Manali to Leh, India - when should I go
 

Hi all

I am planning to take an enfield 500 through the Indian Himalayas from Manali to Leh later this year.
I am a bit confused about the best month to go, I want to avoid snow (for obvious reasons) and preferably would like to not be there during the monsoon. I know the road conditions will vary but ideally I'd like to give the Indians some time to clear the roads after the snow melt.

I'm thinking August.........

I'd really appreciate replies from people who have done this.....I'd love to read about your experiences. I'd love some information about how hard the ride is aswell (road conditions, altitude sickness, medical facilities, accomodation along the way etc.....I'm only little, I'm worried I may not have the physical strength)!!

Thanks in anticipation
Gemma
x

best time is between july - first half of september
 

Hi gemmasun,
i have been to leh couple of time on my motorbike and the best possible time would be august. the roads open in july for more uptodate
information you should visit leh section in indiamike.com.
also lookup this site couple of days before you go.

sameer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eblis

Hi there Eblis

Thanks for the information, I have checked out your pictures on your website from your trip, your photos are fantastic and really show the beauty of the area.

Gemma

definatly must place to visit
 

thanks for the appreciation ,the whole reason is just so beautiful, i have been there twice on my motorbike and still can't get enough of the place and motorbike is the only way to really
get the feel of the place.

hope you get to enjoy it as much as i did.

be safe,
sameer

some more links
 

Well just thought I would post some more links on the same

http://www.yogeshsarkar.com

http://the-never-ending-road.blogspot.com/

read the travelogues on these 2 sites and a whole lot of the similar trip reports on
the RE site and www.60kph.com and you will get a clear idea.

Have a nice ride,
Red Bull

Hi Gemma,
Further to the other guys`postıngs hope I`ve got somethıng useful to add... The road should be open any tıme from late June to late Sept. August ıs a good tıme though there ıs a fair chance the mosoon will be lıngerıng on then. I shouldn`t worry about thıs though as wıthın a couple of hours of Manalı you`ll be out of the raıns.
Best advıce ıs to take as long as you can - ıt`s a beautıful road and well worth takıng your tıme over. It can be done ın two faırly long days but four or so would gıve you tıme to enjoy ıt more. The altıtude wıll probably affect you but the nıght stops are always lower than you`ve been durıng the day`s rıdıng so the headaches shouldn`t be too bad! There are plenty of basıc places to stay on the way.
Hope that helps. Enjoy and feel free to maıl.
Richard

we went up the manali Leh Early July last summer, and came back early august.
The road quality improves dramatic over this one month! River crossings in the way up had dissappeared on the way down.
Unfortunately, the Manali weather goes downthe drain in that same time. However, Once you crossed the first pass, you'd be fine and dry for at leat 90% of your trip.
Don't miss out on Pangong lake if you go. It's the most beautiful spot in LAdakh for us.

We went to the Nubra valley over the highest pass (claimed aroudn 5600m) and that was snowy and stone cold. Other than that it was perfect weather.

Scroll down a bit: There's some topics with info on reliable people to purchase/hire a bike from.

Been to Ladakh twice in as many years and both time it was in the month of September. Although August is a good month to visit ladakh, off late it is also the month when flash floods happen near Leh and August is also the month when there are maximum number of tourists in Ladakh. So based on that my suggestion would be September.

motorbike rental in this area
 

we are also going to this area in august and wondering how much to rent motorbike for 2 up for a least couple of weeks. we do we rent? should we rent from internet or find there? should we rent in major city or up in leh.m thanks lance

Lance you can get motorcycles for rent from Delhi, Manali and Leh.

Renting from Delhi should give you time to get familiarize with the bike before you start riding in hills. Delhi also has a wide variety of renters to choose from, it could be good or bad depending on how you see it.

Renting from Manali would ensure that you wouldn't have to ride in the hot plains, but you would have to come back via Manali route to return the bike, else take a detour in case you return from the Srinagar route, in order to return the bike.

You can also rent a motorcycle in Leh, this would enable you to reach Leh with ease, however you will miss out the fun of riding on the Manali - Leh highway, which according to me is the major attraction of going to Ladakh.

Rates would be almost the same no matter where you get the bike from (Rs. 450/per day onward) here is some more info that you might want to check out Renting Motorcycles in India

I have to respectfully disagree on some points. If you have never ridden in a developing country before do not start in Delhi or in the plains. You need to start somewhere where their is little traffic. In the cities, it is a death race and the right away goes to the bold. On the plains their are mostly 4 lane roads with eight abreast (two trucks, a bus, a family on a scooter, a cow cart and five pedestrians toting baskets) all seemingly heading right for each other, horns ablairing.

I'd take a cab from Delhi to Chandaghar (make a stiff drink) and observe the "rules" of the road. Then head for Manali, rent or buy a bike and start cruising about the area (Pavarti, Solang). Strart early (1st light for empty roads) the road will be worse condition and narrow, but at least it's just two laner. The front side of the himal has many delights.

I'd stay until I started getting the first hints of monsoon & then bolt for the other side. Rhotang wil be snow free ( on the road ) sometime between June 1st & July first and the monsoon should arrive between June 15 & early July. A June 10th Manali arrival should be ideal.

Bike can now be rented in Manali dropped in Leh. Also, it's not so hard to arrange for one to shipped back in a truck. Bikes can be bought in Manali for $400 to 650 USD. I have sold my bike in leh quickly (45 min) or had no buyers. Most bikers take 4 days to Leh, buy some hash & spend six!

Four day:
1. Leave early & ride a trying day across Rhotang (leave at 6 to avoid traffic on the pass). Gas up in Tandi & pass Keylang and Darcha crossing the Barlacha La in late afternoon and beading down in Sarchu. (a brutal day)

2. Sarchu to Pang. Two High passes and can be some difficult water crossings. Sometimes gas can be had in Pang (don't count on it).

3. Pang across the TranLang La and on to Tsokar a quite pleasant day. Many bite the bullet here & head to leh, arriving at dark, some stay till morning and continue on day four.

Six day the lazy bikers route:
1. Leave in the afternoon stopping at Markhi (under Rhotang).

2. Cross Rhotang and stop in Keylang or Darcha.

3. Barlacha La, Sarchu.

4.Pang.

5. To Toskar, you could consider Pang Tso from here (inner line permit required). or on to Upshi or Leh at Dark.

Was just presenting my point of view, last thing I would like to do would be to ride a bike with gears on the wrong side (right hand side) for the first time and that too in hills on the narrow hilly roads. But then again it is my view; some might be comfortable doing this in plains while others in hill.

As for the Delhi - Manali highway, 200+kms is on the fantastic NH-1 highway (barring towns like Sonipat and Panipat), NH-21 could be pretty scary for a person riding for the first time in India. But it only last for a little over 100kms before one finds himself riding in the Himalayas.

One can also take the diversion from Zirakpur crossing towards Shimla and either use the Shimla - Mandi highway or cross Jalori pass and reach Aut and then move on to Manali. There by cut down the amount of riding done in the plains.

Agreed that you can drop motorcycles in Leh, for that you don’t even have to buy motorcycle since quite a few renters these days allow this thing to be done.

But what if you want to ride to Srinagar?

I don’t think it would easy to sell a bike there, which means you will have to buy the bike at Manali in all probability and then come to either Chandigarh or Delhi and find buyers who will be ready to buy it from you.

If you can make it to Sarchu (230kms from Manali) covering Rohtang La and Baralacha La, then you can certainly do 260kms on the second day covering Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La, especially since the fantastic road after Tanglang La ensures you can ride at 80+kmph for the most part.

In any case the itinerary like this can only be decided based on the amount of time at hand, of course if one had a month or more then one can do this route lazily.

I understand your point. I remeber when I first rented a bike in Manali. It was just arranged with my hotel manager in old Manali. So I have to take off on the bike up a narrow ramp along a side walk and out to the old manali 30 degree main street w/the opposite shifters, driving the opposite side of the street, several years since I've ridden and the bike owner, hotel mgtr and several others loooking skeptically on. Needless to say quite intimidating. I used to always fear that old Manali hill, thinking if a jeep stops in front of me I'll kill it & never get going again.

OTH, I found the hectic roads of the cities and the plains much more intimidating because in my country they drive so differently. I'm glad I was able to "warm up" in the mountains.

Yes, I found selling a bike difficult in Srinighar,few tourists and even though I had a title, the locals didn't like my paper work, but I did get an offer of 17,000r. I should have taken it, because I instead went to Darhamsala in hopes of a tourist market, where it promptly started pouring, I ended up selling it for 12,000r to a local that was scooping up bikes for sale cheap from desparate tourists so he could sell em again next spring for $500.

Live & learn.

Anyways, my main point was that for a westerner (or for me), driving in foriegn traffic can be much more intimidating than a mountain road. Come to think of it, I live in the mountains anyway so maybe I'm just used to it.

Ah the daily traffic in Delhi, some thing I have come to expect and hate. But you do have a good point there, for a newcomer to India it can be a bit too intimidating. Add to the fact that me and my buddies normally leave for trips at 2-4am which almost guarantees us trouble free riding for 5 hours or so (after which we are normally in hills or nearby). But for a foreigner it wouldn't be possible and they will most probably leave when traffic has started coming out in numbers.

quick rental in Manali?
 

You seem to know the topic you're talking about so let me ask. Does it sound reasonable to come to Manali without any pre-arrangement and expect to rent an Enfield within a day, at most two, without big rush? I mean high season, August or early September. If so, where to start looking for? Staff at the hotel where I would stop?

Thanks,
Kris

Yes, rentals are readily available. OTH, this is India, it can take two days just to cash a travelers check. The rental places may be out, if so try the mechanics, Boni Soni likely can point you in the right direction. If not try Seasu at the Veer guesthouse or try some other folks. If you put the word out people will realize there's money to be made & someone will cough up a bike.

Making pre arrangements might not be of any help anyways.

Seems to be quite easy. Thanks!

riding in the early months??
 

hi all

it seems aggreed that the best time to ride the route is around augest, but has anyone been there in may? haven't really looked it to it but i gess there will be alot of snow still around and probably not the best riding condisions any info would be great cheers

traveling trev

What about October or November?
 

With a slight variation, everyone seems to agree that August/Sept is the best time. Unfortunately, our plan, which starts in June, will take us into northern India around October. Any thoughts on riding a bike up the mountains around this time frame? Thanks.

The passes over the mountains are usually closed until sometime in June, but May is a great time for the front side of the Himalaya. Gharwhal & Kumoan will be very nice in May as will Pavarti and Kullu Valeys. You'll have a fair bit of out & back riding is the only drawback.


It will can be quite cold (esp. at night) in Ladakh by mid Oct. plus you run the risk of an early snow closing the passes, you'd have to leave the cycle & fly back to Delhi. If you were in Padum or Keylang or such you'd be stuck for the entire winter. On the plus, side the monsoon should have retreated by then making the front side very enjoyable riding. {see above}

road closes mid of september?
 

hi folks

i have just been told that the road from manali to leh is officialy closed by mid of september.

can anybody confirm this information?

thanks for your help

ralph

I think it usally depends on weather, with the first large snowstorm causeing the closure.

You may want to confirm this on lonely planet's thorntree forum.

I am in Manali right now
 

Folks I am in manali staying in vashist at the valley view . I am leaving for leh tomorrow. this year the passes opened much earlier. if you need further info, drop in a line.

my mobile works occasionally but worth a try 09848759964

Julay! Travel safely. I am from up the rode from you Jersey City. I had an Enfield in India for about a month. Did not take it to Leh but would have loved to - had to fly given the time of year.

Also I stayed at the Shanti guest house in Changspa, up the road a bit from Leh can be walked. Easily the best place to stay in the area.

Need to carry additional fuel?
 

following all the enthuisiastic write-ups and inspiring pics, we're looking to include the stretch from Manali to Leh in our trip next year :smile3:

However I've heard that we may need to carry extra fuel as it isn't so readily available round that way - any advice on location of fuel stops and what sort of tank range is required would be gratefully received!

Just returned
 

:thumbup1: Hi there everyone, glad to see the thread is still running.
Well we have just returned from our trip and I can report that it was a truly amazing journey. We rented 2 enfields in Delhi and rode up to the mountains, heading up National Highway 22 to the high Himalayas. We spent a few days riding through the remote Spiti Valley then joined the Manali/Leh highway and made our way to Leh.
The scenary was out of this world, the roads ranged between brand new tarmac (Baralachla pass) to truly dreadful rubble and rock (Kunzun La pass - 50 km of unpaved hairpin bends up and down the pass). Whatever the state of the road the riding was spectacular.
We were lucky enough to see the Dalia Lama in Leh and we picked a fantastic day to take on the mighty Khardung La (highest motorable road in the world, 5600m), we were blessed with a clear sunny morning and the views from the pass were beautiful - we could see the full glory of the snow topped Kharakorum mountain range.
If anyone has any questions about our journey or would just like to share their own experience I'd love to hear from you.

Ride on.....

Gemma

Extra Fuel
 

:mchappy: You will need extra fuel between Manali and Leh as the last petrol is available at Keylong, you then have 365km before the next petrol station in Leh. I was riding an enfield which did about 300km to the full tank, we just filled up a couple of plastic jerry cans at Keylong and refilled our tanks at the end of the day.

thanks for the info - and good to hear that you had such a great trip!

Hello gemma
I will be flying out to Delhi next May and planning on buying or renting an Enfield.
I would be interested in where you rented your bikes from and if they gave good service.
Thanks

Bill

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!