Leh Ladakh & Spiti Valley Trip in 2021 — Latest July Update — Covid Rules, Bike Issue & Road Status
Friends, I am getting lots of questions on traveling to the Himalayas these days as the covid impact is reducing in India. Many states have either removed the restrictions completely or relaxed a lot for trouble-free travel.
So questions like if I can go to Ladakh or Spiti or traveling there is safe or not, or how are the road conditions in Ladakh or Spiti or are there any covid restrictions or rules we should keep in mind?
Here is the July updates on these questions to help you plan safe trip to Ladakh & Spiti.
Before we begin, let me stress on the importance of staying at home, staying safe, wearing masks and following covid guidelines. This way you will protect yourself as well as locals of the Himalayas.
Let’s start with Ladakh updates before going to Spiti updates.
Let’s start with road status and road conditions.
Talking about Srinagar Leh, the road is open and in fair condition. Road is still narrow at Zojila Pass.
So right now authorities have made Friday as maintenance day and no traffic is allowed to ply on Fridays.
Hence you will not be able to travel between Sonmarg and Kargil on Fridays.
Sometimes they do allow light vehicles in the evening but there is no guarantee.
So adjust your travel plan accordingly. And this Friday maintenance day should be kept in mind.
Now you will ask if Zojila Pass is like this, how is Manali Leh Highway?
Manali Leh is open but the road conditions from Darcha to Sarchu to Pang, They are bad and it takes some time to cross this section.
Nowadays a water crossing near Patseo has lot of water in it and another one near Sarchu — Bharatpur has also gone ferocious.
Hence if you are staying at Jispa or Keylong then leave early morning so that you find less water in these water crossings. As noon comes, sunrises and snow melt faster, the water level increases making them difficult to cross. Roads within Ladakh are in good condition.
Flights to Leh are operational but please check the covid guidelines from the airlines from the state you are flying from.
These updates were on road conditions and status for Ladakh road but what about the covid guidelines?
See if you are traveling to Ladakh, you still need to show a negative RTPCR report and its validity should not be more than 96 hrs. The report is mandatory irrespective if you travel by road or by flight.
Even if you have negative RTPCR report, the covid checking center can do a Rapid test there and if, god forbid, found positive. Then you will have to quarantine yourself in those centers or some hotel in Leh.
When traveling by road you will pass through Manali Leh or Srinagar Leh. Himachal’s latest covid rule updates have removed the need for any RTPCR report or ePass. So at least entry to Himachal is not a concern. You need to show your report at Upshi before entering Leh.
From Srinagar Leh side, you need to show the reports at Phyang, Khaltsi or Meenamarg checkposts.
Now let’s talk of some important questions and the most popular one is what to do if I do not have the RTPCR report or it expired before reaching the center, Then in that case what can you do?
Such cases are at the mercy of the centers on which it has happened to you.
Are you at Upshi or Meenamarg? Specifically, Meenamarg checkpost is very strict and they may send you back in case report is expired or not there.
Another check posts, especially in cases of the expired report, are allowing but then they are doing the RTPCR test there and they will ask you to quarantine in Leh hotel until your test results do not come out for it.
Hence it is a humble request that if you are in this situation then please do proper quarantine in Leh hotel, till the time your report does not come out. This way you will keep yourself safe as well as others in the hotels safe. So please take care of it.
Let’s talk now about some more important aspects before talking about Spiti.
If I talk about permits then the process is now completely online and if you are able to make a successful payment then you do not need to visit the DC office and get a stamp on it.
So far there is no need to upload any RTPCR report but in future, there may be a need. But as long as you are able to make a successful payment then you can make a copy of it or even take a screenshot of it and display it when checked.
Yes this is definite that if you are unable to make a payment due to any technical error then you will need to visit the DC office which remains open from 10 AM to 12 PM for permit application and is closed on Sundays. read more