Manali - Leh road trip query

[JayR]

Hi
I am planning a road trip from Manali to Leh around July 10 this year.
Will the road be open all the way at that time?
Do the rains in July cause any closings?
Is it a bad idea to go from Manali to Leh in July due to the rains?
Am I better off doing Srinagar to Leh?

Thanks for responding and sorry for the newbie questions.
Jay

[anupmathur]

JayR, welcome to BCMTouring!

Manali to Leh would be open, but it is the monsoon season and the road might just close anytime for a day or more. At the same time, it is a wonderful time to be there with everything lush green and water gurgling in all the nullahs!

Srinagar to Leh is a slightly safer bet and is also a great journey.

Are you driving yourself? What car? How many people?

BTW the effects of the monsoon only affect the portion this side of Rohtang and till about Gramphoo on the other side. Once you are past Darcha, you are essentially in rain shadow area.

Mod's note: I've moved your query to the Itinerary section for better responses. ..... AM

[anujmiddha]

Hello Anup,
Do you have any idea about the status of the Manali - Leh road for the first week of June?
I am planning a trip with 5 friends of mine on motorcycles.
Thanks,
Anuj

P.S. Your website has been a great help. Amazing info, awesome people.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Roads should be open, though in a slightly bad shape (relatively speaking of course).

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by anujmiddha

Do you have any idea about the status of the Manali - Leh road for the first week of June?
I am planning a trip with 5 friends of mine on motorcycles.

Anuj, welcome to BCMTouring!

Sure you should be OK to go by the first week of June. Hope you are all riding your own bikes and not with pillions!

Thanks for the nice words about the board; it's all Yogesh Sarkar's doing!
He is to blame!

[anujmiddha]

Thanks for the quick replies

We will be hiring the bikes from Manali, 2 guys a bike. From what i have found online, it should be pretty easy to get good Enfields in Manali. Planning to follow Yogesh's itinerary (Manali - Leh in 3 days, then 4 days in and around Leh, and 3 days back). I am also planning to follow Yogesh's list of trip essentials. Do you happen to know what all equipments I could get for hire and which would be better to buy for my own. This is my first long journey on a bike, but I plan on a lot more in the near future. Also, any ideas about the budget?

Appreciate all your help.

Thanks,
Anuj

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Thanks for the nice words about the board; it's all Yogesh Sarkar's doing!
He is to blame!

Sir jee no need to be that modest, if it wasn't for you and other great members, we wouldn't be where we are today .

Originally Posted by anujmiddha

Thanks for the quick replies

We will be hiring the bikes from Manali, 2 guys a bike. From what i have found online, it should be pretty easy to get good Enfields in Manali. Planning to follow Yogesh's itinerary (Manali - Leh in 3 days, then 4 days in and around Leh, and 3 days back). I am also planning to follow Yogesh's list of trip essentials. Do you happen to know what all equipments I could get for hire and which would be better to buy for my own. This is my first long journey on a bike, but I plan on a lot more in the near future. Also, any ideas about the budget?

Appreciate all your help.

Thanks,
Anuj

Anuj budget is a very personal thing, here is a blog post I wrote regarding it, Budget for a trip to Ladakh | Yogesh Sarkar's Blog

[sameer1703]

There has been so much of info being passed on this, i find it very helpfull. A planning a trip myself next month end. Do u think its doable easily in a Ford Ikon?? Also i have a 4 year olf daughter, would it make sense taking her along around end of June???

Rgds

Sameer

[popsha]

It shouldn't be a problem for a well maintained Ford Ikon.

Food along the way could be an issue with children so you might need to carry some of her favs.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

I agree with popsha and would advice you to take the Sriangar route for reaching Leh, that way you will have an easier acclimatization than on the Manali - Leh highway.