I have finally made up my mind to revisit Ladakh this year, after last year’s sabbatical. When I do go to Ladakh, it would be my forth visit to that wonderful and enchanting place that I normally refer to as, Heaven on Earth.
Though I haven’t yet come up with a travel plan for the Ladakh 2009 trip, and haven’t even zeroed in on the month that I would be traveling in.
I guess
Maybe this is the way it should be this year, no plans whatsoever. Stopping where day turns into night and then getting up the next morning and riding to whichever place first comes to mind. After all, I have visited almost all the touristy places in Ladakh, which are accessible by road and know them like the back of my hand.
Come to think of it, this should also provide me with ample time to indulge in photography, and with no worries about keeping up with a plan, I will be able to focus my energy on seeing and exploring the beauty of Ladakh and trying to capture it through my lens.
Just me and my sweetheart and moonscape of Ladakh
62 Comments
Hey.. Thanks so much. Appreciate it.
Also, apparently, for the ones who havent been to high altitude areas previously, they experience some kind of altitude sickness. Any idea how long this may last, and how severe it is. Is there some speific medication we will need to carry?
I am so excited. Tell me whats a must visit please?
Altitude sickness is commonly refereed to as AMS. Since you are flying in, it is best to take rest on the first day of arrival and even on the second day, do light sightseeing, if you are feeling alright.
Diamox helps, check with your doctor whether you can take it or not (especially if you are taking other medicines). Start taking Diamox in the morning and at night, a day before you are to fly to Leh. Also you can take a test dosage a few days prior to ensure you aren’t allergic to it.
Apart from that, just take it easy, drink lots of water and don’t over exert yourself. Since Leh and Ladakh is at high altitude, you will not have same stamina as you do in plains, so don’t expect or try to walk at the same speed.
Check out the following article on AMS, http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/articles-f20/high-altitude-acclimatization-illnesses-t95/
As for must visit places, well Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso should be accessible at that time and should make for an exciting trip due to snow at Khardung La and Chang La. Apart from these, Thiksey monastery is a good place to visit along with Shanti Stupa in Leh. Alchi too is a nice place, though not really sure how it would look right now as it is famous for its greenery.
hi yogesh,
i am planing to visit Leh during first or second week of june this year 2011 by motor bike from Manali .
1. What will be the total budget from Manali to Leh n Return Journey.
2. What should be the stop point during manali to leh ?
3 and about required clothing during d journey …n other precaution?
hi yogesh,this is manish from mumbai bhandup,n i have gone through ur blog n really like. i too want to vist leh ladakh but i want to do it through bike n my concern is only that how much time will it take from here or if i carry my bike through train n then from there on bike,so is it appropriate or wrong n how much cost will it cost to a per person for how many days and return journey? if suppose one month is it enough to roomed around there for on month ?
pls let guide me for the same,and nearest way to reach there how much time will it take to reach there ?
let me know on my mail id or cell no 9773556725
[email protected]
[email protected]
and also i forgot to ask u that what is the actual time n month to go there also will bajaj pulsar 150cc will be able to reach on the top over there?
Hi Yogesh,
Could you tell me if its good to travel in the month of June?
And will there be any local festivals happening then?
And is the camping near the lake advisable?
hi yogesh,
my name is amar and i am from goa, we are planning a trip to leh and ladhakh in the first week of dec’12 in my indica vista. is it the right time to travel in dec , can a vista travel upto ladhakh in that month, how about the roads? which will be the best route to reach the destinations? kindly advice
Roads in all likelihood would be closed at that time and temperatures will be below 0 degree during day and around -10 or less at night!
If you want to travel to Ladakh in car, then middle of the June to end of September is the time to go.
Hi Yogesh,
I have the same Make n’ Model bike n color that is shown above & have traveled from MH-12 Pune to KL-11 Kozhikode City in 2008.
Which happened to be my longest ride along with my partner who is best in navigating the roads and keeping the tracks of all records on the Tablet.
My next point is to touch Ladakh by 2014. This happens to be altogether a different Terrian and not sure if i need to upgrade my bike without making any alterations.
I need few inputs from you b4 we make the trip.
What is the best time to travel there on Bike(Pulsar 150CC)?
What kind of gear should i be equipped with while travelling?
What route should i travel if my start is from Pune,Maharashtra?
Do I need to carry any arm/weapon to keep away wild animals?
Do I need to pass certain medical tests?
Which are safe&economic accomodations that i should not miss?
you can mail me at [email protected]
1. Middle of June onward to middle of September is good, though in July and August, rest of North India gets monsoon, which means rains till around Baralacha La on Manali side and till Zoji La on Srinagar side.
2. Check this http://www.bcmtouring.com/articles/preparing-your-motorcycle-for-ladakh/ and this http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/articles-f20/list-things-carry-himalayan-tours-t1209/
3. I haven’t done Pune – Udaipur, but from Udaipur onward you can take Udaipur – Kishangarh – Kuchman City – Hanumangarh – Bhatinda – Jalandhar – Pathankot – Srinagar route while going and take Manali – Delhi – Jaipur – Kishangarh – Udaipur – Pune route while going back.
4. Not unless you are planning to camp on your at deserted places.
5. No.
6. Check the following link for accommodation reviews http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/ladakh-zanskar-f24/accommodation-ladakh-along-routes-ladakh-t11641/