[noopster]

Originally Posted by Swanand Inamdar

In April, we did book an Endeavor from Avis (Selfdrive). Pretty neat cars in stock I must say. The entire boooking process was a breeze.

Was that for your Naini trip? We are still awaiting your TL!

Nice to know you can drive the yellow-on-black plated vehicles in Ladakh as well. As many have rightly pointed out, the only taxis allowed to ply there are those from the Leh Taxi Union, which makes sense considering those guys are seasoned mountain drivers and this is their only means of livelihood in the 4-month or so tourist season.

The Avis/Hertz vehicles with these plates are not a problem to drive in Southern states either. We used to take visitors around regularly in these and never had a problem with cops that I can recall.

A drive from Delhi in an Endy sounds like a great idea. I have no illusions of managing a Ladakh trip on my own but somewhere lower down in the Himalayas would be great!

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by Swanand Inamdar

@Onesomeone: That was the same Endy we booked in April!

@Bala: Avis has that option too. Charges for that may be on the higher side though. However, since selfdriven options are not available in Pune as of now, that seems like a far cry!

Thanks Swanand, anyway I think the OP was about selfdrive options available for the Himalayas. In this case, I do believe that people would return the car in Delhi itself. Perhaps it may be more sensible for me to plan a round trip so that I dont feel I am covering the same route on my return. All in good time.

[Kairalee]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Has this initiative been stopped. Could not find the SUV's on Avis site.

Originally Posted by selfdrive

I think the OP was about selfdrive options available for the Himalayas. .

Just called Avis. They have withdrawn this particular offer to self drive through the Himalayas.

The reason they gave me was that "the SUVs were returned in very bad shape and they are in no shape to be driven through the hilly areas again!

So, Avis has withdrawn this offer no plans to revive it!"

[fine69]

Does anyone know of a similar service, besides Avis, where in self-driven 4x4s are available in Delhi/NCR region and that can be taken to the hills?

[Kairalee]

There is another provider called Eco rent-a-car that rents out SUVs in the Delhi/NCR region, but am not sure if they allow them to be taken to the hills.

>> Here is the URL to their website

[fine69]

Originally Posted by Kairalee

There is another provider called Eco rent-a-car that rents out SUVs in the Delhi/NCR region, but am not sure if they allow them to be taken to the hills.

No they don't :(

Cars Available on Self Drive :

Suzuki Swift (In Delhi only)
Toyota Corolla (In Delhi and Bangalore)
Honda Accord (In Delhi only)
Toyota Camry (In Delhi only)
Mercedes Benz E Class(In Delhi only)
Mercedes Benz S Class (In Delhi only)

Source: Eco Rent-a-car website

[powertrain]

It's sad that avis has stopped this service. But I dont blame them at all ! Trust us people to treat somebody's car like s**t !!!
Since they have stopped the service, I dont see the point of this thread. Mods, I think it's time to bury this thread.

[the VTEC guy]

Have they stopped the special offer for renting SUV to Himalaya or they have stopped the self drive SUV's itself? Cos if its available for rent as self drive option one could still rent it.

[Kairalee]

Its still available for self drive, but not to the Himalayas.

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by noopster

Nice to know you can drive the yellow-on-black plated vehicles in Ladakh as well. As many have rightly pointed out, the only taxis allowed to ply there are those from the Leh Taxi Union, which makes sense considering those guys are seasoned mountain drivers and this is their only means of livelihood in the 4-month or so tourist season.
A drive from Delhi in an Endy sounds like a great idea. I have no illusions of managing a Ladakh trip on my own but somewhere lower down in the Himalayas would be great!

I'd much rather disagree. Driving in ladakh is far easier than say Kerala, with its crazy traffic and mad drivers and aggressive buses.

Beyond rohtang - its pretty much peaceful. And if the weather turns bad - you better not be a hero in taking on a raging stream across a broken bridge or suchlike.

Aside from that - you can jolly well manage a ladakh trip in any vehicle. Junta have done it in a nano and an 3 wheeler of all things.

[kousik]

Any alternative suggestions then? I'm planning a trip Delhi - Corbett - Nainital - Pangot - Sattal - Delhi, and really can use a self driven SUV. Any other operator would allow the same?

[SS-Traveller]

Update regarding availability of SUVs for self-drive rental...

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

The friend checked with Eco Rent-a-car and the quote he received on email was as follows:

• Ford Endeavour 4x2 Rs.56,000 per week
• Toyota Fortuner 4x4 Rs.65,000 per week
• 50% additional surcharge for taking to Ladakh

Not sure if this is negotiable or not. No feedback yet about daily rates.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

The friend checked with Eco Rent-a-car and the quote he received on email was as follows:
Ford Endeavour 4x2 Rs.56,000 per week
Toyota Fortuner 4x4 Rs.65,000 per week
50% additional surcharge for taking to Ladakh
Update regarding availability of SUVs for self-drive rental...[/list]Not sure if this is negotiable or not. No feedback yet about daily rates.

Ridiculously high priced, but then Ladakh is an expensive destination for taxi hire anyway. If you hire a SUV in Leh (with driver), you pay anywhere between 5-7,000 per day anyway, and in some sectors it is higher too.

[fine69]

A 4x2 Endy at 56000/week!! Does anybody reckon a second-hand M800/Alto at the same price, for TWO weeks and later to be sold at, say, 20% depreciation! But that's for people like me who drive to off-beat places with just their spouse.

I think this'd make more sense to a group of guys planning a week or two in Ladakh terrain with go-anywhere vehicles. For a group of 4 guys it comes down to just 2k per person per day. I think with a vehicle like Endy/T-Fort (2.3k) it might not be that bad a deal.

[Fauji]

Folks,

Has anyone used Avis self drive option in Delhi recently?

I was checking with them today for a requirement and the guy on the phone was saying that there are no diesel cars for self drive option and all cars are petrol cars.

Is this true? Has anyone used diesel cars from Avis?