Dharmsala to Manali
 

Hi guys,

I'm now in MacLeod Ganj and I need to leave India for a visa-run.
I will probably be back in India around 10th of juli.
My plan is to leave my bike in MacLeodGanj and pick her up when I m back - then I want to drive to Manali and Leh...
but I m not shure if it will be possible/reasonable to drive from MacLeod Ganj to Manali during monsoon (and from Manali to Rohtang)...
Can anyone tell me if this is a realistic plan?
Maybe someone can also give me info on the conditions last year...

Thx a lot, Joe - travelling trol

joe,
even though personally i have had no opportunity to travel from macleod to manali, i know of people doing it in july,the probability of rains and landslides increase in july but you can only know about the conditions just a day or so before you start but if you take it slow. there's no reason you cannot do it. the alternate is to take the sirinagar leh route if it's open during that time. i just came back from keylang (enroute to leh ) it was raining in manali a day before i left next day it was all clear. the roads are bikable all the way to leh so now worries on that front.

--sameer

moonsoon
 

done in August, as I'm not a lover of driving under the rain, was simply stoppin' on the way when showering, usually rain is strong but does not stand for long...

Hi,
Bumping this old thread back up as I'd really like to know when would be best for the Manali - Leh ride from the point of view of air clarity (lack of haze). I'd like to do the ride slowly, taking the opportunity for some landscape photography along the way. Most weather/climate websites seem to count a sunny but quite hazy day as clear so I find they're not too helpful.
I suspect it's probably clearest in winter when the roads are closed, and realise that, as with all things weather related, there's a fair element of hit and miss, but any info would be appreciated.

Hey, we were travelling at august and it was quit clear.
you can check the videos and drone footage on my YT channel.

It will be cloudy when you drive up from Manali. But once you pass the first 4000 meter pass, you will notice you leave the coulds behind you. You might have more issues with the light being super strong. And you might also notice that on your skin :)

Take car where you want to end up sleeping. Check a height map for that route, so you can determine to sleep at the lower points.

It's not necessary to take a car, you can just stop over at the local nomad tents overnight for $2-3 and share bread omelettes with them :)

The best way to go is from Srinagar -- Leh -- Manali. Altitude sickness is rare this way because the roads rise gently and peaks are not so high in the first half. Don't miss Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake while you are in Leh. It's always clear during the summer months, just make sure you pack insulative layers for the high passes!