Doable in a day? Anything is possible but then if you want to do this in one day, better not do it only, as it will be keep riding, turn back, keep riding. What's the point?

Panamik worth the visit? I didn't find anything great there, can be skipped if short on time.

It is doable but, like nav said, what's the use? Avoid panamik and stay for the night in Diskit.

Edit: I would say head directly to Pangong the next day via Wari-la

Ok, I have never been to Leh in June but in Aug'07, it was raining enough during the ride (either when I was riding or rained before I rode - worse).

21day's are a lot of days and Ladakh can easily be done ex Mumbai. Here is how I would have done it (modified my 2007 plan)
Day 1: Mumbai - Udaipur ~780km's
Day 2: Udaipur - Amritsar ~ 500km's (via Sirsa - Bathinda)
Day 3: Amritsar
Day 4: Amritsar - Srinagar ~450km's
Day 5: Srinagar - Gulmarg - Sonmarg
Day 6: Sonmarg - Rangdum
Day 7: Rangdum - Padum
Day 8: Padum - Drass
Day 9: Drass - Leh
Day 10: Leh
Day 11: Leh - Hunder
Day 12: Hunder - Panamik - Tangste/Sakti (via Wari La)
Day 13: Tangste/Sakti - PangongTso (attempt M La)
Day 14: Pangong Tso - Pang (via Karu)
Day 15: Pang - Keylong
Day 16: Keylong - Chandigarh
Day 17: Chandigarh - Ajmer ~650km's (via Delhi)
Day 18: Ajmer - Mumbai ~1050km's (hard day but its a home run).

Still you are left with 3 days as buffer days, and it has may be a couple of more than average riding days.

Edit: And if you don't want to explore Zanskar, you got 2 more days saved = 5 buffer days = make those slightly tougher riding days into relaxed ones.

Have not been to Zanskar. So just wanted a clarification. Isn't the road to Padum from kargil. Or is there another way?

The road normally used is: Kargil - Sanku - Rangdum - Pensi La - Padum but in 2007 I saw that before Drass (Zoji La side) there is a road that goes to Sanku and at Sanku, I again confirmed that the same road exists as there was a sign board saying Drass, so on the way back Sanku - Drass can be taken as I found Drass/Lamayuru better to stay for night than Kargil.

So that's good then. If there is a road, like you said, I would take it as this time on the main purporse is Zanskar, and I would be coming in from Sonamarg!

When are you planning? Because, I'm planning to visit Ladakh around May end time frame and can give you a more update if you are planning later.

Just one point though, I didn't see/find any petrol pump between Kargil and Pensi La, so if you are planning to by pass Kargil while going, you might want to look at your fuel status, that was the reason why I didn't took that route as my bike came in reserve at Zoji La.

Yup, I am planning later. The date is 25th June (Unless something untowardly happens). I am sure you'll be back by then, will take inputs from you on the road condition/existance.

I'll carry fuel from Srinagar, as I also have a bull-rider going along. BTW is there a pump in Padum?

Edit: And yes, Is srinagar - drass - sanku - padum doable in a day? Don't want any night riding.

Am very keen on doing this:
Leh - Kargil - Rangdum (Suru Valley) - Padum (Zanskar Valley)

Will this region be dry in june first week, or will still have the famous dirt/slush tracks

Find details here:
Leh – Ladakh Destination Guide - India Travel Forum, BCMTouring.com

You want me to mark the sections of tarmac present on that route and give? ;-)

I have never been to Padum, so no idea about fuel station but I think there is none.

I did Srinagar - Kargil - Sanku in a day - but then I was riding at a slow pace. A bit faster pace and taking Drass - Sanku route, you can save some time but I doubt it will be enough to make you reach Padum. If the roads aren't any better than what they were in 2007, between Parkachik and Pensi La, it will be tough to go fast. Also if you plan to stay at Parkachik/Rangdum you might have to inform the guest house people in advance, as they don't stock food items for tourists and there is very limited space for night halt. Sanku though is a bit better in that respect.


I think the place gets dry later in year. May - June would be the time when ice would be melting.

Lol, no ..Just let me know that the road is still there, I'll take my machine on it

And thanks for the info. More details after you return

@Nav, Kurt: I guess we'll be thjere around same time, see you there

I was discussing this in another thread. How is the road? The distance from Diskit to Pangang Tso via Wari La is coming to 250 KMs. If we start from Diskit at 8am can we make it to P'Tso in Day Light? Considering just sedate riding.

Also, where can we refil our stomach in this route?

If the distance is around 250, considering an avg speed of 25, say 10hrs. To refill you will get a couple of places enroute Wari La and then Tangste, not seen many food joints at Sakti though.
I'll say try to aim for Tangste, as there is limited staying accomodation at Pangong and will all be taken up by the people who reach there by noon (starting in morning from Leh), so you will have to move ahead to search for place. Hence, better to stay earlier at Tangste.

^^^ that was more like what I was thinking - stay at Tangste if we get delayed. But was skeptical about the route... if it is pretty bad then we will not only starve but also get stuck in middle of nowhere for the night

Anyone did Wari La last year?

Want to catch P'Tso in day light as well as night. And then have to attend M'La before returning to Leh