Srinagar-Leh-Delhi itinerary. Please advice!

Hello everyone,

I have been doing a lot of reading on the net for planning our (my husband and myself) trip to Leh via Srinagar. We live in Gurgaon and love to travel around…Leh was on my wishlist for a long time and finally I have booked my flights: Sept 29th Early morning – Delhi to Srinagar and Oct 6th morning – Leh to Delhi. So all in all we have 7 nights and 8 days for our Leh expedition! And of course, we need all the possible help to plan this trip well so that we make the most of the trip while ensuring that we cope well with the harshness of the destination.

Below are the two itineraries that I have prepared….please advice on which one will be more do-able and enjoyable…Thanks!!!!

OPTION 1:
Day 1 (Sept 29th): Arrive Srinagar at 9:30am. Drive to Sonmarg. Overnight in Sonmarg.
Day 2 (Sept 30th): Sonmarg – Zozi la Pass – Drass – Kargil. Overnight in Kargil
Day 3 (Oct 1st): Kargil to Uleytokpo via Namik-La, Fotu-La Pass, Mulbek, Lamayuru. Overnight in Uleytopko
Day 4: Uleytopko to Leh. En route - Alchi, Likir monastery, Zanskar Valley. Overnight in Leh (I am guessing that we should be able to reach Leh by early afternoon, like 12ish… and then relax at hotel/resort)
Day 5: Leh to Nubra Valley. Overnight at Nubra Valley (should I plan overnight stay at some other place than the valley? What are options for a night-stay?)
Day 6: Nubra Valley to Leh. Explore Diskit monastery
Day 7: Day trip to Pangong Lake (Please advice on by what time (latest) should we depart for Leh to be able to return to Leh the same day)
Day 8: Morning Flight from Leh to Delhi

OPTION 2:
Day 1 (Sept 29th): Same as above
Day 2 (Sept 30th): Same as above
Day 3 (Oct 1st): Kargil to Leh. (so I avoid the overnight stay in Uleytopko/Alchi and save on one night for a night-stay at the Pangong Lake)
Day 4: Leh to Nubra Valley.
Day 5: Nubra Valley to Leh.
Day 6: Leh to Pangong Lake
Day 7: Pangong Lake to Leh
Day 8: Morning Flight from Leh to Delhi

So basically, should I plan for a night-stay at Uleytopko for better acclimatization and for enjoying the views en route thoroughly or should I rather save one night and invest it in planning a two-day trip to the Lake. Also, I was not sure if it’s easy to stay overnight at the Lake…keeping in mind the chill as we’ll be there on Oct 4th and the altitude sickness)

Please Please advice and help by sharing your expert opinions and personal experiences.

Many Thanks
Disha

I like plan # 1 better with the stop at Uletokpo. More reasonable length of days in the car, with more time to get out and walk around different beautiful sites.

And Uletokpo is a beautiful place to stay anyway. Are you staying at the "ecoresort" or at the "adventure resort" with cycles, rafting, etc?

Two small corrections:

1) It's Zoji-La, not Zozi.

2) You will not be going to Zangskar Valley in your itinerary, and especially not on the day you said. Yes, Alchi and Likir.

Thanks for the quick reply and for sharing your opinion about the itinerary and also for the corrections Yes, I plan to stay at the Ecoresort in Uletokpo.
and if I go ahead with this option, should we change our taxi at Kargil? coz, as I understand, I'll not be able to do sightseeing in Alchi/Lamayuru in a Srinagar taxi?

Thanks
Disha

You need some time, upon reaching Leh, to get your ILPs. Where is the provision for that? Can Not you push to Drass/Kargil from Srinagar on your Day 1? It would save you a day which you will need at Leh for ILPs and also to better acclimitize. Recently I have made day trip to Pangong. We started at 6 AM.

According to me Sonmarg's altitude (approx 2800) is right at the fringe of what the body can usually handle and hence may be a good choice.

Only Ladakhi taxis are allowed to operate/sightsee - so yes, you will have to switch taxis in Kargil. Usually the Leh/Ladakhi taxis also agree to pick you from Srinagar itself.

At Nubra Valley you must probably stay at Hunder - the sand dunes there are truly exotic. Besides when you choose Hunder, Diskit comes on the way as well. At Hunder, there are several guest houses available - we were put up at the Oglok Guest House.

It is managed by a very sweet family and the hospitality was simply amazing!

For a day trip to Pangong, you must ensure that you cross the point called Pagal Nalla on your way back to Leh from Pangong, before 3PM. It is only a couple of KM from the lake itself. It is essentially run off from glacial melt that crosses the road and blocks it in case of too much force.

Disha, as anirban said, you can reach directly Drass or Kargil from Sreenagar. Can save a day and can enjoy a beautiful place Uletokpo- NIR and enzeladus are right.

But it is important

You have to reach Leh for ILP.

Stay at Nubra ... it's wonderful. Staying at the lake will not be wise at all.

If you wish you can talk to our guide cum driver Hassan - (9797307888/ 9419347888). He is a wonderful guy, dependable and responsible.

Hi Anirban, I thought we can make it to Leh from Uley on Day 4 latest by 10-11am and we'll be left with enough time to arrange for the ILPs. Alternatively, I will also check if our hotel guys can help us in arranging the permits. What's your opinion? I am insisting on the stop-overs in Sonmarg, Kargil and Uley, coz we really want to take the road trip easy and enjoy each and every destination en route to its fullest

Cheers!

Thanks for the driver's contact...will surely speak with him.

Disha,
Not actually wrong, you can do it in this timespan but it is a lot of time in a taxi. Factor in the need to stop and stare. What is achievable on paper is not necessarily enjoyable in reality. Overnight at Pangong is not advisable AMSwise on this short itinerary.
Take it slow and come back again
Bruce

The plan looks alright. And yes as mentioned by Captain above, overnight stay at Pangong should be avoided in Short trips.. Are you travelling along with your husband or you have any other family members (Kids or Parents) / friends along with you? If you have Kids or Parents then take it slowly and visit Pangong on a Day trip..

Btw where are you planning to stay in Sonamarg, Kargil, Leh and Nubra? Have you booked any hotels already?

Yes you can leave Uletokpo in the morning and be in Leh by 10 am easily to get your permits.

Dear all...Many Thanks for your valuable suggestions...i have arrived at the final itinerary as below (hopefully the final one!!) and we are all set to leave on Saturday .

Day 1 (Sept 29th): Arrive Srinagar at 9:30am. Drive to Sonmarg. Overnight in Sonmarg.
Day 2 (Sept 30th): Sonmarg – Uleytokpo. Overnight in Ule Ethnic Resort.
Day 3 (Oct 1st): Uleytokpo to Leh (reach forenoon and spend the day relaxing and getting permits)
Day 4 (Oct 2nd): Leh to Nubra Valley. Overnight at Hundur.
Day 5 (Oct 3rd): Nubra Valley to Leh.
Day 6 (Oct 4th): Leh - Tso Moriri
Day 7 (Oct 5th): Tso Moriri - Leh
Day 8 (Oct 6th): Fly back to Delhi

Duronto - thanks for recommending Hassan, we have booked him for our entire trip.

Cheers!
Disha

How much has Hassan quoted for the entire trip?

Hi Disha,

Recently visited Laddakh and few pointers from my side in case it helps.

Route from Srinagar to Leh is simply amazing. I am sure you will love it.

For permits, hotel staff can help you. Our hotel took care of it and we didn't have to worry about it. But make sure apply for permit as soon as you reach Leh in morning.

Take it easy after reaching Leh and don't exert yourself too much. Yes its written thousand times over this forum but we tend to ignore this after reaching this wonderful place .

I didn't get chance to visit Tso Moriri but it's at higher altitude than Pangong. I guess it will be very cold in the night there so check your planned accommodation provides enough protection.

Have a wonderful trip. I can't forget the place and sure will last in your memory forever.

Wish you a happy trip. Ladakh is Heaven on Earth indeed and hassan is totally dependable.

Lots of wishes disha.