Not the Best Laid Plans yet !!!!

It’s the weekend and I’m sitting home, reading blogs after blogs and threads after threads of various travelers around the world. I’ve spent the last two hours reading Natasha Chanda Acharya’s blog “Manali Leh mega post!” on IndiaMike.com. It probably is the fullest and most comprehensive account of a road trip to Ladakh that I’ve come across in the last two months.

Another blog I’m checking out is that of Prashant Bharadwaj’s, who was in Ladakh for about 10 days last month with four friends. In fact, when he was feasting “on” Ladakh, I’d left him a message to get in touch with me after he returns so that I can pick his brains and extract as much of information as possible. Which I did!!!! It looks like he’s had an absolute blast, which is unquestionable if you see some of the pics they’ve captured.

Initially, when we started planning the Ladakh thing, we had specific questions in mind, some of which are unanswered even today. Most of the generic websites which dish out realms and realms of web pages of information, mostly cater to the USD traveler. Plus, lack of actual information about road travel in Ladakh, coupled with its unpredictable weather, were other mood dampener’s.

Because of that, we decided that we’ll just book the air and bus tickets from BLORE – DELHI – LEH – DELHI – BLORE. Everything else will be decided once we actually land there with our bags, is what we thought. But after reading through so much travel literature today, I’m suddenly beginning to wonder if we are adopting the right approach. Natasha’s travelogue has now given me a fair idea of what we can do once we get there. As has Prashant’s.

So tentatively, this is what the first few days of trip will look like:

16th Sep, 2006 (Saturday) – Depart from Bangalore to New Delhi by air. Rahul and I will be reaching Delhi in the afternoon, while Vikram and Roshan will join us a couple of hours later.

16th Sep, 2006 (Saturday): 2000Hrs – Depart from Delhi for Manali by HPTDC Volvo bus. The 570Kms – 16Hrs journey will be a trying one, especially since we’ll have to immediately start another road trip the moment we reach Manali.

17th Sep, 2006 (Sunday) – Reach Manali by afternoon. Immediately hire a Scorpio from a tour operator who Prasant referred me to and leave for Leh – 478kms away approximately.

17th Sep, 2006 (Sunday) – 2100Hrs – Reach Keylang, which is 110kms from Manali, and camp for the night. Yet to make bookings.

18th Sep, 2006 (Monday) – Leave early in the morning by around 0600Hrs for Leh via Rohtang, Barlacha La, Sarchu, Tanglang La, Rumtse, Upshi, Karu and Thikse. Apparently, this journey is “Spectacular!!! There is desert, not just barren rock face, but actual sand (stone chips mixed with river silt)…. green pasture ground, beyond which are rock faced mountains capped with snow. So in one frame, you have it all: sand dunes, river, grassland, and snow peaked mountains.” I can’t stop shaking my head in disbelief. Just pronouncing the names of these villages gives me immense joy. Reach Leh by 1900-2000 Hrs. Check into Hotel.

19th Sep, 2006 (Tuesday) – ‘Acclimatisation’ at Leh is a common moot point that I’ve stumbled upon on most blogs. Most travelers advise that at least a day and a half should be spent in Leh city or surrounding areas, without too much physical activity, in order to get used to the altitude. So, the day will probably be spent visiting Hemis Monastery and the Leh Palace. Will also grab Inner Line Permits from the DC’s office for the four of us.


20th Sep, 2006 (Wednesday) – Hire motorbikes (around Rs 600-650 per bike per day, exclusive of fuel). Drive up from Leh to Nubra Valley – 130kms approximately. Apparently one of the most beautiful drives/rides in the world. Travel from Leh to Khardung La – around 50kms and Khardung La to Hunder – around 80kms. Khardung La is supposedly the highest motorable pass in the world at an altitude of 5,359Mt/17,583feet. Camp the night at Nubra.

21st Sep, 2006 (Thursday) – Return to Leh casually, spending generous amount of time on the way back clicking photographs and shooting videos. Crash at the hotel for some amount of rest.

22nd Sep, 2006 (Friday) – Leh to Pangong & back – approximately 260kms (Cost around – Rs. 1,250 per head). From what I’ve read over the last 2 months, the 130 km trip to Pangong Lake is another incredible experience, filled with delicious sights.

23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 September, 2006 – 6 Days on hand to do a trek into the Markha valley and/or Raft in the Indus or Zanskar (BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!) Haven’t planned how yet because of lack of information about the costs. Will figure out once we land there.

29th September, 2006 – In and around Leh. A local festival ??? Or a day spent in my own solitude sitting in the Hemis Monastery, perhaps !!!

30th September, 2006 – Vikram and Roshan have had their orgasm and will bid adieu to Ladakh. Roshan has to be back at work on 01 Oct, 06. Rahul and I have decided to stay on for a couple of days more. Haven’t planned what we’ll do yet.

That makes for a great itinerary, doesn’t it !!!!!! ;) Karishma tends to get irritated with me when I talk to her about Ladakh and all the planning that we are putting into it. She immediately digresses from the topic to elaborate about a holiday of her own that she plans to do sometime in the future. I can smell the jealousy reeking out of her!!!! Here’s one little picture of us!!! More postings on the way!!!