Delhi - Leh - Delhi - July 2010 ---Need advice

[viki]

Hi guys,

Myself and few of my team members are planning this trip for July 1st week this year. I have made a rough plan with all the information available on this website. I wanted to get my plan verified with all the experts here...Please also let me know which return journey option would be best suitable...
Truly appreciate your responses ...
Thx,
Viki

Day 1 --Bangalore-Delhi-Rajadhani express ( carry bikes in train as luggage)
Day 2 --Onboard train
Day 3 --Delhi Chandigarh 250km
Day 4 --Chandigarh to Manali 300Km
Day 5 --Manali to Jispa/Keylong/Darcha 140Km
Day 6 --Jispa to Sarchu 120Km
Day 7 --Sarchu to Leh 230Km
Day 8 --Leh Khardungla Leh
Day 9 --Leh PongongTso 170Km
Day 10--PongTso to Leh 170Km

Return journey Option 1
Day 11--Leh to Kargil 220kM
DAY 12--Kargil to Sringar 190kM
Day 13--1 day at Srinagar
Day 14--Srinagar to Pathankot 325Km
Day 15--pathankot to ambala 264Km
Day 16--ambala to Delhi 200Km

Load bikes in train on same day for late evening departure to Bangalore
Return journey option 2
Day 11--Leh to Kargil 220kM
DAY 12--Kargil to Sringar 190kM
Day 13--Spend a day in Srinagar
Day 14--Srinagar to Jammu 289Km
Day 15--Spend day at Jammu - Catch night train to Delhi and load the bikes in train dept at 9pm -- arrive delhi at 6am morning
Day 16--Spend half a day in Delhi - Catch night train to Bangalore and load bikes in train - Dept at 8pm

[Prasham]

I suggest you accommodate journey, once in Himsagar Exp - 6317 that connects Jammu to Kanyakumari. It stops for about 10 Mins at Renigunta Rly Station which is about 250 Kms from Bangalore.

Boarding bikes in train from Jammu and then again doing the same in Delhi will be a big problem. Here you load them from Jammu and unload them at Renigunta and start riding towards Bangalore.

[viki]

Hey Prasham,
Thats a good suggestion...Checked the arrival time for this train at Renigunta - 4.40am...Do u think 10 mins is enough to get 2 or 3 bikes unloaded at that hour? Also how would the guards know that the luggage rack needs to be opened at a certain station?
Thx,
Viki

[Prasham]

Guards are always in contact with the station masters with help of their Radio sets. You need not worry about it. Moreover hire a cooley and a handsome pay would ensure your bike gets a good place in the bogie. Moreover have you checked the arrival and departure time in both directions...

IMO catch this train at 9.40 AM from Renigunta Jn and start riding from Jammu... Visit Ladakh and then come to Delhi via Manali catch a direct train to Bangalore.

[viki]

Thanks Prasham...thats a good suggestion....Will run this idea thru my team...
.Also by the way, how is the Lahaul-Spiti Valley route on return journey---diversion from Keylong.....Any good places near by?

[viki]

Hi guys,
Also came across this alternative return route from RE Himalayan odyssey website. Can any one give some idea on how this route and terrain is? If this return route makes more sense than returning thru Kargil-Srinagar-route. Any special attractions around this place...
Return jouney from Leh
1. Reach Keylong
2. Keylong - Kaza
3. Kaza - Kalpa
4. Kalpa - Parvanoo
5. Parvanoo - Chandigarh
6. Chandigarh - Delhi

[popsha]

Special attractions ???

Well this road has some of the most magnificent attractions you can come across in the Himalayas while riding.

If you have time DO take this road and explore Spiti and Kinnaur valley

[Prasham]

I suggest you keep Lahaul and Spiti for another trip. This circuit needs atleast 5-8 days if you combine it with Ladakh your trip will be quite long. There are many members here who have done this circuit including me. Check the travelogue section to have better idea of the circuit.

[viki]

Thanks again for the valuable information....
The RE odyssey guys seem to do it in 3 days with halts at Kaza, kalpa,narkanda, chandigarh....but looks like might be a rush thru ride...

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Viki if you wish to do Spiti (you will already be passing through Lahaul, en route to Leh), then here is a plan that you can try:

Day 11: Leh - Sarchu
Day 12: Sarchu - Keylong/Koksar
Day 13: Keylong/Koksar - Kaza
Day 14: Kaza - Tabo - Nako - Kalpa/Sarahan
Day 15: Kalpa/Sarahan – Narkanda/Shimla
Day 16: Narkanda/Shimla - Delhi

In the above itinerary, you will be pushing hard on Day 13 i.e. the day you do Keylong/Koksar – Kaza. It is also the hardest route of the ride, mainly between Gramphoo - Losar. Apart from that, it is pretty much doable, though you won’t get much time for sightseeing.