I am sharing some pictures here that were sent to be by Prakash Olakiya of his recent trip to Ladakh. Prakash Bhai traveled in his Maruti Swift on Srinagar Leh Highway in April first week and returned the same way. I will copy-paste the details that he sent me from his trip.
Ahmedabad to Ladakh Road Trip
We traveled in our swift car from Ahmedabad (Gujarat). We were a total of 3 people and along with a driver for the trip. The journey started from Ahemdabad early in the morning at 6:00 AM.
For the first day of the trip, we stayed at Amritsar for the night. We reached Amritsar by an evening at 8 PM after a total of around 14 hours of the journey, found a good hotel, and checked in.
Our journey for the second day began from Amritsar at 10:30 am. We reached Srinagar at 7:00 pm. For anyone traveling this way, I would advise driving between Udhampur and Srinagar during the day only because of the recent stone-pelting issues.
In Srinagar, we stayed in a houseboat. The experience was absolutely amazing and highly recommended for everyone visiting Srinagar. As a tourist, we did not face any problem at all in Srinagar.
Srinagar Leh Highway in April
We left Srinagar the next day at 9:00 AM. There is a check post just outside the Srinagar City where Army will check your vehicle and ask a few questions like where are you coming from and where do you want to go.
Srinagar to Sonamarg highway is too good and not really much of a typical hilly area, to be honest.
At Sonamarg there is a forest police check post. They will ask you for valid identity proof and papers of your vehicle. They may also try to make some story around, just so they could fool some money out of you. As long as you have all the paperwork and were driving in the right manner, do not give any money.
At Baltal also there is one check post. You may or may not have to stop there. After Baltal the road gets bad and a bit dangerous so please drive carefully. This is where you start climbing up to Zojila Pass.
There are numerous small eateries on the way to Zojila top that you may want to stop at and eat something. If traveling in April, you will find plenty of snow at Zojila pass.
After you climb down from Zojila, there is another check post(Army) where you will have to get your car registered as well as yourself. After the check post, the road is super smooth all the way to Leh city. You can easily drive at a speed of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour. But please be very careful and do not over-speed.
If possible and needed, you may also want to carry an oxygen kit. We faced a low oxygen issue and felt a bit of AMS after Kargil and as we approached Leh.
Leh City
On the 3rd day, we reached Leh at around 7:00 pm. Please book in advance your hotel in Leh if traveling in April. Or else you may have a bit of a problem finding accommodation at this time.
If you want to go to Pangong Lake and Khardung La pass, then you must obtain an Inner Line permit from DM office, Leh.
Also read: How to Plan a Trip to Ladakh in April?
Srinagar Leh Highway in April – Conclusion
I hope the information above on Srinagar Leh Highway in April was of help. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask in the comments section below or at our Community Forum, and I will be happy to answer.
20 comments
Hi Vargis,
I’m planning to do Srinagar-Leh by bike starting next weekend. Ie. May 4th or 5th assuming the highway opens.
In the absence of friends due to last minute notice I might go solo.
Do you suggest I take some tour package or join a group that’s riding?
It is entirely your choice Naveen. I personally would recommend solo ride rather than a package.
Hi Vargis, what a helpful blog. me and my friend have a plan to travel overland from srinagar to leh as well. I heard that the road between srinagar – leh is closed in winter and will open at the beginning of May, but I’m happy reading your blog which give us a hope to do overland trip from srinagar-leh. thank you very much. by the way, is there any available public bus in first week of april from srinagar to leh? how much if we rent a small car plus driver to bring us from srinagar to leh? thank you very much
Hi Arfah – Thank you for your kind words. It all depends on the weather really and on how fast Army is able to clear the snow next year. If the road is open then yes, you will be able to find a shared cab on the route. Bus won’t be available that early in the season.
Hello Vargis Bhai,
Thank you for posting wonderful and detailed blogs which helps to plan in better manner.
I and my one friend have planned for ladakh on 30th May via srinagar route from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. We want to include Amritsar in our list of places. Can you suggest us how to fit it in our itinerary ? Our first stop will be at Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Thanks in Advance.
Regards,
Rutul
Hello Rutul Bhai, Are you by bike or traveling by a Car? I am asking because if by a Car, then you can do Ajmer to Amritsar in about 13-14 hours.
Hello Vargis Bhai,
We are going by bike.
Thanks
Bhai in that case break it in two days. Do Ajmer to Hisar and then Hisar to Amritsar.
Sir, we are planning srinagar to leh bike trip from 19th may to 26th may. It is necessasry to prebook our bikes because Kashmir travel bike booking said they habe only 2 bikes left. Also do we need a maintenance vwhicve with us and do we need to prebook hotel? This is our first time visiting leh so please give us guidance.
P.S. I want to Thank you for the detail and updated blog, this helped us very much. My main concern is only about the need of maintenance vehicle and hotel prebooking.
Hi Nikhil – Did you speak with Faisal about booking the bikes? If not then give him a call at 9596 410670. He rents out motorycles in Srinagar.
No need to prebook your stay anywhere and a backup vehicle is not really recommended unless you are in a large group.
And thank you for your kind words. I am glad the information was of help.
Yes i used that number Kashmir travel. Now they are saying all the bikes are booked.
What dates do you need to book bikes for?
19th to 26th of May. We are a group of 4 people so thinking about 3 bikes because I think because of all the luggage pillion rider might not be comfortable. I may be wrong Please correct me if i am.
You are right. 3 will be better. I will check with Faisal and let you know.
And also we completed from Leh(5:24am early morning) to bhatinda(1:00am night hold) 19:30 hour with 1 hour dinner break.
Prakash Bhai, could you please share the details of the house boat you stayed at Srinagar and where you parked the car in the night.
Hello Amit,
There are four parts of the Dal lake.
We stayed in Char chinar Dal lake part at Fairy land, house boat (Full rate: 2000rs/night). Boat owner provides you a parking space for car.
But my suggestion is you should stay in Golden lake part (Dal lake). It is best for an amazing view and staying. Houseboat rate is around 6000rs/night for max 10 persons.
Thanks for the information.
Sir we completed our way fromLeh (5:24am) to Srinagar (2:30pm) 10 hours only it also record sir no one can believe on us.
Ahmedabad Gujrat to Amritsar in 14 hours. Sounds too unrealistic. I doubt if its doable?