Need advice - Vellore to Leh in Mid of May 2023

[adsatinder]

Satinder ji... sounds scary. I have downloaded offline google maps. Still confusing to see small paths intersecting the road on satellite images. It seems hard to differentiate the national highway and the road to villages. It is all looking gravel pathways.

If you watch videos, you can see how to differentiate between regular routes and village routes.
Watch Routes on youtube videos. You will get better idea. When you are visiting is peak summer time and mostly people from plains prefer to go Ladakh. You may find some taxi person or others after some km to guide. Hope for the best and try to make points where you can get lost. Preparation can be done earlier if you watch videos of Ladakh.
As I said earlier, try to be with others at most places in Ladakh to get cheap accommodation & experienced persons may know about routes also.

 

[skysat2005]

For the route you are taking, which is heavy tourist circuit, there are zero chances of getting lost anywhere. No way!

Map or no map, the roads are pretty much straight forward and with enough markers to guide a traveler.

 

[adsatinder]

For the route you are taking, which is heavy tourist circuit, there are zero chances of getting lost anywhere. No way!

Map or no map, the roads are pretty much straight forward and with enough markers to guide a traveler.

What about Nubra to Pangong Route ?
He has to do be worried about Agham Shyok Route ?
Who knows, he may change plan and want to explore towards Hanle & Tso Moriri also....
LOL !

 

[skysat2005]

What about Nubra to Pangong Route ?
He has to do be worried about Agham Shyok Route ?
Who knows, he may change plan and want to explore towards Hanle & Tso Moriri also....
LOL !

No issue anywhere.
If feeling lost anywhere, take help from people roadside and Ladakh of 2023 is not Ladakh of 2010 or say 2015. There is hell lot of road widening/construction activities all over the place. There is no place there where you won't get a tourist in May June time, infact it will be crowded.

The message is, don't think so much on all this. Prepare for basic requirements like postpaid to remain connected with family/friends, carry basic tools for bike and so on.

 

[dichkaun]

No issue anywhere.
If feeling lost anywhere, take help from people roadside and Ladakh of 2023 is not Ladakh of 2010 or say 2015. There is hell lot of road widening/construction activities all over the place. There is no place there where you won't get a tourist in May June time, infact it will be crowded.

The message is, don't think so much on all this. Prepare for basic requirements like postpaid to remain connected with family/friends, carry basic tools for bike and so on.

This would be the right approach. From what I hear, Ladakh today is like any other tourist place teeming with people.

 

[Tilak Francis]

A bit late on this thread but I am wondering if you have the flexibility to do your trip starting mid-June instead of mid-May. The roads are usually much better by then and the weather too is not so hostile as it can be in mid-May.

Thank you Anupmathur ji. I understand that it would be a better choice to travel in mid June. But I would be dearly missed at my home once the school reopens for my children. Last year I planned the trip in September - October but ended up cancelling, prioritizing education. So, the least, I would like to touch Himalayas and come back.

 

[Tilak Francis]

Thank you Satinder ji, Lokesh and Satish for your informative discussion here. It is giving me confidence and helping me to plan ahead.

 

[adsatinder]

Thank you Satinder ji, Lokesh and Satish for your informative discussion here. It is giving me confidence and helping me to plan ahead.

Don't worry now.
Travel in daytime only if alone and make friends on the way.
Everything will be good and better !
Hope for the best !

 

[Tilak Francis]

Dear Friends,
would you suggest a budget stay at Pangong Tso and Kargil?! I have zeroed on Himalayan bunker at Leh and Nubra valley for dormitory accommodation, costing around Rs 500/-. All your suggestions were very helpful in shaping up my upcoming ride.
Thank you.

 

[kprasad]

Dear Friends,
Thank you.

All the very best Tilak Francis sir. I'm also like you wondering if I can squeeze a two weeks ride either Spiti circuit or Um Lingla in end May'23 or June'23. Again as you said family, schools, office and what not! If we are destined to go no matter whatever happens we will go. I've already done Leh circuit by car in Aug 2015. So my plan to Spiti/Umling la now. My only suggestion to you is see if you can fly to and fro from Chennai to Delhi/Chandigarh instead of train. This will save you atleast 4 days of leave and keep them as buffer. You can parcel bikes to Delhi/Chandigarh sir. There's a direct train from Madurai/Chandigarh even. While return you can make use of Chandigarh to Madurai train in case bike parcels isn't allowed at New delhi station.