The ladakh Series: The Trip Cost

The most important piece of information about the Ladakh trip that you alll would adore is the costing details. So here you go

• Airline Chareges: Pune -Delhi and Srinagar- Pune flight was Rs. 11,000/- per person
• Train: Delhi -Jammu Train Rs. 800/- per person
• Taxi from Jammu to Leh was 17,000/-. Please note that this was for an Innova and Sumo would start from 15,000/-. This is a 3 days trip from Jammu-Srinagar-Kargil- Leh.
• Accomodation: Stay at the Army guest house with all food charges incorporated cost us around Rs. 6000/-.
• Travel around: The Ladakhy taxi association has defined fares. We did trips from Leh- Pangonso - Kardungla- Around - Hemis. We got a further 15% discount on the taxi fare courtesy the Indian Defence. Thanks to Lt.C. Mahima.
• Leh- Srinagar: There will be a lot of taxi's who plan to travel to Srinagar for some personal work. Get hold of them and you will end up saving a good amount of money. I guess we paid Rs.10,000/- on our way back and we did it in a day.

To sum it up, the overall cost of the trip came to around Rs. 28,000/- per person. Prior to the trip we had spoken to a couple of package providers who quoted Rs.25,000/- each, sans the air flights. Considering that we were a team of only 4, we ended up saving a minimum of 7k each. I would recommend that you travel sans packages as Ladakh is now truly commercialised (Need to confirm this post the flood situation). Incase you need further details i would be glad to help: saishkuvelker@gmail.com

Happy travelling and Happy Saving.

" Whats money i say. Just another piece of paper to buy you luxury."

The Ladakh Series: The last Pitstop

As they say it never gets enough. We decided to shorten our Ladakh trip and spend a pleasure day in Srinagar. This would possible if we could travel from Leh to Srinagar in a day. Seems quite impossible knowing that we had travelled in the same route while coming to Leh. And how could one not take into consideration the nature who actually decided your schedule in such terrains. We were lucky. We started our day at 4 am in the morning and by 6 pm, we were in Srinagar, strolling down the Dal lake.

.

We spent the next day spoiling ourselves in one of the most elegant Guest houses on the Dal. A nice shikara ride, followed by sumptous lunch, followed by tea and moving on to some beer and dinner. A nice peaceful and refreshing day. The bill did move us the next day, but chaltha hain once in a time. Why am i earning the moolah, if i aint gonna spend it. Wattasay?

.

As i write this blog, a month later to my visit to Ladakh, two things have immensely pained me. Srinagar and Leh. Catastrophe has striked both these beautiful valleys. One by People and another by Nature. I consider myself lucky enough to make a trip right in time. All i can pray is more a little of Peace, Calm and Blessings. Inshallah and Amen.

The Ladakh Series: The Bikers and BRO

I must admit that though i had a great Ladakh tour, i still felt an incomplete feeling about the trip. A feeling that i have missed on something very important. Two things strike me. One being trekking, because i luv walking. And point two being, that the beauty of ladakhi terrain can be felt only thru Biking.This coming from me who has never been very passionate biking. However a day out with the cruisers completely changed my viewpoint. A days bike lease (available in plenty in leh) cost Rs.600/-.So folks who cant make it from delhi can easily make it from Leh. Next time if i go to Ladakh, its gonna be one bike folks. Nothing less.

.

Let me also take an opportunity to salute the BRO folks. They have not only build quality roads, but also made every turn on the road very interesting with intelligent and humourous quotes. My favourite of all being " Be delicate on my curves'. Move slow and smooth- is my addition to it.lol. You guys rock. Can we have a P(une)RO in Pune? With such an easy terrain this folks here cant get it right.Maybe they are never supossed to !!!
.
"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end. "