Mumbai to Ladakh (Advice needed)

Locomotive · 30th June 2008, 22:06

me and my brother are planning a roadtrip from Mumbai to Ladakh during the first 2 weeks of August. We have two cars to choose from.
Maruti SX4 ZXI
Maruti Swift VDI (Non ABS)

While the SX4 seems to be a the obvious choice (ABS, better space, better ground clearance, fatter tires ect) the fuel bills would burn a hole through our pockets.The diesel swift would cost us less than half the money but I am not sure how much better the SX4 would be in those conditions.

Also do you think I should get any modifications (lights, engine guard etc) done to the car we choose before the journey?

I have heard from people that a car gets really gets a beating in this journey. what is the experience of those who have done this trip?

I have seen picture and read travelouges of this trip and it just seems to be right at the top f the "bucket list". But this is unchartered territory for us. We have travelled extensively on highways (the last long journey being from Mumbai to Bhubaneshwar) but we do not have too much mountain driving experience.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Sabya

hvkumar · 30th June 2008, 22:43

Car may take a beating, depends on the state of the roads at that time. Typically, you may have problems with worn out brake pads, damages in exhaust, wheel bearings, wheel rims and suspension.

Does not really matter which car you take - Swift is a powerful car for the Ladakhi conditions. No need to make any modifications.

I have done the Bombay-Ladakh drive twice in a small Matiz and am planning another trip in my Scorpio, starting from Bombay on Aug 23.

There may be several ba road sections, and you need to be very patient in travelling such sections and taking on steep gradients in such bad roads. Often, I had to offload my passengers and go up certain gradients (like in soft snow up Chang la) only after repeated attempts (climb, stall, reverse, try again).

The Ladakh drive is not a 100 m sprint - it is a slow Marathon.

sudev · 30th June 2008, 22:44

Depends on the route you take....via Srinagar or via Manali. Actually either way both cars should be able to make it. Been there twice in an Esteem AT (apart from other times with Qualis/Armada/GV)

Only advice I will volunteers is go easy and in stages beyond the first hills (Simla/Manali or Sirnagar) and allow body to get acclimatized.

Locomotive · 30th June 2008, 23:38

Thanks guys, I havent yet planned out the route. Most probably it will be the Manali. Folks at home are very wary about us going to Srinagar. All we have now is a 2 week break from office from the first of August.

I would certainly seek your advice on the route and places to go (specially not so touristy places once in Ladakh)

30th June 2008, 22:06	#1
Locomotive BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 221 Thanked: 108 Times View My Garage	Mumbai to Ladakh (Advice needed) me and my brother are planning a roadtrip from Mumbai to Ladakh during the first 2 weeks of August. We have two cars to choose from. Maruti SX4 ZXI Maruti Swift VDI (Non ABS) While the SX4 seems to be a the obvious choice (ABS, better space, better ground clearance, fatter tires ect) the fuel bills would burn a hole through our pockets.The diesel swift would cost us less than half the money but I am not sure how much better the SX4 would be in those conditions. Also do you think I should get any modifications (lights, engine guard etc) done to the car we choose before the journey? I have heard from people that a car gets really gets a beating in this journey. what is the experience of those who have done this trip? I have seen picture and read travelouges of this trip and it just seems to be right at the top f the "bucket list". But this is unchartered territory for us. We have travelled extensively on highways (the last long journey being from Mumbai to Bhubaneshwar) but we do not have too much mountain driving experience. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Sabya
	() Thanks

30th June 2008, 22:43	#2
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,454 Times	Car may take a beating, depends on the state of the roads at that time. Typically, you may have problems with worn out brake pads, damages in exhaust, wheel bearings, wheel rims and suspension. Does not really matter which car you take - Swift is a powerful car for the Ladakhi conditions. No need to make any modifications. I have done the Bombay-Ladakh drive twice in a small Matiz and am planning another trip in my Scorpio, starting from Bombay on Aug 23. There may be several ba road sections, and you need to be very patient in travelling such sections and taking on steep gradients in such bad roads. Often, I had to offload my passengers and go up certain gradients (like in soft snow up Chang la) only after repeated attempts (climb, stall, reverse, try again). The Ladakh drive is not a 100 m sprint - it is a slow Marathon.
	() Thanks

30th June 2008, 22:44	#3
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	Depends on the route you take....via Srinagar or via Manali. Actually either way both cars should be able to make it. Been there twice in an Esteem AT (apart from other times with Qualis/Armada/GV) Only advice I will volunteers is go easy and in stages beyond the first hills (Simla/Manali or Sirnagar) and allow body to get acclimatized.
	() Thanks

30th June 2008, 23:38	#4
Locomotive BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 221 Thanked: 108 Times View My Garage	Thanks guys, I havent yet planned out the route. Most probably it will be the Manali. Folks at home are very wary about us going to Srinagar. All we have now is a 2 week break from office from the first of August. I would certainly seek your advice on the route and places to go (specially not so touristy places once in Ladakh)
	() Thanks