- Delhi - Manali-Keylong-Leh 1024 kms - this is a tougher route crossing some of the highest motorable passes - Tanglangla, Baralacha, lachulung La & the more well known & popular Rohtang la. You need to spend at least one night in Manali & another night at Keylong (tented accomodation). Manali Keyong Leh is 480 kms
- An equally amazing route is via Srinagar - Delhi-Srinagar-Kargil-Srinagar 1245 kms where you pass the Zoji la pass. if you wish to save some time, it makes sense to fly to Srinagar & begin your land travel from there. an overnight halt is at Kargil (the name evokes memories of the the 1999 Indo-Pak war). Srinagar-Kargil-leh is 434 kms -slightly shorter & definitely less demanding than the Manali route with equally beautiful landscape. Will try this route on my next sojourn!
For an amazing trip, i would like to thank:
- Bombay Natural History Society for organising this trip & our tour leaders - Sudhir Sapre, Bijoo Khan & Vandan Jhaveri
- Dilip Mavadia & Pradip Shelar for organising my Tempo Traveler to ferry me from Manali to Leh without which I could never have embarked on my journey after receiving the sudden news that the Bus for the day had been cancelled. Thanks also to Tarachand & Khubchand at HPTDC Manali for their courtesy & cooperation
- The cheerful local staff at Manali, Keylong, Leh, Tented Campsites of Hemis & Tso Moriri - they served with a real smile & grace despite tough conditions -this is what makes such visits an unforgettable experience!
- The drivers who navigated the vehicles safely through some treacherous roads throughout the day
- and of course my cheerful & sporting camp mates!