Here is my take on the estimated expenses :

1. FUEL Total distance all inclusive approx 3000kms. 3000 @ 28 kmpl= 108 litres, 108 litres @ Rs 80 per litre (at this rate of increase...)= Rs 8640 = Rs 9000.

Your bike will deliver near normal average that you are getting today. May be a variation of 5-10% but not much.

2. Accommodation 16 nights on road + 2 nights reserve + 18 nights @ Rs 1000 per night = Rs 18000.

Accommodation costs in that region are extremely cheap. You can get a decent quality room with clean toilet (I am very finicky about this) would not cost more than 5-600. If you share room with even one other person, the cost per head would go down to 300. You also get 3 bedded rooms in the same cost. So if you have a group of 3, then also the cost should not increase.

3. Total Rs 9000 + Rs 18000 = Rs 27000

So it should work out to Rs.9000 + Rs.9000 (Rs.500 taken at higher side x 18 days) = Rs.18,000

However, you need to spend at least 2-3,000 on acquiring cold weather riding gear. I am not considering purchase of saddle bag/ tank bag/ camera / memory cards etc.

You should consider food/drink cost. It is not very expensive but is comparable to / cheaper than Pune costs. However consolidated over 18 days, it would work out to Rs.500 x 18 days = Rs.9,000.

You would also need to include cost of getting your bike prepped for Ladakh ride. Change clutch plates, put on a new tyre, buy spare clutch cable, spare tube for tyre, puncture repair kit etc. Approx. cost - 5000

You should also consider cost of transporting bike from Pune - Delhi / Jammu and return. Approx. cost Rs.2,000 one way (including packing cost). So after considering return journey, it would cost Rs.4,000.

You would also need to travel to Delhi / Jammu and return. 3 tier A/c. fair would be approx. 1500 one way so for both way journey, it would be Rs.3,000

So the total cost outlay as per my calculations would be Rs.9000+9000+3000+9000+5000+4000+3000 = Rs.42,000

4. Reserve At least 50% of main = RS 13000 approx.

Reserve would remain with you. You can't shop much because you can't carry it back. But you certainly need to have this for contingencies.

TIP : Carry at least 5,000 in cash with you. Last I know, there were only 3-4 ATMs in Leh. All Army personnel (at least those located at Leh) get salary credited in their bank accounts so it is normal to see a queue of 10-15 at each ATM. Best time to withdraw money would be early morning around 6 am.

5. Grand Total Rs 40,000.

Grand Total as per my calculation would be Rs.42,000 + Rs.10,000 reserve = Rs.52,000

I hope this clears the air.


Correctly so. However, you should also add up the cost of bike preparation, purchase of gear, transport cost. Also it is better to be prepared with sufficient funds than getting stuck in Leh because your cards are maxxed out.

I rode from Delhi-Pathankot-Srinagar-Leh-Pangong-Leh-Hunder/Diskit-Leh-Srinagar-Jammu. My total running was 2650 km. Since I did not return via Manali, I can't comment on that sector. However, as per your plan, you are starting from Jammu and ending at Ambala so your running should be bit lower.

Others have already pointed out the cost factor.
Generally, on the Leh manali section your accomodation expense would be 150Rs per bed at max. Expenses on food and beverage will be the regular rates. Rs 350 per day is max in my opinion.
If you are stopping at sarchu-- the accomodation option ranges from 150Rs (the defacto) to Rs 2000 for luxury tents(two person tents)
Considering that you are in the army, you could manage a stay in any of the innumerable army messes there. My friend is in Signals and his course mate was there. So it was free for us
Similarly for permits, army issues its own permits so get in touch before hand with the old boys network there and you can save a day.
My expense over ten days (del - manali-leh-sri -del) was about 16k for two people (me and wifey) with two nights in leh being free for us. Ofcourse, getting my poor bike ready took up 15k Rs. We already had most of the gear(winter+riding) with us.
Mileage: My bike generally gives about 32. On manali leh section it gave 37 -- and trust me we went through pretty bad terrain. On the leh- srinagar stretch the average dropped to 28-29. Current petrol price in leh should be 73 approx. So 80Rs next year is a safe assumption. Also, next year the leh srinagar section will be a dream to drive on with almost zero bad roads.
ATMs: In august this year, i spotted 5 or 6 atms in Leh. At ten in the morning it took us a 15 min wait.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Vishwas sir, I did read ur blog when you posted, it went off my mind, will read it again.



Rs. 50000+-, I am happy to know this figure because I would be able save more than this amount till May, hence no need to ask money from my Dad or bro.




Thanks Mik for the valuable information.

So many points to comment on so I am not doing multiquotes now.

I already have adequate winter clothing from my field days so that is done.

I had prep for this ride last year so saddle bags, tank bags, bungee cords and all spares are already taken care of. The bike too was prepped last year and has not ridden much since then.

The Rs 1000 included boarding and lodging.

Expenses to transport the bike to and from Pune and the AC II tier fare would obviously add to the final total.

Vishwas's totlal of Rs 52000 seems a correct figure as a complete package for someone who wants to start from scratch. Thanks, Vishwas, as always...

Normal accommodation is okay with me. Hope it is the same with the rest of the group if one is formed by May next year.
Just my presence and my Identity card will get me accommodation anywhere in that area from Jammu to Manali but I might be part of a group of 5 or 6 people. Getting space for so many people would be problematic not to mention the rules and regulations. So I plan to stay in civilian hotels this time and will take help of my Army friends only in dire emergencies. Some roughing out will not hurt

Already done that.

I know. I have also factored in the ride to Siachen and the route from Leh to Leh via Panggong Tso-Chushul-Chumathang and added a substantial margin for poor fuel efficiency, detours, idling etc. 2650 km seems a fair figure

Just a pointer - Check your riding gloves. Hand and feet are the most vulnerable parts. As I mentioned earlier, riding gloves have holes in them for ventilation. So they are mostly useless unless you plug in the holes.

You are right. Gloves are going to be problematic. Either I use my old simple leather gloves modified into gauntlets with a woollen inner and rubber surgical glove outer or buy new ones. Any recommendations? How are the Vector and Carbon series from DSG? They again, are ventilated ones so I guess the surgical glove outer would be necessary.

By the way, where is the G2G on this 28th?

Regards

Ailments related to high altitude

High altitude presents a unique combination of conditions for the human body. There is low temperature, lowered oxygen content in the air and high solar radiation. This link will make the issue clearer

Altitude sickness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One odd symptom of AMS is that one tends to get irritated very quickly. Another one which sets in over longer durations is a feeling of loneliness or melancholia. Both these symptoms should not set in during our sojourn there but it is better to be forewarned about what to expect.

Hey,Tight woolen gloves and your protective gloves upon them..really helps to get rid of the cold.

Cheers
Biru

Thanks for the input, Biru. I have gone for the waterproof gloves by DSG. I will wear light cotton ones underneath if need be.

Planning For Leh 2012.
If I ride it from Pune - Leh How much expense can I estimate??
Living & Food Economy but quality.

Hi ojakuls,

Do you mean Pune - Leh - Pune?

At Page 2, Vishwas has indicated Rs 52000/- for Jammu - Leh - Manali - Ambala so if you plan Pune -Leh - Pune, I suppose you should add another 5000 odd bucks to that figure. As far as quality is concerned, the sky is the limit...

But why get so tired just when you are required to have all your reserves of energy intact? May end/first week of June on that Pune-Delhi-Jammu stretch will be very hot indeed...

My quote includes bike transport from/to Pune and own travel from Pune.