Team-BHP - View Single Post - Thoughts on Ahmedabad - Leh - Kashmir - Ahmedabad (June-July 2009)

rlakhanpal · 14th April 2009, 16:15

Hi,

I am planning a driving vacation to Ladakh and Kashmir (ex-Ahmedabad) with my family this June (3rd week start), or early July. The itinerary is as attached:

Ladakh-Kashmir Itinerary.xls

Car : Santro Xing 2003 (53k, new Michelins, new battery)
Driver : Myself

Would be carrying basic spares, oils, hydraulic jack, m-seal, bungee rope etc (thanks to other Team-BHP members and their hard-work on similar plans).

Our parents would be flying to Leh and back from Srinagar (arranging a Qualis for them for the Ladakh-Srinagar excursions).

Need thoughts on the following:

1. I get around 360 km on a full tank of petrol (in city with A/C, always filled with the auto-cutoff at the pump, and till the time the light gives the inevitable bad news). Would the drive from Manali to Leh be possible with an additional 40 ltrs of fuel?

2. Read somewhere that the 20 ltr water bottles (Bisleri etc) are quite sufficient to carry petrol and these dont even leak fumes if the stopper is put in place properly. Is that correct? If not, can someone help with sourcing metal Jerry cans in Ahmedabad?

3. Any time restrictions at any places I'll be visiting (e.g. Jawahar Tunnel doesn't open before 8, any monestry museum closing down earlier than normal)? Was bitten hard when we drove to the Lothal on a Wednesday to find the museum close as it was the weekly off!

4. Planning on changing the cars head-lamps to Phillips Vision Plus (claim 50% additional range). Shall I?

5. Target to keep total cost within 5 figures (Rupee terms

- including all air fares, stay, fuel, tips, permits, tolls - everything) while ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable vacation for the whole family (remember, our parents are travelling too, so tents are out of the equation). Possible? Any suggestions on hotels, car rentals (Qualis around J&K)?

Thanks and Happy driving!

14th April 2009, 16:15	#1 (permalink)
rlakhanpal Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 5	Thoughts on Ahmedabad - Leh - Kashmir - Ahmedabad (June-July 2009) Hi, I am planning a driving vacation to Ladakh and Kashmir (ex-Ahmedabad) with my family this June (3rd week start), or early July. The itinerary is as attached: Ladakh-Kashmir Itinerary.xls Car : Santro Xing 2003 (53k, new Michelins, new battery) Driver : Myself Would be carrying basic spares, oils, hydraulic jack, m-seal, bungee rope etc (thanks to other Team-BHP members and their hard-work on similar plans). Our parents would be flying to Leh and back from Srinagar (arranging a Qualis for them for the Ladakh-Srinagar excursions). Need thoughts on the following: 1. I get around 360 km on a full tank of petrol (in city with A/C, always filled with the auto-cutoff at the pump, and till the time the light gives the inevitable bad news). Would the drive from Manali to Leh be possible with an additional 40 ltrs of fuel? 2. Read somewhere that the 20 ltr water bottles (Bisleri etc) are quite sufficient to carry petrol and these dont even leak fumes if the stopper is put in place properly. Is that correct? If not, can someone help with sourcing metal Jerry cans in Ahmedabad? 3. Any time restrictions at any places I'll be visiting (e.g. Jawahar Tunnel doesn't open before 8, any monestry museum closing down earlier than normal)? Was bitten hard when we drove to the Lothal on a Wednesday to find the museum close as it was the weekly off! 4. Planning on changing the cars head-lamps to Phillips Vision Plus (claim 50% additional range). Shall I? 5. Target to keep total cost within 5 figures (Rupee terms - including all air fares, stay, fuel, tips, permits, tolls - everything) while ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable vacation for the whole family (remember, our parents are travelling too, so tents are out of the equation). Possible? Any suggestions on hotels, car rentals (Qualis around J&K)? Thanks and Happy driving!