As mentioned in previous post, we had prebooked stay at a few places. We are sharing details of the places we pre-booked, finalised on route and recommended them to bikers on a budget.
SRINAGAR:
Kashmir Holiday Inn
CONTACT: Amin: 8491071246
Address: Harwan, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190025
Phone: 0194 246 1350
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| View from Kashmir Holiday Inn |
DRASS:
J & K Tourist Guest House DRAS
Mobile: 9403683599
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| View from Drass JKTD Guest House |
LAMAYURU:
Hotel Niranjana
Next to Lamayuru Monastery (Gompa)
Phone:01982 224 555
Contact: Captain Tashi
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| View from Hotel Niranjana |
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| Hotel Niranjana right next to the Gompa |
LEH:
We had prebooked The Gurgu Homestay on main Tukcha Road but for some reasons could not stay there. Instead we ended up staying at a guest house right next to their property by the name of Shani La Guest House. It has nice spacious rooms, a beautiful garden and some amazing rose bushes!
DISKIT:
There are a few stay options at Diskit and they are comfortable. You can even do camping at Diskit or Hunder though they are more expensive. The highlight of our hotel was a stream flowing right next to the hotel. The owner had used the water for drinking and it was a joy to drink mountain fresh mineral water directly from the flowing stream!
ADVICE: We would recommend you try staying at the Monastery or near it. We did not get the chance but would highly recommend it. They have all basic facilities, individual rooms with solar heaters and power. Plus you get bragging rights that you stayed in a monastery!
SPANGMIK (near Pangong Lake)
We had prebooked our stay at Dorjay Delbu Guest House at Merak but were unable to make it there as we reached Pangong pretty late at night. It was risky going a further 20 kms as the road is pretty bad and we didn't want to take any unnecessary changes. We ended up spending the night at Spangmik instead.
Dream Land Wooden Cottages
Pangong Lake Road
Contact: 094195 36311
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| The mesmerising view of Pangong Lake from DreamLand |
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| The cottages themselves |
ADVICE: It was bitterly cold at Spangmik. You will need to wear thermals and preferably use a good sleeping bag even though they give you warm blankets. Do request for a bonfire! They will charge you a nominal fee for the wood but nothing like a good old bonfire by Pangong Lake!
KARU:
There are hardly any places to stay at Karu. We recommend you should stay at Hemis or even head back to Leh and get a comfortable night stay. At Karu we managed to get a homestay which the owners had basically converted their upper floor and 3 rooms to let out. There was just 1 bathroom so getting ready early next morning was an issue.
JISPA:
We managed to reach Jispa very late at night and everything was fully booked. We got lucky and got reference from another hotel for a place called Himalayan Guest House. We managed to get only 2 rooms for the 10 of us but got extra bedding so managed easily.
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| View from Himalayan Guest House at Jispa |
MANALI:
Many stay options at Manali to suit every budget! We stayed near the Bus stand at Manali. However we would recommend you stay at any of the guest houses/hotels by the river side and away from the mad hustle bustle of main street.
AMBALA:
We had planned to stay on the outskirts of Chandigarh but ended up staying at a hotel just 10 kms away from Ambala. Countless options available at Chandigarh.
DELHI:
Can find any type of accomodation easily!
ADVICE: Don't prebook your hotels. Reach destination early, search for a place to stay and bargain hard!