The direct route from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso is getting popular among domestic tourists year after year. As of 2020, this route is the hot favorite among tourists, especially those who are short on days for an ideal Ladakh trip.
Today in this article, I will talk about some important tips and things you should consider when traveling from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso.
So, when you ask me:
Can I travel from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso directly?
The answer is “Yes”, you can travel to Pangong Tso from Nubra Valley either from Agham – Shyok village route or from Agham – Wari La route. So, in fact, there are a couple of direct routes between Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso, the two most popular tourist destinations in Ladakh.
Let’s look at the answer in detail now 🙂 …
Let's quickly dive into the details:
Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Guide
I get a lot of questions about how I can save a day in my plan of Ladakh trip, where people look to travel directly from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso instead of coming back to Leh.
If you need to understand more about the routes in Ladakh along with distances, you can also refer our DoW – Maps of Ladakh | Nubra Valley & Changthang.
Before going into the details, I always suggest everyone to keep in mind that all the remote routes in Leh Ladakh are a bit desolate and most of them are like dirt roads. The first and the foremost tip I suggest is that “better stick to conventional routes in case it is your first trip to Ladakh to avoid the uncertainties of different kinds on these unconventional routes 😉” …
Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this infographic guide for tips about traveling directly from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.
As you can see in the DoW maps of Ladakh that there are two routes to travel to Pangong Tso from Nubra Valley directly. I will talk about both of them in detail one by one.
Road Conditions of Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso
Let’s check both the routes in detail one by one.
1. Nubra Valley – Agham – Shyok Village – Durbuk – Tangste – Pangong Tso (Lukung)
This route has become very popular among tourists starting in 2018. The road conditions have been stabilized a lot on this route and lots of people now travel on this route, especially when it is shorter than Wari La route and saves you a day in overall Ladakh plan.
Some of the road sections between Agham & Shyok villages are kind of tricky and landslide-prone. Even though a lot has been improved on this route starting 2016, still, it is not an easy piece of cake especially in July – August time period.
Sometimes the water in the Shyok river swells and closes the road. Hence, it is important to ask at Agham village before you travel on this route. There are some sections, especially before Shyok Village (towards Nubra side), which might be tough to climb without a high Ground clearance vehicle.
Hence, it is better to avoid traveling on this route by a hatchback or sedan, IMO. Rest people have taken it on the route; it depends upon the person driving the car and how much he loves his car. At one of the sections, we were moving, and one person kept clearing stones falling from above 😛 …
YOU MUST keep in mind that this route is getting popular year by year but still not majorly used. It is better to wait at Agham village for some company when you are alone and tag along to have some company for peace of mind of being not along. Having this company will help in case of any breakdown as others can help the person in need.
In case, you venture out on this route alone, you might get stranded for a longer period of time. If you are self-driving to Ladakh, it is better to carry the essential things for a self-drive trip to Ladakh.
Please take a sensible call for yourself as well as your loved ones waiting for your safe return. Cars with high ground clearance are preferable on this route. Always inquire about the road conditions either at Agham Village or Khalsar Village before taking the route from Shyok village to Pangong Tso.
If you are traveling from Pangong Tso, then there is a GREF hut that comes after Shyok village from Durbuk side. You can inquire about the route status from them as well.
- Sedans/Hatchbacks = Best avoid them!!
- High Ground Clearance SUVs (4×2) = Doable, drive with caution
- High Ground Clearance SUVs (4×4) = Will help a lot with the peace of mind.
You can read my travel tale about this route in the article Adventures of Shyok Village Route & the latest travel report of this route from 2018 as Nubra to Pangong – Let the Adventure Begins
2. Nubra Valley – Agham – Wari La – Shakti – Chang La – Durbuk – Tangste – Pangong Tso (Lukung)
The direct route from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso from Wari La pass is much longer as compared to the Shyok Village route. It gets connected on the conventional route from Leh to Pangong Tso at Shakti/Serthi village.
So, that means you travel Nubra Valley to Sakti over Wari La and then traverse major part of Leh to Pangong Tso route as well, including climbing the Chang La pass. It easily takes about 10+ hrs to reach Pangong Tso from Wari La route.
This route will be closed in June due to snowfall at Wari La pass and is not kept actively open by BRO as there is no urgency to do so. It is just an alternate route present. Hence, in the winter months and early season time, you should not travel on this route at all because it will be most likely be closed.
As the Shyok village route, which is much shorter, is not traveled by many tourists, it is better only to take Wari La route in case that route is closed. Otherwise, you will not find many people on this desolate route, and no help will be available in miles in case of any breakdown.
So, even if for some reason you take this direct route to Pangong Tso from Nubra Valley, it is better to do it in a group of 2-3 vehicles at least.
The road conditions are mostly average with a dirt track in the majority of the route. There are a couple of water crossings, and at the to of Wari La, the vehicle with small GC may struggle a bit.
- Sedans/Hatchbacks = Tough but doable, at least the climb up/down for Wari La and then again to Chang La. Very tough in early summers.
- High Ground Clearance SUVs (4×2) = Manageable, tough in early summers.
- High Ground Clearance SUVs (4×4) = Manageable and certainly helpful
Itinerary of Nubra to Pangong Tso Route
Given below is a three-day itinerary for planning a trip to Pangong Tso directly from Nubra Valley without coming back to Leh. I am assuming that you have already stayed a couple of nights in Leh for acclimatization and then only you are traveling to Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso.
If you have more days at hand, then you can add the Turtuk village to stay in the below plan where you can travel to Turtuk on the first night. Then, the next day comes to Hunder and go over to Pangong Tso.
Day 1 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
- Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
- On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
- Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 2 | Hunder / Diskit – Shyok Village or Wari La – Pangong Tso
- Take the direct route to Pangong Tso via Shyok Village (shorter) or Wari La (longer) whichever is open
- Overnight at Pangong Tso
Day 3 | Pangong Tso – Leh, covering Hemis, Thicksey, and Shey monasteries
- Cover Hemis, Thicksey and Shey
- Overnight at Leh
Permits of Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Route
No extra permits are required to travel from the Shyok village route or the Wari La route between Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso. The permits that you got from the DC office in Leh for Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso will be sufficient. You can apply the permits for Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso online now.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Check this less than a 3-minute video on DevilOnWheels YouTube Channel on these essential tips for traveling from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso directly. If you like my video, please do not forget to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.
Conclusion
In the end, make a calculated risk when traveling on direct routes from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso either from Shyok village or Wari La pass. Remember that it is always good to travel in a group on such unconventional routes in Ladakh, so even if you are alone, the vehicle waits at Agham village to travel in a group. Otherwise, you will be best suited to avoid them.
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I am sure with the details described in this article, you will be able to make a judgment call, which is best the best route for you and your family. If you still have any doubts or questions about planning your trip from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso, feel free to post them in the comments section below.
I will be happy to hear from you on other suggestions about this wonderful route in Ladakh. Have you done this route?? Tell me what was your experience and help others travel better in Ladakh. Do not forget to share this article with your friends and family who are planning the trip to Ladakh.
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Further to my point no 1& 2 above:
3. We tried Kargil Batalik route firstly I thought we need to take inerline permit but kargil police station catagorically told us that this was needed two three years back but there is no need for any permit for Indians now. Unfortunately they did not have any information about the road condition neither the Army posts in that route stopped us umtill we reched all the way to Dah village. The Army check post before the bridge told us that we need to go back through Kargil route only as the road has been completely washed out near Bhiama village and approx five feet water is there on the road itself which should take at least seven days to repair after water reseeds but the Army personnel were very nice to guide us about the local Home stay availability. Locals told us that this problem is there for last couple of years when glacial mealt swept out a mountain side village as well. Therefore after three four sunny days we may expect heavy water flow on the road
Therefor one must start very early to cover this route to keep enough time in hand to go back to Kargil again and start a fresh for Leh if the situation calls for that.
Thank you so much Neelabh for all the updates on the routes in Ladakh. Glad to know about the experience.
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks for your support and some of the very handy guidance available in DOW which enable us to accomplish our recent Leh Ladakh tour during 12th Jun 16 to 26th Jun 16. Some of the routes and road condition I would like to mention:
1. We did Nubra to Pangong via Shyok village in our Liva 169 GC after consulting Mr Jamshed (Jamshed guest house in Hunder) a very nice person having very good local knowledge one of his son is president of local taxi union and other one is in local Police. He confirmed that the road is under much better shape than three years back but Offcourse 20 odd km are really bad. Please note regular work is in progress and some of the streaches for which 4×4 was suggested to takle may have been flaten a lot now at least during the month of June and Sept there should not be much problem but one must consult and carry local advise because some of them are regulars in those routes.
We also consulted with some of the local taxi drivers but they had mixed opinions. One nice gentlen Mr Karma with his scorpio told me that “if you live early around 5.30 to 6 am there will be no problem in the month of June and even if you get stuck some where take my word I will take you to Pengong what may come as I will follow the same rout but around 11 am. He also assured that now a days some of the taxi operators are regularly travelling in that route.
I must mention with special thanks to my netive Ghaziabad team whom we met en route to Pengong in their Scorpio lead us all through the difficult streaches.
En route we found some of the bikers also and lots of BRO people at Agham one team told us to go slow and there will be no problem and we shall get more such teams to help us if need be. We found one big BRO unit on job in a bad steach.
2. We came back from Leh Manali route which had no issues as well en route we found some cyclist doing the same route from the opposit direction and they confirmed us the water bodies en route are very must under control but off course one must drive with coution. Otherwise there were cases of torned up chambers of innova also.
Thank you again Neelabh for the wonderful updates
Hi Neelabh,
Thank you for the info.
Could you please let me know how to book Jamshed Homestay in advance?
Any contact no or person of contact or mailing address.
Thanks,
Rahul
Hi Dheeraj,
I’m planning the trip in July
Could you please advice. Itinerary Below
Flight from New Delhi
Day1 Leh – (Rest) – visit Leh Market // Hotel at Leh
Day2 Nubra valley // Over night at Nubra valley
Day3 Pangong Lake – Leh // Hotel at Leh
Day4 Lah-Srinagar (via Zojila pass) visit Lamayuru – Kargil -Sonamarg // Hotel at Srinagar
Day5 Pahalgam Day Trip // Hotel at Srinagar
Day6 Srinagar – Flight Srinagar to Delhi
Can I do this itinnerary?
Best Regards,
AIDA
Revise
Flight from New Delhi
Day1 Leh – (Rest) – visit Leh Market // Hotel at Leh
Day2 Nubra valley // Hotel at Leh
Day3 Pangong Lake – Leh // Hotel at Leh
Day4 Lah-Srinagar (via Zojila pass) visit Lamayuru – Kargil -Sonamarg // Hotel at Srinagar
Day5 Pahalgam Day Trip // Hotel at Srinagar
Day6 Srinagar – Flight Srinagar to Delhi
You can only do below:
Day1 Leh – (Rest) – visit Leh Market // Hotel at Leh
Day2 Leh Rest day // Hotel at Leh
Day3 Leh day trip to either pangong tso or nubra valley, one of them
Day4 Leh – Lamayuru – Kargil
Day5 Kargil – Sonamarg – Srinagar
Day6 Srinagar – Flight Srinagar to Delhi
Thank you for your suggestion
I ‘d like to ask you about
Day 2, I can’t to go to Nubra Valley/ Khadrung La day trip right?
Thank you very much
No, you should rest in Leh for acclimatization only.
Hi Aida,
On Day 3 you were at Nubra Valley but you said Pangong Tso to Leh. Unfortunately, yuo do not have sufficient days to make this trip. First 2 days compelete rest is required after taking flight to Leh and then 2 days trip is required to reach Srinagar from Leh
Hey Dheeraj,
I am on my second motorcycle trip to Ladakh and my third in the Himalayas, Nepal being my second. I want to take my motor-cycling to an extreme. Here is what I am planning. I know it sounds crazy, but I want to know is it crazy enough 😛 Do let me know if this is feasible at all 🙂
1 Bangalore Delhi – Jalandhar
2 Jalandhar Tissa, HP
3 Tissa Kishtwar
4 kishtwar Dras
5 Dras Rangdum
6 Rangdum Zanskar
7 Zanskar kargil
8 Kargil Leh
9 Leh Nubra Valley
10 Nubra Valley Pangong Tso
11 Pangong Tso Leh
12 Leh Sarchu
13 Sarchu Manali
14 Manali Delhi
15 Buffer
16 Buffer
17 Delhi Bangalore
Vinayak it is all over the places and would not be possible. You need to ease out initial days. Tissa to Killar, Killar to Kishtwar, Kishtwar to Srinagar, Srinagar to Kargil, Kargil to Padum, Padum, Padum to Rangdum, Rangdum to Lamayuru, Lamayuru to Leh, Leh to Nubra, and rest follows
Hi vinayak me murali also from bangalore visiting leh on 1st sep 2016 planning to rent a bike and visit leh – nubra valley – pangong tso – leh
Hi Dheeraj, we’re planning the trip in the end of august.
we’re flying in from Mumbai to Srinagar on 29th Aug, and here’s the itinerary.
Could you please advice on the same. thanks
29th Aug – Srinagar to Mulbekh (via cab)
30th Aug – Mulbekh to Leh (via Cab)
31st Aug – Leh (acclimatize & Rent bikes)
1st Sep – Leh to Nubra via Khardung-La (bike)
2nd Sep – Nubra to Pangong Tso (bike)
3rd Sep – Pangong to Leh (bike)
4th Sep – Leh To Tso Moriri (bike)
5th Sep – Tso Moriri to Leh (bike)
6th Sep – Leh to Jispa (rented car/cab)
7th Sep – Jispa to Manali (rented car/cab)
8th Sep – Manali to Delhi (bus)
9th Sept – Delhi to Mumbai (Train)
10th Sep – Reach Mumbai
how is the itinerary according to you?
Also i was planning to visit Tso Moriri and not come back to Leh (this would save another day)
is there any way to do that, on bike?
any other inputs from your end.
we’re 5 friends planning the trip.
Your plan looks OK to me. Since you are on rented bikes, you should not take chance about Tso Moriri.
so what is a feasible option for Tso Moriri? is it worth it?
or i should skip that and move ahead to go to Manali for my onward journey?
Also i wanted to try River Rafting in Ladakh, where and on what day can that fit, if feasible?
Thanks
You should have more days in hand to visit Tso Moriri
Hi mustafa me murali also from bangalore visiting leh on 1st sep 2016 planning to rent a bike and visit leh – nubra valley – pangong tso – leh
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are 6 friends ,planning for tripbto leh.
We are reaching leh on 20june @4pm by self rented car & must have to reach manali/rohtang by 25jun in evening(any how).
We want to visit nubra,pangong,tso moriri using rented bike(as our self rented cars not be allowed, ryt??)
So pls prepare our itenary for the same
Also pls suggest any thing further to add or drop any place in such short trip.
Thanks
Lavish
Hello Lavish,
You do not have suffcient days in hand so you can follow something like this:
21: Rest day in Leh to acclimatize
22: Leh – Nubra Valley/ Khadrung La day trip
23: Leh Pangong Tso day trip
24: Leh – Sarchu
25: Sarchu – Manali
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your reply!!
just 1 query related to 22 Jun,u said one day trip for Nubra.
Is it feasible to travel from leh to nubra and back to leh in one day??
and on 23 Jun,is it ok to travel from nubra to pangong direct??
Thanks
Lavish
and also 1 more thing,as i am travelling from srinager to leh,so can we visit magnetic hills in lamayaru using self rented car??
Yes, all these places are right on the road so you can visit them
Yes, it will take about 11 Hrs to do the day trip to Nubra Valley.
Regarding Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route, in order to take Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok village, you need not need any permits. However, with such a small distance it appears tempting to be done BUT just to analyze the difficulty I will strongly suggest that you read:Trip Report | Nubra – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso Route. The report is from couple of year back in June & in July/August, most likely the route is washed away. Similar, reports are there from last year as well. So better confirm first, analyze the high risk involved and then only attempt it or better avoid it unless very much sure.
Next possible way is to attempt Wari La route, which is also a bit desolated but doable enough. If your driver agrees to travel on this route then take the Wari La route to Pangong Tso. Remember that any help required on both these routes will be HARD to find in miles of distance. If you have couple of vehicles then only take this route otherwise best is to avoid it.
Hi Dheeraj,
Your articles are great to go through to get an idea of each and everything. Just went through most of your replies and they were so detailed that I can’t stop myself from posting a comment. I am planning for a road trip on bullet classic 350 from 2-August-2016 to 10-August-2016 along with a group of riders. Below is the itinerary for the same which we have planned. Two of the riders are first timers for such a long trip so could you please suggest whether the itinerary is feasible or not.
• Day 1 -Mohali-Hoshiarpur-Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Patnitop(402 Km)
• Day 2- Patnitop – Banihal-Anantnag-Srinagar-Sonamarg(261 Km)
• Day 3 – Sonamarg – Zoji La-Gumri-Dras-Thasgam-Kharbu –Kaksar-Kargil-Mulbek-Namika La-Fotu La-Khalsi-Alchi(285 Km)
• Day 4 – Alchi-Leh-Thicksey-Upshi-Pangong Tso(178 Km)
• Day 5 – Pangong Lake-Upshi-Wari La/Shyok village-Agham-Khalsar-Nubra(240 Km)
• Day 6 – Nubra-Khalsar-Khardung La Pass-Leh(150 Km)
• Day 7 – Leh-Thicksey-Upshi-Rumptse-Taglang La-Debring-Pang-Lachung La-Nakee La-Sarchu(260 Km)
• Day 8 – Sarchu-Bharatpur-Baralacha La-ZingZingBar-Patseo-Darcha-Jispa-Keylong-Tandi-Khoksar-Rohtang La-Manali(222Km)
• Day 9 – Manali-Kullu-Mandi-Kiratpur Sahib-Mohali(300 Km).
You are doing a great job. Thank you in advance.
Hi Dheeraj!
I am planning a trip to leh in June. This is draft of my itinerary. Can you please tell me if its okay or are there any more places of interest?
Itineraries
04th June – Reaching Jammu at 1:40 PM and Travel to Patnitop (130km, 5hr), Stay at Patnitop
Day1 Jammu-(85)-Uhampur- (50)-Patnitop
05th June – Patnitop to Srinagar (185km, 6hr), Stay at Srinagar
Day2 Patnitop-(45)-Ramban-(40)-Banihil-(20)-Jawhar Tunnal-(2)-Titanic view point-(9)-
Quzigund-(20)-Anantnag-(60)-Srinagar
06th June – Visit Dal Lake & Local Sight Seeing, Stay at Srinagar
Day3 Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Mughal Gardens (Shalimar, Nishat, Chashma Shahi), Pari Mahal,
Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal Mosque,
07th June – Srinagar to Kargil (200km, 8hr), Stay at Kargil
Leaving Srinagar by 8and stopping in between for pics and all. Reaching Kargil by 5/6 PM
Day4 Srinagar-(80)-Sonmarg-Zojilai pass-(65)-Drass-(55)-Kargili
08th June – Kargil to Leh (130km, 8hr), Stay at Leh
Leaving Kargil by 8 and stopping in between for pics and all. Reaching Leh by 5/6 PM
Day5 Kargil-(40)-Mulbekh-(70)-Lamayuri-(60/70)-Alchi/Likir-(65/55)-Leh
09th June – Local Sight Seeing, Stay at Leh
Day6 Shanti Stoopa, Leh Palace, Thiksey Gompa, (Sangam, Hall Of Fame,Pathar Sahib,
Magnetic Hill, Spituk Kali Mandir, Sankar Gompa –Leh Market)
10th June – Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Nubra Valley (175km, 4hr), Stay at Diskit
Day7 Leh-Phyang-(39)-Khardungii La-(31)-Khardung Village-(30)-Khalsar-(23)-Sumuri-(20)-
Panamic-(60)-Diskit-( )-Hunder
11th June – Deskit to Pangong (230km, 6hr), Stay at Pangong
Day8 Nubra Valley – Agham – Wari La – Shakti – Chang La – Durbuk – Tangste – Pangong
Tso (Lukung)
12th June – Pangong – Leh – Phey – Nimo (175km, 4hr) (confluence of Indus & Zanskar rivers),
Rafting day, Stay at Leh
Day9 Leh-(12)-Phey-(rafting)-Nimo (36from Leh)
13th June – Leh to Kargil (130km, 8hr), Stay at Kargil
Day10
14th June – Kargil to Srinagar (200km, 8hr), Stay at Srinagar
Day11
15th June – Srinagar to Jammu (298km, 8hr), Stay at Jammu
Day12
Looks OK to me but better will be instead of Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso direct route, better come back to Leh and try conventional routes.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are two persons planned to visit leh on first week of july. We planned to rent a bike from manali.
Kindly find our plan. Is it ok or we need to do any changes?
30-June-16 Day 1 Chennai -> Delhi->Manali
1. 12.00 AM – 12.30 AM – Should be in Airport
2. 4.15AM – 7.00 AM – Indigo 6E-386 Chennai – > Delhi
3. 7.00 Am – 11.30 AM – Finish Breakfast and to reach ISBT Kashmiri Bus stand (21 Kms)
4. 11.30 Am – 11.30 Am Bus to Manali. 643 RS yet to book.
5. 8.00 Pm – Reaching Manali. Check In Hotel (Hotel Dream,Manali) and Long Sleep.
=================================================================================
01-July-16 Day 2 Manali
1. 8.00 Am – Complete breakfast in hotel and go for bike searching and oxygen cylinder. Also cover Manali Mall Road, Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple.
2. 1.00 Pm to 2.00 PM – Lunch
3. 2.00 Pm – Slang valley until EOD (Advneture sports, Vashith Temple (Hot water springs), Naggar Castle.
4. 6.00 Pm – Naggar castle to Hotel. Get bike ready and other items ready for leh road trip.
5. 7.30 PM or 8.00 PM – Finishing Dinner and Good long Sleep. Need to start early next day (Checking out) – 2 Nights in manali.
=================================================================================
02-July-16 Day 3 Manali – Sarchu 226 Kms
1. 5.00 AM – Starting from Room – Need to cross Rohtang Pass Toll (52 kms from manali)to avoid Traffic
2. 8.30 AM – Breakfast at Sissu 34 Kms, Packing Some lunch in Sissu or Tandi
3. 9.00 AM – 10.00 AM – Sissu to Tandi 29 Kms – Fuel not available after Tandi – Refilling and getting it on 20ltr Can
4. 11.00 AM – 2.00 PM -Tandi- Baralach La 85 Kms
5. 2.30 PM – 4.00PM – Baralach La – Sarchu 32 Kms
Bike need to be checked before Stay in Sarchu
Evening and Night Stay Tent in Sarchu – either booking or Own tent
=================================================================================
03-July-16 Day 4 Sarchu – Leh 251 Kms
1. 8.30 AM – 09.30 AM – Sarchu to Gata loops 32 Kms – Starting after Breakfast and packing Something for Lunch and eatables from Sarchu -15 mins in Gata loops
2. 09.45 AM – 11.45 PM – Gata loops to Moray Plains 53 Kms– 15 mins in Moray Plains
3. 12.00 PM – 1.30 PM – Moray Plains to Taglang la Pass 54 kms – 30 Mins in Taglang la Pass ( Finishing Lunch)
4. 2.00 PM – 3.30 PM – Taglang Pass to Upshi 61 Kms – Refill Petrol in Upshi
5. 4.00 Pm – 5.00PM – Upshi – Leh – Night Stay at Leh 48 Kms– Hotel Chk-IN
=================================================================================
04-July-16 Day 5 Leh Local
1. 8.00 AM – 11.00 AM Starting from Hotel,heading towards Stok (16 kms from Leh palace)
2. 11.00 AM- 12.00 PM – To reach Leh and finishing lunch.
3. 12.00 Pm to 5.00PM – Cover Leh Local (Leh Palace, Shanti stupa, Main market)
4. 5.00 Pm – Reach Hotel and Bike needs to be checked. Refill petrol in 20 litres can and full tank in bike. Take a good long sleep for a long ride.
=================================================================================
05-July-16 Day 6 Leh – Diskit 140 Kms
1. 7.00 AM – 9.30 AM – Checkout Hotel, Start to Khardungla Pass(40 Kms from Leh) and to reach by 9.30Am. If possible finish breakfast in leh itself.
2. 9.30 AM – Small halt in Khardungla Pass for photographs
3. 10.30 AM – Head towards Diskit (78 Kms). Slow Reach with Photographs
4. 1.00 Pm – Lunch at Diskit either packaged or what we get there (If we go very early will cover sumar and panamik)
5. 1.30 Pm – Buddha statue, Diskit
6. 2.30 Pm -6.30 PM– Hunder Sand dunes Camel safari and other adventures sports in diskit.
7. 6.30 PM – Night Stay at Diskit –
Sand Dunes Guest House – Diskit or AO Camping Gardens or A O Guest House – Hunder
Diskit to Sumar = 31 Kms & Sumar to Panamik = 21 Kms
=================================================================================
06-July-16 Day 7 Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake 239 Kms
1. 8.00 AM Starting from Nubra valley after Breakfast – Packing for Lunch too with Snacks
2. 8.00 AM – 10.30 AM – Nubra Valley – Agham ( 48.2 Kms Checking Route which one will be good , for safer side will take Sakti Route )
3. 11.00 AM – 1.00 PM – Agham – Karu via Sakti (79 Kms)– Finishing lunch in between and refilling Petrol in Karu and in Can
4. 1.30 PM – 4.30 PM – Karu – Pangong Lake 116 Kms
5. Night Stay at Pangong Lake tent – either booking or Own tent
=================================================================================
07-July-16 Day 8 Pangong Lake – Sarchu or Pang 335 Kms
1. 8.00 AM Starting from Pangong Lake after Breakfast – Packing for Lunch too with Snacks
2. 8.00 AM – 10.30 AM – Pangong Lake to Karu – Refilling Petrol 116 Kms
3. 11.00 AM – 5.30 PM – Karu – Sarchu 217 KMS – If can’t make it Tent in Pang – Finishing lunch in between
4. Evening and Night Stay and Dinner Tent in Sarchu – either booking or Own tent
==============================================================================
08-July-16 Day 9 Sarchu or Pang Pang – Manali 226 Kms
1. 8.00 AM – Starting from Sarchu or Pang after Breakfast
2. 8.00 AM – 12.00 PM – Sarchu to Tandi 117 Kms , If possible need to reach Manali as early as Possible
3. 12.30 PM – 4.00 PM – Tandi to Manali 110 Kms
4. 5.00 Pm – Checkin hotel and Paying rest of the amount and returning bike in Manali. Finish dinner and take good rest.
Also we are planning to take royal enfield thunderbird for our ride.
Kindly provide your feedback on our itanary, bike and stay.
Thanks,
Karthick
Hi,
I am looking forward to the below route this year, first week of August:
Leh
Khardung La
Tsati
Shyok
Durbuk
Tangste
Pangong
Chushul
Thukje
Tso Kar
Meroo
Pang
Keylong
Khoksar
Chhatru
Batal
Kunzum La
Kaza
Sarahan
Shimla
Delhi
Any suggestion, well what I am really worried about is the water streams on the road. I will on a Royal Enfield, will be hitting this route and will take a tent so I can camp wherever I want.
Please comment.
Hi we’re family of 12-15 planning for Leh. Including 6yr girl and 12 yr boy. Can u pls suggest an itinerary of 8 days from srinagar and back to srinagar.
We would like to visit pangong, nubra & moriri.
Thanks.
Hello Sandy,
Just tick of 4 days in travel from Srinagar to Leh and back to Srinagar from Leh. Then one day to rest in Leh for acclimatization. You are just left with 3 days in which you can make a 2 day trip to Nubra Valley and one day trip to Pangong Tso
Hi,
Please suggest if the below is doable on Motorbikes. We have harley and bullet and a car.
27-Aug Gurgaon- Jalandhar
28-Aug Jalandhar- Patnitop
29-Aug Patnitop -Sonmarg
30-Aug Sonmarg- lamayuru
31-Aug Lamayuru- Leh
1-Sep Leh – Leh
2-Sep Leh- Nubra
3-Sep Nubra -Pangong Tso
4-Sep Pangong -Tso Karu
5-Sep karu -Tso Moriri
6-Sep Tso Moriri -Pang
7-Sep Pangong- Tso Keylong
8-Sep Keylong – Manali
9-Sep Manali- Delhi
Hi Amit, except direct routes from Nubra to Pangong Tso and Pangong Tso to Tso moriri, rest it looks OK. Regarding Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route, in order to take Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok village, you need not need any permits. However, with such a small distance it appears tempting to be done BUT just to analyze the difficulty I will strongly suggest that you read:Trip Report | Nubra – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso Route. The report is from couple of year back in June & in July/August, most likely the route is washed away. Similar, reports are there from last year as well. So better confirm first, analyze the high risk involved and then only attempt it or better avoid it unless very much sure.
Next possible way is to attempt Wari La route, which is also a bit desolated but doable enough. If your driver agrees to travel on this route then take the Wari La route to Pangong Tso. Remember that any help required on both these routes will be HARD to find in miles of distance. If you have couple of vehicles then only take this route otherwise best is to avoid it.
Regarding Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri route or Pangong Tso to Hanle, the permits to Man – Merak – Chusul – Tsaga or remote Changthang routes are being given by DC office in Leh at ON and OFF basis, so keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best if they start issuing the permits by the time you visit or issue you on your lucky day. Also, even if the permits are given then as well there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to cross Chusul Post or not because since last year several such incidents happened and people with permits also had to return via same route. The story is same this year too and only handful of people have passed through Chusul this year too on their lucky days. Then this is completely a dirt track all the way with quite a bumpy ride upto Tsaga. That churns most things in your stomach 😀 … Finally, totally isolated with no one around you in miles. All this will mean that you will have to risk it for at least a day getting wasted if you are not allowed because there will be no guarantee until you cross Chusul and Tsaga post. Otherwise, you have to take the traditional routes only via Upshi – Chumathang.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are three ladies travelling to Leh via Kargil by hired taxi throughout our trip. The tentative Itinerary is as follows:
13th May – Reaching Leh by evening.
14th May – Rest—-Evening Local Bazar
15th May – Local Sight seeing
16th May – Ley-Khardungla Pass – Diskit – Hunder (Stay)
17th May – Panamik-Sumur – Shyok river – Agham – wari la – Shakti—– Tangste (Stay)
18th May – Tangste – Pangong Tso – Tso Moriri\Sarchu (stay)
19th May – Sarchu – Manali (Stay)
20th May – Local Sightseeing at Manali
Have flight from Delhi to Goa at 10.35 am on 24th May. So we have 3 buffer days.
We want to visit Turtuk Village. Kindly suggest how we can do it and where to stay or do you have any better suggestion.
We also want to do River rafting at Leh.
Also kindly guide whether we need to stay on our route on 18th May – Tangste – Pangong Tso – Tso Moriri\Sarchu (stay).
Varsha, it is doing too much in too little time. Regarding Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route, in order to take Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok village, you need not need any permits. However, with such a small distance it appears tempting to be done BUT just to analyze the difficulty I will strongly suggest that you read:Trip Report | Nubra – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso Route. The report is from couple of year back in June & in July/August, most likely the route is washed away. Similar, reports are there from last year as well. So better confirm first, analyze the high risk involved and then only attempt it or better avoid it unless very much sure.
Next possible way is to attempt Wari La route, which is also a bit desolated but doable enough. If your driver agrees to travel on this route then take the Wari La route to Pangong Tso. Remember that any help required on both these routes will be HARD to find in miles of distance. If you have couple of vehicles then only take this route otherwise best is to avoid it.
Regarding Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri route or Pangong Tso to Hanle, the permits to Man – Merak – Chusul – Tsaga or remote Changthang routes are being given by DC office in Leh at ON and OFF basis, so keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best if they start issuing the permits by the time you visit or issue you on your lucky day. Also, even if the permits are given then as well there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to cross Chusul Post or not because since last year several such incidents happened and people with permits also had to return via same route. The story is same this year too and only handful of people have passed through Chusul this year too on their lucky days. Then this is completely a dirt track all the way with quite a bumpy ride upto Tsaga. That churns most things in your stomach 😀 … Finally, totally isolated with no one around you in miles. All this will mean that you will have to risk it for at least a day getting wasted if you are not allowed because there will be no guarantee until you cross Chusul and Tsaga post. Otherwise, you have to take the traditional routes only via Upshi – Chumathang.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are 2 families, planning for 7 day trip to leh-ladakh.
We are reaching leh on 6th may morning by flight and leaving on 12th may mornig.
We want to visit nubra valley, pangong lake and tso moriri lake.
Please prepare our itinary for the same. Also please suggest anything further that can be covered in such short trip.
Thanks
Arvin, you have just 6 days in hand and you should only follow this plan:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR Sham Valley tour OR Fly back home
— Overnight at Leh
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
thanks alot 🙂
hi dheeraj,
we are three friends from tamilnadu planning a 10 day trip to leh from manali from 2nd of june 2016. is it advisable to take the nubra valley – pangong tso lake route, so that we can save a day. ll it be accessible.
can you suggest any reliable bike rentals from manali.
thank you.
Regarding Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route, in order to take Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok village, you need not need any permits. However, with such a small distance it appears tempting to be done BUT just to analyze the difficulty I will strongly suggest that you read:Trip Report | Nubra – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso Route. The report is from couple of year back in June & in July/August, most likely the route is washed away. Similar, reports are there from last year as well. So better confirm first, analyze the high risk involved and then only attempt it or better avoid it unless very much sure.
Next possible way is to attempt Wari La route, which is also a bit desolated but doable enough. If your driver agrees to travel on this route then take the Wari La route to Pangong Tso. Remember that any help required on both these routes will be HARD to find in miles of distance. If you have couple of vehicles then only take this route otherwise best is to avoid it.
Hi Dheeraj , Your write- ups are extremely detailed, informative and very helpful. The photographs are a delight and they’ve got me all excited for our upcoming trip in June this year. Thanks for sharing them .
Needed your feedback on the following itinerary – We r a family of 4, (my boys are 10 and 13yrs and we’re planning to do the following itinerary Between 1st- 15th June – for 12 days) With extended stay at Nubra and Pangong, I feel this is doable. Your thoughts and inputs please.
Day 1. Srinagar
Day 2. Kargil
Day 3. Leh
Day 4. Leh
Day 5. Leh – Nubra
Day 6. Nubra
Day 7. Nubra – Pangong
Day 8. Pangong
Day 9. Pangong – Tso Moriri – Overnight @ Tso Moriri ( Korzok)
Day 10. Tso Moriri – Leh
Day 11. Leh
Day 12. Fly out of Leh
What would be the realistic driving time between
Nubra – Pangong ( via Shyok)
Pangong – Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri – Leh
Apart from the local leh sightseeing is there anything that I’m missing? Any recommendations? Depending on how we feel once we get to Leh , I might want to explore places around Nubra and Pangong while staying there. Also plan to do Tso Kyogar, time permitting and if we are not too exhausted. How much extra petrol should we carrying to safely see us through this route.
Thanks
On second thoughts my plan has three continuous nights of high altitude. Day 8, 9 and 10 – Might result in unnecessary physical stress.
Day 1. Srinagar
Day 2. Kargil
Day 3. Leh
Day 4. Leh
Day 5. Leh – Nubra
Day 6. Nubra
Day 7. Nubra – Pangong – Overnight
Day 8. Pangong – Tso Moriri – Overnight @ Tso Moriri
Day 9. Tso Moriri – Leh
Day 10. Leh
Day 11. Leh
Day 12. Fly out of Leh
Or alternately return to Leh from Pangong and make a separate trip to Tso Moriri from Leh and back. What do u think?
I will suggest the latter one, come back to Leh and make next day trip to Tso Moriri.
Hello Divya,
I hope you have read the articles and word of cautions mentioned in them for trying the direct routes.
Nubra – Pangong ( via Shyok) = 6-7 Hrs, with only one vehicle and family on board, I will never recommend to do it
Pangong – Tso Moriri = 10-12 Hrs depending upon breaks you take in between
Tso Moriri – Leh = 9-11 Hrs, if you take route from Tso Kar and depending on time you spend on Tso Kar
Hi Dheeraj,
Please check my itinerary to visit ladakh. Please give you suggestions as it is first time we are visiting leh.. very excited 🙂
Day 1 Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop: 9 Hrs 602km stay in jammu
Day 2 Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar: 8-9 hrs: 269 km dal lake
Day 3: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil: 4 Hrs 206 km drive, meal in drass,
Overnight at Kargil, Hunderman village
Hotel : Kargil Tourist Camp/ Royal Gasho/ Greenland Kargil
day 4: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh: 8-9 hrs: 233 km Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery,
Lunar Landscapes. Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
Long Maitreya Buddha Hall of fame,
leh- confluence of Indus & Zanskar river called sangam: 45 min
Hotel: Overnight stay- Hotel Ratna Residency/ Om Ladakh, Leh
Day 5: Leh Local Sighseeing : visit Shey & Thiksey Monastery with Leh Palace, Spituk
Monastery, Hall of fame & Shanti Stupa , Druk white lotus School.
stay in leh: 2 night stay in leh
day 6: Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder–sumur-Nubra valley: 179 km 5 hr
Overnight stay in nubra valley
Day 7: Nubra valley-hemis-pangong lake: 182 km 5 hr
Overnight stay in pangong lake
Day 8: Pangong lake – tso morariri- pang : 169 km 4h
Day 9: Pang-sarchu-jispa-keylong-manali: 308 km 9h 21 min Baralancha-la, Chandratal Lake, Tanglangla, Moore Planes
& Upshi,
Day 10: Manali- delhi: 554 km 11h
Do suggest best route so that we can have memorable trip to leh-ladakh!!
Thanks.
Ankita, are you going through some travel agent? The days below looks crazy:
Day 7: Nubra valley-hemis-pangong lake: 182 km 5 hr
Overnight stay in pangong lake
Day 8: Pangong lake – tso morariri- pang : 169 km 4h
Day 9: Pang-sarchu-jispa-keylong-manali: 308 km 9h 21 min Baralancha-la, Chandratal Lake, Tanglangla, Moore Planes
& Upshi,
I will suggest that you come back easy from Nubra on Day 7 to Leh. Day 8 make a day trip to Pangong Tso on Day 9 do Leh to Sarchu, Day 10 Sarchu to Manali
Thanks for your response.
So I should leave tso morariri lake visit.
And in this itinerary we will be requiring permit? If yes then where.
We are planning this trip in mid of may.
And anything else which you suggest we should visit if we are going to leh.
Thanks.
Yes, you should leave Tso Moriri. You will not need permits for remaining part of the trip.
hi dheeraj we are 12 person with family having a plan to visit leh from 11th may to 17th may (depar to mumbai flight at 10.30) we travel throught srinagar early in the morning on 10th may then stay at kargil and on 11th may at night entered in leh please suggest me how to plan between 12 may to 16th may
You have 5 remaining days in hand, you can follow below for rest of the 5 days
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Dear Dheeraj,
Kudos to all the work that you have been doing. That’s pretty amazing.
I’m getting a mixed signal about moving to Pangong Lake from Tso Moriri. Only one hotel manager suggested that the roads between Tso Moriri and Pangong Lake is closed and we have to go to Leh first, from there we have to go to Pangong Lake. Is this accurate?
This is my itinerary. Please advise if this is feasible.
Day 9, Jun 14, 2016 (Tue) – Srinagar-Sonmarg-kargil. Stay overnight in Hotel Zoojila residency in Kargil.
Day 10, Jun 15, 2016 (Wed) – Kargil-Lamayuru-Leh. After Breakfast drive Kargil to Lamayuru 128 Kms (6 to 7 hours) en route visit Pather Sahib, Magnetic hill, Confluence of Zanskar – Indus river, the mesmerizing Moon Landscapes and the Lamayuru Monastery (one of the oldest Monastery in Ladakh ). Proceed to Leh for overnight in Leh.
Day 11, Jun 16, 2016 (Thu) – Leh city tour – hemis,thiksey,shey,stok palace,sindhu ghat, 3 idiot school, Hall of fame, Zoraver singh fort & Leh market. Stay overnight in Leh.
Day 12, Jun 17, 2016 (Fri) – Leh-Nubra valley. Stay overnight in Nubra valley camp.
Day 13, Jun 18, 2016 (Sat) – Nubra valley-Leh. Stay overnight in Leh.
Day 14, June 19, 2016 (Sun) – Leh – Tso Moriri. Stay overnight in Tsomoriri camp.
Day 15, Jun 20, 2016 (Sun) – Tso Moriri – Pangong lake. Overnight in camp in Pangong Lake.
Day 16, Jun 21, 2016 (Tue) – Pangong-Leh. After breakfast leave to Leh. Enroute visit Tsemo Gompa, Shanti Stupa. Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 17, Jun 22, 2016 (Wed) – After breakfast drop to Leh airport.
Regarding Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri route or Pangong Tso to Hanle, the permits to Man – Merak – Chusul – Tsaga or remote Changthang routes are being given by DC office in Leh at ON and OFF basis, so keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best if they start issuing the permits by the time you visit or issue you on your lucky day. Also, even if the permits are given then as well there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to cross Chusul Post or not because since last year several such incidents happened and people with permits also had to return via same route. The story is same this year too and only handful of people have passed through Chusul this year too on their lucky days. Then this is completely a dirt track all the way with quite a bumpy ride upto Tsaga. That churns most things in your stomach 😀 … Finally, totally isolated with no one around you in miles. All this will mean that you will have to risk it for at least a day getting wasted if you are not allowed because there will be no guarantee until you cross Chusul and Tsaga post. Otherwise, you have to take the traditional routes only via Upshi – Chumathang.
I will suggest you do in the direction of Leh to Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri because Pangong Tso required Chang La to be passed, which have possibility of getting closed and you may miss the next day flight in that case. So, if you do this way round Leh – Tso Moriri route is in general through and you have couple of alternates as well, so risk is less.
First of all, thank you very much for taking time to write me back.
I’m sorry, you lost me here. Are you are suggesting that I avoid going to Tso Moriri via Chusul and rather go via Upshi – Chumathang.
This is the itinerary suggested by the hotel manager.
15th June come to leh from kargil.
16th move to nubra valley crossing the highest motorable road in the world.
17th back to leh.
18th move to tsmorri lake.
19th back to leh.
20th move to phangong.
21st back to leh.
21 visit local like Shanti stupa, leh palace, market.
22drop to airport.
Do you think it is advisable to go Nubra Valley in Day 2? 1st day being drive from Kargil to Leh.
Thanks a bunch.
I am suggesting something like this:
15th June Kargil to Leh
16th June Leh rest day
17th Leh to Nubra Valley
18th Nubra Valley to Leh
19th Leh to Pangong Tso
20th Pangong tso to Tso Moriri
21st Tso Moriri to leh.
21 visit local like Shanti stupa, leh palace, market.
22 drop to airport.
OR much much better will be
15th June Kargil to Leh
16th June Leh rest day
17th Leh to Nubra Valley
18th Nubra Valley to Leh
19th Leh to Pangong Tso
20th Pangong tso to Leh
21st Leh to Tso Moriri
21 Tso Moriri to leh.
22 drop to airport.
Thank you for your reply.
Unfortunately there is only one 21 in June. 🙂
You suggested
21st Leh to Tso Moriri
21 Tso Moriri to leh.
Or you are talking about same day trip to/from Tso Moriri from/to Leh?
I copied your dates only brother assuming you meant 22nd there 🙂 .. Anyways in that case, you do not have sufficient time to adjust Tso Moriri like this and will have to do either day trip to Pangong Tso or make direct trip from Pangong tso to Tso Moriri.
My original itinerary was
21st back to leh.
21 visit local like Shanti stupa, leh palace, market.
It just said return to Leh and see the local trip on the same day. 🙂
So it is realistically possible to visit Nubra Valley on Day 2? I have made several bookings based on this assumption.
Thanks a lot for your reply. I enjoy conversing with you.
I could not digest it because doing 240 KMs of Tso Moriri to Leh in 9 Hrs and then doing Local Sightseeing in Leh, it seemed unrealistic to me. Glad to know you are sorted now. First three days have to be like below only to avoid AMS and avoid commit some these common mistakes of Ladakh trip: 9 Mistakes People Commit on a Ladakh Trip
15th June Kargil to Leh
16th June Leh rest day
17th Leh to Nubra Valley
18th Nubra Valley to Leh
Well, based on the itinerary provided by the hotel manager, 20th we are staying in Pangong and not Tso Moriri. So that one should give some time in visiting local places in Leh. If not, I don’t sweat about it.
My only concern is exactly about AMS. But someone also suggested that since Nubra Valley is in lower elevation than Leh and also coming from Kargil, the body should adjust by then. I’m just going to talk to my physician and come prepared.
Its not that I’m adamant but I would want to miss Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri and Pangong Lake.
Hi Dheeraj
I am planning a trip to Leh this June and was wondering if I need ILP to go beyond Khardung la? Also, instead of coming back from Nubra to Leh, I was thinking of going to Pangong Lake via Shyok, is this doable and will I need any permits for this route as well?
I would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts and suggestions.
Thank!
Adi
Please let me know wht you think abt the itinerary, we are thinking of starting on 4th or 11th June. Also, we were thinking of carrying our own tents n camp at Hunder/Diskit, Lukung and Sarchu and anywhere else if necessary. From security standpoint, do you suggest camping on our own or we can get decent accommodation in these locations.
Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu | Overnight at Jammu
Day 2 | Jammu – Srinagar | Overnight at Srinagar
Day 3 | Srinagar – Kargil | Overnight at Kargil
Day 4 | Kargil – Leh | Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh Local Sighseeing | Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Khardung La – Sumur – Panamik Hot Springs – Nubra Valley – Sumur – Diskit – Hunder | Overnight at Hunder / Diskit
Day 7 | Hunder – Agham – Shyok Village – Durbuk – Tangste – Pangong Tso (Lukung) | Overnight at Lukung
Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Sarchu | Overnight at Sarchu
Day 9 | Sarchu – Manali | Overnight at Manali
Day 10 | Manali – Delhi
Your suggestions will be of great value.
Thank you!
Adi
Plan looks doable but quite hectic. Regarding taking Agham – Shyok route, I have already replied your other comment.
Adi, being Indian, you do not require any permits to travel to Nubra Valley and Pangong tso anymore. Regarding Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route, in order to take Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok village, you need not need any permits. However, with such a small distance it appears tempting to be done BUT just to analyze the difficulty I will strongly suggest that you read:Trip Report | Nubra – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso Route. The report is from couple of year back in June & in July/August, most likely the route is washed away. Similar, reports are there from last year as well. So better confirm first, analyze the high risk involved and then only attempt it or better avoid it unless very much sure.
Thank you so much Dheeraj, highly appreciate your help. The trip report link shared by you is showing some error, maybe you could help.
Thanks once again, I must say that there is so much to read here, very helpful and encouraging!
Cheers!
Adi, you can check: https://devilonwheels.com/india/road-status-conditions/nubra-pangong-tso-from-shyok-route-conditions-t2710.html
Sorry for the broken link
Thank you so much! Looking at all the experiences, it sounds exciting and very challenging. I will be able to make the final decision once we are actually there. Let’s hope I am able to add something and help other travellers.
Thank you so much!
Best wishes for your ladakh trip.
Hi Adi, we are planning to do Srinagar Leh on 4th June with overnight at Kargil and reaching Leh probably by 5th evening. How are you traveling from Srinagar to Leh. We are a family of 4 with 2 boys 13 and 10yrs.
Hi dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for the post.
I have travelled to leh 3 times on bike. This time I have my friends to accompany me. I wanted to ask if I could take the wari la route . As per my itinerary I would be there on 9th June ’16. I am taking this route for the first time but want to explore it this time as I have done the conventional route 3 times. Also suggest some stays at nubra valley, I was planning to take a stay at diskit.
Again thanks a lot for all your posts. You doing a fabulous job.!!
Darshan, well Wari La mostly opens by mid of June or towards late of June mostly. This year there was less snow so it might open early BUT please esnure with local taxis first before venturing towards it. Also, as stated in the article if you have more than 2-3 vehicles in convoy then only make a trip to these isolated places.
You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here
Hi Dheeraj
Will it be worth visiting Pangong Lake in Winter ? Im asking this because I am planning for Chadar Trek on Zanskar lake. Even thts going to be a frozen place.
Apart from trek itinerary I will have 2 or 3 days extra. What all places would be suggested by you to visit in these days.
Ashi, yes, for sure, seeing the beauty of white frozen pangong tso is an experience in itself. Make a day visit to PAngong Tso or else sleep at Tangste
Thanks so much. I wanted to in winter will Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road be open for a visit ?
Yes Ashi, that can also be done 🙂 BTW.. in reality Khardung La is lesser in altitude than Chang La that comes on the way to Pangong Tso. Here is the mythbuster: Top 12 Highest Motorable Passes or Roads in the World – The Myths & The Realities
Hi, I wanted to inquire about a detailed route from Delhi to Leh via Manali. I want to travel through local transportation. Delhi to Manali by volvo abut not sure about bus services from Manali to Leh. Would I be able to enjoy and see all places if I travel through bus?
Hi Pravesh, please read: Rates & Time table of Bus Services in Leh – Ladakh
and How to plan a journey on Manali Leh Highway
Hello,
I am planning a trip to Ladakh from Bike in this May. I have planned the below mentioned Jouney.
manali to warshi to leh=804 km
if we plan to visit tso moriri = 110 km exta
leh-pangong lake-LEh=280km
leh to srinagar= 430km
srinagar to manali = 550 km
Can you please advice the best route to cover all the places ? how many days are require for such trip?
Mohammad, how will you reach Warshi Village from Manali?
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Thank you for your help. I checked your blog and found it very helpful. But Hanle is missing on that trip, can I able to go to Hanle by spending one more day. Also is it ok to start a reverse journey. I mean from Manali-Srinagar-Manali. But I guess it will take two more days one for Hanle and other for Pangong lake.
I have decided to follow Srinagar route. But just now one of the guy told me that private number bikes are not allowed on srinagar-leh highway. Is that true?
That is totally false. There is no issue with that and on Srinagar – Leh Highway nothing is banned. Within Ladakh only the rental bikes and self drive cars are banned for sightseeing. You can still reach on them to Leh and get out from Leh. Bike shall be under your or your father name else they will not treat it as your own bike.
I never recommend Manali to Leh, You can read link 5 Reasons to choose Srinagar – Leh Road over Manali – Leh Road
Regarding Hanle, while going from Leh to Tso Moriri, you can like
Leh – Hanle
Hanle to Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri to Sarchu
Sarchu to Manali
I hope you are planning to carry fuel to suffice about 700-800 KMs of travel with fuel pump
“I hope you are planning to carry fuel to suffice about 700-800 KMs of travel with fuel pump” Is there any stretch of 700-800 Km with out petrol pump. How much fuel we at least need to carry.
” Within Ladakh only the rental bikes and self drive cars are banned for sightseeing. You can still reach on them to Leh and get out from Leh. Bike shall be under your or your father name else they will not treat it as your own bike”
But we have decided to hire bikes to visit there. Are we able to make the entire trip I have discussed with you from Hired bikes?
I am planning to hire Thunderbird 500 and we are 2 people on one bike. is that fine.
1. Yes, please check: Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
2. Outside rented bikes are not allowed within Ladakh. You have to hire Leh registered bikes to do sightseeing within Ladakh. Do read: 5 Tips to Rent Bike in Leh – Ladakh and Ride with Pillion
Hello Sir,
Thank you so much for all your help. Your articles are fantastic, very detailed and helpful. I have read about lots of things.
In Night we have made a little change in our trip we plan the same trip but want to add Gurez in it because it is the only location which I wanted to visit from last 2 years. I went to kashmir last year in March but it was not possible for me to visit there due to some reason. I have heard that now we don’t need any special permit to visit Gurez and it can be accessible for travellers.
Below is the route as per your suggestion I have just added Gurez and Hanle. these are the only places where we have decided to stay. Can I able to make this entire trip in 3 weeks.
Delhi
Patnitop
Srinagar/Bandipora
Gurez
Srinagar
Kargil
Leh
Turtuk(Nubra Valley)
Warshi(Nubra Valley)
pangong tso (Spangmik)
Leh
Hanle
Tso Moriri
Sarchu
Manali
Delhi
Can you please give me some valuable advise for such trip. Also if you can provide me a little more information about Gurez Valley. Thank you so much in advance.
Well, sorry Shariq, I have not been to Gurez so cannot comment in detail,but I will suggest that you post info or query in DoW Community Itinerary Advice forum and ask there to get more info. You need at least 2-3 days to explore Gurez at a bit ease not just one day. But, within 3 weeks it shal all be fine including Gurez and Hanle
Hi Dheeraj,
As you mentioned, there is a bann on self driven car for sightseeing.Is it applicable on private cars also ?
No Hardik, Self drive rented cars and taxis outside Ladakh are not allowed to do any sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh. You can use them for getting to Leh and getting out from Leh but not sightseeing. So, the self drive cars you are taking must have private number plate, mostly should be under your name, your wife name or your father name otherwise you will have to again hire a taxi within Ladakh and pay for your local taxi without using it. You can read: Rented Self Drive Cars in Leh – Ladakh Banned “FORCIBLY”
Private cars DO NOT have any issues.
One more question can i take my friend or relative bike up to Leh with out any restriction. In Leh i will rent bikes from there only. Is it possible?
It should be in your name or your father name or a relative name which you can prrove with some documented proof.
so I think paper of bike is enough for that and ID of person on whom it is registered.
Is this enough or we need any thing else ?
How does that person relates to you? If he is a relative and you have a document justifying the relation ship, which I dont think we have for apart from father,
No, I mean to ask. Is it possible to take our relatives or friend bike to leh then we can hire another bike for sight seeing in nubra valley and Pangong lake and after that we can pick our own bike from leh for the rest of our journey.
Yes Sheri, you can do that very well. It is just sightseeing places which are banned rest you can take the vehicle to Leh and come out from Leh
I’m all set for my trip. I have the last question to ask
One of my friends will come back in the middle of the trip he has an exam.
He will not able to visit Nubra valley where we were going to spend two days, but he wants to visit Pangong lake and/or Tso morriri when on a route.
Can he able to visit Pangong lake and Tso morriri lake after staying two days in Leh.
You will be ataking a chance, it may work or may not work. AMS would surely be an issue.
So it’s a No. It is mandatory to spend a night in Nubra valley to visit any of the two lakes.
Yes bro.
We are 6 guys and decided to ride 3 or bike 2 person per bike. is it fine or do we need a separate bikes for every person?
Please read the article and decide: 5 Tips to Rent Bike in Leh – Ladakh and Ride with Pillion
Hello dheeraj we are planning bike trip to leh via spiti on 4th june.day 1 hisar-kufri. Day 2 kufri-kalpa day 3 kalpa-kaza. day 4 kaza-keylong. day 5 keylong -sarchu day 6.sarchu -taso kar day 7.taso kar -nubra. day 8 nubra leh day 9 leh rest day n back via srinagar route…kindly suggest is it would be easy from rumtse to nubra or we ride directly from taso kar to leh n then go nubra..
Surya,
It is fine up to Tso Kar but then beyond that I feel Tso Kar to Nubra is somewhat taxing on body. In any case you are just on road on from Hisar to Nubra for whole day, every day except Sarchu – Tso Kar.
Is it possible to travel from Nubra to Pangong via Wari la in April 4th 2016 and stay at tangste then 5th April toward Lamayuru on the same day and stay there.
No Anup, Nubra to Pangong Tso via Wari La is not an opton in April as the route is closed.
Thanks Dheeraj,
Then Agham and Shyok village in April 4th.
Yeah, you can try that BUT PLEASE understand the risk of going through such a desolated route. In case only one vehicle is there in your convoy, then dont take that route
Hi Guys, what’s the condition of Manali Leh Highway is it raining and is it fully opened as I am planning my travel in just two weeks as in Delhi its raining daily and thanks for the answer of my last query. Saurabh Kataria
Saurabh the roads are open and weather too is OK up there as per last two days.
Hi Saurabh,
Are you riding on bike in Leh area? I am also looking for company.
Hi Dheeraj
We intend to cover this route on 15th of September (Nubra to Pangong)
we are planning to start early 6-7AM and have though of two ways one is directly via wari la (in which case will there be water crossings (around mid september)?
also will it be possible for us to do Nubra to Leh to Pangong the same day ? (Lunch at Leh) or will that be too much drive for a day ? Google maps shows additional 100 KMs added to the journey ( but i am guessing road will probably be better this way.
One more thing we have thought of is leave nubra early by bike reach leh by Noon and get a cab from Leh same noon for pangong, will that be possible?
again date of journey is mid september
Hi Mayank,
Still, the Wari La route is closed and Agham – Shyok route too is closed as per the news from last week itself. There are no chances of opening quite soon. If you travel from Leh it will be quite hectic around 12-14 Hrs it might take to do it.
Regards
Dheeraj
I am coming to leh on 25/08/2015 to 27/08/2015 by flight. I just want to explore more and more. Please suggest the travel plan to where to go or where to not. What i thought on 25/8/2015 my flight land on 8 Am. then we will go to pangong lake directly and stay in tents that night. next day come back to ladakh and visit some local places.
Vivek, in case you want to commit suicide then only try to think and attempt of such a place. AMS is fatal and if you move to high altitude on first day itself, you may face very severe or even fatal outcome. Better not attempt such a crazy or rather insane plan. You have to take complete rest in Leh for two days before moving out to any sightseeing places in Ladakh so that body is acclimatized for the altitude of Leh 😀
Hi dheerajs, how is the flood conditions in ladakh now? Its showing ladakh is worstly affected on tv,nubra also,so which areas r in good condition, is there any worry we r reaching at leh on 12the August, we r on bike pls help.
Jasmeet, it is under control. all roads are open now within Ladakh except Leh to Tso Moriri which is open from Tso Kar side.
i and my 6 other friends have planned to visit leh in the month of september 2015
after acclimatize for one day .. we have decided to visit nubra and from nubra to pangong..
so my question is… (We have decided to complete our journey on BIKES)
1. what all problems could we faced while going to Pangong from Nubra?
2. it is good to come back leh from nubra and then move to pangong on next day ?
3. which is the best route from nubra to pangong. where we can feel safe to drive and enjoy.
(we have 5 days in leh and we have planned to visit only nubra and pangong in this 5 days)
Hi Irfan,
1. Everything is documented in the article above for going to Pangong Tso via Wari La or Shyok
2. I always feel this is a better way especially if it is a first trip
3. Wari La is much logical than Shyok but desolated for sure.
Hi Irfan, we will be there in the month of september too, 2-5 people with bikes thinking of going to pangong directly from nubra, though we have more time but we intend to cover everything so Nubra to Pangong is the only tough part of our journey as of now.
As of now we have planned 15th sept for nubra to pangong. Let us know if we can go together.
Mayank, as suggested above both direct routes connecting PAngong Tso with Nubra Valley are closed.
Hi dheeraj, is it accessible to leh via manali- leh highway due to monsoon? How is the road conditions? Again we have to get permit at manali. How long is the process? After tandi where will we find petrol pump? Is there motor garrage available in this route. We ate reaching manali on 10 the August. If we take Srinagar- leg route on 11_12th, will there any bandh or political convenience. How is the road conditions in this route at baltal due to rain?
Regarding permit process for Rohtang Pass: Rohtang Pass Rules & Restriction of Vehicles – Demystified
It is monsoon time in general up there in North and at some parts of Manali – Leh Highway (like before Baralacha La) and Srinagar – Leh Highway (like before Kargil) you might need to face monsoon hassles but once you get closer to Ladakh, then Ladakh being rain shadow region is least affected by monsoon rains, though rains does reach Ladakh now but to minimum and mostly it might remains overcast conditions. There is no thumb rule of certainty about weather conditions but above is generally common pictures seen over last few years except ugly 2010 …
No mechanics are not available except Sarchu and Darcha if I remember correctly.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the post 🙂
We were planning to go to Pangong from Nubra, but now we are going back to Leh 🙂
Good decision Shilpa, leave it for some other day. Last heard in this week both these routes were closed due to landslides and water crossings
What is the status of the road from Nubra to Pangong(both via Wari La and Shyok)??????????
We are trying to travel by the same route on 23rd July, 2015………….
Information would be helpful……………….
Shyok, must be washed away by now, confirm the day you reach there. Wari La could be feasible.
Hi Dheeraj,
Is it possible to travel from Nubra to Pangong on bikes, as you mentioned only cars as a mode of commute?
TIA
Pulkit, yes it is possible to travel by bikes too 🙂
HEllo Dheeraj,
Vikram Here again 😛
We are 6 guys (3 Bikes) and we will reach Nubra Valley on 17th AUG.
So can we plan to Pangong TSO directly from HUNDER in one day via WARI LA Route ? or will it take two days ? or should be come back to LEH from HUNDER and should go back to PANGONG TSO from LEH ?
But coming back to LEH makes no sense as all the roads we traveled will be repeated twice and no new roads will be covered 🙁
Please help us out !
and thanks in advance !
Appreciate your help in DoW and helping people to discover the wanderers in them 🙂
Hi Vikram,
Yes, you can go to Pangong Tso via Wari La from Nubra Valley in one day. I hope you have read the risks described in the article above regarding taking the route to Wari La and are OK with it.
hi dheeraj,
very useful notes/ links from your blog 🙂
we did the nubra to pangong direct via the shyok river in a XUV 500 (not a 4 X 4) this june end. as mentioned by you, it had its interesting moments, but the amount of time saved definitely made it extremely worth it.
2 places we had small water crossings. 50 metres of pure stone/ pebbles road, landslides, a few kms of off roading. but definitely doable and extremely scenic road
also, enjoyed the road from pangong to tso moriri and then direct to sarchu via tso kar was amazing too
rgds
rajesh
9821233155
Good to know that Rajesh, you were able to do the direct route through Shyok route. Now the water crossings will start swelling up and soon in mid July or August it will become tough to cross.
Did this mean you did’nt gone via warila?? Is it via agam-shyok village-durbuk route.? If yes then how much time it takes?? We are also planing the same route in mid june2016. Will be thankfull much if tou reply.
Somnath, did you read the article above? If yes, most of your queries shall be answered if not then please let me know what doubts/queries do you have? Which route you refering for the time?
Hi Rajesh, Thanks for sharing your experience here. It’s always encouraging to read positive updates about these formidable less traveled routes.
We are planning to do Nubra – Pangong – Tso Moriri – Leh over 6days this coming June tentatively between 6th – 12th.
I’ll be driving from Srinagar to Leh via kargil (stay overnight) and be in Leh 2-3 nights before going to Nubra.
How much time did u take driving from
Nubra – Pangong ( via Shyok)
Pangong – Tso Moriri
Can I trouble u with a few queries on whatsapp if I need a quick response on something. But I’ll understand if u don’t want random queries and would prefer to communicate here or over email.
hi divya,
though dheeraj is the expert here 🙂 …….. i would be happy to share my experiences on the same ……do feel free to get in touch with me on 9821233155.
rgds
rajesh
HI – from the Landscape / Natural Beauty point of view is there really any benefit of taking the Wari-La pass route directly from Nubra to Pangong if number of days is not a problem ? Do you see anything special in this route that’s worth the bumpy ride for 10 long hours ? I am almost thinking that we will not take this route as we also have a 5 yrs old with us, but just trying to evaluate if there is any rewards we would miss had we taken this direct route ? Thanks a lot Simanta.
Simanta, the problem is the desolation of this route. In case there are few vehicles with you on this route then only take it. There is no point in risking alone on this route.
Hi,
We are planning a trip from Delhi to Leh from 10th to 19th July. We are planning to book a cab from Srinagar to Leh, then another can for sightseeing at Leh and then from Leh to Manali by bus.
Do you have any idea of the cost of the both the cabs?
Thanks
Also, could you please let us know if 9 days would be enough for the trip.
For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2015 – 16 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are group of 4 and planning to use this route during 3rd Aug15 to 6th Aug15. We would be riding BULL 500 so considering its excellent fuel economy do we need to carry Fuel with us.
Are their any petrol pumps on this route?
Regards,
Sujit
Sujit, there are no fuel pumps as Deskit petrol pump is most non-functional. Are you taking Wari La route? or Shyok route? Shyok route will most likely be washed away by swollen river.
Thanks . have plans to use Shyok route however it is out of question now.
I do not have any question right now, only applause. 🙂
Good to know that there are alternative routes but as a first timer I’ll stick to the regular ones as suggested by you.
Thank you Nisha !! And yeah, alternative routes are meant for subsequent trips at least for me. I am sure you will soon be planning the next trip to Ladakh as soon as you return back home 🙂
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank for providing such a useful resource.
I have read some posts on DOW, still have following doubts.
1) Bikes from other states are not allowed for Leh sightseeing.Does it also applicable for cars/SUVs (Delhi registered & rented)?
2) Do we have to take any kind of permit for visiting Pangong Tso/Nubra valley/Tso Moriri if I am taking hired car from Delhi?
3) I will be travelling on 1st week of july so direct route from Nubra valley to Pangong Tso is safe or not?
Hi Aditya,
1. Bike rule is new, taxis of yellow number plate outside state are already banned since start I guess for sightseeing in Ladakh
2. No you do not need any permit in case all are Indianand you are following normal routes. As suggested in 1, outside taxis are not allowed to visit these places. You will need Leh based taxi.
3. Should be OK but I hope you have read the article as the risk of desolation is always there on this route.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj
Greetings. Me and my brother are planning a road trip to leh. Since this is my first trip to leh I want to make sure I am planned thoroughly.
Day 1.
0950 -1245
bangalore to chandigarh (by flight )
1300 –
chandigarh to srinagar
Day 2
– 0400 Reach Srinagar
entire day rest and local sight seeing around srinagar.
Day 3
0800 -1200 srinagar to kargil
Sight seeing at kargil
Day 4
0800 – 1200 kargil to leh
Sight seeing at leh
Day 5
0800-1600 leh to Nubra valley via khardungla
Camp at Nubra valley
Day 6
0800-1600 Nubra valley to pangong Tso
Camp at Pangong lake
Day 7
0800-1600
Pangong lake to Sarchu
Camp at Sarchu
Day 8
0800-1500
Sarchu to Manali
Stay at Manali
Day 9
0600 -1400
Manali to chandigarh
1600-1900
Chandigarh to bangalore
My queries are as follow
1. Is it possible to start from chandigarh at 1400 hours and reach srinagar at 0400 hours in morning. Any restriction on driving at night ?
2. Can I do Nubra valley to a Pangong lake in one day ? ( since I am going between 10th June to 18th June , can I do the direct route or have to go via leh ). if via leh is it still possible to do it in a day .
3. How much time does it take to do Pangong lake to Sarchu ? I am planning to leave Pangong lake morning and tech Sarchu in the evening and camp there. What is the best route to take for this section ?
1. Chandigarh to Srinagar will take about 14-15 Hrs, yeah there could be possibility that Jawahar tunnel be closed for passage at night, though I am not 100% sure. Will not advice night drive on Jammu – Srinagar highway as there are some bad sections after last year floods.
2. I doubt you will be able to do Pangong Tso – Nubra direct route because Shyok route might be open but will be risky. And Wari La will most likely be closed during that time.
3. Pangong Tso to Sarchu will take around 11-12 Hrs.
I am traveling to leh in an innova. Will be a couple alone. Need to confirm about wari la rout to pangong from nubra.i want to take this route for the first time otherwise i have been to leh five times from normal rout .this year I also want to visit hanle from pangong.my query to you is…
Is innova vehicle good for this route
I am carrying fuel for 1000kms wil it be sufficient for leh nubra pangong hanle leh
Any other guidance or tip from you
Thanks
Sunil SOOD patiala
Innova shall be fine to handle the route, I hope you going after June as in early June Wari La may be closed and bad in shape with slush. I hope you have gone through the article above. Regarding Pangong Tso to Hanle without comeing back to Leh, you can refer: Tips for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri Direct Route
Dear dheeraj ji
I am planning the trip on6june will it be possible to visit nubra-warila-pangong-tsagala-hanle leh route
Thanks
Sunil, Wari La in most likely condition will be closed during that time of the year.
Dear dheeraj ji
I am planning the trip on6june will it be possible to visit nubra-warila-pangong-tsagala-hanle leh route
Thanks
Sunil ji, already suggested that Wari La most likely wil be closed and for other route read my reply: https://devilonwheels.com/tips-for-nubra-valley-to-pangong-tso-direct-route/comment-page-1/#comment-329414
Dear dheeraj ji
And what about pangong hanle if I opt pangong from leh
Thanks
Sunil ji, in case you opt for Pangong Tso to Hanle, you will need to get Inner Line permits and then as well not army does not guarantee the passage from Chusul and can send you back from there to Leh. Then you have to go to Hanle from Leh – Chumathang route. Read more at: Tips for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri Direct Route
Dear Sharma
I am planning for leh on 1st week of November by Air with my spouse.PL.suggest about budget hotels & site sceen including Nubra.Is it suitable time to visit? The trip is for 5days only. Shall get shared car for site sceen & cost? Need your valuable suggestion please.
Pradipta, most of the hotels close in October. Only home stays and small guest houses will be there. Also, it will get quite very cold up there during that time.
Hi Dheeraj,
I m going with my wife and an adventurous 9 year old son…I m reaching leh morning by flight on 11 th morning…11th and 12 th night Leh..13 th night Nubra…14 th night leh… 15 th night pangong tso… Now pangong tso to tsomoriri via Tsagala route with a night stay in between somewhere… 17 th night tsomoriri and back to Leh on 18 th night… I can arrange stay in army mess and Innova … Pls guide me where to stay coz we will b starting from everyplace by 11am as we want to enjoy all the stays and drive…I have to book my accomodations now…
Manish, all looks fine but I will suggest that you read: Tips for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri Direct Route
11 AM is too late, in such terrain princinple shall be start early sleep early. At least start 9 AM for sure to all the places.
some of my friends are planning to go to Leh in Mast week of May 2015 with Maruti Ertiga. is it safe to go by Maruti Ertiga. it has 185MM of ground clearance, Please advice
Yeah Ertiga is capable of doing the circuit. I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
HI Dheeraj
Nubra to Pangong direct route, on Motor bike it is possible???
Very much possible, just read the article to know about the risks of traveling on this route.
May i request you to Please share your details of travel from Nubra valley to pangong lake on a bike. We are a group of three and intend to do tis particular stretch on 05july 15.
Hi Narendra, we are a group of 4 guys, from siliguri. We are also planning to do the same stretch. So is ur date fixed. since we will reach Leh on 5th july eve.
Accompanying each other would be great, wat say ?
Narendra, above article is applicable for both bike and car 🙂
Hi Dheeraj!
I am planning a trip to leh in June(around 13th) for at least a week. This is draft of my itinerary. Can you please tell me if its okay or are there any more places of interest?
Day Travel Plan
1. a. Delhi to Srinagar – Flight : 8:45 am to 10:15 am
b. Start from Srinagar to Leh
Srinagar to Sonamarg (80) to Drass (65) to Kargil (55)
c.Night stay at Kargil
2. a. Kargil – Mulbekh (40) to Lamayuru (70) to Alchi & Likir (55 to 75) to Leh ( 65) Maitrey at Mulbek
On way – Lunar Landscape, Confluence at Nimmu, Fotu La, Magnetic Hill
3. Leh – Local Site seeing- Leh Palace, Hall of fame, Shanti Stupa, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Spituk Monastry/ Gompa, leh market
4. Leh- Nubra Valley
I am thinking of staying at Nubra Valley(overnight) and then I can’t decide whether to go straight to Pangong Lake or first go back to leh and then go to pangong lake the next day. And also, what would be the best route to visit Tso Moriri. Straight from Pangong Lake or from Leh??
Wishing for a quick reply!!
Best Regards,
Anukriti
P.S Amzing Blog!! 😀
Hi Anukriti,
Since it will be your first trip, I will suggest that you stay overnight at Nubra Valley and then head back to Leh. From Leh go over to Pangong Tso covering Hemis and on the way back do Shey – Thicksey. Finally, from Leh do again a two day trip to Tso Moriri going via Mahe – Chumathang and coming back from Tso Kar – Taglang La route.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thank you so much, Dheeraj. Btw. you are talking about going to Pangong lake from leh the next day( after coming from nubra valley), right??
Yes, Anukriti I am talking about the conventional routes to these places which should be explored by first timers in general.
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning a 4N/5D trip to Leh in end of April.. Planning to cover Pangong and Nubra both?
Appreciate your suggestions.
Also, if you could suggest an itinerary ?
Best Regards,
-Nimisha
Just replied on your other comment: https://devilonwheels.com/leh-ladakh-in-winters/comment-page-1/#comment-322907
Hey your article is very helpful, m planning my trip on 25th april n its a short one i.e arrival on 25/4 and dep on 29/4 do you suggest that we go via conventional route or try direct route from nubra to pangong or is it better to skip one ad the time is very short?
Saurabh, 4 days are too less for a trip to Ladakh where first two days are to be done as mandate as below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
You are left with just 2 more days, may be on Day 3 make a day trip to Khardung La and Day 4 make a day trip to Pangong Tso.
hi Dheeraj
In September end nubra to pangong tso route wari la and shyok river would be opened or closed ?
Wari La route will be open Ravi but Shyok most likely will be closed.
If it takes 10 hours via Wari La, then better to travel via Leh in a single day which may take another 2 hours but without any hassle. What do you think Dheeraj?
I second that too. It is just that you do not spend night at Pangong Tso. Hence, only in case you planning to take the route from Wari La because you have already done the other route, it shall be given preference.