What is the earliest in the season when one can go i.e., roads open, boarding and lodging available?

There is no single, confirmed answer for this question...

I remember when I was commanding the detachment at Pang, the annual winter stocking convoy drivers would be full of stories about riders of all garbs on the road. Then, suddenly, they started feeling lonely at the end of Sep - no colour on the roads, no smiling civilians to help, back to the grind and time to face the winter.

You see, May, June and July are the months which see max riders going there. So, even if you are single, you can mingle. Obstacles of all types are more easily overcome when numbers of riders are present to help.

Secondly, there is no dearth of accommodation to suit every pocket.

Aug onwards, the season tapers off and ends around the first week of Oct.

I remember when I was commanding the detachment at Pang, the annual winter stocking convoy drivers would be full of stories about riders of all garbs on the road. Then, suddenly, they started feeling lonely at the end of Sep - no colour on the roads, no smiling civilians to help, back to the grind and time to face the winter.

I had hosted 3 scientists from Bangalore in Aug 1996 at Pang. They had been closer to the Almighty than to us that night, I recollect. I had had to fortify them with a few shots of brandy to rejuvenate their spirits. One of my jawans had to monitor them throughout the night for any medical issues; my doctor was worried too. But they pulled thru' the night and the next morning, were fit to ride to Taglang La and Leh. Those were the days...

Thanks for the Amazing Input. Now let me think twice before leaving on august. The greatest Problem is My leaves. I cannot have take off before august. If it doesn't work Well this year let me try out next year.
And By the Way are you still serving Indian Army? I mean Are you still on duty or retired?

Hey icemang.. me too planning for Leh this year....(plan every year but this year seems the best bet!).
However, since I have cash constraint, wonder how to go about this? Trustvishwas had hinted at around 50k per head, which I don't know if it will be possible, looking at my current paltry income!
Your dates fit in perfectly really and don't mind joining you in the trip

Thats an interesting perspective to gain. I thought that we were annoying pests for the convoys.
Have a question for you. Which is better from a breathing point of view for a night stay, Pang or Sarchu ?

Thanks.
Like yous signature quote

Hey icemang.. me too planning for Leh this year....(plan every year but this year seems the best bet!).
However, since I have cash constraint, wonder how to go about this? Trustvishwas had hinted at around 50k per head, which I don't know if it will be possible, looking at my current paltry income!
Your dates fit in perfectly really and don't mind joining you in the trip

Thanks for the Amazing Input. Now let me think twice before leaving on august. The greatest Problem is My leaves. I cannot have take off before august. If it doesn't work Well this year let me try out next year.
And By the Way are you still serving Indian Army? I mean Are you still on duty or retired?

People have reported doing it in about 25-28K. I personally think that 50K seems a bit steep.

Detailed breakup of estimated expenses has been posted here :-



Estimate includes -
1.Bike Servicing, new tyres, clutch cable, air filter
2.Purchase of cold weather gear like thermals, gloves
3.Purchase of saddle/tank bag, memory cards
4.Reserve fund

The 'During the tour expenses' would be around 28k. If you can borrow items instead of purchasing them, obviously your cost would go down.

Wish 25k was possible...that would be possible by: loading bike on train + sleeper class travel both ways which would save up considerable costs!
Though I really want to ride up all the way!



Thanks for the break-up . Now this helps. Do have all the riding gear, camera gear and luggage so that should help in reducing costs further .

Good to see so many souls wanting to get Leh'd this yr I am one such eager soul who had this dream last year, but had to postpone the trip last yr as I thought I'd experiment by going to a different place in 2011 and keep the Leh trip for this year. The objective was to understand all the nuances of a long trip. I did go on a looong trip (around 2500kms in a span of 15 days) to the North-East and Bhutan in the month of October, 2011. As is obvious it was a wonderful learning experience and I think I am ready for the mighty Himalayan terrain this yr. Though I have gained some knowledge on the do's and dont's of such trips, there are still few questions for which I'd need answers for.Following are the reasons why this question is bugging me so much:

1. Temperature and Engine Console safety:

Is it safe do this trip on a sports bike (Pulsar 180-mine) with a carburetor engine??

I never had any problem with my bike throughout the Bhutan trip. However, I read somewhere that extreme temperature fluctuations/Water crossings might affect a carburetor console as it takes in air from the outside. Chances are that the bike's ignition might seize in low temperatures and the bike wouldn't start. My bike only has a self start and with so much luggage that we'd be carrying on our rear during such trips "clutch starting" will be all the more difficult. Now is this a real concern?? Is there any modifications that one can do to avoid such problem??

Wanted an answer quickly as if this is a real concern, I'd definitely not mind selling this one off and go for a new Fuel Injected-sealed console. (In that case, I also want to know which would be the best bike to do the Leh trip??)

2. Ride Comfort

• The second biggest concern during my previous trip was the ride comfort. Almost around 80% of the 2500kms was in the hilly terrain, and in not so good roads. I did not have any trouble for the first 4-5 days after which it became really uncomfortable. I picked up this weird pain in my right ear which I felt only when I rode the bike and the pain would vanish the moment I stopped. Thinking that the pain was because of my helmet I tried various ways like stuffing tissues inside but it never worked. As days passed by the pain slowly shifted to my spine and at the end of 15 days I felt it throughout my back and also in my ears. Now is this normal or is because of the bike?? Will I feel any better if I had ridden a bike with an upright seating posture??
• The other issue I faced was with the balance of the bike. I had the IRC tubeless tyres that comes with the bike. The tire's offered very little grip and skidded whenever there was a puddle of water or even gravels of small stones and pebbles. I suffered when I fell badly in the middle of the trip and almost broke my knee, rode with a broken leg for around 1200kms which was really agonizing Much to be blamed was my stupidity of not wearing any knee protection but the fall was mainly because of the bike's balance. Now that the Leh terrain is very harsh and with such rash road conditions can someone suggest what is the best way to go abt this??

PS: My apologies if this post is a little out of sorts to the current discussion. I haven't gone thru the other posts in this thread for the lack of time.