Sources

• Distances, the line of the road and fuel pumps: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database Licence. Routes worked out with the Open Source Routing Machine.
• Heights: NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, public domain, served by Open Topo Data.
• Shinku La

  en.wikipedia.org · Encyclopedia

• Zanskar Valley Trip 2026: Routes, Budget and Permits

  discoverwithdheeraj.com · Published guide · dated 18 August 2026

• Padum to Kargil Road Trip 2026: Route Guide

  discoverwithdheeraj.com · Published guide · dated 31 August 2026

• e-Aagman

  eaagman.hp.gov.in · Official page

• Leh-Manali Highway

  en.wikipedia.org · Encyclopedia

• Shinku La, Deepak Taal thrown open for tourists

  tribuneindia.com · News report · dated 11 April 2025

• Manali Leh Highway Status in 2026

  discoverlehladakh.in · Tour company's page · dated 9 June 2026

• Manali - Darcha - Shinkula - Padum (Zanskar) Road Status in 2026

  discoverlehladakh.in · Tour company's page · dated 8 May 2026

• Strategic Darcha-Shinkula road reopened for vehicles

  tribuneindia.com · News report · dated 10 May 2026

• Traffic movement regulated on Lahaul-Spiti passes due to snowfall

  tribuneindia.com · News report · dated 19 November 2024

• Padum-Darcha road officially reopened for traffic

  ladakh.gov.in · Official page · dated 9 April 2025

• Manali-Leh Highway closes, alternative routes to opt for

  outlooktraveller.com · News report · dated 24 November 2023

• Key roads in Kargil closed due to heavy snowfall, traffic advisory issued

  voiceofladakh.in · News report · dated 20 April 2025

• Darcha-Shinku La-Padum road thrown open, 45 stranded tourists evacuated

  tribuneindia.com · News report · dated 25 April 2025

• Darcha-Shinku La-Padum road reopens ahead of schedule

  discoverlehladakh.in · Tour company's page · dated 28 May 2021

• Mobile phone connectivity in Leh Ladakh

  discoverwithdheeraj.com · Published guide · dated 14 August 2026

• IndianOil locator: Zanskar Filling Station, Karsha

  locator.iocl.com · Official page

A gap is not a fact. It means we looked and found no source.

• No source gives the date motorcycles were first allowed over Shinku La in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.
• Opening date for 2023 and closing dates for 2021, 2022 and 2025 not found.
• A bridge collapse reported on 1 May 2026 comes from a search result only and was not confirmed.
• No official source found for the rule that Zanskar needs no permit; whether foreign citizens need one was not established.
• Whether the restriction on rental motorcycles from outside Ladakh is enforced in Zanskar was not found.
• Whether the e-Aagman vehicle pass is enforced on motorcycles was not confirmed.
• Sources give 16,700 feet and about 16,580 feet for Shinku La; the encyclopedia figure is used.
• The fuel claim about Darcha is a blogger's; it was not checked against a pump list.
• Usual days rests on a blogger's description of a long single-day drive.
• The first video gives no filming date; it was published on 14 June 2025.