[KonfuSed]

Hi Friends,
This is my first post.. We(me and my friend) are traveling to Leh this August.I've few doubts in my mind. As we have very few days (approx 10-11) while going to Leh we are taking flight. And planning to take the Leh Manali Road while coming back.Also this will be mostly a photography trip along with enjoying the Heaven on Earth.

Q1: Is it possible to book a cab ion Leh itself to come back to Manali ? How much will be charges (expecting around 6-8k but I don;t have much idea here)??
Now the plan is currently like this (roughly),
1 day rest and permits and roaming around Leh
2 days for Khardung La,Nubra Valley (Diskit/Hunder/Panamik)and back
2 Days for Pangong Tso and back.
2 Days for Tso Moriri/Tso Kar and back.
2 Days Leh to Manali
1 Day to Delhi

What I've heard and read is that it is possible to do Tso Moriri and instead of going back to Leh we can come to Sarchu.
Q2 : Will the cab agree to do this ? how much will be the charges in this case? And if we do this will we be bypassing the Moore Plains ? I really don't want to miss Moore Plains.
Q3: What's the best option to stay close to Pangong Tso (Spangmik?) and how to book ? And what are the charges?
Q4: Is it possible to do Nubra Valley in a day and back to Leh if we start early(around 5.30/6am) Or two days is a must considering the beauty of the place and yeah the photo opportunities.
Q5: Is it possible to rent Bikes(Pulsar etc) in Leh ?

Thanks and regards,
KonfuSed..

[Yogesh Sarkar]

First off all, welcome to BCMTouring

Q1: Is it possible to book a cab ion Leh itself to come back to Manali ? How much will be charges (expecting around 6-8k but I don;t have much idea here)??

Yes, you don’t have to prebook anything. Just go to the Leh taxi stand a night before and negotiate with the drivers there. Charges would be around 12-14k for the entire taxi, though you can get a seat in a shared cab or find other travelers to share the cab with you (if you want to keep the number down).

1 day rest and permits and roaming around Leh

You might want to have an extra day here, since you will be flying in, you need to acclimatize first, before heading to high altitude passes.

Q2 : Will the cab agree to do this ? how much will be the charges in this case? And if we do this will we be bypassing the Moore Plains ? I really don't want to miss Moore Plains.

Cab driver wouldn’t have a problem, though you might have trouble finding a shared taxi or other travelers for company. For rates etc, call up Leh taxi union at 01982-252723, 253039

Q3: What's the best option to stay close to Pangong Tso (Spangmik?) and how to book ? And what are the charges?

You can stay at a hotel in Spangmik which charges around Rs. 800 for the tent and Rs.1200 for the room. Alternatively you can also stay at a guest house being run from home in Spangmik or stay at Eco Huts at Lukung (Pangong Tso). Booking in advance can be done at leh, just ask a travel agent there.

Q4: Is it possible to do Nubra Valley in a day and back to Leh if we start early(around 5.30/6am) Or two days is a must considering the beauty of the place and yeah the photo opportunities.

If you want to indulge in photography, then don’t rush because Nubra is quite a scenic place and also has a few good monasteries.

Q5: Is it possible to rent Bikes(Pulsar etc) in Leh ?

You will get Pulsars and Bullets on rent there and even scooters and that too on hourly and daily basis.

[Prasham]

Hi Friends,
This is my first post.. We(me and my friend) are traveling to Leh this August.I've few doubts in my mind.

Welcome to the forum. Doubts are good as long as you can solve them

As we have very few days (approx 10-11) while going to Leh we are taking flight. And planning to take the Leh Manali Road while coming back.

Any time in this are is less whether its 10 days or 20 days or more. Some foreigners stay for entire season. So just try and make most of your time.

Also this will be mostly a photography trip along with enjoying the Heaven on Earth.

Promise us you shall bring great pics of the wonderful area!

Q1: Is it possible to book a cab in Leh itself to come back to Manali ? How much will be charges (expecting around 6-8k but I don;t have much idea here)??

Entire taxi would cost around 12k but that would be 1 day journey which most experts here don't suggest. While 2 day taxi would cost around 14-15k. I suggest you contact few travel agencies in Leh, you can find a comfortable seat in Tempo Travellers on sharing basis which costs around 1500 bucks per seat.

Now the plan is currently like this (roughly),
1 day rest and permits and roaming around Leh
2 days for Khardung La,Nubra Valley (Diskit/Hunder/Panamik)and back
2 Days for Pangong Tso and back.
2 Days for Tso Moriri/Tso Kar and back.
2 Days Leh to Manali
1 Day to Delhi

I suggest:

1-Arrive in Leh. Complete rest & arrange for permits.
2-Visit Alchi monastery, raft in zanskar & checkout magnetic hill.
3,4-Pangong & Return
5,6-Nubra & Return
7,8,9-Tsomoriri, Pang, Keylong, Manali

Add few days where ever you wish.

What I've heard and read is that it is possible to do Tso Moriri and instead of going back to Leh we can come to Sarchu.

Yap checkout above point.

Q2 : Will the cab agree to do this ? how much will be the charges in this case? And if we do this will we be bypassing the Moore Plains ? I really don't want to miss Moore Plains.

Contact with travel agencies and Manali Taxi union office near Bus stand.

Q3: What's the best option to stay close to Pangong Tso (Spangmik?) and how to book ? And what are the charges?

YS has answered.

Q4: Is it possible to do Nubra Valley in a day and back to Leh if we start early(around 5.30/6am) Or two days is a must considering the beauty of the place and yeah the photo opportunities.

Not suggested!

Q5: Is it possible to rent Bikes(Pulsar etc) in Leh ?

Rent bikes for local roaming only unless you are confident of riding in this terrain. Moreover most bikes are prone to various problems and hence if you rent at all select one with max power. Say Enfield or TB.

[KonfuSed]

Thanks a ton, Yogesh and Prasham, that was quite comprehensive, and yeah thanks for the welcome(that reminds me that I need to write a intro in the introduction section)
Yes, I promise to get some good photographs, and I think Ladakh is a place where one can't get a bad photograph even if he/she try hard to do bad
Nubra Valley for 2 days, and that's confirmed. Any idea to where to stay in Nubra valley ? Hunder or Diskit? Panamik? Any pointers here ?

Bikes I'm quite comfortable with(except Bullets which have the gear lever on the opposite side but TB shouldn't be a problem) although never ridden in Himalayan Terrain but I feel I can pull it off.
Rafting is not in our itinerary as of now, mostly will use the 2nd day for the monastery circuit. Now few more doubts,how much time it requires to do Stakna,Stok palace, Thiksey and Hemis ? As per my understanding I can do Alchi,Thiksey,Hemis in one day. And probably can visit Stakna and Stok on the return journey ?

Another question, if I share a cab/TT(or even if I book it on our own) then will they stop in places where I feel I can take some photographs ? For me traveling is to take it slow and stop wherever I want(unless time is contraint) and click. Is it possible ? Some cab drivers don't like it (I've seen it during my Shillong-Cherra trip) and I really don't like to spoil my day because of such issues.
Regards

[Prasham]

Nubra Valley for 2 days, and that's confirmed. Any idea to where to stay in Nubra valley ? Hunder or Diskit? Panamik? Any pointers here ?

Donno about Hunder but Deskit & Sumur have tents as well as guest houses. Ranges from around 250 and higher. Panamik also has a government guest house but don't rely on it. Actually don't even bother to visit panamik. Checkout the other three and return to leh.

Bikes I'm quite comfortable with(except Bullets which have the gear lever on the opposite side but TB shouldn't be a problem) although never ridden in Himalayan Terrain but I feel I can pull it off.

I had rented 2 TB from a guy in Leh was in pretty good condition but the rear seat isn't very comfortable for the pillion, especially in this region. Charged 600 bucks/day last year.

Now few more doubts,how much time it requires to do Stakna,Stok palace, Thiksey and Hemis ? As per my understanding I can do Alchi,Thiksey,Hemis in one day. And probably can visit Stakna and Stok on the return journey ?

Alchi & Thiksey are great and can be done in a day. If I remember well hemis is on different route. It falls enroute when you go pangong. If you aren't buddhist, there isn't much more difference between all these moansteries (my personal view only)

Another question, if I share a cab/TT(or even if I book it on our own) then will they stop in places where I feel I can take some photographs ? For me traveling is to take it slow and stop wherever I want(unless time is contraint) and click. Is it possible ? Some cab drivers don't like it (I've seen it during my Shillong-Cherra trip) and I really don't like to spoil my day because of such issues.
Regards

In shared cab, no chance. Hire entire taxi, make a precondition before finalizing. Its easy.

[hiambuj]

I suggest:

1-Arrive in Leh. Complete rest & arrange for permits.
2-Visit Alchi monastery, raft in zanskar & checkout magnetic hill.
3,4-Pangong & Return
5,6-Nubra & Return
7,8,9-Tsomoriri, Pang, Keylong, Manali

Prasham are you sure ?? I guess you are refering to rafting in Indus..

[Prasham]

Sorry for the mistake and thank for correcting the mistake.

[KonfuSed]

Another question, which is the best budget hotel(say 500-700 per day) to stay in Leh? I mean, atleast with clean rooms and toilet. And is it required to book in advance? Will there be a problem to find a place if we don't book in advance?
Also as we will be staying in Nubra and then Pangong for one night each, is it required to keep the room in Leh occupied ? Or we can checkout and next day check-in again? Considering we won't be having too many luggage. Just photography gears(that anyway we'll be carrying around all the time) and one extra bag for clothes. Or we should keep the room booked so that there won't be any stress on finding a place next day.

How is the ATM situation in Leh, came to know that there are SBI ATMs, but considering the reliability of SBI I think it'll be better to carry cash. Is around 20k per head a good amount? The hotels accept credit cards, right?

[hiambuj]

I would suggest Sia La guest house where we recently stayed... beautiful, very clean, marvelous lawns, very gooD in hospitality.. You may contact Mr Nabilay (owner) on 09419178100 or email @ sia_la@hotmail.com, sia_la@yahoo.co.in. here is what a foreign visitor had to say about Sia La. He can also help you in arranging permits in advance..

No need to keep room occupied.. you can send your itinerary in advance over email & inform the days for which you'd like to stay in guest house..

Carry cash, no issues.. ATM works properly.. 20K a good amount..

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Alternatively, do checkout Hotel Sun n Sand in Leh, it is a decent and clean hotel and tariff is around 250-300 a day.

It is always best to carry cash, at least enough to cover basic travel expenses and lodging.