Planning for a Leh Road Trip-Some useful info is here

Excited about Road Trip to Leh – Some useful info is here

Leh is a beautiful travel destination located in the lap of Himalayas. Travelling to Leh, Highest  Motarable road khardungla, the heaven like Pangang lake, some highest passes in the world and the road less spiti is always a dream destination for travellers and adventourers.

This is one of the lonely planet in India yet have colorful mountains, great Buddhist monasteries with picturesque locations.

Travelling to Leh by road is always a amazing experience with a life-time memories. I always say destination is not important .... journey is important.

Leh is now more or less commercialised but still there are some challenges  when it comes to road trip to Leh.

The best thing for a road trip especially Himalayas is to know the terrain – So here is some common places along with a Altitudes

Manali to Leh
Location	Distance	Altitude Processed	Altitude raw
			Avocet	GPS	Indians
Manali	0	2050	2050		2050
Rohtang Pass	52	3987	3976	3997	3978
Tandi	110	2888	2888
Keylong	118	3096	3096
Darcha	146	3344	3344		3350
ZZ Bar	172	4071	4072	4070
Baralacha Pass	194	4870	4872	4868
Sarchu	225	4313	4300	4325
LP	250	4200	4200
Nakee Pass	268	4903	4888	4917
LP	273	4720	4720
Lachulung Pass	279	5095	5032	5158	5065
Pang	300	4500	4464	4535
Moore Plains Start	307	4752	4752
Moore Plains End Debring	347	4660	4660
Taglang Pass	366	5360	5296	5423	5360
Upshi	427	3432	3432
LP	472	3252	3252
Leh	478	3561	3560	3562
Khardung Pass	515	5327	5312	5342	5514
Khardung	547	4036	4036
Khalsar	571	3324	3324
Deskit	590	3245	3288
Leh-Tso Moriri-Manali
Location	Distance	Altitude Processed	Altitude raw
			Avocet	GPS	Indians
Manali	0	2050	2050		2050
Rohtang Pass	52	3987	3976	3997	3978
Tandi	110	2888	2888
Keylong	118	3096	3096
Darcha	146	3344	3344		3350
ZZ Bar	172	4071	4072	4070
Baralacha Pass	194	4870	4872	4868
Sarchu	225	4313	4300	4325
LP	250	4200	4200
Nakee Pass	268	4903	4888	4917
LP	273	4720	4720
Lachulung Pass	279	5095	5032	5158	5065
Pang	300	4500	4464	4535
Moore Plains Start	307	4752	4752
Moore Plains End Debring	347	4660	4660
Taglang Pass	366	5360	5296	5423	5360
Upshi	427	3432	3432
LP	472	3252	3252
Leh	478	3561	3560	3562
Khardung Pass	515	5327	5312	5342	5514
Khardung	547	4036	4036
Khalsar	571	3324	3324
Deskit	590	3245	3288

Unlike other destinations Leh needs some pre travel preparations. Some of the useful information is mentioned below

Health & Medicine

As you can see from the above chart that this dream destinations is located approx. 5000mt above sea level, Traveling to this altitude in a short duration of time can lead to health problems. Acute mountain sickness is commonly manifested issues reported by many travellers there. Though at many places Indian Army has the medical camp but it is always good to take precautions. The common issues in AMS are

1. Severe Breathlessness Headache
2. Vomiting
3. Ataxia
4. Staggering gait (like drunk) Sleepiness Unconsciousness
5. Abdomen Pain
6. Visual Disturbances 
7. Uneasiness
8. Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
9. Fatigue or weakness
10. Dizziness or light-headedness
11. Difficulty sleeping 

Altitude is defined as:High Altitude -1500-3500m (5000-11500 ft),  Very High Altitude - 3500-5500m (1150-18000 ft), Extreme Altitude - above 5500m.  Practically speaking, however, we generally don't worry much about elevations below about 2500 m (8000 ft) since altitude illness rarely occurs lower than this. 

The following precautions can be taken 

1. Acclimatise - The best way to avoid AMS is to acclimatise in the the lower altitude and then move to higher altitude by spending some time at each level. Some time drinking lot of water and rest helps a lot. Most of the Doctors suggest to take the Diamox® 250 mg once in 12 hrs. It is always advisable to take the expert (doctors) help in this situation. It takes time, so give yourself a day in Manali or even better, Marhi. The Shimla or Srinagar routes give u more time to do this 
2. Try not sleeping at/near the high passes - descend a little. Don't spend lots of time at KTop (or even North/South Pullu checkpoints), headache will start and you will feel tired. (descend  from Ktop to Hunder soon). Ditto for Tanglang La 
3. Keep hydrating yourself. The air at high altitudes is very dry. Robs the body off its moisture through breath and skin. Keep drinking water/soup/tea at short intervals. Don't wait for thirst to show itself. You could be de-hydrated before you feel thirsty. Tea/coffee are mild diuretics though i.e. make you urinate more often. Milk tea is better. 
4. K-Top and chang la pass are very unpredictable and freezing, it always snows there. 
5. Diamox helps acclimatize better, quicker. Its not a substitute for descent if AMS still strikes. 
6. If symptoms occur, lose altitude - most imp. Sleep etc will not solve it, neither will diamox - HACE/HAPE are scary stages if it progresses. Seek Medical help immediately.
7. Water doesn't really help AMS, but takes care of dehydration which will cause massive headaches anyway 
8. Try not to push too much and unnecessarily tire yourself. Slow down physically and avoid getting breathless from effort. 
9. Chewing gum helps when ascending or descending. 
10. Bunch of different ideas for avoiding AMS: Taking diamox in advance twice daily, water spiked with electral, garlic thukpa/soups, disprin, water mixed with glucose taken regularly. Just FYI, consult your doc friends before you try anything :)
11. Carry a handy oxygen cylinder.

Please avoid 

1. Exerting unnecessarily or suddenly. Avoid running till you are fully acclimatised.
2. Smoking too much. 
3. Drinking alcohol 
4. Wandering off in your vehicle alone. Always inform someone before you do. Better still, take another team with you. 
5. Standing close to the edge of a road while taking pictures. The tail of a rally car looks great sliding out but it can hurt if you get hit. Use that expensive zoom to good effect from a safe distance ! 
6. Thinking that you can beat the cold, high altitude and the Himalayas - remember they have been here a lot longer than you...respect your adversary.. it is Mother nature herself ! Plan everything in great detail and you will survive.
7. Finally, try not to crib when the going gets tough...     

Bike 

Many cases you might want to experience the adventure in a motorbike and preparation of motorbike is a arduous task. You will be travelling to some of the most treacherous indian roads and will cross some of the highest passes in the world, your bike should be well prepared for this humongous journey.  The following are some tips which can help

1. Know your motorcycle well - you will be travelling in the roads where there will be no mechanics, no puncture fellow, no mobile network, no food for you and no food for your bike. You should know little more than basic of your motorcycle like changing clutch wire, throttle cable, changing air filter, straitening foot rest, removing wheels and tyre and changing tubes.
2. In most of the cases your bike will take a good care of you if you had taken good care of your bike.
3. Keep some essential spares like clutch wire, throttle cable, air filter, clutch leaver(in case your bike falls and you broke the clutch leaver this is handy, remember if fork is bend you can ride but if clutch leave breaks then it will be no fun), head light and tail light bulb, alternator or rectifier, clutch plates, rear and front break shoe (some time when you ascent in the snow covered hills and you suddenly cross cold river your break show might leave the asbestus cover inside your wheels), engine and clutch oil, wiring tape etc.
4. Keep the essential tools to DIY the above. Remember without tool all the spares will of no use. Don't forget puncture kit - though I suggest to keep the spare tube. Use your bike manual to learn few things and it is advisable to do it once before the trip as practice.
5. Some of the things in bike can be really messy. if you get some electrical issues in the bike it's a nightmare. It is advisable if the wiring are old (may be two years) then get it replaced with original wiring harness. if some faults in wiring it is really difficult to troubleshoot. In case of issues first check the fuse and of course carry some extra fuse. Avoid putting some electrical accessories like additional lights and horns.
6. Put some reflectors in the front and back of the bike. 
7. If you are driving long in a rainy seasons or in very dry seasons then keep the chain spray and keep and additional chain lock with you.
8. Some of the modification in the bike should be considered - the comfortable handlebar and comfortable seats. You can also think about putting gel sheets in the seat.
9. If possible get the following done before start the ride
• Change the front and back chain sprocket and chain
• Check all the necessary cables
• Check Break shoes
• Keep track on Worn tyres
• Check Wiring harness
• Change Air and oil filters
• Cone sets (check the play in the front fork and handle)
• Change Battery if more than 6 months old
• Check both front and back suspension
• check the rubber parts like carburettor rubber 
• Check the wheel bearing and RIM. some time rims gets rusted from inside and it makes the wheel weak.
10. Avoid the following 
• Extra lights and horn
• Any welding in the chassi or any other places
• Alloy wheels - if OEM then ok else problem, it can breaks any time 
11. Make the arrangement for your luggage. Try to travel light. Make sure you have tighten your luggage so that you don't face any issues while riding. You should be comfortable while riding and luggage should not be an hinderance. Take time to do this before the riding.
12. Carry extra petrol (fuel). 
13. Keep a WD40 with you.
14. Riding Gears : This is the most important. DO NOT COMPROMISE THE QUALITY ON RIDING GEARS.
• A pair of good quality riding gloves is must. A waterproof one will help.
• A riding jacket with all the armour fitted is must 
• Kee guards are must 
• Riding shoe is must
• Good quality, light weight helmet is must 
• Give yourself enough time to get acclimatise riding with gear.

Photography

Leh and surrounding is picturesque. You might want to take as many pics as you can. Remember once you finish your trip this will be the only memory your will cherish for lifetime. Stop, spend time and create photographs. Some of the check list you may want to keep for photography as well

1. Take the good digital camera.
2. Take a good wide angle lens. you will get many landscapes.
3. Take the enough high speed (class 10 or at lease 90mb/s) memory cards.
4. Take a OTG cable for your phone you may want to download and make your phone free.
5. Take a laptop and charger
6. Take high speed camera charger
7. A battery backup is must 
8. Camera pouch and waterproof pouch - you will be taking photos in snow, rains and sun.
9. Keep and extra pen drive 
10. Take a camera cleaning kit 
11. If you love video shooting than some travel camera like go pro will be a great advantage. 

Food 

Leh is not a place for good food. In the journey you might have to survive in maggie or some snacks. It is always advisable to keep some high energy food with you all the time. Remember this is an avalanche zone you might get stuck at the no mans land for few hours till some BRO officials comes and clear the roads for you.

Keep yourselves loaded with chocolates, Dry fruits, chewing gums, farsan (namkeen) and biscuits. Needless to say carry water always. If you are diabetic then avoid eating chocolates.

Try not to eat stomach full. Eat little less than your capacity. 

Clothes

This is very important when you travel to leh. You may be staying in the second coolest inhabitant of the world (Daras) where the temperature goes -35 degree in absolute winters.

It is impossible to predict weather in Leh. The places like mighty changla, mighty K-top are really mighty means at time when it is sunny it becomes warm and in a while when sun sets it becomes unbearable cold. Even rains and snow falls are unpredictable. It is advisable to wear clothes in layers. Take jeans instead of pants, take full sleeves Shirts/t-shirts, Inner warmer is must, take sweaters and jackets. A rain coat and concha is must for riding.

Take the appropriate shoes (one should be rainwear)  and keep a pair of socks extra. if you get wet then these becomes very handy.

Others

Other then above keep a note on the following 

1. Ride safe - you will be riding in stone, slush, mud, narrow roads, Rocky roads, blind corners, rockslides and in difficult weather conditions. Remember wheel spin is good and enjoyable till you don't fall.
2. Start riding early morning as soon as you see day light. 
3. Keep a LED Torch with you always
4. Keep a swiss knife with you always
5. If you are planning to go/come via Manali-Leh route, keep a watch on the road status. It generally opens mid May.
6. Keep a high quality sunglass with you. In snow covered area, sun shines may hurt your eyes.
7. Keep cold cream handy. You will need It all the times.
8. Check the best time to visit by road - it is generally End May to Sep. However you can still go to leh in jan-dec by flight.
9. Keep the following original documents
• Original and copy of the RC Book
• Original and copy of the License 
• Original and copy of the Insurance
• Original and copy of the PUC 
• Original and copy of the Passport/ PAN card for identity proof
• Make a small first Aid box and always keep it with your self
• Some of the important items like shampoo, soap, oil, mosquito replant, petroleum gel, shaving kit, Toothpaste and toothbrush, towel, slipper, bed sheet etc should be taken
• The enemy of human being "mobile and charger" should be taken.
10. If you are riding from Mumbai, you will be actually riding in top most heated state - Rajasthan, Remember to take lot of salt water or electoral. Only energy drink will not help. You will dehydrate without even sweating because of the dry hot air. You will get cramps in no time. 
11. Give some time to visit the villages and try to meet local people. There is lot to learn from the new culture.

At the D day - Take blessing from your elders, thank God and start your memorable journey. Remember this is not the last journey this is just a start.

Wish you a very Happy & Safe Riding.