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**Manna Chowdhury** · 03-11-2014, 03:16 PM

Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Hello All.

Finally one of our long awaited lifetime/dream ride is about to come true.
Me & my friend have been always fascinated about visiting Ladakh and the neighbouring places.
By looking at various travelogues, we have made the below itinerary.
Please let us know if the below mentioned agenda need to be optimized with respect to health or any other factors. We would like to cover & see maximum places as we never know when we could again plan such a trip :-)

FYI -

-> Flight tickets have been booked already.
-> We reside and will be travelling from Bangalore.

Trip Date Frame:
12th June 2014 - 30th June 2014.

Trip Agenda:

12th June - Thursday - Flight to Delhi from Bangalore. 10:30 AM we will land at Delhi. We take rest/roam around Delhi.
13th June - Friday - We start early morning. Delhi to Rampur.
14th June - Saturday - Rampur to Spiti Valley.
15th June - Sunday - Full Day Halt/Rest at Spiti Valley.
16th June - Monday - There are 3 route option. Goal is to reach Leh. Please advice which one is feasible.

Spiti Valley to Jispa Valley OR Spiti Valley to Baralchla OR Spiti to Sarchu ?

17th June - Tuesday - Jispa Valley OR Baralchla OR Sarchu to Leh.
18th June - Wednesday - Full Day Halt/Rest at Leh.
19th June - Thursday - Leh to Khardungla to Nubra Valley. Same day return to Leh.
20th June - Friday - Leh to Pangong.
21st June - Saturday - Full Day Halt/Rest Pangong.
22nd June - Sunday - Pangong to Leh.
23rd June - Monday - Leh to Kargil. Same day, Kargil to Srinagar.
24th June - Tuesday - Full Day Halt/Rest at Srinagar.
25th June - Wednesday - Srinagar to Jammu. (I had read somewhere that on some specific days, the roads are blocked either from Srinagar to Jammu or Vice Versa. Hence we have to keep a day buffer time. Please advice).
26th June - Thursday - Jammu to Punjab.
27th June - Friday - Full Day Halt/Rest at Punjab. Look around.
28th June - Saturday - Punjab to Delhi.
29th June - Sunday - If we have our own bikes then we will send it to train to Bangalore. Please advice on the process of transporting our bikes.
30th June - Monday - Evening flight to Bangalore. 22:00 PM arrive at Bangalore.

Query -

0. Advice on Accommodation/Cost at Rampur/Spiti Valley, Any of 1 of the 3 places on 16th June, Leh, Pangong, Srinagar, Jammu, Punjab?

1. Which places do we need permit?

2. What should be the average budget(excluding air fare) for per person for the above itinerary? I am assuming 50k INR or more that that to be on the safer side?

3. Any other instructions/advice that we should be aware of?

4. We would be carrying 2 sleeping bags (recently purchased). 2 Jackets, few thermal wears etc.
Any advice/recommendation on the right attire/shoe's/maps/bike accessory/medicines etc for 19 days?

5. As we will transport bikes from Bangalore, we need to put them in Train in a manner it reaches before we land at Delhi in way we collect it before 12th June noon. Please advice on how do proceed the above bike transportation?

6. I have Pulsar 220.
My friend does not have a bike of his own. He knows to ride a geared bike. So he will have to borrow his friend's FZ16.
Just in case is he does not get's it, can u advice a good place for getting good conditioned bikes on Rent from Delhi? We have done some research and realized that for Thunderbird/Classic 500, they charge min 1.3k INR per day. Out trip will be at least 18-19days. And based on that the amount will cross 20k INR. Any advice on lowering the cost?
OR
He is even ready to buy a bike. He has his eyes on CBR250R. As its a tourer. Given the road conditions, Will that be a good option for touring Ladkah and nearby places?
Should he buy CBR250 OR any other good powered tourer within 2.2L INR OR just borrow his friend's FZ16, if not get rent bikes from Delhi?
I told him instead to wait and buy CS400 which would launch in 2015. It will be new and more power when compared to its competitors :-)

**Mik** · 03-11-2014, 11:56 PM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

^^ You really need to research a lot more. Baralach la is not a place -- Its a pass. What do you mean by Spiti Valley ? Which place ?
Leh to Srinagar in one day is really stretching it. Doable, yes - Advisable -- Definitely no! On a good day you might need around 16/17 hours if there are no BRO distractions.
Honestly man, you should read a few more travelogues and route planners. Make the effort read through this thread and the leh 2013 planner thread. There is a gold mine of information there.
Also, download the Ramkys maps (2010) version. Check out numerous route planning advisories on bcmtouring. Read through the ladakh guide on team-bhp.

About accomodation.
Rampur: Its a small district town. Once I stayed in Hotel Satluj - its just beyond the main town square(some major mandir is there on the square) Advantage: The guy has lockable parking for bikes.

Spiti Valley: No idea which place you mean. If you mean Kalpa/Tabo/Kaza -- Lots of accomodation is available at dirt cheap rates.
The same is true for most places. You will always get accommodation. The only places where there could be a problem would be Kargil if you want to stay in the pricey D'Zozilla hotel.
50k is more than enough. Assuming a 3500km run - around 110 liters. You are looking at 8k for petrol. Accomodation per day -- Average of 400Rs/person. Food is cheap everywhere. As in - Momo/Maggi/Paranthas/Mutton n Rice are good to have and cheap.

Just make the effort and research more on the sites mentioned. You will get everything - from list of medicines to carry to distances to guest house contacts (though not needed), to permits needed.

About your friend's bike:: That is a separate discussion on "what bike" section. CBR is a good option apart from its awful continental tyres. I had a nightmare on it in 2012 (due to the tyres) while it felt much easier on the 220 a year prior to that.

**santosh.k** · 03-13-2014, 11:43 AM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

How feasible is it to carry a proper 2 person tent and use it all the way from Mumbai to Leh and back. Not using any hotel or guest house services. Making use of the tent and public washrooms for bathing and other purposes.

I'm seriously thinking of this as an option which will help to save costs and will be an experience of a lifetime as well.

Pls let me know how practical it seems. Is it do able??

**narender** · 03-13-2014, 09:13 PM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Originally posted by santosh.k View Post

How feasible is it to carry a proper 2 person tent and use it all the way from Mumbai to Leh and back. Not using any hotel or guest house services. Making use of the tent and public washrooms for bathing and other purposes.

I'm seriously thinking of this as an option which will help to save costs and will be an experience of a lifetime as well.

Pls let me know how practical it seems. Is it do able??

It is perfectly doable and people have done camping during their bike rides.
But camping pitching tent after a tiresome ride is not a pleasant thing specially in high terrain of ladakh.
At some places ,you may need a permission to pitch tents.
Procuring food and water near your tent is an important aspect,you must keep in n mind.
Ladakh circuit has plenty of budget stay options.In leh,you can easily get a room fro 700 bucks.
At Pangong lake,you can rent out a bed for 200 rs,same goes for Manali-Leh Highway.
In my personal opinion,i would advise against taking tents,it will keep your luggage light and save you plenty of time which you can utilizes in munching more miles and soaking in the beauty of place.Rest is your personal choice.
Cheers.

**Sunil Pradhan** · 03-14-2014, 10:52 PM

Re: Getting Leh'ed - 2014 Planner

Originally posted by Vinit Monga View Post

My friend and I are also planning to do Leh this year. We might also join you. Thanks for opening up this thread. Plan is to get on train from Bangalore and start riding from Delhi.

Ps- it will be first ride for both (my friend and I) to Leh.

We both are also gathering information and prepping to create a to do list or checklist as of now.

Have you narrowed down to some dates or selected any particular week to start?

Sent from my iPhone 5 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Hey [MENTION=60795]Vinit Monga[/MENTION]!!
Me too from bangalore :-).Me and my friend are planning to get Leh'd in june .i.e., June 2nd to 14th with 2 days reserve.

And the route is still not decided because of the uncertainity of manali route.

Have you guys zeroed in on a date?

And how are you guys planning to transport your bikes ?

**Manna Chowdhury** · 03-17-2014, 01:46 AM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Originally posted by Mik View Post

^^ You really need to research a lot more. Baralach la is not a place -- Its a pass. What do you mean by Spiti Valley ? Which place ?
Leh to Srinagar in one day is really stretching it. Doable, yes - Advisable -- Definitely no! On a good day you might need around 16/17 hours if there are no BRO distractions.
Honestly man, you should read a few more travelogues and route planners. Make the effort read through this thread and the leh 2013 planner thread. There is a gold mine of information there.
Also, download the Ramkys maps (2010) version. Check out numerous route planning advisories on bcmtouring. Read through the ladakh guide on team-bhp.

About accomodation.
Rampur: Its a small district town. Once I stayed in Hotel Satluj - its just beyond the main town square(some major mandir is there on the square) Advantage: The guy has lockable parking for bikes.

Spiti Valley: No idea which place you mean. If you mean Kalpa/Tabo/Kaza -- Lots of accomodation is available at dirt cheap rates.
The same is true for most places. You will always get accommodation. The only places where there could be a problem would be Kargil if you want to stay in the pricey D'Zozilla hotel.
50k is more than enough. Assuming a 3500km run - around 110 liters. You are looking at 8k for petrol. Accomodation per day -- Average of 400Rs/person. Food is cheap everywhere. As in - Momo/Maggi/Paranthas/Mutton n Rice are good to have and cheap.

Just make the effort and research more on the sites mentioned. You will get everything - from list of medicines to carry to distances to guest house contacts (though not needed), to permits needed.

About your friend's bike:: That is a separate discussion on "what bike" section. CBR is a good option apart from its awful continental tyres. I had a nightmare on it in 2012 (due to the tyres) while it felt much easier on the 220 a year prior to that.

Hi Mik,
we digged more on the maps here we came up with new route map

12th June: Reach Delhi and collect bikes

13th June: Delhi to Rampur or any other place you suggest

14th June: Rampur to Kaza or Chandertal

15th June: Day off in either of these two places mentioned above

16th June: Head to Keylong or Jispa or Sarchu for night stay.

17th June: Keylong or Jispa or Sarchu to Leh

18th June: Rest in Leh and take permits for Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso if possible some loacal sightseen

19th June: Leh-Khardungla-Nubra-Hunder-Diskit

20th June: Diskit-Hunder-Khardungla-leh (is there any way we can go to Pangong Tso directly from Diskit)

21st June: Leh to Pangong Tso

22nd June: Day off

23rd June: Back to Leh

24th June: Leh to Kargil

25th June: Kargil to Srinagar

26th June: Srinagar to Jammu

27th June: Jammu to Delhi

28 and 29 we keeping as a buffer

Let me know your thoughts on it

Cheers

**Mik** · 03-17-2014, 02:20 AM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Originally posted by Manna Chowdhury View Post

13th June: Delhi to Rampur or any other place you suggest
--- Rampur is just a river side boring town. You can go up till Sarahan (another 45 km ahead) -- but you should be ready to put in something like 15 hours of riding and reach before sunset to stroll around the kali temple there if you are religiously inclined.

14th June: Rampur to Kaza or Chandertal

-- Rampur to Kaza is again really pushing it. Most probably you guys can make it to Tabo. Or, since you might have days at hand. From Rampur head to chitkul and then stay in Kalpa. Its a beautiful little place.

15th June: Day off in either of these two places mentioned above
-- From Sangla/Kalpa go to Kaza. This will not be easy but can be done.

16th June: Head to Keylong or Jispa or Sarchu for night stay.
-- From Kaza, you can make it to Koksar (just ahead of Gramphoo)
-- Chander tal is a detour.
-- Biggest point --> Check if Kunzum pass is open. Generally opens up by mid june. Follow bcmtouring road status thread and members named 'jamaica' and 'top singh bodh's updates. If Kunzum doesnt open up, you guys would need to back track till Sainj (near Rampur) and take the jalori pass to manali and beyond.
17th June: Keylong or Jispa or Sarchu to Leh
-- Koksar to Pang would be good. AMS can strike. Take the precautions you will get to read about in various threads.
18th June: Rest in Leh and take permits for Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso if possible some loacal sightseen
-- Reach Leh. Reach before 3 PM (perfectly possible if you make an early morning start) and get the permits done that day only.

19th June: Leh-Khardungla-Nubra-Hunder-Diskit
-- Bike maintenance ? You will need that. I would say, get the maintenance done and then cross khardung la. Drop anchor till wherever you can make it.

20th June: Diskit-Hunder-Khardungla-leh (is there any way we can go to Pangong Tso directly from Diskit)
-- Check about Wari La. I havn't done that section but its possible. Time taken would be a lot though and the roads are not really pristine.

21st June: Leh to Pangong Tso
-- Assuming you reach pangong tso from leh.. this is an easy ride and also the most beautiful part of the ride.
22nd June: Day off
-- Unnecessary in my opinion. Keep the day in hand or potter around places.
23rd June: Back to Leh
--ok
24th June: Leh to Kargil
-- I would say, push to Drass. Reason -- Kargil is a boring place to be in. Drass is tiny but you are right in the midst of the theatre of war in 99.
-- Don't and I say don't dare to miss the War museum in Drass. You will be damned if you do!

25th June: Kargil to Srinagar
-- No issues here. Comfortable ride. Drass to Srinagar will even give you time to take a boat ride in the Dal.
26th June: Srinagar to Jammu
-- ho hum. All boring. The taxis are aggressive and places like Ramban are not very welcoming (my personal opinion).
-- If you have the heart, push till pathankot. Reason in next comment.
27th June: Jammu to Delhi
-- Now this is the important part. Start by 3 am. By 11 am the heat will kick in and haunt you all the way till 8 pm. But if you start by 3 AM you should be able to make it to Delhi by 2 PM.
-- Alternative is to go to Amritsar.
-- If you guys start from Pathankot at something like 3 in the morning. You will be in Delhi by 12 PM and will save yourself from the kickass heat.
-- Or, just pray that it rains
28 and 29 we keeping as a buffer
-- Good.
Let me know your thoughts on it

Cheers

Comments in bold.
You have lots of days so don't be too stuck up on reaching a certain destination everyday. Keep all the information with you and just enjoy the ride

Needless to mention - Be fully geared up.

**Sunil Pradhan** · 03-17-2014, 02:26 AM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Originally posted by Manna Chowdhury View Post

20th June: Diskit-Hunder-Khardungla-leh (is there any way we can go to Pangong Tso directly from Diskit)

Cheers

Hi Manna
There are two direct routes from Diskit to Pangong tso.

You can find more details here

Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar - The Ultimate Guide - Team-BHP

Not sure if it will be opened in that season!!

We too are planning for a leh trip in June from bangalore starting 1st June :-) and we too have similiar plans via the Spiti route.

Some say that, the Kunzum la might not be opened by that time.

The Manali route might well also disappoint us

.

so what we have is not a fixed plan.

We would be visiting places according to the route chosen(depends on the condition of the route) and accordingly the combination of date and place change.

"The plan is not to have a plan" and especially in Leh route, where anything can happen on any given day, we ought to have 4-5 backup plans

Ride safe till then. All the best for the trip.

**Hoodibaba** · 03-22-2014, 01:30 PM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Hi all,

To Add to the above details, there is a track from Agam to Durbuk via Shyok Village (on way to Pangong Tso) which is accessible by 4x4 (with high ground clearance). Whereas on the one hand it would be difficult to cross on Motorcycles, it might be too impassable in June as well. Better check with the local drivers before venturing any such crazy idea.

**jordan23_ash** · 03-25-2014, 12:24 PM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Hello guys,

Anybody riding to Leh in the last week of May or early June? I'd love to tag along from wherever you guys are at.

I'll be starting from Bangalore myself. I haven't fixed exact dates but that's about the time that I will be travelling. I want to be back in Bangalore by about the June 25th.

Also details - I ride a Duke 200. I've done plenty of long rides and upto 1250 KM in a day - Mumbai - Bangalore. No trips to the himalayas so this will be the first time I ride in the snow.

If the dates align with some of you then please leave me a message here or at [email protected]

Thanks!

**Sunil Pradhan** · 03-25-2014, 04:32 PM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Originally posted by jordan23_ash View Post

Hello guys,

Anybody riding to Leh in the last week of May or early June? I'd love to tag along from wherever you guys are at.

I'll be starting from Bangalore myself. I haven't fixed exact dates but that's about the time that I will be travelling. I want to be back in Bangalore by about the June 25th.

Also details - I ride a Duke 200. I've done plenty of long rides and upto 1250 KM in a day - Mumbai - Bangalore. No trips to the himalayas so this will be the first time I ride in the snow.

If the dates align with some of you then please leave me a message here or at [email protected]

Thanks!

Hey Ashwin!

We too have planned to get Leh'd dis summer.

Starting from June 1st from blore :-).

Do let me know if you are interested to join?

**jordan23_ash** · 03-29-2014, 02:42 PM

Re: Dream Tour - Delhi to Ladakh on Motorcycle - June 2014 - Need Advice

Hi Sunil!

June 1st works perfectly! Send me an email, we'll talk there!

**nadz11.ns** · 04-03-2014, 12:17 AM

Re: Getting Leh'ed - 2014 Planner

Just a tip..
Those thinking of by-passing Jammu by going through Samba-Udhampur By-pass (Dhar road), it would be bettet to go through Jammu itself as the road condition on this road are really really bad and you don't want to stress the body even before kashmir.
Also, with new road construstion completed between Jammu and Udhampur, the road is really nice.

**Mik** · 04-03-2014, 12:52 AM

Re: Getting Leh'ed - 2014 Planner

Originally posted by nadz11.ns View Post

Just a tip..
Those thinking of by-passing Jammu by going through Samba-Udhampur By-pass (Dhar road), it would be bettet to go through Jammu itself as the road condition on this road are really really bad and you don't want to stress the body even before kashmir.
Also, with new road construstion completed between Jammu and Udhampur, the road is really nice.

Thanks for the update. Is the Nagrota bypass completed too. Also, the various diversions till udhampur ?

**nadz11.ns** · 04-03-2014, 01:01 AM

Re: Getting Leh'ed - 2014 Planner

Originally posted by Mik View Post

Thanks for the update. Is the Nagrota bypass completed too. Also, the various diversions till udhampur ?

You are welcome

Ya, the Nagrota By-pass is complete. I came from kashmir few days back and the traffic was going through the new road, starting from Udhampur till Jammu, completely by-passing Nagrota.
But Srinagar-Udhampur part has a lot of diversions.
And today went from a small ride (my first one

) on the Samba bypass and it was even worse than I had imagined it to be.