The keyword, as you later realized, was *before sundown*. But then I guess I started at 7 AM and not 5:30/6 so I did lose time there. Also, I may have been slowed down by my desire to accompany the 2 Turkish riders and I did take a second lunch break next to Peerah Hydel power plant for Rajma Chawal with extra desi ghee . But apart from those, I needed all the luck in the world AND used each and every time saving technique I know of to make it *just in time* with the sun setting towards my left as I passed through Srinagar cantt. I positively wanted to reach Srinagar before it got dark because it would become harder and harder for me to find decent + cost efficient accommodation after it gets dark (especially when going solo).

The guys you are mentioning were seasoned campaigners (Niks was the Impulse guy, isn't it??). Many others would prefer their first Leh ride to be more leisurely.



Adjusting the head position just before entering that water crossing with polarized glasses on reveals whats underneath with much more ease. Didn't wet my shoes even once (minus the Rohtang debacle thanks to the cloudburst but that wasn't really a water crossing)!

I made the turn because I was bored with all the riding on the plains for the past 3 days and was itching to ride on the hills. I swear to god even I didn't know(and feel) the danger myself. But then some locals (chai wala, truckers and stuff) and then some posts on HVK group(that I am unable to find now) scared me.

Edit: So many?? Anyone that I might know??

Actually I was unusually lucky last year. A lot of places I passed flooded up within +/- 10 days of me passing from there. There was one in Rajasthan (August 15), Manali(August 5), the aforementioned stretch(August 4) and all of them within a few days of me coming/leaving so do try to understand my skepticism.

Me & Mg 2010
biru & SB :2010
nunu & tushar :2011
sachin nair & gang:2011

& quite a few others

Hi,

Is there anyone who is interested to visit leh-ladakh in may last week and return by june 2nd week ? I am seriously planning to go this year but I need company. I am from Pune.

Thanks,
Arnab

Oopsie! Looks like I am very lazy in reading TLogs

there are many bunch of riders planning in an around June. Keep following the logs and you may find someone.
I am going in 3rd week of june and is riding down from bangalore passing through Pune.
You may join me too eventhough i am riding solo

hey guys, I'm also planning for Leh in june 13.
I'm riding solo and looking for a company...
please PM me your email or phone if anyone interested.....so we can plan and fix the dates.

i booked my tickets for 6th june for mumbai to amritsar.. will reach amritsar on 8th and stay there for a day to visit wagha and temple and then i will start riding.. if any one is there around 9th or 10 then lets catch up we car ride together.
one more thing if any one is from mumbai going to pune for shoe and army pants please do msg me.. i would like to come.. i am still confuse on army boots or Forclaz 500..

3rd week of June will be late for me...end may is the latest I can join....and u going solo??? how have u planned?? I need some advice on how to prepare...

My itinery for leh is as follows...

Leh Itinery
May 2013

May-25 Day 1-Gurgaon-Jammu-610 kms
May-26 Day 2-Jammu-Srinagar-293 kms
May-27 Day 3-Srinagar-Kargil-204 kms
May-28 Day 4-Kargil-Leh-214kms
May-29 Day 5-Leh local,bike check,permits
May-30 Day 6-Leh-Hunder-128kms
May-31 Day 7-Hunder-Leh-128kms
June-1 Day 8-Leh-Pangong Lake-185kms
June-2 Day 9-Pangong Lake-Leh-185 kms
June-3 Day 10-Leh-Tso moriri-Leh
June-4 Day 11-Leh-Kargil-214kms
June-5 Day 12-Kargil-Srinagar-204kms
June-6 Day 13-Srinagar-Jammu-293kms
June-7 Day 14-Jammu-Gurgaon-610kms

Alternatively coming back from manali side may also be thought upon....

June-4 Day 11-Leh-Sarchu
June-5 Day 12-Sarchu-Manali/Kullu
June-6 Day 13-Manali/Kullu-Gurgaon


If anybody is interested in going on these specific dates PM me....

And also i would like to know wheather it will be possible considering the whole of kashmir situation after the hanging of Afzal Guru......

!!!!! Why do you want to come back from the Srinagar side. The leh manali stretch is the most beautiful part of the journey and should be a must-do rather than an alternative.
If the Afzal situation heats up too much, then go and come back from the Manali side only. Kashmir and its politics has little to do with Ladakh.

I actually wanted to do the srinagar route because of the dates i m travellling,i.e in the end of may the manali route is not opened.....
It opens around the first week of june or as per the clearance of snow on high passes.........
And also i have dates free from may last week to first week of june only so can't extend the dates.....

By first week of june, even buses will be doing the leh manali route unless there is some freak of nature. Plan according to that only. You can go from Pangong Tso to Tso moriri (figure out how to carry extra fuel) and then move on to pang from there. Also, the more extreme the climate - more the snow - richer the experience

Hi Guys.. Even I want to do Leh this June.. Preferable post June 12th.. I am from Pune and my friend-officer in bsf Wil join me as well.. I am currently in Pune.. Anyone planning for company.. Pls pm me.. Also..planning to take manali route while going and srinagar route while returning.. My friend wants to hire a bullet.. is it possible to hire from Manali and return in srinagar please?

Hey buddy
i am also going in June and would be riding solo from bangalore starting 15th June.
i would be ascending through srinagar route and would be descending through manali route(just to avoid AMF while riding upwards).
yes you can easily get bullet on rent from Manali, but returning part in srinagar cant be possible as they dont have so big contacts or network. Even though you can give it a try.

hello people,
I am damn interested to get leh'ed this year started my preparations form few months back. I live in chandigarh and I am looking for a company from here . My dates have not been finalized yet. I will be riding my duke 200, and plan to follow chandigarh- srinagar- leh- manali- chandigarh route.
anyone interested kindly reply, we shall make a group.