Better Leh'd than Never - a 3,004 kms round trip of a lifetime! - Page 7 - Team-BHP

hvkumar · 19th June 2009, 16:09

Srinagar-Jammu
I have left Srinagar at 730 am and reached Jammu at 2 pm.
On another occasion, I have left Srinagar at 1030 am and reached Jammu at 600 pm.
ON yet another occasion, left Srinagar at 6 am and was in Jammu at 1 pm, despite some wait for the Jawahar Tunnel to open and some mechanical problems.

Delhi-Jammu
8-9 hours

Some pix of my Matiz negotiating some below-par roads in Ladakh:

tsk1979 · 19th June 2009, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrsteer

TSK, I for one, seeing for the first time such emotions towards Safari, coming from you

First time?? Well I love my white elephant. But I am scared of the times she is in heat. Needs a Mahaout from TML to control her then

suman · 19th June 2009, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Delhi-Jammu
8-9 hours

Wow, hats off to your driving! It was 643 kms from my house & took me almost 11 hours. Doing that distance in 8 to 9 hours is indeed commendable, particularly with the frequent diversions & bad roads after Pathankot

veyron-w16 · 19th June 2009, 16:30

Suman Dada,
Amazing pictures, its like a drive of life. Memories which u will cherish lifelong. This thread gives me one more reason to go for 4X4.

Dry Ice · 19th June 2009, 16:51

WOW!!! Its getting better with each post!!!
Please sir, finish it up soon.

Waiting eagerly for the next installment.

breezydrive · 19th June 2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Delhi-Jammu
8-9 hours

Some pix of my Matiz negotiating some below-par roads in Ladakh

My hometown is Pathankot.The fastest lap done to Pathankot in last 10 years : 6 hours 15 min ( non stop with pee breaks) ; car - Swift Ldi at breakneck speeds. Otherwise, the average time from Delhi byepass is 8 hours with 1-2 breaks.

Pathanot - Nagrota ( byepass Jammu city by turning right) takes two hours. Add 5 hours for Banihal from here.

@ ramkya1 -So total time for Delhi - Banihal trip is 8+2+5=15 hrs. Start 5 am & reach 8 pm

HVK, nice pics of your Matiz. BTW, in a small car, co-passengers to get down at such junctions.

suman · 19th June 2009, 17:13

ZOJI LA!!!! Somehow, the name has always conjured up visions of the foreboding & unknown, I don't know why. Well, I had heard enough about Zoji La to know that it was difficult terrain in the best of times & quite treacherous in the wet. So, as we roared off from the Army control barrier, there was a huge sense of anticipation & expectancy in the vehicle. We were all looking forward to driving through the first mighty Pass in our own vehicle and the fact that it had such a reputation was definitely adding to our sense of adventure and I guess we were all very very excited! We drove on through the beautiful surroundings, climbing higher and higher. Roads, though curvy, were still in pretty good shape for the first 20 minutes or so of our drive

better-leh-d-than-never-3-004-kms-round-trip-lifetime-img_2228.jpg

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And then, the conditions started changing - tarmac gave way to dirt and then there were the huge craters full of water.

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The couple of vehicles in front eventually made way for us to pass & decided to gingerly follow in our path through the huge craters covered with water & treacherous boulders. I engaged 4L & gently chugged along. Not that it really helped them apart from observing how deep the craters were when the Safari passed through them

better-leh-d-than-never-3-004-kms-round-trip-lifetime-img_2267.jpg

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And then, the worst was over & we had crossed the mighty Zoji La; Beacon ended & Himank began

better-leh-d-than-never-3-004-kms-round-trip-lifetime-img_2273.jpg

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We hadn't realized it but almost an hour had elapsed since we started our ascent & we arrived at the checkpost just after Zoji La - Ghumri (3,451 meters) at 1.54 pm

better-leh-d-than-never-3-004-kms-round-trip-lifetime-img_2284.jpg

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With mixed feelings after having conquered our first Pass, we proceeded on the downward journey - the bad roads kept us company for a while longer

better-leh-d-than-never-3-004-kms-round-trip-lifetime-img_2290.jpg

sudev · 19th June 2009, 17:25

Mostly vehicles getting struck has also to do with the fact lot of these streams have ice or extremely slippery rock surface. I have seen a Qualis with ample clearance just sliding sideways on face of icy surface. It is so like being on greased surface.

But Da get on with travelogue!!

hemanthisgreat · 19th June 2009, 17:30

Travelogue is shaping up very nicely. Looking forward to more.

naman07 · 19th June 2009, 17:44

Thanks a lot Suman, tsk1979, ramkya1, MileCruncher and hvkumar for your replies.

Although doing it on a SUV is highly recommended but from your responses it seems doable on a getz.

Suman -
Pics are never enough sir. Keep them flowing. Travelogue is building up quiet nicely.

MileCruncher · 19th June 2009, 17:57

Damn!!! What am I doing in office

when there are so many better things to do in life

KSM-Vtec · 19th June 2009, 18:03

Well office is the best place to sit and plan your trip to Leh...lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Damn!!! What am I doing in office

when there are so many better things to do in life

akroy · 19th June 2009, 18:08

Wonderful narration and breathtaking pics. I am glued. J&K is simply speechless suman da. Keep them coming.

Abhi

ashthedivx · 19th June 2009, 18:24

Zoji La !! Sounds like "Jai ho !!" Keep posting, pics are never enough

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Damn!!! What am I doing in office

when there are so many better things to do in life

Well, you are earning money to be spent on the tour. Isn't it enough for you !!

faithless_1984 · 19th June 2009, 18:24

Quote:

Zoji La !! Sounds like "Jai ho !!

Or Godzilla.!

Quote:

Wonderful narration and breathtaking pics

+1
Thanks for sharing Suman sir.

A trip to Leh is at the top on my wish list.

19th June 2009, 16:09	#91 (permalink)
hvkumar Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,577	Srinagar-Jammu I have left Srinagar at 730 am and reached Jammu at 2 pm. On another occasion, I have left Srinagar at 1030 am and reached Jammu at 600 pm. ON yet another occasion, left Srinagar at 6 am and was in Jammu at 1 pm, despite some wait for the Jawahar Tunnel to open and some mechanical problems. Delhi-Jammu 8-9 hours Some pix of my Matiz negotiating some below-par roads in Ladakh: Attached Images __________________ Kumar 2005 Mahindra Scorpio 2.6 1999 Daewoo Matiz SE 1994 Mahindra Commander 1986 TVS Suzuki AX100

19th June 2009, 16:30	#94 (permalink)
veyron-w16 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: delhi Posts: 28	Suman Dada, Amazing pictures, its like a drive of life. Memories which u will cherish lifelong. This thread gives me one more reason to go for 4X4. __________________ Hyundai Verna VGT Chevrolet Impala V8 Hyundai Santro

19th June 2009, 16:51	#95 (permalink)
Dry Ice BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 182	WOW!!! Its getting better with each post!!! Please sir, finish it up soon. Waiting eagerly for the next installment. __________________ With great BHP comes great responsibility Drive sensibly!!

19th June 2009, 17:13	#97 (permalink)
suman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,521 View My Garage	Day Three: Zoji La!!! *ZOJI LA!!!!* Somehow, the name has always conjured up visions of the foreboding & unknown, I don't know why. Well, I had heard enough about Zoji La to know that it was difficult terrain in the best of times & quite treacherous in the wet. So, as we roared off from the Army control barrier, there was a huge sense of anticipation & expectancy in the vehicle. We were all looking forward to driving through the *first mighty Pass in our own vehicle* and the fact that it had such a reputation was definitely adding to our sense of adventure and I guess we were all very very excited! We drove on through the beautiful surroundings, climbing higher and higher. Roads, though curvy, were still in pretty good shape for the first 20 minutes or so of our drive And then, the conditions started changing - tarmac gave way to dirt and then there were the huge craters full of water. The couple of vehicles in front eventually made way for us to pass & decided to gingerly follow in our path through the huge craters covered with water & treacherous boulders. I engaged 4L & gently chugged along. Not that it really helped them apart from observing how deep the craters were when the Safari passed through them And then, the worst was over & we had crossed the mighty Zoji La; Beacon ended & Himank began We hadn't realized it but almost an hour had elapsed since we started our ascent & we arrived at the checkpost just after Zoji La - Ghumri (3,451 meters) at 1.54 pm With mixed feelings after having conquered our first Pass, we proceeded on the downward journey - the bad roads kept us company for a while longer __________________ "Unborn TO-MORROW and dead YESTERDAY, Why fret about them if TO-DAY be sweet!" - The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Last edited by suman : 19th June 2009 at 17:16.

19th June 2009, 17:25	#98 (permalink)
sudev Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Faridabad Posts: 1,114	Mostly vehicles getting struck has also to do with the fact lot of these streams have ice or extremely slippery rock surface. I have seen a Qualis with ample clearance just sliding sideways on face of icy surface. It is so like being on greased surface. But Da get on with travelogue!! __________________ Sudev

19th June 2009, 17:30	#99 (permalink)
hemanthisgreat BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 472 View My Garage	Travelogue is shaping up very nicely. Looking forward to more. __________________ **It's not about how you act, how cool you are, or what you're wearing. It's all about how LOUD your car is.**

19th June 2009, 17:44	#100 (permalink)
naman07 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Noida Posts: 17	Thanks a lot Suman, tsk1979, ramkya1, MileCruncher and hvkumar for your replies. Although doing it on a SUV is highly recommended but from your responses it seems doable on a getz. Suman - Pics are never enough sir. Keep them flowing. Travelogue is building up quiet nicely.

19th June 2009, 17:57	#101 (permalink)
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,415 View My Garage	Damn!!! What am I doing in office when there are so many better things to do in life

19th June 2009, 18:08	#103 (permalink)
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore (now in SC, USA) Posts: 2,272 View My Garage	Wonderful narration and breathtaking pics. I am glued. J&K is simply speechless suman da. Keep them coming. Abhi __________________ ------------------------------------ 2003 Bajaj Caliber115 \| 2006 Alto LXi ------------------------------------

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