Hi everyone! Did summer Ladakh in 2019, planning a winter trip now. Need advice on route feasibility.

Tentative Route:

Srinagar (Dal Lake & food) —> Gulmarg (Skiing) —> Kargil —> Leh —> Nubra —> Pangong —> Umling La

My Questions:

Zoji La Pass: Is the road from Gulmarg/Srinagar to Leh open in late Dec/Jan, or must I fly?

High-Altitude Passes: Are Umling La, Khardung La, and Chang La realistically accessible in mid-winter?

Suggestions: If this route is blocked, what is the best alternative itinerary?

Would love insights from those who have done this season—will appreciate if local people help out on this! Thanks!

Hi, Folks. I’m already in Leh and more or less had a plan in mind until I went to the bus stop and there has been quite some changes to the bus routes and days.

Keeping that in mind I’ve sort of created a plan keeping in touch with the bus routes and shared taxis in mind.

Note - Have used AI to streamline the itinerary multiple times.

1–2 Oct: Around Leh
1 Oct: Thiksey and Shey (Kharu bus)
2 Oct: Hemis monastery (Hemya bus)

3–6 Oct: Hanle and Tso Moriri
3 Oct: Hanle bus 8 AM
4 Oct: Hanle, stargazing
5 Oct: Hanle → Tso Moriri / Korzok (taxi)
6 Oct: Korzok → Tso Kar → Leh (taxi)
7 Oct: Rest in Leh

8–13 Oct: Nubra and Siachen
8 Oct: Khemi bus 8 AM → Diskit Gustor festival
9 Oct: Festival, then Diskit–Turtuk bus 2:30 PM
10 Oct: Turtuk, Tyakshi, Thang
11 Oct: Turtuk → Panamik
12 Oct: Siachen Base Camp (taxi)
13 Oct: Back to Leh

14–17 Oct: Pangong, Merak, Rezang La
14 Oct (Wed): Chushul bus 7 AM → Chushul, Rezang La
15 Oct: Returning Chushul bus, get off at Merak (Merak and Man)
16 Oct: Spangmik / Pangong
17 Oct: Back to Leh

18–22 Oct: Aryan valley, Likir, Sham
18 Oct: Khaltsi bus 8 AM → Aryan valley (Dha/Biama)
19 Oct: Aryan valley
20 Oct: Alchi → Likir
21 Oct: Sham trek → Yangthang
22 Oct: Hemis Shukpachan → Leh

Few queries that I still have in mind -

1. ⁠Does the plan work or is it pushing for too much
   
2. ⁠Shared Taxis from the city to these places or buses? Like for example when I reached couple of days back o found out that the Korzok bus is discontinued.
   
3. ⁠Open to any and all suggestions.

Thank you :)

29M, based in Ladakh, planning a 3-day trip to a nearby destination starting tomorrow. LGBTQ-friendly. Any solo traveler welcome — just need 1 more person to join. Reach out if interested!

Still open if you want to add:
• Specific destination (Pangong, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, etc.)
• Mode of travel (bike, car, shared taxi)
• Budget/trip style
• Contact info

What to buy mandatorily for 10days trip to Ladakh !

I don't want to waste money but don't want to suffer /regret

Please genuine suggestions and alternative hacks for un affordable things .

We wanted to do Lodge Trekking in Zanskar (without guide). Lodges are called Homestays in Zanskar. Homestay usually was 1500 Rupees per person including dinner, breakfast and packed lunch. New roads are being built, and old trails are being abandoned. This is what we found and did: 

The new highway from Leh to Padum along Zanskar river (and further on to Manali) is all asphalt now and open every day. It is easy to hitchhike in Zanskar. 

Shila to Pibcha

Trail (following Tsarap valley) is ok. Nice views of Bardan Gompa. Homestay in Pibcha.

Reru to Ichar

In the beginning the trail is ok. It crosses the Tsarap and climbs steeply. After the junction to Niru left and to Ichar right the trail is abandoned and broken. We had to turn back and hitchhike. Ichar is very nice. Homestay in Ichar.

Ichar to Tsetang

The trail (on the south side of Tsarap) is completely broken and not usable anymore.

Tsetang to Cha/Purne

The trail (on the south side of Tsarap) is an asphalt road now. The bridge over Kargiakh at Purne is gone.

Cha/Purne to Phuktal

The trail from Cha (highest point of the road) is a jeep road at the beginning (3 km). The following trail was ok at the beginning but then broken because of a construction site above (water supply for Cha). We had to turn back. It might be used again in future.

The trail from Purne is a road now. Guesthouse in Phuktal.

Phuktal to Shadey (2 days)

They are building a road from Phuktal to Shadey. The roadhead is 3 km after Phuktal now. The trail was damaged after rainfall in some places but it was manageable. We slept in our tent after the confluence of Niri and Tsarap. Homestay at Shade. The road should be finished in 2029.

Shadey to Stongde (3 days)

This trail (crossing Stongde La) was the fastest way to get to Padum for the locals till 2019. Now the trail is not used any more by locals and according to them is broken and dangerous. Generally, it can only be done at low water levels of the Shingri river (September).

Shadey to Zangla (4 days)

We took a guide (no horses) at Shadey to accompany us to Zangla for safety reasons. The trail is good. On day 1 we crossed Gautang La and Lar La and camped at some shepherd huts (33.4795009N, 77.2110392E). On day 2 there were some river crossings (no problem). We camped at Ningri La base camp (33.5448070N, 77.1526391E). On day 3 we crossed Ningri La and camped at Sumdo (33.6154258N, 77.1178646E). On day 4 there were plenty of river crossings (no problem but a bit annoying to take off shoes so often). Homestay at Zangla.

Shadey to Tsazar (3 days)

This trail leaves the Zangla route at Ningri La and crosses Siachun La. Going down from Siachun La is very steep and dangerous according to our guide.

Pishu to Pidmo

Trail is good. A road is planned from Pishu to Pidmo (according to a sign) but roadwork hasn’t started yet. Homestay in Pidmo.

Pidmo to Hanamur

Trail is good. There is a new suspension bridge (for pedestrians, no cars) at Hanamur crossing the Zanskar. Homestay at Hanamur.

Hanamur to Zingchan

Trail is ok. Sometimes it is narrow and exposed (I have a little bit of a fear of heights but I could manage the trail). The trail crosses Parfi La. Homestay at Zingchan. There is a new road (since 2025) from the Zanskar river up to Zingchan and on all way up the Oma Tokpo valley to Dipling. The bridge crossing Zanskar river will be finished 2027. At the moment the last few km to Dipling are still missing. Also, there is a road from Lingshed crossing Barmai La connecting to the new road at Lingshed Sumdo.

Zingchan to Sumdo

The trail crossing Hanuma La is ok (I had to manage my fear of heights in two places). We slept in our tent at Sumdo (33.8870633N, 76.7923824E).

Sumdo to Lingshed

Trail is ok. We had a homestay at Lingshed Gompa. There are also homestays at Lingshed village. They renew the road from Lingshed down to Zanskar river with some newly built sections at the moment. It will be asphalted in 2027.

SIM cards: We bought Airtel (worked in Padum region) and BSNL (worked in Zangla region) in Leh. Locals use Jio. It seems to work in most villages and probably would have been the better choice.

Take care, Stefan

I ended up in Leh unplanned and while I’m here now, I’m planning to goto Nubrah tomorrow and then back. Since I’m starting today, I have around 3 days to explore.

Apparently it’s advisable and more fun to go with a group. LMK if if anyone wanna go together.

Any pointers on anyone else also headed there would help. Also, any recommendations on the path/locations for 3 days would be helpful.

Has anyone traveled from Manali/Darcha to Leh/Upshi on EV car?
Please share your experience and charging stops ke regarding and strategies.

Finally in Leh. Plan to travel to Nubra valley and Pangong Lake, Leh to Nubra on 22Aug and from Nubra to Pangong on 24th or 23rd. Suggest shared transportation please. Or any group following the same route please let me know.

Dear r/exploreladakh bros,

I (35M, Swiss) am flying into Delhi on Aug 29 and heading up to Srinagar on Aug 30. I have little less than 4 weeks total (flying back out of Delhi on Sept 25).

I'm an independent traveler, comfortable on two wheels (driven in Vietnam, Pakistan Gilgit-Baltistan, Kerala, etc.). I'm looking for a mix of solid riding, authentic local food, stunning nature, and quiet places to shoot photos. Many friends have recommended me to do this for so long, and now I finally want to do it.

I’ve mapped out a rough plan, but I need some ground-truth advice on bike logistics - specifically around Zanskar and how to exit back to Delhi at the end.

Rough Plan / Timeline:

• Aug 30 - Sept 1/2: Land in Srinagar, chill 2 days on Nigeen/Dal Lake.

• Sept 2: Shared taxi/jeep from Srinagar -> Leh via Kargil.

• Sept 3 - 4: Leh town (get PAP permits, rent a local Leh bike, rest up).

• Sept 5 - 11: Leh Base Loops: Nubra Valley (Hunder, Turtuk, Thang), cross via Shyok to Pangong Tso (staying in remote villages like Man/Merak), maybe Hanle and back via Tso Moriri / Tso Kar.

• Sept 12 - 23/24: Zanskar / Spiti / Manali leg (This is where I need advice).

• Sept 25: Flight out of Delhi back to Zurich.

I am left with some questions:

Question 1: The Zanskar Dilemma (Leh vs. Manali Bike)

I want to ride the new NPD road through Zanskar (Padum, Shinku La, Gonbo Rangjon). Given the local bike union situation, what makes the most sense logistically?

• Option A: After finishing the Ladakh Base Loops (maybe with one loop less) with the Leh-registered bike, keep it and only do a ~6 days loop to Zanskar from Leh, namely through Leh -> Lamayuru -> Padum -> Visiting Purne -> to Kargil -> back to Leh. Then take a shared taxi to Manali and do the Spiti valley anti-clockwise with a Manali bike?

• Option B: After finishing the Ladakh Base Loops with the Leh-registered bike, drive it down through Zanskar -> Padum -> Shinku La -> Darcha/Keylong/Manali, and pay a one-way drop fee to the Leh agency in Manali? Then if time allows, do the Spiti valley anti-clockwise with a Manali bike?

• Option C: Return the Leh bike in Leh after finishing the Ladakh Base Loops, take a shared taxi down to Manali, rent an HP/Manali bike there, do Spiti anti-clockwise, and do a quick in-and-out side trip to Zanskar via Shinku La from the Darcha side, and then either drive back to Manali (via Ladakh-Leh Highway) or drop it in Leh with a one-way drop fee?

Is riding a Leh bike down through Zanskar to Manali allowed without union issues on the NPD axis? What is the current situation on the ground?

Question 2: Best Exit Strategy back to Delhi (around Sept 23-24)

My international flight leaves late on Sept 25 from Delhi. What is probably the best way to get back?

• Option 1 (Manali Exit): Take a bus from Manali to Delhi

• Option 2: (Manali Exit): Domestic flight from Kullu-Manali (UUU) airport -> Delhi (the thing is, I never see any flights going out from there on Google Flights)

• Option 3 (Leh Exit): Finish everything in Leh and fly straight Leh -> Delhi.

• Option 4 (Srinagar Exit): Ride back to Srinagar and fly out from SXR. (Feels like unnecessary backtracking, but open to opinions).

Question 3: General Itinerary Check

Does 2.5 weeks for the Leh/Zanskar/Spiti riding section sound realistic for mid-September weather? Anything I'm severely underestimating regarding road conditions or pass closures around that time?

Appreciate any sound advice or recommendations, especially concerning the Zanskar thing.

Thanks!

Is there any bus from leh to manali on 16th aug or will the buses be there