Srinagar-Leh-Manali mid June 2018

[cajithk]

Hi, After much research (thanks a ton to the BCMTouring travel guides), I have put together a tentative schedule. Please let me know whether this is doable? Am I stretching it? I am going in my own car (Outlander, petrol; two drivers) and there will be five adults + a toddler (4 years).

Day 1 Noida to Pathankot/Udhampur
Day 2 Pathankot/Udhampur – Srinagar/Sonamarg
Day 3 Srinagar/Sonamarg - Kargil
Day 4 Kargil - Lamayuru - Leh
Day 5 Leh (acclimatization; permits; local sightseeing)
Day 6 Leh (acclimatization; permits; local sightseeing)
Day 7 Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
Day 8 Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Leh (or directly to Spangmik?)
Day 9 Leh - Spangmik (Pangong Tso)
Day 10 Spangmik - Tso Moriri – Korzok
Day 11 Korzok – Tso Kar - Pang - Jispa
Day 12 Jispa - Manali
Day 13 Manali – Noida

1. On Day 8, can we go directly to Spangmik from Sumur; how is the road? What would be the fuel requirements, given that after Dikshit, next fuel station would be Tandi.

2. Where can I buy oxygen cylinders in Delhi/Srinagar/Leh. As I won't be coming back to Leh from Pangong Tso, I can't hire from Leh.

Thanks in advance for any suggestion

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Which route are you planing to take to reach Tso Moriri?

 

[cajithk]

Which route are you planing to take to reach Tso Moriri?

I was thinking the Karu-Chumtang route. Are there any other options?

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

You can take the Chushul route. Though it is a bit rougher, there are no fuel pumps and only Indian Citizens can take it.

After filling up at Karu (there is a fuel pump before it, just take a detour towards Leh), you will need enough fuel for around 530 km, in order to reach Tandi.

You can travel from Nubra to Pangong via Agham-Shyok or Wari La; in case either of them are open (can close down easily due to landslides.)

After tanking up at Diskit (fuel pump), you will be able to refill at Karu.

It would be a good idea to buy oxygen cylinder in Delhi in that case, it would be cheaper. There are numerous sellers here, including Portea. Just do a google search and you will have a good enough list to work on.

Make sure you buy something which has enough oxygen for at least half an hour and the necessary breathing apparatus for you to use it. You might want to buy an oximeter as well, in case you don’t have a high end phone, which can show blood oxygen level (S 7 does.)

 

[cajithk]

Thanks, Yogesh, for all your suggestions; most useful.

The 530 kms range is from Karu-Spangmik-Chushul-Karzok-Tandi OR is it Karu-Tandi?

Re. the pumps, how guaranteed are they to have fuel; is there a major chance that they run out of stock? And where all can one get non-pump fuel?

Sorry, I know these are basic questions; this is my first trip and with family around, don't want to take too many chances.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

530 km is for Karu – Chumathang - Tso Moriri – Tandi.

In case of Karu – Spangmik – Chushul – Tso Moriri – Tandi, you will need fuel for 720 km (add another 100 km if you plan on traveling to Hanle as well.)

Fuel is available in majority of the small towns at dhabas, you can check Fuel availability in Ladakh and Zanskar for more info.

 

[cajithk]

Hi, With the recent incidents in Srinagar, I am thinking of modifying my plans (as I am travelling with family). Earlier, the plan was to stop at Jammu (on day 1) and Srinagar (on day 2). Now I would like to bypass Srinagar completely and stay just before or after Srinagar.

Firstly, is there a way to bypass Srinagar town completely?
Secondly, which would be a good place to stay on the second day - Sonmarg? or any other? How far would it be from Jammu to Sonmarg (we have two drivers). Is Jammu the best option on the first day - can we stretch from Delhi to Udhampur?

Any hotel recommendations at all these places - Jammu, Udhampur, Sonmarg?
TIA

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Hi, With the recent incidents in Srinagar, I am thinking of modifying my plans (as I am travelling with family). Earlier, the plan was to stop at Jammu (on day 1) and Srinagar (on day 2). Now I would like to bypass Srinagar completely and stay just before or after Srinagar.

Firstly, is there a way to bypass Srinagar town completely?
Secondly, which would be a good place to stay on the second day - Sonmarg? or any other? How far would it be from Jammu to Sonmarg (we have two drivers). Is Jammu the best option on the first day - can we stretch from Delhi to Udhampur?

Any hotel recommendations at all these places - Jammu, Udhampur, Sonmarg?
TIA

I wouldn’t recommend taking bypass. It isn’t like the trouble is confined to just Srinagar, large town nearby are usually bigger bottlenecks. If you want to avoid staying at Srinagar, then stay at Udhampur and start at around 5 in the morning to cross Srinagar and major towns en route during the day and reach Sonamarg comfortably by evening.

 

[cajithk]

Hi, starting my Leh drive tomorrow. Is there any place where we can pitch a tent and stay for the night. From the safety, convenience points of view. Can we stay attached to a hotel or guest house? Any do's and don'ts?

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Hi, starting my Leh drive tomorrow. Is there any place where we can pitch a tent and stay for the night. From the safety, convenience points of view. Can we stay attached to a hotel or guest house? Any do's and don'ts?

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

Best option for that would be in Nubra Valley, it isn't as cold as Pangong. At Nubra check with guest houses in Hunder or Sumur. If you want to pitch tents at Pangong, then best bet would be Merak. Though Spangmik would also offer that option. Of course, at each of the place you will have to approach the land owner or the camp/guest owner for permission.