Manali to Leh by Jeep

The good points about the Himachal buses are the drivers, and the driving schedules. I really like them , but some are disconcerted by the state of the buses. Everyone , including locals, have moments when we go very quiet as they seesaw thru the worst hairpin curves. Taking the bus in two days is not a good idea since the night will be spent in Sarchu , more than 700 meters higher than Leh. Get at least a night in Keylong (or the very basic tent camp in Darcha), regardless of the bus/jeep issue, before hitting the high section of the road. With three days on your hands you´ll be able to enjoy this magnificient landscape better than most. I´ve vowed to take the time to be able to jump off where I want next time.

The jeep run have more and more become a cannonball run up to twenty hours, by drivers who manage this by among other things making short cuts thru the hairpins, and staying awake .. somehow. I´ve grown less fond of this way of travelling. You probably won´t see your driver until he turns up at the starting point in the wee hours , and the different operators don´t seem to have fixed drivers . The advantage is in the curves .. if they stay on the road (okay , last year was the first time I experienced this, but few seemed really surprised). If you hire a jeep on your own you´ll get past these minor problems as you set the goals for the day.

Well it seems that the traveller had a rough time getting to Leh. However if you hire a Jeep from a reputable Tour Operator in Manali you'll certainly have a safe and lesiurely journey through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Indian Western Himalayas. You could halt a night at Keylong a 6 to 7 hour journey. The next stop could be Sarchu 245 Kms from Leh. From here it's a 10 hour drive with frequent stoppages for photography. Leace Sarchu early morning after breakfast and arrive in good time at Leh. There are numerous options opf tented accommodation in Sarchu from budget to deluxe. If you want a good experience try the Blue Poppy Camp have a look at their website: bluepoppycamp.com and there's also Goldrop Camp - their site: www.goldropadventures.com. These two are reasonably priced with dinner and breakfast thrown in. Good comfy tents and bedding. HPTDC Buses are a good bet but bussing can get pretty tiring even with a night halt at Keylong from where the bus leaves very early getting you into Leh quite late at night.

Arjun

I keep forgetting - the ideal itinerary and a few friends did this with Dragon Tours in Old Manali their site is worth a look www.dragontreks.com<BR>Day 1: Manali - Jispa
Day 2: Jispa to Pang or Sarchu (tented accommodation available) better accommodation at Sarchu
Day 3: Pang to Leh

Best wishes

arjun

As already mentioned : if Sarchu is a bad idea without prior acclimatisation, nowhere near safe ascent rates, then Pang , 400 meters higher , is a really bad idea. To put it in perspective , most guidelines recommend 300 to 500 meters gain in sleeping altitude per day, and an extra day for every 1000 meters over 3000. Manali 2050, Jispa/Keylong/Darcha 3300-ish , Sarchu 4200, Pang 4600 - I rest my case, almost. What the reputable companies gamble on - admittedly with fairly good odds , but I´ve experienced a fellow passenger going past vomiting and ataxia before going unconscious - is that you don´t get trapped in the high sections and get down to Leh before the consequences of hypoxia catch up with you.

Ten hours for Sarchu to Leh might be possible under ideal conditions - which I´ve rarely seen on this road. Maybe next time.

#1 and #4
The altitude at Sarchu and Pang is why I always recommend flying to Leh. At least on the way in. Taking the bus out at the end isn't so bad then.