first [by bus,most probably];And from there,you will have all options open,and may even get a shared jeep or so. And even in that a halt in Sarchu/Bharatpur in between might be helpful thinking of acclimatization and everything.
Wish you all the best for your trip ahead

MAS

Hi Aren:
I have done the same route last year in june by my Santro Car with my family. Go through my blog, You may find it useful for your Journey.
http://triptoladakh.blogspot.com
wishing you all the best
MAS

Aren

Hi Soledad - as you said...Manali route has turned green in the website!!

we are still looking for travel partners/jeep share...do you think it will be easier from Manali or Srinaga?

Aren

Just saw the your post MAS, the pic of the car with the ice is something!!

amarshah

I along with a friend would be heading up to Leh via Srinagar on 25th May. Will be taking the bus route or else get shared jeeps but i plan to have a night halt at both kargil and lamayuru each. So i guess bus would be a better option...

__________________
Cheers

Amar

Year 2008 Trips - http://amards14.googlepages.com/

Aren

Hi Amar,

I've done the Leh Manali route by bus, but you could not stop over extra nights. Can you do that when you take the bus from Srinaga? or does a single bus do both stops? Are these state tourism buses ie like the Leh Manali vovlos or private smaller buses? would you have a link where I can get more info on this?
Thank you!

amarshah

Aren,

What i know and would be doing is catch a bus to kargil from TRC, Srinagar. Later from Kargil catch a bus to Lamayuru, and then do the same thing to reach Leh. if you want you can take a bus from Srinagar to kargil and then the next day to leh directly. I am breaking my journey as later i would not have to take a day trip to Lamayuru.
J&K Tourisim have buses both normal and delux leaving from TRC, Srinagar., thats what website says !

Aren

Thank Amar. will check them out. two of us will be heading that way around the 4th of June.

amarshah

See this http://jksrtc.nic.in/service.htm

pvharikrishnan

I with my family travelled from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil [hired a sumo] and from Leh to Hunder and back [North of Leh - hired a Qalis] and from Leh to Manali [hired a Scorpio] during 2007 May-June.

Manali - Leh route is open for small vehicles by the second week of May
see this news item. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/..._10044903.html


You can travel from Srinagar to Leh by Government Bus. As far as i know those are not Volvos but buses with air suspension. I haven't seen any Volvos during my trip. That is why this conclusion.

If you are fortunate you can share a jeep. Enquire with the Taxi owners stand at Srinagar. But getting a shared jeep till Kargil will not be easy.

Even if you go by a jeep you won't get much time for in between halt. The reason is the driver will be busy to reach the desired destination as early as possible. If you want to stay at Kargil get a ticket [ either in bus or in a shared jeep] only up to Kargil. But getting a ticket from Kargil to Leh will be difficult since most of the bus travellers book Srinagar-Leh seats. But you can try, you will get some conveyance.

I stayed at Kargil one night. There are four five lodges. I stayed in Hotel Green land. The cost was 300 Rs for a attached double room. [rating: Average]

If you are interested in knowing more information about Leh you can call Dava Tsering [(0)1982 253 153] of http://www.orientalguesthouse.com/ He is very helpful. - ladakhoriental@yahoo.co.in, orientalleh@hotmail.com

Aren

This is very helpful. Thank you very much, i will follow up.
A