2011 Leh/Spiti [Planning & Discussion thread]

[Mik]

Originally Posted by The One

Hi Guys..I am new to this forum and to XBHP. I need your advice on going to Leh in April end next year. I will be going in a hatch (Liva to be exact) since I don't have biking partners. I have read in all Leh forums that June & September are the best months to visit but I can't wait an extra 1-1.5 months for the fear of plan cancellation of the group members (we are a group of 3 guys) . Will it be possible to do this journey in April in a hatch (2 drivers including myself having pretty good driving skills)?? We want to see each and every major destinations en-route (Srinagar, sonmarg, gulmarg, kargil, Nubra, Pangong etc etc and ofcourse Khardung La). Tough conditions only will not stop us from doing it in April end but don't want this to be a completely mindless decision. Thanks for all/any of your suggestions & advice.

April is very very optimistic for a Manali Leh run. Generally, BRO does try to clear the snow by april mid but mother nature plays havoc. Also, since it is very early, you wont get too many options for stay enroute. Do keep a lot of buffer days in hand because April is not a very good month and you can get stuck in some places for days at a stretch.
My advice: Drop April and firm up plans for June.

[The One]

Originally Posted by Mik

April is very very optimistic for a Manali Leh run. Generally, BRO does try to clear the snow by april mid but mother nature plays havoc. Also, since it is very early, you wont get too many options for stay enroute. Do keep a lot of buffer days in hand because April is not a very good month and you can get stuck in some places for days at a stretch.
My advice: Drop April and firm up plans for June.

Thanks Mik, for the quick reply and the info. Just as I thought Good point on the staying part since we are looking to stay at many places (maybe for even more than a day) which we want to explore. And yes, with due respect to mother nature, I should start convincing my friends for a June trip. Don't want to mess up this dream journey in any way.

[sambak]

Originally Posted by Mik

April is very very optimistic for a Manali Leh run. Generally, BRO does try to clear the snow by april mid but mother nature plays havoc. Also, since it is very early, you wont get too many options for stay enroute. Do keep a lot of buffer days in hand because April is not a very good month and you can get stuck in some places for days at a stretch.
My advice: Drop April and firm up plans for June.

So precise!!

[say.gcett]

Guys pl help me with good maps (roads, distances and terrain... topographical if possible). my itinerary can't move forward from Leh with 10 days in hand. I want to cover sach pass on the way back to punjab

[Mik]

Originally Posted by say.gcett

Guys pl help me with good maps (roads, distances and terrain... topographical if possible). my itinerary can't move forward from Leh with 10 days in hand. I want to cover sach pass on the way back to punjab

Search for ramkys map on the net. They are the best resources for any leh trip with all the info you need. You will get it in some or the other post on team-bhp/bcmtouring or on xbhp.
Also, get the latest ones ( ithink 2010 is the latest)

[say.gcett]

Originally Posted by Mik

Search for ramkys map on the net. They are the best resources for any leh trip with all the info you need. You will get it in some or the other post on team-bhp/bcmtouring or on xbhp.
Also, get the latest ones ( ithink 2010 is the latest)

Thanks buddy I think they are helpful

[Txschadab]

HI am a fresh member in the community, a big thanks to sunny@xbhp.com to approve my request to join

The main reason to join the community was actually to get more information abt the same plan as our so called tentative plan to do almost a similar route is gripping its root tight in to execution, thanks to Sumit to actually motivate me to do this, who is also the confirmed member to do this trip with me the only noticeable difference in the route is we are directly starting from Pune vis gwalior on the 27th May and have planed to be back by the 14th of June, also we have planned to visit Jim Corbet in Utrrakhand on the return journey if time permits, as far as the information which i got from a member of BCM Touring is that BRO is planning to open the roads in May and especially when we have planed to do Leh - Manali highway on the return journey it should not be a problem...correct me if iam wrong

Sorry to overload the page though

[B7ACKTHORN]

People, I am planning to do the mighty "Leh" trip with one of my friends who has already done one trip, and he's probably into making another milestone in July, for which he asked me to join.

So my questions are, sorry if it were already posted, answered, etc I'm not the patient one.

Me owning a P220 bike, what are all the steps I need to have in mind for the bike for the trip. I've heard people saying, you need to remove the carb and tune it and change the jet and stuff, I am not a big fan of getting up screwed up in a mechanic shop far far away, me hailing from Tamil Nadu, and more over hate mechanics touching my bike unless really needed, is there any way the bike can be made to handle such a terrain without needing to open the carburettor?

That's my only concern. Any members, who did a ride with a 220, kindly lemme know your thoughts regarding the bike's performance, altitude sickness, power loss, et al etc, etc on this, since even a bit of info on what you experienced with your bike can prove a great help to me. Thanks!!

Cheers!!
VJ

[Mik]

Originally Posted by B7ACKTHORN

People, I am planning to do the mighty "Leh" trip with one of my friends who has already done one trip, and he's probably into making another milestone in July, for which he asked me to join.

So my questions are, sorry if it were already posted, answered, etc I'm not the patient one.

Me owning a P220 bike, what are all the steps I need to have in mind for the bike for the trip. I've heard people saying, you need to remove the carb and tune it and change the jet and stuff, I am not a big fan of getting up screwed up in a mechanic shop far far away, me hailing from Tamil Nadu, and more over hate mechanics touching my bike unless really needed, is there any way the bike can be made to handle such a terrain without needing to open the carburettor?

That's my only concern. Any members, who did a ride with a 220, kindly lemme know your thoughts regarding the bike's performance, altitude sickness, power loss, et al etc, etc on this, since even a bit of info on what you experienced with your bike can prove a great help to me. Thanks!!

Cheers!!
VJ

The DTSI will not have any problem in Leh. Just learn from your service center on how to change the AFR setting. You might need to change it at higher altitudes if really necessary. Altitude sickness is a problem at some of the higher reaches, so diamox tablet should do the trick there.
Yes, there will be a power loss at higher altitudes. But nothing insurmountable.
About the rest, well there are scores of Leh threads which will give vital info. Start reading them.

[chetanchandu2000]

Hi Guys , planning to do jammu- Srinagar - Leh - pangong Tso, nyoma- keylong - Spiti- Manali - Delhi route this june.

need more information about Spiti, how is the road conditions from Khoskar/keylong to Spiti , and from spiti to manali.?? any one travelled on same roads last year ?? any special permission for spiti ?
and if any pics on roads to spiti would be helpful