Western Bhutan is truly the most popular region of the country and once you get there, you’ll surely understand why! This region comprises of all the predominantly famous areas namely Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha and Gasa. Also, to add to the charm of the region, Western Bhutan is home to the Drukpa people. Of course, the only airport of the country is here at Paro. So, whether you arrive by air, by road –you’ll be shell shocked to witness the dramatic and stunning valleys. The otherworldly charm is aplenty in this beautiful region of Bhutan.

If you think the place might be all pomp and show – you’ll be happily mistaken. Western Bhutan hosts some of the most popular festivals and also is home to stunning dzongs in the kingdom. If there is only one region you visit during your travels through Bhutan – make sure you zero-in on West!

About Western Bhutan

This region of Bhutan is full of mountains and valleys, providing for a complete picture perfect Himalayan vacation destination. From rice paddies flowing through slopes of mountains to pristine rivers across towns of Paro, Thimpu and Punakha – everything is charm-magnified. In fact, the west is so ingrained into your plans because this is where all your document requirements get fulfilled. Be prepared to call Western Bhutan home for a few days when you’re exploring this stunning nation.

Best time to visit

If you’re looking for an ideal weather to explore this beautiful section of Bhutan, then September to November make for the ideal months. Yes, the costs will be high and the quantum of tourists will also be disproportionally high, but what you’ll get in exchange is great weather, clear mountain views from Dochu La, and theatrical festivals at Thimphu and Wangdue Phodrang. Further, black-necked cranes arrive in the Phobjikha valley in late October and early November and stay until February.

Another popular period for visiting this region is March through April. This is thanks to the Tsechu Festival at Paro as well as the beautiful rhododendrons in full bloom.

Major Attractions in Western Bhutan

Of course, being the most popular portion of the country, Western Bhutan is home to the most visited locations. Some stunning towns to visit in Western Bhutan include Chukha, Gedu, Kuruthang, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, Thimphu. Western Bhutan is home to Haa Valley, Jigme Dorji National Park and Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve. Also the revered Tigers’ Nest Monastery is in this region. What’s unique about Western Bhutan is that most of the towns are built besides rivers, placed in wide valleys, as opposed to other parts of the country.

Furthermore, Dzonghka is the predominant language of the area, though English is common in Thimphu and Phuentsholing.

Punakha Dzong

Definitely one of the most beautiful dzong in the country, Punakha is stunning. If you’re planning on visiting in the spring season, you’ll be warmly greeted by the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees, transporting you to another world altogether. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital up to the mid-1950s. In fact, this is the location for crowning of all of Bhutan. To add to the charm and prominence of the place, you should know that the dzong is still the winter residence of the dratshang (official monk body).

As per the local folklore, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche foretold the construction of Punakha Dzong. He predicted that Namgyal would come to the mountain resembling an elephant. And that is what happened! Upon visiting Punakha, Zhabdrung chose tip of the trunk of a sleeping elephant. This place was right at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu.

In order to reach the dzong, you will be walking across the Bazam bridge. This bridge was reconstructed in 2008 as the original 17th-century bridge was washed away in floods in 1958.

The dzong is quite unusual as it has three docheys (courtyards) instead of the usual two. The first courtyard is for administrative functions and houses a huge white Victory Chorten and bodhi tree. The second courtyard houses the monastic quarters and is separated from the first by the utse. In the southernmost courtyard is the temple where the remains of the terton, Pema Lingpa, and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal are preserved. You can easily spend a beautiful lazy day exploring the many nooks and corners of the beautiful and stunning piece of ancient history. There is something so serene about visiting places of worship that have stood the test of time and carry with it almost an entire millennia of history.

Taktshang Goemba

After discussing the prominence of Punakha Dzong, of course, the most important and prominent location of Western Bhutan has to be the ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Beautiful, stunning and synonymous with Bhutan itself, the Taktshang Goemba is perched on a steep cliff. Situated 900m above the floor of the Paro valley, visiting this beautiful monastery is a bucket list item of its own. Of course, we have a whole detailed description of the place for ensuring a smooth experience!

After spending some time at the Tiger’s Nest Monastery itself, do remember to head on up to the Drubkhang (Pelphu Lhakhang) – the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three months. Outside the cave is a statue of Dorje Drolo, the manifestation the Guru assumed to fly to Taktshang on a tigress. The inner cave is sealed off behind a spectacularly gilded door and is said to hold the phurba (ritual dagger) of the Guru

Further up is a butter-lamp chapel. You can light a lamp here for a donation. Also, do climb further down into the original Tiger’s Nest cave just above the chapel, but take care as it’s a dusty path down a hairy series of wooden ladders to descend into a giant slice of the cliff face.

If you’ve not had your fill of the place, you could even visit the Machig-phu Lhakhang, where Bhutanese pilgrims come to pray for having children. There’s another cave behind the chapel- where the main statues are of Machig and her husband Padampa Sangye.

Paro Dzong

Another prominent aspect of Bhutanese architecture has to be the Rinchen Pung Dzong, popularly known as the Paro Dzong. With its stunning reinforced walls towering over Paro and visible throughout the valley – this truly makes for a stunning sight. The name literally translates to ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. The dzong was constructed in 1644 and the fort has been used on multiple occasions to protect the valley from invasions by Tibet. Built on a steep hillside, the stunning carved wood, painted in gold, black and ochres along with the towering walls provide a sense of power.

Formerly the dzong acted as the meeting hall for the National Assembly. However, now, it houses both the monastic body and district government offices, which also includes the local courts. Even though most of the chapels are closed to tourists, the Paro Dzong is still worth visiting to enjoy the stunning architecture. You should note the courtyard of the dzong is open daily, although on the weekends the offices are deserted. Here, you should note that Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian citizens are charged an entry fee but foreign tourists are not, since they pay a daily minimum tariff that includes most entry fees.

Outside the dzong, to the northeast of the entrance, is a festival ground. This is the location for the tsechu of Paro!

National Museum

If Paro Dzong is a national monument, wait tell you climb slightly higher up and reach the national museum. The ta dzong (watchtower), built in 1649 to protect the undefended Paro dzong has been renovated into the National Museum in 1968. The unusual round building is assumed to be a conch shell and has 2.5m-thick walls.

The entrance of the museum sets the tone of Bhutan’s history and its firm belief in contradicting disciplines of mythology and science. It is a unique assimilation wherein details of the Stone Age tools sits next to descriptions of battles between gods and demons. In the museum, do pay special attention to the thangka gallery, which has stunning displays on the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Sakya, Nyingma, Gelug and Drukpa). Also, the Namse Phodrang is a stunning portion of the National Museum as it houses the collection of bronze statues, particularly of God of Wealth, Kubera.

The National Museum will also teach you a thing or two about Bhutanese ties with Tibet along with the providing you with a glimpse of the royalty of Bhutan. An interesting treasure on display is the stone egg laid by a mule and a ritual dagger belonging to the protector Dorje Lekpa. An underground tunnel is said to lead from the watchtower to the water supply below. The annex adjacent to the museum houses more exhibits, including festivals and other temporary exhibits.

If you’re planning on driving to the museum, do note that this will involve a 4 KM loop into the Dop Shari valley. I highly recommend that you walk down a path from the museum to the dzong and back to the town – the views are stunning of the valley as well as the Ugyen Pelri Palace. Alternatively, you can start the excellent hike to Zuri Dzong from just above the museum.

Prominent Valleys of Western Bhutan

Now, apart from the major monuments of Western Bhutan, two valleys must be visited when you’re planning your visit to the land of dragons.

Phobjikha Valley

Now, let’s talk about the stunning natural wonder awaiting for you at the Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley and lies on the western slopes of the Black Mountains. This valley borders the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and gains its fame due to the large flock of black-necked cranes that winters here. As one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country, the valley is home to not only the cranes, but also, muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes.

The valley gets completely shut and is snowbound during the peak winter months. Because of this, the residents of the valley (4700 in total) including the monks, move their residence to Wangdue Phodrang. This beautiful cohabitation and sharing of lands between humans and wild animals (cranes move in in December and January) is nothing short of poetry in my opinion.

Hiking & Biking the Phobjikha Valley

Just because the population is less, don’t think you’d be hard-pressed for activities here in Phobjikha Valley. This glacial valley is peppered with villages, hiking trails and lhakhangs. Whether you’re on foot, or possess a mountain bike – you are bound to have a ton of fun exploring. Even though modernization and construction of farm roads has limited the amount of hiking trails – but, that just provides an avenue to bike through the hills.

Short Hikes

Easily the most popular short walk is the Gangte Nature Trail (1½ hours). This walk will lead you downhill from the mani (prayer) stone wall north of Gangte Goemba to the Khewang Lhakhang. The trail descends to Semchubara village and drops down right at the chorten into the edge of the forest, before descending to a valley viewpoint, a crane-watching hideaway and ultimately the lhakhang.

A slightly longer and more hectic trail is the Shashi La Nature Trail, which will lead you up the valley from the track behind the Amankora Gangtey resort. Taking a total of 3-4 hours, this is the traditional route taken by farmers as well as the reincarnated Lama – Gangte trulku for when they left the valley in the winter months. The trail will lead you through cascading views, through a steep descent through old-growth forest to Kalekha on the main Wangdue Phodrang road.

Mountain Biking

If you’re in the mood for some excellent mountain-biking experience, then do try the route from Gangte Goemba. If you’re on this route, you’ll be heading through the Gangte Nature Trail and into the valley behind Khewang Lhakhang. Here, you can even make an excursion in to the village of Gophu before descending to the main valley at Khewang Lhakhang.

Last mountain biking route I’d truly recommend is the Kilkhorthang Trail. This idyllic trail leads you through a nunnery at Kilkhorthang Lhakhang straight through towards the Damcho Lhakhang, south of Tabiting. On this trail, you’ll get to experience the thrill of crossing bridges over beautiful rivers.

Other activities to do in Phobjikha Valley – experience the cranes!

Phobjikha Valley’s beautiful center makes for the winter home for the endangered black-necked cranes. It has been documented that around 400-450 birds fly in to make home here from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in late autumn. Locally, the birds are known as thrung kam. So much so that songs about the cranes are popular among locals and in folklore. If you’re in the region in the months of February and March, you might come across the stunning sight of the cranes circling the Gangte Goemba before flying back across the Himalayas to their summer breeding grounds in Tibet.

Haa Dzongkhag

Ah, Haa Valley! Lying south of Paro, this is a beautifully tucked in region behind the high ridge of the Cheli La. Haa valley is especially remote and even though it has high access to Tibet – Haa has never been an epicenter of trade. Ancestral home of the Dorji family, Haa doesn’t see many visitors – but this should change. Especially picturesque, the valley is perfect for any outdoor activities that you may imagine.

Himalayan blue poppy in Haa Valley

With just two roads in and out of this least-visited valley, Haa is the home to Bhutan’s national flower – Blue Poppy. While the flower is in full bloom, the place is flooded with enthusiasts and botanists from around the world. In fact, apart from the extremely rare blue poppy, Haa is the exclusive home to yellow, white and red poppies as well. The only time you can catch these celebrated plants in full glory is from mid-June to late July, when monsoon is in full swing.

Food Options in Western Bhutan

With western Bhutan as a major hub of tourism, you will be treated to some delectable food! So, do visit some of local places to truly explore the food culture. Particularly, Bukhari Restaurant, situated in Paro serves some of the best food in the valley. The place has a set menu which changes often to keep things fresh. Also, Sonam Trophel Restaurant is quite popular thanks to its home-styles Bhutanese cooking which has been adapted to the “western” tastes. The set lunch consists of a 7 course meal and should not be missed.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a mellow place to just chill and contemplate life – then visit Brioche Café. The bakery items are to die for. MUST ORDER – Apple Pie! Thank me later.

Stay options

If you’re a form India, Bangladesh, Maldives – you have the luxury to customize your tour as you please. Do spend a night at least at the Gangtey Palace which has a panache of historical charm. Also, the restaurant has some of the best views!

Conclusion

Western Bhutan is a stunning and highly known part of the Kingdom. Even though it can still pack a punch and a ton of surprises, this region is definitely going to blow your mind. Haa provides the calmness and the centricity that any off-beat vacation will definitely require. Head on out and make memories for a lifetime when you’re here!

The post Western Bhutan – Most COMPLETE Travel GUIDE appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Water crossings are one of the most exciting parts of the motorcycle off-roading experience! Of course, it can be a scary experience, especially if you’re not from the hills and not used to the enthusiasm of water flowing across a sharp road at dizzying heights!

Even when you’re crossing rivers to get to the other side (the thrill is kind!), it might be a frightening thought, especially for first-timers! Yes, your senses become very alert when you’re nearing a water crossing – and rightfully so!

Tips for tackling water crossing on Himalayan trips

Often you’ll see that there can be long lines waiting to cross the difficult water flowing across the road and a line even after crossing the section. Even the Experienced riders are a little cautious.

These delays make sense as riders are always in two minds before the water crossing and after crossing – and your vehicle will require a lot of checks to ensure nothing untoward has happened, which might be a pain afterword.

For instance, a rider might need to assess the situation for any water in the engine – and mixing with oil can quickly cause damage and reduce the life of your engine as well. Of course, getting drenched in cold water is never fun either.

So let us begin on what all you’ll need to be aware of to calm your nerves!

Approaching the Water Crossing

When you’re approaching the water-crossing, there’s a bunch of things to keep in mind and follow up on!

Plan your travels well. With most typical water-crossing paths, a classic example being Gramphoo-Batal, you should aim to make the crossing as early in the AM as possible. With the sun rising, the snow melts faster, especially around noon. This snowmelt leads to a heavier flow of water, which increases the difficulty and intensifies the need for technique.

As an added security, you should avoid such trips during July-August, when the monsoon is at its peak. Also, if you reach the water-crossing and it is raining, or the water flow is fast – avoid crossing then! Wait for the rain to stop or the water-level to come down. It might consume some of your preciously planned hours. But, that is, of course, better than risking your life and bike!

When you’re at the water-crossing, assess the situation, and make sure whether it is safe enough to cross. To do this, you can walk through the crossing to ascertain the situation. If you find the flow of the water to be too aggressive, such as the depth is too much or even the bottom of the crossing is mostly mud, sand, clay, submerged rocks, slime, logs, and deep holes – then it becomes very tricky!

As a caution – do note that water always looks shallower than it is. So, you may use a stick to give you a proper gauge of depth. In case you find the water too murky (probably due to other bikes/cars crossing), then wait for it to clear to determine the situation.

However, if you find that the river is over knee deep and is flowing very fast, then it is better not to risk it and wait for it to calm down!

Don’t be over-confident. It is great if you have some experience (or are a pro even!) at water-crossing in the hills. The water is all-mighty and powerful; it has the power to break roads, wash away portions of the hills! Don’t risk it by being smug!

The beginning – how to start the water crossing

Now that you’ve determined the water is safe enough to cross, here’s what you’ll need to do –

Always wait for a few minutes before passing through any water crossing as a hot engine colliding with water can damage the engine. It might not be evident immediately, but you can get stranded in the middle of nowhere if the engine gets damaged!

If you have company, such as a pillion (or a co-passenger in the car), then they should guide you through the water but checking the chosen line of the path for trickier portions.

Always wait aside when in doubt and see how others are crossing the water crossings. Always ensure you know a path and can visualize the route in your mind, which you need to trace while crossing it. Also, if you can see a defined path, set in place by other travelers – stick to that!

Riding on car tracks might be the best way, even if it happens to be the deepest part of the crossing. This point is especially true when you are crossing a riverbed with rocks! The car track would have jammed the rocks to each other, and the probability of loose pebbles is the least at car tracks.

Ask for help! Mountaineers and bikers are a helpful bunch. Don’t be hesitant in approaching the other bikers. Even the local villagers will take out a few minutes of their day to ensure your safety.

If you get stuck somewhere, others can guide you through their vantage point. Also, don’t try water-crossing by yourself as loaded bikes are much heavier and tend to slip very easily. This slip can submerge your bike underwater or cause some injury.

The act – actually crossing the water on your motorcycle

When you’re actually in the process of crossing the river, you need to be alert and aware. Reflex actions are important in case of any change in the calculated scenarios! It isn’t tough, but you need to be vigilant.

Maintain the speed of your motorcycle with which you start your journey. Stopping your vehicle might lead to it not restarting again, especially in a lot of water. My suggestion is that you start in the first gear and move slowly towards the crossing.

The speed should not be too fast, as it would lead to many competitive scenarios, such as you might splash water into your engine or exhaust vent, which will lead to your bike stopping. However, speed should not be too slow. Snail like speed might allow control – but there’s the risk of the bike stopping mid-stream.

Common practice theory is that you should stand up while crossing the water. Some rides believe that it provides better control on the bike and a better vision of the obstacles ahead. However, you may choose to sit steadily to provide balance, but keep your feet in the water – which will provide better control for the bike.

Another thing to keep in mind is the RPM. During water-crossing, most of the time, we end up losing traction on our rear wheel. A higher RPM helps in putting extra weight on the rear of the bike, thereby providing a better grip.

Choose a straight path: when you’re searching for a path, ensure that your route is as straight as possible. Maneuvering a bike through multiple bends, with the added challenge of water flow is an easy recipe of disaster!

Look through the rocks and debris and find a smooth, shallow path through the water to cross. Also, keep in mind that water moves slower in the deeper sections. Areas with broken water will be shallow, but also rockier. Crossing just upstream from the broken water should give you a clean line. You can also try staying within the tire tracks of heavy vehicles to get a smoother path.

If a river is particularly fast-flowing, the best approach is to start your journey on the motorcycle upstream and cross at an angle moving downstream. This trick will allow you to ride with the current instead of against it.

If the crossing seems difficult, the best way to cross it is, walk the bike. Now, when I say walk the bike, I don’t mean pushing it from one side getting off it. Just stand and use your throttle to steer the bike. This point is where shoes with a better grip make more sense than waterproof shoes.

Trying to push your bike from one side the way we do in normal roads won’t be a great idea here. As in most of the cases, when you throttle, the rear would tend to move away from you because you are trying to pull the front-end towards you, and practically you don’t have any control over the rear wheel. This fact is even more accentuated in the water-crossing.

If at any moment you feel that you are losing your balance and there’s not much else you can do – then the best thing to do is to let your bike go! Yes, you might get water into the sensitive parts of your bike and a lot of work to do afterward.

But, above all else, you don’t want to dislocate your wrist. The Royal Enfield is usually the Motorcycle of Choice when covering the Himalayas and the heavy bullets make it very likely that you would end up hurting your wrist.

Listen to your bike. Sometimes we stubbornly tend to control our bikes. But, bikes always obey physics and not us.

The End – what to do once you cross the water

Once you have crossed over, you’ll want to have a thorough check of the bike, especially the underbelly, to ensure everything is in order. Once you inspect it properly, reload your stuff on to your motorcycle before embarking on the trip ahead. Also, don’t forget to take a breather once you’re on the other side of an especially difficult water-crossing.

What to carry on the motorcycle trip to Ladakh or Spiti

When you’re crossing difficult water-crossings, ensure you take off all the stuff on your motorcycle (or at least as much as possible) and get a co-fellow/ pillion rider/ others around you willing to help to get it safely to the other side.

If no one is around for help and you’re out on a solo excursion, then the safest option is to carry your stuff by foot to the other side! You don’t want your stuff to fall off. Consider if you have electronic gear on you – any water into your systems and there shot!

Do carry a First Aid Kit at all times when in the hills. Especially with water-crossings, you might get some bruises along the way! Quickly put on some ointments/ Band-Aids as the need, maybe!

Shoes are the most important thing when traveling on a motorcycle. Yes, waterproof shoes are great, but I truly believe grip comes over all else. No matter how waterproof a shoe might be, when you’re traversing through knee-deep water, water tends to seep in through lace vents, etc.

And, once your inner socks are wet, everything else becomes meaningless. I’ve tried everything from putting plastic bags till knee to an array of shoes, but they all had their advantages and disadvantages.

The best thing in my experience is always to have 4-5 pairs of socks. Once you make the cross, change to a dry sock. Your shoes can be dried with a cloth if it’s waterproof. Before anything else, make sure you wipe your feet dry.

Always keep Tool kit ready and Dry up the spark plug or Engine vent as soon as you cross the water crossing and don’t hurry forward. It is imperative to wait for a while and dry out the important components if needed. Meanwhile, you can always click some pictures of the crossing!

Conclusion

Preparation is better than cure, especially when you’re on a motorcycle, in the hills! You don’t want to go forward callously, and you should always be vigilant. Water-crossings are not tough if you’re aware and apply the technique.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

If anything is not working, it is better to let it go rather than force a solution. Lastly, please be safe and exercise a lot of caution when partaking in such activities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! But, most importantly, live in the moment and enjoy the experiences.

Are you an experienced mountaineer biker traveler? Do you have any tips I have missed out on that might help fellow bikers out? If so, please do let me know below!

The post Tips for water-crossing on your motorcycle appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

The new season for Leh – Ladakh travel is about to begin in 2020 and as expected by this time of the year, Ladakh taxi union has published the Leh – Ladakh Taxi Rates 2020 – 21. In this article today, I am going to share with you the latest taxi rates of the year 2020 – 21 for all the routes in Leh – Ladakh.

Tourism in Leh Ladakh is on the rise year after year. Thousands of tourists who visit Ladakh every year opt for local taxis in Leh instead of driving their own cars. A lot of them travel to Ladakh by road from Manali and Srinagar.

However, the cost of taxis in Ladakh has always been a topic of debate among the tourists, travelers and the locals of Leh Ladakh. Let us look at how deep a hole these Leh taxis rates will put in your pocket when you plan a road trip to Ladakh in 2020 – 21.

Leh Taxi Rates 2020 – No Hike in Rates

In accordance with the last 2-3 years of marginal increment in Ladakh taxi union rates, there has been a steady 8 – 10% increase in the Leh taxi rates for the year 2019. Till 2019, Inner routes in Ladakh have seen a steady hike including traveling to Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. On a similar ground, the long routes of Leh Manali Highway and Srinagar Leh Highway have seen an increment of almost 10-12%.

However, this year in 2020 the Ladakh taxi union did not make any increment in the rates of taxis. They will continue to follow the same rates as of 2019.

This means that the trip to Leh Ladakh will not cost you more when you travel by taxis as compared to last year. However, given the terrain, I expect it to increase by 8-10% every year, and the Ladakh Union has done a great job in maintaining it in the last few years. I believe it is a very welcome move from Leh – Ladakh taxi union, and it will be interesting to see how the tourists approach the road trip to Ladakh in 2020.

People going first time to Leh – Ladakh must say or feel that rates of the Ladakh taxis are very high. With no increment in prices in 2020, some of them will still feel the same. However, there are always good reasons to choose a local taxi in Leh – Ladakh over an outside state taxi or drive, which anyways are not allowed for sightseeing within Ladakh.

Leh – Ladakh Taxi Rates 2020 – 2021 Season

The taxi rates in Leh – Ladakh are designated or divided as per the basis of the model and make of the taxis. In Leh – Ladakh, you can get XUV, Scorpio, Xylo, Aria, and Innovas. I am sharing the update on taxi rates with published rate chart in the article below:

• XUV, Innova, and Aria (highest price tag) – No major change in rates
• Xylo, Scorpio, Tavera, Sumo Grande, Qualis, Safari, etc.. (middle price tag) – No major change in rates
• Eeco, Omni Van, Winger, Old Sumo, Bolero, etc.. (lowest price tag) – No major change in rates
• Tempo Traveller / Wingers – No major change in rates

Please note that at times while going from Srinagar to Leh, you might need to work out few things if there have been some tensions in taxi unions of Kargil and Leh. To settle it out, what they do is that they make a transit point just before Fotu La while going to Leh from Kargil. All Leh taxis stop there and Kargil taxis too. They exchange passengers and move back in respective directions. Leh taxis take passengers to Leh coming from Srinagar/Kargil, and Kargil guys take passengers to Srinagar/Kargil coming from Leh. But, that happens only when there is an issue.

Taxi Rates for Popular Routes in Ladakh

The Leh – Ladakh taxi rates list below covers Ladakh sightseeing including trips to Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri. It also covers the taxi rates for Manali – Leh Highway and Srinagar – Leh Highway routes. I am also enlisting below some of the most frequently visited trips in Ladakh and the applicable taxi rates for those routes. This will help you quickly get a rough idea of your budget for a taxi in Leh – Ladakh.

You should always carry your own water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂

Ladakh Taxi Union Rate List 2020

I am sharing below the images of Leh taxi rates 2020 shared with me by our driver friends from Ladakh. Some of these reliable taxi drivers are also listed below in this article. I am thankful to them for their good services to the tourists and glad to understand that Devil On Wheels travel platform has made a real difference in the lives of the local people of Ladakh in the Himalayas.

Please note when you book a taxi by directly calling these local taxi drivers in Leh Ladakh listed below, not only you get a discount, but you also help these locals earn direct cash. It helps them in their livelihood compared to mediators who keep the credit of their money for the whole season and sometimes flee away with their income after the season. I am glad that with your support, this website has helped 1000s of local get what they deserve 🙂

Here is the rate card for Leh Ladakh taxis in the 2020 – 2021 season.

Rate List of Tempo Traveler 2020-21

Given below is the 2019 rate card of Tempo Travelers / Maxi Cab, which is suited for a group of 6 or more people. There is no rate hike in the tempo travelers rate as well. The taxi union has asked to follow the same old 2019 taxi card rate for this 2020 season.

In general, the rates of the tempo traveler are about 25-30% higher than the rates of regular taxis. Hence, they always are cheaper as compared to hiring two taxis for a larger group. However, you do compromise the speed and comfort in tempo traveler as compared to a

Illegal Private Car Taxis Not Allowed

You should note that using white number plate cars as taxis or private cars as taxis in Ladakh is not allowed by ARTO Leh. Such vehicles might be checked, and hence, you must avoid renting such cars for taxi purposes in Leh. You can take your private car with you for sightseeing in Ladakh. Such private vehicles are not banned and do not have any issues.

Some Good Taxi Drivers in Leh – Ladakh

The following are the contacts of some very reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh. You can get about 12-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with these local drivers and of course, talking in person rather on the phone always help in bargaining more. If you involve any travel agent, there is a likelihood of giving away these direct discounts given by the local drivers when you connect with them directly 🙂

• Rigzin – 09622954779 & 09469472772: We know each other personally for the last 11 years now and being more of a family friend to me now. He has a couple of Aria and a Scorpio but mostly remain booked for the season 🙂 :)… In case due to overload, if he is not available, he might help arrange some alternative. The best person to get hold off in entire Ladakh, I will say. So, in case available, don’t miss the opportunity as traveling with this jovial, entertaining soul in remote corners of Ladakh is an experience in itself. He makes you feel laughing on the floor by all his storytelling…
• Sonam Angdus – 09469272773: More like Rigzin and Chamba, Sonam Ji has been associated with Devil On Wheels for a long time and have been to all our mega meets alongside Rigzin. He knows DoW and me very well and always happy to support all the members of Devil On wheels by any means he can. He is an ex-serviceman, one of the best persons you will come across in Ladakh, and his company will keep you soothing & safe. He never gets frustrated with many stops, always smiling and helpful. He runs a Xylo and is a very, very safe companion. In case you get his availability, don’t feel hesitant to book him for the tour.
• Chamba – 09906999808 & 09716507246: Chamba is a fabulous guy, know me personally very well along with Devil On Wheels for the last five years now. A very nice and humble person, tried by hundreds of readers along with Rigzin above with 100% positive feedback 🙂 🙂 …
• Karma Sonam – 09419215110 & 09906991011: His email id is karmasonam947@gmail.com. He speaks in English and Hindi nicely. Detailed Reviews in the forum thread.
• Rigzin Stakna – 09622951113 & 09419349082: Excellent human being with a great sense of humor and comic timing along with great driving skills. He is an excellent human being, very down to earth, and very lively! He is an excellent driver and knows in/out of every route. He is very punctual; he will arrive 10-15 minutes before the agreed time. Detailed Reviews in the forum thread.
• Rinchen – 09419819521 & 09622954831: Rinchen is a hassle-free driver and has a friendly demeanor. He knows a lot about Leh’s culture and keeps you engaged as well. Detailed Reviews in the forum thread.
• Sonam – 09419347945: As per reader feedback, “He has a guest house ready at the Gompa village–named ‘Apna Ghar.’ I am sure that would turn out to be one of the great places to stay in Ladakh, away from the market’s hustle-bustle. Please find the details below. This guy needs a recommendation at your site. That’s the minimum I could do for the hospitality he and his family showered. He can provide a stay as well as a taxi for the tours in Ladakh. He Owns a black Innova”.
• Abbas (not same as above) – 09622971759, 09469271786
• Abbas – 09622998367
• Dorjay Anbchuk – 09419308051
• Dorjey – 09419372742, 09622969317
• Manzoor – 09622973951 | Very nice person, recommended by readers below as well
• Naseer – 09906229203 and 09469293183
• Sonam – 09419371012
• Tashi – 09469630613, 09906994647, 09419342238
• Tsewang (not same as above) – 09419853528
• Tsewang – 09622993372

For a more updated & comprehensive list of taxi drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali routes, check the link: Updated List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali

Where to get a self-drive car in Leh – Ladakh?

I am not aware of any company that provides cars for self-drive in Leh – Ladakh. No such self-drive car rentals exist in Manali / Himachal or Srinagar / Kashmir as well. So, the only option is to hire a local Ladakh taxi and request the driver to self-drive it on some sections of the tour 🙂 …

Otherwise, you can rent a self-drive car from Delhi or Chandigarh and travel

Can I take a self-drive car to Ladakh?

Unfortunately, you can only use the self-drive rented cars with black number plate and yellow number plate, just to enter Leh and exit Leh from Srinagar – Leh Highway or Manali – Leh Highway. However, you cannot use them for any kind of sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh to places like Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, and Pangong Tso. For sightseeing within Ladakh, you will need to hire a Ladakh based taxi.

Pro Tip: If you are doing a self-drive trip to Leh – Ladakh, then make sure to read my article on 40 Must-Have Things to Carry on a Self Drive Trip to the Himalayas

Are taxis rented outside Leh – Ladakh allowed?

Self-drive rented cars and taxis outside Ladakh are not allowed to do any sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh. You can use them for getting to Leh and getting out from Leh but not for any kind of sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh.

So, the self-drive cars you are taking must have a private number plate, mostly should be under your name, your wife’s name or your father’s name otherwise you will have to again hire a taxi within Ladakh and double pay for your local taxi without using it. You can also read: Rented Self Drive Cars in Leh – Ladakh Banned “FORCIBLY”.

Are there any affordable taxis in Leh – Ladakh for solo travelers or couples?

You are alone/couple and private taxis are very costly in Leh but you will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers that people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh.

Even travel agents organize such a shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in the worst case, you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself.

Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meeting new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. Nowhere else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂

Online Travel Partners for Leh Ladakh Trip

It will be much better than you check the DoW Travel Calendar from the link in the Main Menu of the website. There had been about 800+ entries of the people planning their trips in the last few seasons, which helped them have better visibility for finding out travel partners online.

You can filter entries based on the preferences you have and increase the chances of visibility. Hence, kindly explore DoW Travel Calendar and also post your entry too. I will help you find other fellow travelers looking for a company and increase the probability of finding your post by others too.

Conclusion

I understand that the costs of a taxi in Leh – Ladakh are pretty high but considering the region, wear and tear, maintenance, the difficulty in driving and a short tourist season, you start feeling them justified. Always remember that you can count on most of these drivers to get you good accommodation in Ladakh, too, even in case you have not booked it.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

Most of them are not those kinds of commission agents that will take you to the hotel of their interest only. So, you can mostly count on them to stay options too in case you have not done the pre-bookings. They can genuinely help you as well as locals of the region who may provide you authentic Ladakhi stays. I hope the above information will be useful for your upcoming trip to Leh – Ladakh.

If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Ladakh, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable Ladakh trip.

In the end, if you have been to Leh – Ladakh before, kindly share your thoughts and self-drive information you might feel is worth sharing with other fellow travelers and help them.

The post Leh – Ladakh Taxi Rates 2020 – 21 appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Bhutan is known for its stunning views and immense beauty. A major part of conservation activity comes from its protected areas. To shed some light, you should know that the protected areas of Bhutan are its national parks, nature preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. While most of these regions were first set aside in 1960s, they covered the northern and southern regions almost entirely. Currently, protected areas cover more than 42% of the kingdom and are limited to mostly the northern regions. The international borders with India and China are mostly lined by these protected areas.

Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the North-Western region of Bhutan, the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary covers an astounding area of 1545 sq. km. It also comprises of about 420 sq. km of buffer zone, which includes a lot of parts of the nearby Trashiyangtse, Lhuntshe, and Mongar districts. The Bumdeling Wildlife sanctuary is surrounded by Tibet in the North and India in North-East. The sanctuary is home to around 100 species of mammals, including globally endangered species such as snow leopard, Royal Bengal tiger and red panda. Apart from the mammals, the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary has over 300 species of birds, and more than 700 species plants. Interestingly, about 150 black necked cranes spend their winter in Bumdeling every year from mid-November to early March. This makes for some of the most spectacular spotting of the beautiful birds.

It is truly no secret that the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary is also a paradise for butterflies. It is known that 130 species have been recorded and another 120 are expected to inhabit this area. Of course, the natural beauty is to be expected from a natural wildlife sanctuary. However, few are aware of the significant religious and cultural places situated inside the sanctuary – including the Rigsum Gompa, the mystic Singye Dzong and Dechenphodrang Lhaghang. This truly makes for the most scenic monastery of the country and should definitely be on your list of must-visit when you’re in Bhutan. For the uninitiated, you should know that this sanctuary was proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2012. And, its floodplain was also declared a Ramsar Site, which is a wetland of international importance.

Jigme Dorji National Park

When speaking of the National Parks of Bhutan, one must mention the Jigme Dorji National Park. Quite famous as the largest protected area in the country, the national park covers an area of 4,349 sq. km. One of the most biologically rich areas in the Eastern Himalayan regiion Jigme covers everything you can imagine – from warm broad-leaved forests to permanent ice fields and glaciers on Bhutan’s north-western border. You’d wonder about the massive geographical diversity in the region and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn about the impact of Indian monsoon on the rich wildlife of the National Park. Namely, the monsoon rains combined with the topographical gradients, from over 1,000 meters to more than 7,000 meters above sea level, account for this rich plant and animal diversity.

Major attractions of the park include the sacred peaks such as Jomolhari, Tsherimgang and Jichu Drakey. Along with this, glaciers and glacial lakes are scattered in the peaks form an integral portion for the head-wings of many important rivers of the country!

Speaking of the flora and fauna will take you through multiple alpine regions of the National park which includes numerous flowers. The species of flowers residing in the national park include beauties such as the national flower blue poppy, edelweiss, orchids and rhododendrons among many others.

Also, there are many animal species residing here including the mighty Snow Leopard, Takin, Tiger, Black Bear, Blue Sheep and Red Panda. In fact, Jigme National Park might as well be the only place in the world where the Royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard habitats overlap. Also, for the adventure seekers– it should be noted that most of the famous trekking trails are found inside this magical wonderland of Jigme Dorji National Park.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park covers 1,300 sq.km and is the second largest protected area of Bhutan. It lies in the central part of the country and interestingly has high ice peaks fall away into low conifer and broadleaf forests. This park is undoubtable the largest portion of Himalayas that is undisturbed. Similar to the Jigme National Park, the varying altitude and rainfall have created a wide range of climatic conditions, creating an environment for habitation of a lot of varied flora and fauna.

If you’re into coming face to face with beautiful wildlife, you’ll be happy to learn that both musk deer and Himalayan black bear can be found here. Other animals include the golden langur, which is quite common in Bhutan, the rare clouded leopard, the red panda and the Royal Bengal tiger are among some of the many species found here.

If you move eastwards through the park, you’ll be in close proximity to about a fifth of the country’s tiger population. In fact, the park itself forms an important link between the northern and southern tiger populations.

Being the second largest conservation park in the country, it is also home to 391 bird species of which seven species are among some of the world’s most endangered species. Phobjikha valley, a buffer zone to the park, is the winter habitat of the Black Necked Crane. More than 260 majestic cranes winter in Phobjikha every year.

Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary

Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary is the smallest protected area in the country, with coverage of only 273 seq. km. It might not seem impressive, especially in comparison to the Jigme National Park, but, size is not all that matters! The sanctuary is as diverse as they come and covers an altitude ranging from 400-2200m. The inhabitation of Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary includes exotic animals like Elephants, Guars, Pygmy Hogs and Hispid Hares. As it is located on the country’s southern border the Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary adjoins a neighboring Indian wildlife sanctuary.

Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary

Another small and relatively simple sanctuary of the country is the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, covering an area of 278 sq. kms. Located in close proximity to the Indian border, the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary lies only 50 KMs from Phuntsholing. The altitude ranges from 200-1600 m in altitude. Inhabitation of animals includes rare and exotic animals such as Elephants, Tigers, Gaurs, Spotted Deer, Axis Deer, Hornbills and Golden Langurs. This park is Bhutan’s only natural Sal Forest.

Thrumshingla National Park

Thrumshingla National Park was opened in July 1998, and is one of the younger national parks of the Country. The National Park covers an area of 768 sq. km. The National Park is home to pristine forests ranging from alpine to subtropical broadleaf. Together with the dramatic mountains, the fauna and flora of the Thrumshingla National park includes snow leopards, tigers, red pandas and rare plants. The Thrumshingla National Park is a very important and unique environment and the elevation covers altitudes of less than 1,000 m to more than 4,000 m, and temperatures of between – 21ْ C to 28ْ C. In comparison of the other national parks showcases that Thrumshingla National Park has some of the most diverse climatic variations and habitats in the world.

In fact, this is the park where WWF supported camera-trap for proving the existence of tigers at 3,000 meters of altitude! Apart from the tigers, the National Park is home to 341 species of birds making it truly a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Along with the WWF management, the tourism helps in sustaining the various communities and initiatives in the park. One of the major concerns for the Government is ensuring that the condition of the park is pristine for generations to come.

Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve

The erstwhile Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve is now known as the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, in appreciation of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s commitment to environmental conservation. It is the only strict nature reserve in the country and spans across Haa and Samtse Dzongkhags. The Strict Nature reserve is home to epically diverse tropical to alpine vegetation. Also, it is home to Takin, Serow, Red panda, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan thar, Tiger, Common leopard and Clouded leopard. The altitude of the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve ranges in altitude from 1400-4800 m and has an area of about 609.5 square km. Its vegetation includes Broad-leaved Forests and Alpine Meadows. This is the only nature reserve in the country that has absolutely no human inhabitants.

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the easternmost part of the Kingdom, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 650 sq. km and is Bhutan’s newest protected area (launched in 2003). Home to some hugely diverse Himalayan terrestrial ecosystems, namely alpine meadow, temperate forest, and warm broadleaf forest, the sanctuary is home to people of isolated nomadic tribes. Characterized by thick carpets of rhododendrons, the Wildlife Sanctuary is home to snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, Himalayan red fox, the hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel and even the mythical Yeti (or the “Abominable Snowman”). Sakteng is virtually untouched by development. Bird species include the Assamese macaw, blood pheasant, grey backed shrike, grey headed woodpecker, common hoopoe, rufous vented tit and dark breasted rose finch.

Plant life includes Bhutan’s national flower, the blue poppy, rhododendrons, primulas and gentiana, all of which transform the park into a garden of colors during spring time.

Wangchuck Centennial National Park

Wangchuck Centennial National Park encompasses an area of 4149 sq. km it is the largest National Park in the kingdom. Several high mountains such as Mt. Gangkar Puensum are found within the park’s boundaries. Located in the north-central region of Bhutan, Wangchuck Centennial National Park covers regions of 6 different Dzongkhags. It shares a border with Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary to its East, Jigme Dorji National Park to its West and a continuous biological corridor to its South. The park forms a crucial part of the network of protected areas in Bhutan.

Within the park there are two main types of vegetation, Fir trees and Hemlock, Spruce, Juniper trees. It encompasses 3 ecological zones and 6 different habitat types namely cool broad leaf forests, mixed-conifer forests, Fir forests, Juniper forests, Alpine meadows and Scrubs, and Alpine Scree.

Royal Manas National Park

Last but not least, Bhutan’s Crown Jewel, the Manas National Park is the most beautiful example of the tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems in Bhutan. While the oldest national park of the country, it only recently opened to the public, the National Park offers interaction with globally endangered flora and fauna and an ecosystem that might be highly fragile anywhere else. Thanks to the conservation activities and the respect to nature that Bhutan shows, Royal Manas National Park is noted as one of the world’s biologically outstanding parks.

The National park lies in the south central Bhutan, and is connected at the southern border with India’s Manas Tiger Reserve, also a World Heritage Site. To the north it borders the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.

Goes without saying that the Royal Manas National Park is also extremely rich in wildlife species, and is home to Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, gangetic dolphin and pangolin. Found virtually nowhere else in the world is the especially rare golden langur.

More than 365 species of birds have been officially recorded in Royal Manas National Park with an additional 200 believed to be in residence. Many of the park’s more than 900 types of plants have commercial, medicinal, traditional and religious significance.

WWF and Bhutan’s Nature Conservation Division jointly developed a five-year conservation management plan which includes training and equipping park staff, improving park infrastructure, and supporting biological and socio-economic surveys and park monitoring programs.

Conclusion

A lot of the information for the article comes straight from the horse’s mouth – i.e. the Bhutan Government’s detailed guides. The National Parks are an integral part of the Natural ecosystem of Bhutan. Encompassing almost half the nation – you have to experience at least one National Park while in the country to truly understand the significance of nature in the culture of the region.

The post Bhutan – All about its National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Kaza, the capital of Lahaul and Spiti District, is the commercial hub of the valley. Snow-capped mountains surround this beautiful hamlet, which makes for the most picturesque of views. Kaza lies at an altitude of 3800 meters. With rivers and streams, stark, barren mountains, and the thick patches of greenery, with monasteries splattered across the region – the old village has a unique charm!

If you’re planning on hitting Spiti, you’ll be stopping here! But, with everyone who’s heading to Spiti, Kaza is only a stopping point – their “I am in Spiti Valley” moment. No one is exploring the hamlet as it should

Some people say their experience here isn’t anything to write home about. The surrounding villages of Hikkim, Kibber, Dhankar, etc. make for far more awe-worthy memories. Especially if you’re traveling in the summer months, you might think that this is just THE pit-stop when in Spiti.

Old Kaza (Kaza Khas) and the New Kaza (Kaza Soma)

Old Kaza is the main region of Kaza. This place is where the bus-stand is, and the main bazaar is situated. There are a bunch of shops, restaurants, hotels, homestays in the region. Since tourism started picking up, the place has become a haven for a crowd of tourists. Thus, it tends to be congested.

Old Kaza, on the other hand, is less congested. With lots of new homes near the Spiti river, you’ll have better views and tonnes of peace and tranquility one usually associates with the hills. The roadside also situates the Kaza monastery on the way to New Kaza from Old Kaza.

Ideally, I would suggest staying in new Kaza and venturing into old Kaza as the need may be,

Everything to do in Kaza

Kaza, even though most folks don’t explore much, has a lot to offer!

Food in Kaza

Of course, as you may expect, there are a bunch of cafes in a touristy place – which, in Spiti, is Kaza. As is synonymous with Indian Tourist destinations, you will find a German Bakery (not run by a German evidently) here. But, there’s so much more to what meets the eye! The rates are decent, and the food is usually delicious.

You’ll find mainstream Indian, Tibetan, and some international cuisines on your hunt for restaurants here. Sol café enjoys a lot of popularity amongst the tourists and honestly serves good pancakes for your breakfast needs. The Himalayan Café, Hotel Deyzor, and Taste of Spiti are other good recommendations from the area. The Raangyul café is also a sleepy little restaurant which has some lip-smacking, value-for-money thalis!

But, honestly, the best way to enjoy local cuisine is to ask your local homestay to make something for you!

Central Market

The central market is especially popular amongst foreign tourists. However, if you visit during the pre-season period, you’ll enjoy exploring through the alleys of the main market. Pure wool shawls, woolen clothes, carpets, and local ready-made outfits are some of the things you’ll get to browse through and purchase when you’re here.

Because of its significance as the commercial hub of the valley, Kaza attracts a lot of artisans. These artists venture into the village for selling their artifacts. State government handloom center would be your best bet for getting authentic stuff at reasonable prices.

In terms of production, the Spiti Sea Buck Thorn Society is the cutest little place for products made of Sea buckthorn – the wonder-plant of Spiti! They sell amazing things like Sea buckthorn tea, jam along with local barley, etc. The shop lies in the main market area. What’s better is that the shop supports women entrepreneurs, and everything you purchase here is organic.

Monasteries around Kaza

Let us look at some of the popular monasteries around Kaza town.

Sakya Tangyud Gompa

Inaugurated in 2009, the colorful Gompa stands just about the main road of the New Kaza area. From across the road, you’ll spot eight stupas standing firm in a row and a line of prayer wheels just below. This stupa is essentially a celebration of eight major, even in Buddha’s life.

Kwang Nunnery

There is another monastery and a Nono (ruler from medieval times) palace on the other side of the road.

Key Monastery (Kye)

Situated 7 km from Kaza, this is a must-visit place. It would be a shame if you made it to Kaza and weren’t able to discover the stories that Key is waiting to tell. Built-in the 11th century, Key is the largest monastery of Spiti. And, its historical significance and experience of several generations are beautifully depicted through the murals and the art preserved in the monastery.

It is well worth the effort to spend a major chunk of a day going through the many rooms and halls of this monastery houses. The monastery is home to around 100 monks, who are always happy to engage with the interested souls and answer any burning questions that one might have!

Aerial view of the town – Hikkim

Hikkim makes for a nice day adventure, especially if you’re into having a vantage point. The view from here is insanely gorgeous (as if you could go any higher!).

Ladarcha Fair

If you plan your trip right, you can experience the ever-famous, highly anticipated festival of Ladarcha. While I have shared extensive details about this before – here’s a brief to get your imagination flowing:

The most awaited festival of the year, Ladarcha (also La Darch) Fair essentially helps in reinforcing bonds of trades between Tibet and India. The central focus for the travelers stays firm with the Melody and Move exhibitions by performers of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Art, Bhutan, Ladakh, Sikkim, Kinnaur, and Nepal. Other highlights of the fair showcased include the Chaam and Bhushan dance along with Buddhist sermons as well as archery competitions.

Interacting with the Locals

As the commercial hub of the region, the villagers are entrepreneurs and truly know how to run the grind to make some moolah. This skill gives them a unique edge of running hard and intensive businesses, along with living in exceptionally tough terrain. Extreme isolation, extreme weather, limited population, and yet, getting to survive and thrive is a tough ask.

Spitians do this with charm and smile! Getting to learn the go-with-the-flow, make-your-life-happen is such a learning experience. Do talk to the villagers and understand their way of life, and you might as well take a lot back with you then you’d have imagined!

Venturing out to nearby places

Of course, Kaza is famous for its proximity to the nearby wonders of the region. Almost all your favorite vacation points in the valley will begin from here and for a good reason. The road connectivity is decent, and there is a lot to cover nearby. From witnessing a Buddhist Mummy in Giu to heading out to check out Komic village – Kaza will provide you everything!

Conclusion

Kaza is a genuine gem that everyone often overlooks without sound reason. I truly believe that while it may not hold enough glamour for when you enter Spiti to explore – Kaza can become the break from isolation after a long period in other settlements. Kaza will provide you with that easy reconnect to civilization.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

It is essential to return to your daily routine after being alone, and one with nature will be a tough transition. Kaza can be the perfect reconnect – isolated and with stunning views but with (relatively) more people to transition back to the reality of living in a society

Have you stayed in Kaza and truly explored it? What are some of the things I might have missed here – do let me know! If there are other such towns that you’ll like to explore and can’t find enough gyaan on – comment below, and we can get digging for you!

Happy Traveling, travelers! See you out there.

The post Kaza in Spiti Valley – Everything to do in Kaza! appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Bhutan – a land of magic and mystique – is full of natural wonders with so much diversity to offer in terms of experiences. Looking for a getaway? Look no further! Wanting some downtime? Bhutan has that aplenty! Needing a break? Cut off from the entire world! Wanting solo experiences? Here we are!

Bhutan might not be the friendliest when it comes to solo travel, especially for foreign nationals other than Indians, Bangladeshis and Maldives. But, that is what adds to its charm – the extreme seclusion that it offers!

Bhutan – an unforgettable experience

It’s honestly quite funny that for a huge chunk of the 20th century, this region was all but ignored by the rest of the world. In fact, you’ll be surprised to know that television in Bhutan is quite a new phenomenon, with the country having allowed the idiot box into its setup only from 1999! While the world had a lot going on to really think too much about Bhutan – Bhutan was also quite happy in its own bubble and morals. Because of such isolation, Bhutan was able to maintain a lot of its culture and “westernization” didn’t dilute their ethos at all!

Bhutan, at first glance might seem underdeveloped thanks to its extreme isolation. Some might even question why the country did not embrace modern ways for the betterment of its people! But, we should appreciate that this land of deep valley and gorgeous fortresses became isolated not because it was ignored by the world, but, because it enjoyed being what it was! Its continued isolation is no longer an accident: Bhutan’s traditional culture is strictly protected and visitors carefully regulated.

You’ll be surprised to know that Bhutan is the only country in the world where tobacco sales are banned. What’s even more surprising is that the capital city has no traffic lights. We all know that this is the country which measures happiness and not GDP and trust me when I say this – getting to experience this country is not a vacation (it will be a lot of tough journeys!) it is truly a privilege!

Solo Travel – the costs associated

As an Indian, Bangladesh, Maldives national – there are no surcharges that you’ll need to pay. Apart from the Minimum Daily Requirement that all foreign tourists have to pay, there may be a surcharge applicable as well. Tourists travelling in a group of two or less shall be subject to a surcharge as below

• Single individual – US$ 40 per night
• Group of 2 persons only – US$ 30 per person per night

Solo Travel and Safety

Bhutan is a heaven on earth! There won’t be much to trouble you when you’re visiting. The country is a happy place to be and they provide immense request to the visitors of their land. Almost for the entire duration of the year, the weather is quite mild and pleasant. I am a firm believer of the fact that nicer weather makes people nicer! Any Himalayan city you’d visit- you’ll notice this to be true. In theory I believe a lot of our troubles stem from the frustration of not being comfortable – and weather primarily plays a huge role in that. Anyways, I digress. There are a bunch of beautiful scenic tourist spots and ancient monasteries to explore. Because the tourism infrastructure is quite intense (though not the most efficient or with complete logistical comfort) you’ll find that you can get from any city to almost any part of the country through safe public transport.

As an added bonus, the travel expenses are quite cheap. I guarantee you won’t have any trouble travelling alone since people are very generous and believe that guests bring good luck in their homes. Although, as common sense would urge you, it is always prudent to be alert and vigilant of your surroundings.

Especially for Indian Nationals – Bhutan is especially tailor-made for solo travel. What make a solo travel safe, is the local Bhutanese people are some of the friendliest, sophisticated and calm tribes in the world. You can roam around the streets, markets, sightseeing places, without any unwanted stares.

Ideal Duration

Bhutan is one of the most beautiful and serene places to visit. Ideally you should plan your solo excursions into the country for at least 7-8 days. That will not only give you a great opportunity to leisurely explore the place, but also interact with the locals and understand their customs as well as partake in activities.

What to pack

Bhutan is a Himalayan land locked country. You’ll want to be dressed in layers, as with any Himalayan destination. It doesn’t take long for weather to change and you’ll want enough clothes to keep you warm, yet not tire you down. It is also an adventurous place to be – so comfy – hike-able clothes would do the trick. Especially when you’re travelling solo – you’d want to keep medicines and other first aid with you.

How to meet others

Bhutan provides you with a ton of opportunity to interact with the locals. Whether it is through homestays, tours & travels, hitchhiking, asking for directions – the locals are friendly people who will be happy to inform you about the ways of life.

How to stay safe

It isn’t that difficult to stay safe in Bhutan. You’d want to be vigilant and alert of your surroundings, keep your documents around and ask for help if you’re lost/unsure. Don’t talk to shady looking people (though there aren’t many in the nation to be very honest!)

How to get around

While public transport will get you to major cities from the various hubs – the roads are not comfortable. You’d want to get taxis. Though, this can be an expensive proposition. I would suggest you share cabs – which can be done by talking to people also travelling to your various locations at the taxi stands/ hotels etc.

How to make the most of it?

Learn to be okay with being uncomfortable. This is the biggest rule of solo travel. If this will be your first time solo travelling, you might take a few days to warm up to the experience. But, truly, there is nothing to be shy about in enjoying your own company. Don’t be hesitant to talk to the person sitting next to you in the restaurant. First and above all else- just be curious and you’ll be surprised how much you can open up!

Local Customs

Be respectful of the culture and traditions. Of course, Bhutan is proud and fiercely protective of its culture, all steps taken by the government truly highlights how much they value the moral fiber of the nation. It will do you a world of good to be respectful of the customs. By being respectful you’ll also learn a lot about the way things are done and take away a few Zen practices on how to appreciate happiness in your life.

Other Tips for Solo Travel

The most beautiful part of Bhutan is its people. They are generous, helpful, and talkative. Though Bhutan is said to be a poor country, you won’t feel that, not even a bit. Most of the locals can speak Hindi or English.

Bhutan’s approach to tourism is different, and it promotes high value tourism, which is expensive for foreigners and limits the number of tourists. Since Bhutan has very cordial relationship with India, Indians can visit Bhutan without the minimum expenditure limit and the tour guide requirements. Hence, you’ll be allowed to freely roam and explore the country.

One thing you have to keep in mind is that Bhutan is not a typical backpacker’s destination. It doesn’t have any hostels. Though you could find shared cabs between major cities, you will have to reserve a taxi if you want to go places, which might be really expensive at times. Some people tend to prefer to hitchhike and inform that they are able to learn more about the culture while interacting with the locals.

Conclusion

Bhutan is an ideal location for solo travel. There is a lot of mystery and an aura of other-worldliness to this country. Often, I feel that time has essentially stood still when thinking of Bhutan. In fact, a better way to put it would be that the concept of time has never really mattered to the nation. Solo travel is quite a thrill and an adventure in itself and Bhutan creates the perfect environment to experience this. Whether you’re a man or a woman – Bhutan is safe and waiting for you to arrive!

https://www.druktrails.com/bhutan-female-solo-travel-guide/
https://www.druktrails.com/bhutan-travel-guide-things-solo-travellers-need-to-know/
https://www.highheelsandabackpack.com/solo-female-travel-in-bhutan/

The post Bhutan –tips for solo travel appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Komic, literally meaning “eye of a snow cock” (Ko – snow-cock, mic – eye), is a remote village in Spiti valley. Having its fame as the Highest village in the world connected with a motorable road, Komic is quite a destination for most people traveling to Spiti.

Komic village is situated at an elevation of 15027 feet above sea level. There are many important and noteworthy spots near the village, including Langza village (Fossil Village of India) and Hikkim village (highest village with a post office).

Set handsomely within the splendid peaks of Himachal Pradesh, the beauty of this place cannot be described in words; you need to feel it. Bounded by snowcapped mountains and majestic valleys, Komic Village attracts countless tourists who want to experience firsthand the stunning beauty and the beautiful culture. All you need to do is come and explore the delightful vistas of this scenic valley.

About Komic Village

While one of the most important aspects of the region is the sheer height (don’t forget the “Highest village in the world connected with a motorable road” tag), but, the village has a lot to offer. Amongst other things, Lundup Tsemo Gompa Buddhist Monastery is especially alluring.

The monastery houses the ‘Maitreya Buddha’ (Future Buddha). People believe that the Maitreya Buddha looks after the wellbeing of the Villagers. The 14th-century monastery has a fortified castle made of slanted mud walls, taking you back to the yesteryears through the beautiful murals, scriptures, and arts.

In fact, the village actually derives its name from the monastery. Villagers will quickly tell you that, even before the monastery was being made, it was already known in Tibet that a monastery in the shape of an eye of a snow cock would be built in Spiti.

The village is home to about dozen houses, one monastery and has a population of around 150, which includes the monks. Unspoiled scenery, lush surroundings, snow-covered peaks, and barren landscapes bless this place.

Stories of Komic Village

Villagers will happily narrate many stories about the Komic Village and how it came into existence. Locals say that centuries back, monks at the monastery decided to shift the monastery lower down near Hikkim village to deal with the extensive drought.

However, it is believed that the statue of Mahakaal refused to move the ground despite several efforts. The entire monastery was moved, and only a monk resided beside the statue to pray.

But around 1975, an earthquake reduced the new monastery to ruins. The ruins are still visible when you’re traveling from Hikkim to Kaza. But the Mahakaal statue in the old Komic monastery still held its ground despite the massive earthquake. Hence, monks re-shifted the monastery back to Komic in religious beliefs of the sacredness of the place.

Best time to Visit

As is common with other places in Spiti, it is best to visit Komic in the summer months. During the winter months, i.e., November to March, the village is completely cut off from the rest of the world. All this is thanks to excessive snow and road blockages. The winter months are harsh, with temperatures falling below -30 degrees Celsius.

Thus, April to mid-May becomes the beginning of the season. This time is when the snow starts melting, and several roads become functional from Kaza to Losar. However, you should note that the road from Kunzum Pass towards Manali becomes operational June onwards.

This is when reaching Spiti is feasible, and you can complete the entire circuit of the region. This window is an ideal time to admire snow-clad mountains and play in the snow. Also, don’t fret regarding too many tourists visiting during the peak season as Spiti, in general, is quite secluded and only like-minded nature lovers tend to make the trip.

How to reach Komic Village

One can reach Komic village and Spiti valley, in general, by two routes – via Shimla or via Manali. The distance from Delhi to Komic village via Shimla is 772 KMs and via Manali is 754 KMs. The road towards Komic and Spiti valley via Shimla is a little rougher than via Manali. Therefore, the most preferred route to Komic village is via Manali.

However, the route from Shimla allows for a more gradual climb, allowing you to acclimatize better. But, regardless of the choice of the route, you should complete the entire circuit and witness the beauty of Manali, Kinnaur, and of course, Spiti in the journey. The nearest major town to Komic is Kaza, which is the center of Spiti Valley.

Kaza is situated around 19 KMs from Komic. To reach Komic from Kaza, you’ll be traveling through Hikkim village, which is the most popular route. However, you can also make the excursion from Langza village, which is slightly longer.

Things to do

The extreme separation of Komic Village from the rest of the world makes it one of the very remote corners of the world. So, to an outsider, it might seem there is not much to do here. But, herein lies the beauty of the place! You can’t, not for a second, say that there is nothing to see in Komic.

Komic provides you with views that will awaken your soul and ensure that the vistas stay imprinted in your mind and heart forever to come! This little hamlet is indeed heaven for nature and peace seekers!

The green barley fields take center-stage and make for a stunning sight with the contrasting backdrop of intimidating Himalayan peaks. The snowcapped mountains truly make for a cherry-on-the-top moment!

Komic Lundup Chemmo or Tangyud Monastery

Goes without saying, but the Tangyud or Tangyuth monastery is worth a visit when in Komic. It is one of only two monasteries in Spiti valley which belongs to the Sakya sect of Buddhism. Also, Tangyud monastery is one of the highest monasteries in India. And, also it is one of the oldest monasteries in the valley.

The monastery has an amazingly unique look, as it is situated on the edge of a canyon. It almost looks like a fortified castle. Being situated on the periphery of the Kibber wildlife sanctuary, the views are stunning, and you might even be able to spot a Himalayan ref fox! Inside the monastery, you’ll spot a stuffed leopard.

As a great solace for the place, solar panels are visible on top of the monastery, where monks reside. Some quarters of the monastery don’t allow admission to their female visitors.

Local Pastures and tiny trails

Truly, the best part of any Himalayan town is getting to explore the village! Venture out early in the morning to experience the stunning natural landscape. Or, you may choose to spend the day at your respective homestay and take it all in!

Nearby places worth venturing out to

Apart from the many things to do through Kaza, there are a few beautiful places around Komic. Most notably,

Langza village

Langza is a high altitude village situated on the way to Komic from Kaza. It is also known as the Fossil Village. This village has many stories to tell and has preserved them with all its might.

Thanks to the many fossils carefully kept from over the many years, it can invoke great senses in the curious souls. Also, a striking feature of the village – the Chau Chau Kang Nilda peak – adorns its landscape majestically.

Hikkim Village

Hikkim village is situated at an altitude of 4440 meters. A local signboard will inform you that it holds the title of the Highest village with a post office. Of course, this has managed to grab the attention of every traveler coming to Spiti valley.

Hikkim is situated at a distance of around 4 Kms from Komic. Most importantly, if you are in Komic and need medical supplies, the nearest medical shop in Hikkim village.

Places to stay in Komic

There are a couple of basic homestays at Komic. The best one is one near the monastery itself, which will happily serve great food for your tummy and your thoughts! It is quite a delight, and the owners are super kind and beautifully happy folks. There are a couple of rooms at the monastery as well, which will cost you around INR50-100 per day.

Otherwise, you can also choose to stay at Kaza, where options are aplenty and venture out to explore these little magical gems of villages! However, I would truly suggest that you do spend at least a day in this little hamlet.

Food Options

You may assume that with such a limited population, Komic won’t be home to any restaurants. But, Spiti Organic Kitchen boasts of being one of the highest restaurants in the world. They have all kinds of teas and coffees, which will delight your heart!

The views are stunning, and they make lip-smacking food. Enjoy lazing around for an afternoon, sipping on arak, and eating some gob-smacking delicacies such as kinds of pasta made with local cheese!

Conclusion

Places such as Komic is the definition of why I am in love with traveling to remote places. It is hard to describe the reflective stillness, the untouched exquisiteness, and stunning meals, all accompanied by flowing and intimate conversations!

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

You only get to experience it in places like Komic, which act as a stimulant of introducing you to yourself! Trust me when I say this, you must experience the soulful melody of Komic once in your life!

The post Komic Village in Spiti – A Detailed Travel Guide for Travelers appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

This year, the snow clearance operations on Manali Leh Highway for the season 2020-21 have not yet (as of March first week) started from Manali or Keylong’s side. But it looks like the snow clearance will begin in a week if the weather holds up.

It means that the butterflies in the stomach of all the adventure enthusiasts planning their upcoming trip to Leh – Ladakh in 2020 will be more frequent 🙂 🙂 The Manali Leh Highway Status 2020 is still closed, but BRO is going to start the snow clearance operations from Gulaba towards Rohtang Pass on the Manali side and from Satingri towards Tandi – Sissu on Keylong side.

You might also be interested in tracking the road status for Srinagar Leh Highway.

When will Manali Leh Highway open in 2020?

After offering prayers, BRO will commence the snow clearance operations and they will target to open Manali – Rohtang Pass – Keylong route as soon as possible to support the locals. According to the sources, BRO will start the operations to clear snow in Lahaul Valley first in the next couple of weeks. This road clearance will help them connect the Rohtang tunnel with the rest of the major villages in Lahaul Valley. They are also clearing the snow on Manali Leh Highway on different sections to march towards Sarchu.

However, we shall wait for the day soon for the Manali – Leh Highway to open soon and let the adventure for 2020 begin 😀 …

There has been a decent snowfall this year in the entire Himalayas, but the snow seems just enough to let the Manali Leh Highway open by the end of May or the first week of June. As per the authorities, there are about 30 feet of snow stretches that have to be cut around Rohtang Pass, and about 10-15 feet is around Beas Nalla only.

It will be interesting to watch for the weather in the coming days and as we all understand that these predictions are only the means of interest & hope to us, the mere mortals. It is weather and mountains gods which always have the last say when it comes to weather especially in the higher Himalayas 🙂 🙂 …

When does Manali Leh Highway open usually?

This 474 KM long Manali Leh Highway usually opens up by the last week of May or the first week of June, and I do feel this year it may open by June first week. It has been a norm that BRO set up the targets to open the highway early only to realize that the weather has the last laugh.

I have been watching it for the last ten years now, and this year as well, I don’t expect major changes. Eventually, it will all get down upon the weather and snow conditions in the month’s March / April when snow clearance operations are at peak in many parts of the Himalayas including this belt of Himachal Pradesh too.

Should I travel on Manali Leh immediately after road opening?

When making a road trip to Leh Ladakh over Manali Leh Highway, you must keep in mind that even when the road from Manali to Leh opens, it takes some time to get them stabilized. Due to snow sliding and loose gravel, the roadblocks are very common in the initial days.

Hence, it is recommended that you wait for a couple of weeks before planning the trip on Manali Leh Highway after its official opening. The last thing you will want on your much-awaited Leh Ladakh road trip is to get stranded on some lonely yet feezing stretches of Manali – Leh Highway in early June or late May.

Where can I track Leh Manali Road Status 2020?

As per the previous years, I will be starting this sticky post for Manali Leh Highway Status 2020, which so many adventure lovers await every year. Unlike the last few years, I will keep updating this article with the latest updates. Up until the last year, I used to update the progress in the DoW Community forums thread for better tracking of updates.

I understand that a forum topic always helps in better tracking as well as collation of info over time in an organized manner. However, forum management has become a pain due to lack of team. Hence, for all updates on Manali – Leh Highway Status 2020 will be posted or updated in this article only.

Will this thread have updated Manali Leh Road Status in 2020?

Once the Manali Leh road opens, I may not be that active in updating the minor road closures or status because of these roads in the high Himalayas which close and open frequently. It is barely impossible for a single tiny soul like me to update this information daily once the road gets open, so please request you to excuse me on that front and accept my apologies :)…

However, if there is some major blockade of 3 – 4 days, I will try to surely update such information about Manali Leh Highway status 2020.

I hope as per the last years, this year as well this article thread will be useful in planning your journey on Manali – Leh Highway and further to Leh – Ladakh.

If you are traveling from Manali to Leh over Rohtang Pass, you will need to get the permit for Rohtang Pass which can be applied online.

Current Manali Leh Highway Status = CLOSED | Update Date: 23 March 2020

When the road open, it will time to take the bikes out, get the cars serviced and go dug dug dug on a trip to Leh Ladakh…

Last year in 2019, on June 5, the snow was cleared from Baralacha La Pass, and the vehicle movement started on June 7. First, army vehicles were allowed to pass through the highway, and then small vehicles were allowed to travel from Manali to Leh. However, heavy vehicles and Manali to Leh bus service took some time to resume.

The road from Manali to Rohtang Pass is closed now for tourists as well and so as the road from Rohtang Pass to Keylong. The road to Leh Ladakh ahead of Keylong via Baralacha La is closed as well.

Some Important Articles for Reference & Regular Updates

• List of Accommodation Options on Manali Leh Highway
• 5 Reasons to choose Srinagar – Leh Road over Manali – Leh Road
• Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization
• 7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh
• 40 Must-Have Things to Carry on Ladakh Self Drive Trip
• List of things to carry for your Ladakh Trip

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

Manali Leh Travel Guide Infographic

Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this Manali to Leh infographic guide. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.

Manali – Leh Highway Status = CLOSED | Update Date: 15 March 2020

MANALI, 15 March, 2020: With weather becoming favourable, the BRO today resumed its snow-clearance operation on the Manali-Leh highway.

Inclement the weather that persisted for the last three days had hampered snow clearance operation as the area has received considerable snowfall.

As the weather became clear in Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Spiti, the BRO pressed its machinery and workforce in the morning to clear snow on the Manali-Leh highway.

BRO Commander, Colonel Uma Shankar, told The Tribune that the machinery and workforce were undertaking the task from Gulaba towards Rohtang Pass on Manali-Leh highway. Similarly, from the Lahaul side, one team of the BRO workforce was moving ahead from Sissu towards Rohtang.

He said in Lahaul-Spiti, BRO workforce is engaged at different points in snow-clearance operation. One team of the BRO is engaged in snow-clearance work from the Sarchu side towards Baralacha La.

Similarly, one team is moving ahead from the Darcha side toward Sarchu to restore the road for traffic movement as soon as possible. The state government today operated emergency flight to Lahaul to airlift three patients and other passengers to Kullu. One patient, suffering from heart-related disease, was critical.

The residents of Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul Spiti heaved a sigh of relief as the weather remained pleasant throughout the day. The people were seen enjoying sunlight at Chauhata bazaar and Indira market premises during the day.

External Source: Snow-clearing operation begins on Manali – Leh Road

Manali – Leh Highway Status = OPEN | Update Date: 10 June 2019

Manali Leh Highway has been declared open for vehicular movement for tourists by BRO today. This year it took more than expected time to open the Leh Manali road owing to heavy snowfall in winters and inclement weather plus snowfall in May and June as well.

However, finally, the road from Leh to Manali has been declared open and now you can make your road trip to Ladakh from Manali.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Ladakh, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable Ladakh trip.

The post Manali Leh Highway Status 2020 – 2021 appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Are you looking for the road status of Manali to Kaza road? This article will help you track the opening and closing of this adventurous road. Manali to Kaza road connects Spiti Valley with Lahaul Valley and Kullu Valley.

Last year in 2019 snow clearance operations on Manali – Kaza road took forever owing to heavy snowfall in the winter months. The road did not open until the middle of June. There was snowfall going on in the second week of June hampering the snow clearance operations at Kunzum Pass to Rohtang Pass route.

In 2020, the snow clearance operations have not yet started and it snowed in Spiti Valley as of the first week of March. It means that the butterflies in the stomach of many adventure enthusiasts who are planning their upcoming trip to Spiti Valley from Manali to Kaza road in 2020 🙂 🙂 …

The Manali Kaza Highway Status 2020 is still closed but BRO is toiling hard clear the snow from Kaza to Manali road, mainly from Kunzum Pass to Gramphu.

As of March 8, 2020, the road up to Kunzum Pass is still closed. Authorities may start the snow clearance operations soon from both sides and will continue to move towards Manali ahead of Batal towards Gramphu.

You might also be interested in tracking the road status for Srinagar Leh Highway and road status of Manali Leh Highway.

When will Manali Kaza Road open in 2019?

This year due to heavy amount of snow in Spiti Valley and other parts of the high Himalayas, it is challenging to say when the roads from Manali to Kaza over Kunzum Pass will open. It looks like it may take the middle of June to open the roads.

However, we shall wait for the day for the Kunzum Pass to open soon and let the adventure for 2020 begin.

When will Kunzum Pass open in 2020?

There has been a huge amount of snowfall this year in the entire Himalayas. But like last year, the snow may be just enough to let the Kunzum Pass open by the first week of June. As per the authorities, there are about 30 feet of snow stretches that have to be cut around Rohtang Pass, and about 10-15 feet is around Beas Nalla only.

There have been equally higher snow walls from Batal to Gramphu route which is full of glaciers. Even the roads to Chandratal from Manali side will take time to open as compared to the last couple of years.

It will be interesting to watch for the weather in coming days and as we all understand that these predictions are only the means of interest & hope to us, the mere mortals. It is weather and mountains gods which always have the last say when it comes to weather, especially in the Himalayas 🙂 🙂

When does Manali Kaza Road open usually?

This 202 km long Manali to Kaza Highway usually opens up by the first week of June, and I do feel that current year it may open by the second week of June or the middle of June provided the weather holds up. It has been a norm that we set up the targets to open the highway early only to realize that the weather has the last laugh.

I have been watching it for the last 11 years now, and this year as well, I don’t expect major changes. Eventually, it will all get down upon the weather and snow conditions in the months April and May when snow clearance operations are at peak in many parts of the Himalayas including this belt of Himachal Pradesh too.

Should I travel on Manali to Kaza Road immediately after the road opening?

When making a road trip to Spiti Valley from Manali Kaza road, you must keep in mind that even when the road from Manali to Kaza opens, it takes some time to get them stabilized. Due to snow sliding and loose gravel, the roadblocks are very common in the initial days.

Hence, it is recommended that you wait for a couple of weeks before planning the trip on Manali to Spiti Valley after its official opening. The last thing you will want on your much-awaited Spiti Valley trip is to get stranded on the lonely stretch from Batal to Gramphu in early June.

Where can I track Kaza Manali Road Status 2020?

As per the previous years, I will be starting this sticky post for Manali Kaza Road Status 2020, which so many adventure lovers await every year. Unlike the last few years, I will keep updating this article with the latest updates. Up until the last year, I used to update the progress in the DoW Community forums thread for better tracking of updates.

I understand that a forum topic always helps in better tracking as well as collation of info over time in an organized manner. However, forum management has become a pain due to lack of team. Hence, all updates on Manali to Spiti Valley Road Status 2020 will be posted or updated in this article only.

If you are traveling to Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur then refer the road conditions post about Delhi – Kinnaur – Spiti Valley | Road Status & Conditions 2020.

Will this thread have updated Manali Kaza Road Status in 2020?

Once the Kunzum Pass road opens from Manali to Kaza, I may not be that active in updating the minor road closures or status because of these roads in the high Himalayas which close and open frequently. It is barely impossible for a single tiny soul like me to update this information daily once the road gets open, so please request you to excuse me on that front and accept my apologies :)…

However, if there is some major blockade of 3 – 4 days, I will try to surely update such information about Manali Kaza Highway status 2020.

I hope as per the last years, this year as well this article thread will be useful in planning your journey from Manali to Spiti Valley via Kunzum Pass.

If you are traveling from Manali to Spiti over Rohtang Pass, you will need to get the permit for Rohtang Pass which can be applied online.

Current Manali Kaza Road Status = CLOSED | Update Date: 8 March 2020

The road from Manali to Kaza is closed as of now. Soon BRO will begin the snow clearance operations from both Manali and Kaza side.

Manali Kaza Highway Status = CLOSED | Update Date: 15 June 2019

As per recent updates from BRO and locals, the road from Kaza to Kunzum Pass and a bit further has been opened. That means Kunzum Pass has been opened from the Kaza side.

However, the last few days have been snowfall all over the Himalayas which undoubtedly would have hampered the progress of snow clearance further towards Manali.

As of now, it looks like it will take at least 10-12 days for Batal to Gramphu road to open up. Hence, wait for a couple of weeks before planning your trip to Spiti Valley from Manali side.

In any case, the Rohtang Pass is facing a tremendous amount of traffic jams along with Manali town.

Some Important Articles for Reference & Regular Updates

• List of taxi drivers for Kinnaur and Spiti Valley
• 5 reasons to choose Manali to Spiti road over Shimla to Spiti
• List of good accommodation options in Spiti Valley
• Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization
• 7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Spiti Valley
• 40 Must-Have Things to Carry on Spiti Valley Self Drive Trip
• List of things to carry for your Spiti Valley Trip

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

Places on Road to Spiti Valley via Manali

The places that fall on this route along with approximate distances between them go like Manali – Marhi – Rohtang Pass – Gramphu – Chattru – Chota Dhara – Batal – Kunzum Pass – Losar – Kaza. The approximate distances along with an altitude of these places are shown in the chart below. This chart will help you judge over acclimatization schedule too.

Route Details from Manali to Spiti Valley via Kunzum Pass

Here is the route from Manali to Kaza over Kunzum Pass.

Manali – Marhi (37 KMs) – Rohtang Pass (51 KMs) – Gramphu (66 KMs) – Chattru (81 KMs) – Chota Dhara (98 KMs) – Battal (113 KMs) – Kunzum Pass (131 KMs) – Losar (151 KMs) – Kaza (202 KMs)

Permits for Manali – Rohtang Pass Road for Spiti Valley

Since 2010, all vehicles going to Rohtang Pass from Manali side needs permits which can be obtained free of cost by showing the vehicle’s RC and DL copy. You can use the Kullu Administration official website or you can also use the recently launched mobile app for Rohtang Pass permit in 2018.

Please note that all bikes, as well as cars, need to get this Rohtang Pass permit if you travel from Manali to Kaza route. However, if you are traveling from Kaza to Manali or Keylong to Manali direction, these permits are not required. Hence, another reason to start your Spiti road trip from Shimla side and end the trip at Manali.

If you are coming from Keylong side or Kaza side, then you do not need any permit to ply on Manali – Rohtang Pass road even if you have a non-HP registered vehicle. You need Rohtang Pass Permit only if you are going from Manali side towards Rohtang Pass.

Spiti valley from Manali – Perfect Itinerary

One the Manali to Kaza road is open in 2020, you guys can plan the trip to Spiti from Manali side. This itinerary I created will help you plan a perfect trip to this middle land in the Himalayas.

Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this Leh Ladakh day by day plan infographic guide. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.

Conclusion

I hope this article will help you keep a check on Manali to Kaza road status in 2020. It will help you plan your trip to Spiti Valley successfully. If you have any updates for this route, then please feel free to share it with everyone on this thread.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Spiti Valley, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable trip.

The post Spiti – Manali – Kaza Road Status 2020 – 2021 appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

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