Travel Diaries – The Leh PrepWork

                There are times when you look back and wonder, “Hell this should have been done that way”. Its always the retrospect which really helps you in enjoying what you have achieved or in other words, what you went through. The retrospect really helps you appreciate and value the experience like how a new born appreciates the world around.

My Leh-Ladakh trip was such an experience. If you prepare a ‘To-Do’ checklist of things which you should have covered in a trip spanning 10 days, then I would come out with a score of 30/100 i.e., I can say that I got 30% worth fun put into the entire trip. In reality, that is not the case. The trip was an exhilarating experience which I would remember for the rest of my life – not becoz of the negative things that did happen..but simply becoz of all the positive things that did happen.

So the trip was a brain child of a single individual. That person actually wanted to do this trip on a bike. The thought of cruising around the country/mountain side on a bullet or Harley sounded unreal. But the support of family members beckoned and the trip became a road trip instead wherein we would hire some cars, buy some train/bus tickets, book some decent hotels and embark on a thrill ride!

The travel planning took only 10 days. After identifying the longest weekend possible, we did booking of train tickets – Mumbai Rajdhani – approx 2 months in advance. To our luck, we were put on waiting list. To complicate matters, bookings were randomly done (2-3 tickets at once). So, the final ticket was at waiting list number 34 – a number which we thought would clear – it did but not without its own sense of twists and turns.

Now comes the difficult part. For starters, there were 14 of us – including a couple who had joined us after chucking their own plan. 14 people, 14 brains, 14 panic buttons, 14 ideas – 1 planner. The planner actually did a lot of research for this trip. Signed up on multiple forums, talked to god knows how many travel companies and finally was able to deliver a perfect package – all thanks to the Intersight Holidays Pvt Ltd.

Originally, we had decided to go from Delhi towards Leh Ladakh via Manali and back. However, due to some really awesome suggestions, we decided to circle the valley and come back via Srinagar. Everyone agreed and the planner started attacking the flight operators for the best available fares. Finally, we got it – Kingfisher Airlines, 4 Star Hotels in the sky – group booking carried at an appreciable cost. Immediately, day dreaming of some folks started - “I will enjoy the road trip and while coming back, will enjoy the inflight hospitalities” – something which wasn’t disappointing at all.

The travel agency managed to give us some really good deals in terms of accommodations and car hires. It turns out that all this planning, we forgot to take in 1 important factor into account – The Cost – The big ‘C’. The cost inflated to around 25K of only travel and living – no personal expenses included. Further to add to the woes was the fact that if anyone pulls out, the cost goes up and it so happens, we have 5 pull outs increasing the cost further!

After a lot of adjustments, we were able to maintain our costs at 27K (give and take 2K here and there). The plan was set – 9 men and women out to conquer the most gruesome journey undertaken – Leh Ladakh, Kargil & Srinagar.

So, we were all fine in the 2 months leading upto the trip, where suddenly panic set in – Waiting list tickets are now only RAC. Further to add to the complications, someone brought in news that RACs aren’t confirmed tickets as far as Rajdhani is concerned! Turmoil struck. Everyone started looking at flight options – the cost barometer was heading due north! Giving him company was sheer frustration! Finally, time took over and calmed us all down and slowly but surely, the tickets trickled over the confirmation line!

A travel like this always is demanding on the body. God knows how many people would have given me advice of what to do and what not to do. Some even went as far as getting me numbers of hospitals and police officials rather than contact numbers of some fancy tourist place! For a moment, it was as if we were heading into a war zone. On top of that, were the numerous advices – don’t talk to army men, don’t use your mobile phone, don’t say holla to the monks! The advices just kept on coming! What you have to do is clear your head – you know your body more than anyone else. Take all the usual meds that you normally need. In addition to that, take Diamox (after proper consultation with your doctor) along with Avomine. In addition, if you have a case of the vertigo, take appropriate meds to suit your needs.

In terms of clothing, buy a good thick jacket, you wont be needing it in Leh Ladakh, but you would need it in your journey between Manali and Leh. Carry warm long sleeve clothes – lots of it.

By now, you must be thinking “Is this guy going to make a documentary out of this trip? Where is the fun!!” Well prepwork is always the boring stuff which no one wants to do but everyone wants to know. Trust me guys and gals, the fun stuff is almost there – right from the beginning of the trip. But that’s for another time.