2011 Leh/Spiti [Planning & Discussion thread]

[romeomike]

Whats the feasability of doing a trip to ladakh in may beginning? Am joining college in june and am quitting my job in april end. So i would prefer doing a two week trip so that i can come back and prepare for college.

Also, I know its difficult to give out a figure in terms of the expenditure, but can anyone give me a ball park figure for a two week trip?

Do keep an eye on this OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF DISTRICT LEH (LADAKH) for road status.

Expenditure 15k-25k per person.

Petrol 5000.
Stay+Food 8000.
Bike shipment if any by train 5000.
Clothing/Gears/Bags/Spares additional.

[Sachinnair]

hey sachin sorry for late reply, but i think all the queries fired for me have already been solved by kurtrules.


thanks vaibhav

Raman can you advise on ATM facility in and around Leh?
Or do we need to carry cash after a certain point as I am not entirely sure about this?

[romeomike]

Raman can you advise on ATM facility in and around Leh?
Or do we need to carry cash after a certain point as I am not entirely sure about this?

Leh town itself has got decent no. of ATMs, but expect small crowd at every ATM most of the time...

[anujgupta777]

Hey guys,

After years of waiting for the right time, finally I believe, I will be free enough to get myself Leh'd. I dont remember when I started loving biking, I dont remember, when I said to myself, " One day I will ride my bike to Leh", but I do know that it must be long time back for me to forget the birth of a dream. After that I have waited, at times for vacations, at time for finance and at other times, just for the 'right time'.

I have read and re read hundreds of blogs here, inspiring me, pushing me to make a plan, but a pragmatic in me always pulled me back. It said to me "You can not go out of your way to make plans for Leh and screw your normal life. You time will come and when it comes, there will be no stopping you"

I believe the time has come. I am working at a place where I can afford a ten day off. I have the financial wherewithal and above all, the mental freedom for I am no longer drawn towards proving myself in this world. I have taken a break from the rat races of the world. Now barring the uncertainities of life which can screw your plans at the last moment, the only challenge that remains between me, my bike and Leh is my parents. I am sure it would take some convincing to get them to agree.

Concvine I will, for a dream to come true.

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to get Leh'd this year. Need all your expertise advise.

Importantly I need fellow xbhpians who have plans this year and Join me for the ride...

Even I need fellow xbhpinas who have plans this year. I am planning to do it somewhere in June. Am a Delhite , and will start from Delhi.

Let us know who all are intrested.

[spiderweb]

June 2nd week...

Rony, Spidy & Motor will probably head to Spiti. If you guys are around there during 2nd week, we may catch-up.

For the people who may get confused with My Bhutan Ride, it may happen in Sep-Oct... yeh yeh! I have all the time & money to travel at my will. lol

[kartikpai]

I dont know whether its an appropriate question to ask in this thread or not . But yeah, it can surely be considered as a part of planning. How many of you here have managed to convince their parents, and loved ones about getting leh'ed ? And how many of you are planning to go on a secret run. Cause my trip to leh this year got cancelled just cos I could not convince my dad under any circumstances even though mom was all set for the trip. . . . I tried all possible ways, tried speaking .. sms'es .. leh pics .. etc etc also wrote a long letter which proved my dad that biking is an integral part of my life . . but even after all my efforts .. his answer was "No " if you need to go leh, "The whole family goes" which I obviously didn't agree upon. I am just curious to know how people are managing things, cause I strictly feel when we lack in something better learn from others than to sit and repent on what not happened.

[lijok]

@karthikpai - I've not yet presented the Leh ride plan at home, but I'm sure I can convince them.
Initially I used to just abscond. When they call up, or if they dont call and I call them, I tell, i'm at this place, will be back at this day/time. Once I reach back safe and sound, they just let it go. Later on I started telling them about shorter trips and proved to them that I ride safe and safety is my passion along with riding. I also proved to them that I'm perfectly fine doing night rides/drives by taking them to our native place couple of time by night.
So, I'd advice you to take small steps and built up their confidence in you...

[kartikpai]

well my mom knows very well about my rides. Each time I go out , I at least made a point to tell her that I am out and would be going home at so and so time. But dont know why , my dad is totally against motorcycling .. Well my dad doesnt listen or talk when I start motor..... still hoping for some miracle to happen. Everything in hands of my ma now

[xstunter]

@ Kartik bro :- Understand your feelings dude. I too had faced this kind of problems in my family. My this years Leh trip planning started actually from last year. Last year I was given a straight NO from the family. And from that point onwards the struggle began, this involved going on short trips and showing others trip logs to the family stating that motorcycling is not just about stunting or rash driving.
I proved my family that we XBHPians are safe riders. When in a group or as an individual we follow all the rules and strictly believe in safe riding.
My mom knows Biru (an XBPhian) not by name but the guy who travels accross the country on an R15 (Yes my mom also knows what an R15 is).

I also strongly believe that under no circumstances a ride be made without the knowledge of your family members.
Now it happens that every day I switch on the TV or check the newspaper my family and me happen to see something about Leh. They now know how important this ride is for me.

Regards,
Deepan

[kurtrules]

Hello Guys,

We are planning to go to Leh, Spiti from May 28th to June 19th.

Here's the link for the plan for 2011 Leh - Spiti road trip.

2011 Leh - Spiti plan

Confirmed
1) Sachin Nair - sachinnair - ZMR
2) Deepan Devraj - Xstunter - Karizma R
3) Puneet Yashod - N4Speed - Karizma R

Guys please have a look at the Leh - Spiti plan sheet and looking forward to receive valuable feedback and important pointers that we need to keep in my mind.

Apart from Leh is there any other place where we need permit and pass that needs to be arranged.

Looking forward to here from you all

I checked your itinerary. I would advise you to delay the plan a bit. Baralacha la was not open till end June, last year. Also, you are planning to head off to Chandertal on the 12/13 June I think. No point, as it would not be snow-cleared. In 2009, I could not ride up to it as the road was snow blocked. Last year, it opened up late as well.

On Day-13 you are doing Pangong - Pang which would be Pangong - Karu - Upshi - Tanglangla - More plains - Pang. A long ride, and in June prepare to find tonnes of snow/mud/muck on the road. I would suggest, head off back to Leh and the do Leh-Pang/Leh-Sarchu the next day.

[Ananz]

Guys,

Could be a dumb question. Just wante to know.
Will spiti be open by end of April?

- Ananth

[Rony]

Guys,

Could be a dumb question. Just wante to know.
Will spiti be open by end of April?

- Ananth

Dude, after reading your super awesome Leh thread, I am your fan !

Are you seriously thinking to do Spiti this summer? ... If so please let me know in advance !

[spiderweb]

I checked your itinerary. I would advise you to delay the plan a bit. Baralacha la was not open till end June, last year. Also, you are planning to head off to Chandertal on the 12/13 June I think. No point, as it would not be snow-cleared. In 2009, I could not ride up to it as the road was snow blocked. Last year, it opened up late as well.

On Day-13 you are doing Pangong - Pang which would be Pangong - Karu - Upshi - Tanglangla - More plains - Pang. A long ride, and in June prepare to find tonnes of snow/mud/muck on the road. I would suggest, head off back to Leh and the do Leh-Pang/Leh-Sarchu the next day.

It opened in mid JUNE only Kurt, We were there waiting for it at Sarchu for 3 days. It was fun

[Abhishek B]

Guys,

Could be a dumb question. Just wante to know.
Will spiti be open by end of April?

It's not a dumb question at all Ananz. The route to Spiti is open almost whole year apart from minor niggles.
I rode to Spiti a week back. The roads were open & perfect to ride. The valley was totally snowed out though.

By end of april.... there would be no snow though.

[Old Fox]

It's not a dumb question at all Ananz. The route to Spiti is open almost whole year apart from minor niggles.
I rode to Spiti a week back. The roads were open & perfect to ride. The valley was totally snowed out though.

By end of april.... there would be no snow though.

In peak winters the roads beyond Ka are only fit for 4 wheelers and heavy vehicles. There's a lot of black ice around Nako and Maling. But mid-march on, bikers can make it through provided they avoid riding post sunset and very early in the mornings.

Snow stays around beyond Kaza (towards Losar) for a little longer, especially around Kyoto and Hansa. Pin valley also has snow till mid April.

Abhishek: You, LP and Lovish had a good ride this March. Did you guys manage Pin valley too. Asking cause the first few kilometers past the Attargo bridge, the road faces north, gets very little sunshine and so stays iced over for long. So is the case at a few other places on the way to Guiling. But Pin valley is a lot prettier with snow than without it.