Need advice - Vellore to Leh in Mid of May 2023

skysat2005

skysat2005

Super User
My sense just by looking at the itinerary is you are keeping too much on the plate and going Leh just for Pangong is something I won't suggest.
Keep Leh seperate and Kishtwar separate or else add more days to your itinerary.

If you plan to Ladakh this time, plan return from Manali side and book return train from Ambala. This way you can add Nubra side, from Nubra to Pangong via Shyok route, Pangong to Upshi and onwards to Keylong. Keylong to Bilaspur and then Ambala.
Mid May is school holidays in northern India and Leh will be really crowded.

If you continue with existing plan, then the updates are-
On roads side, Keylong to Kistwar is very long and not advised in a single day. The roads in May will be really in bad shape with many bad water crossings enroute.
Plan to halt at Killar and next day continue towards Kishtwar/Doda. Cliffhanger route is probably closed now as new road is ready. You should be prepared with tools and critical spares as this route has limited help. Solo riding on this route is something I won't suggest.

Think about the itinerary again and post, for specific updates and suggestions.
 
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Tilak Francis

Tilak Francis

Well-Known Member
skysat2005 said:
My sense just by looking at the itinerary is you are keeping too much on the plate and going Leh just for Pangong is something I won't suggest.
Keep Leh seperate and Kishtwar separate or else add more days to your itinerary.

If you plan to Ladakh this time, plan return from Manali side and book return train from Ambala. This way you can add Nubra side, from Nubra to Pangong via Shyok route, Pangong to Upshi and onwards to Keylong. Keylong to Bilaspur and then Ambala.
Mid May is school holidays in northern India and Leh will be really crowded.

If you continue with existing plan, then the updates are-
On roads side, Keylong to Kistwar is very long and not advised in a single day. The roads in May will be really in bad shape with many bad water crossings enroute.
Plan to halt at Killar and next day continue towards Kishtwar/Doda. Cliffhanger route is probably closed now as new road is ready. You should be prepared with tools and critical spares as this route has limited help. Solo riding on this route is something I won't suggest.

Think about the itinerary again and post, for specific updates and suggestions.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much, Satish (SKYSAT2005). I completely understand now, how hectic would be my plan. I would plan my return via Manali and there is a train on Mondays from Chandigarh to Vellore (katpadi Junction). I got to add one more day but I would manage. Thank you.
 
Tilak Francis

Tilak Francis

Well-Known Member
...........................will this changes be ok !!!!
21 May Sunday - Leaving Kargil and Reaching Leh by Evening.
22 May Monday - Rest day at Leh
23 May Tuesday - leaving Leh to Hunder via Khardung la
24 May Wednesday – Hunder to Pangong Tso
25 May Thursday – Pangong Tso to Upshi
26 May Friday – Upshi to Keylong
27 May Saturday – Keylong to Bilaspur.
28 May Sunday – Bilaspur to Chandigarh
29 May Monday – Boarding train in Chandigarh
30 May Tuesday – in the train
31 May Wednesday – reaching Katpadi (Vellore) station at 6 am
 
skysat2005

skysat2005

Super User
The below plan looks fine except that there is no buffer in case of any bike breakdown/road closure etc.

18 May Thursday - Riding bike from Jammu and reaching Srinagar by evening
19 May Friday - Rest day at Srinagar
20 May Saturday - Leaving Srinagar and reaching Kargil By evening
21 May Sunday - Leaving Kargil and Reaching Leh by Evening.
22 May Monday - Rest day at Leh
23 May Tuesday - leaving Leh to Hunder via Khardung la
24 May Wednesday – Hunder to Pangong Tso
25 May Thursday – Pangong Tso to Upshi
26 May Friday – Upshi to Keylong (This can be modified to Upshi to Manali easily now that the Rohtang tunnel is open. We have done Leh to Manali via Rohtang pass when tunnel was under construction in 2017. Keep this in back of your mind, no need to modify the itinerary)
27 May Saturday – Keylong to Bilaspur (Manali to Chandigarh is easily possible if you happen to reach Manali previous day).
28 May Sunday – Bilaspur to Chandigarh (This will be buffer day to manage any trip surprise)
29 May Monday – Boarding train in Chandigarh
30 May Tuesday – in the train
31 May Wednesday – reaching Katpadi (Vellore) station at 6 am

Still I feel if you can add 1-2 days, this can become really nice itinerary and doing justice to the places you plan to visit. Nubra valley deserves another day and another local day at Pangong will be really nice.
 
Tilak Francis

Tilak Francis

Well-Known Member
skysat2005 said:
The below plan looks fine except that there is no buffer in case of any bike breakdown/road closure etc.

18 May Thursday - Riding bike from Jammu and reaching Srinagar by evening
19 May Friday - Rest day at Srinagar
20 May Saturday - Leaving Srinagar and reaching Kargil By evening
21 May Sunday - Leaving Kargil and Reaching Leh by Evening.
22 May Monday - Rest day at Leh
23 May Tuesday - leaving Leh to Hunder via Khardung la
24 May Wednesday – Hunder to Pangong Tso
25 May Thursday – Pangong Tso to Upshi
26 May Friday – Upshi to Keylong (This can be modified to Upshi to Manali easily now that the Rohtang tunnel is open. We have done Leh to Manali via Rohtang pass when tunnel was under construction in 2017. Keep this in back of your mind, no need to modify the itinerary)
27 May Saturday – Keylong to Bilaspur (Manali to Chandigarh is easily possible if you happen to reach Manali previous day).
28 May Sunday – Bilaspur to Chandigarh (This will be buffer day to manage any trip surprise)
29 May Monday – Boarding train in Chandigarh
30 May Tuesday – in the train
31 May Wednesday – reaching Katpadi (Vellore) station at 6 am

Still I feel if you can add 1-2 days, this can become really nice itinerary and doing justice to the places you plan to visit. Nubra valley deserves another day and another local day at Pangong will be really nice.
Click to expand...
yes, Thank you. I will try doing Upshi to Manali, and Manali to Chandigarh as you did. A relaxed Sunday in Chandigarh, before the train journey, would really help me.
 
skysat2005

skysat2005

Super User
Tilak Francis said:
yes, Thank you. I will try doing Upshi to Manali, and Manali to Chandigarh as you did. A relaxed Sunday in Chandigarh, before the train journey, would really help me.
Click to expand...
Is taking flight and sending bike by railway parcel not workable for you? This can give you additional 2-3 days and would make your journey even better.
 
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