[UniqueMods]

Bluee (Santro), Wifee and Mee - A trip of a life time - 13 days of nature’s virgin beauty and 1 big scare.


I had been planning this for more than a year, but never had any company to actually do it.

Finally in Mar 2011, gathered and encourage a group of friend to do the trip. 3 cars, 12 guys n gals.

By the mid of June, one by one, jobs, leaves and other travel plans, the number reduced and I was left with no one.



So…

My wife and I decided to do it ourselves, inspired by the many couples that had done this trip alone.

Only one issue, mine is a small hatch. Still, we decided to go till where we could and return if thing got too difficult.


July 9th Day 1 - Mumbai to Ajmer 1050km

RTDC hotel in Ajmer was good. Rs. 1500 for room with double bed.

Excellent roads once you’re out of Maharashtra



First sand dune.


July 10th Day 2 - Ajmer to Pathankot
Don’t stay at ahbi international in Pathankot. Horrible.
5 -6 good hotels ahead of Pathankot on the highway towards Jammu.







July 11th Day 3 - Pathankot to Srinagar
Roads are curvy but in good condition
Be care full on 1000's blind curves. PJ, JK, HP tourist drivers have a need for extra risk.
There is only one tubeless tire puncture repair man on this stretch.
Small dhaba’s along the road, are excellent. A must have aloo ka parotha stop.








Reminder to drive safe.

[UniqueMods]

July 12th Day 4 - Srinagar rest and sightseeing.
Hotel Kholee . Rs. 1500 for room with double bed. Very cosy.
Mughal Barg, Shankarcharya temple, Mugal fort, Hazratbar shrine and dal lake shikara ride was the agenda.

So the next day left for sightseeing. This came to a screeching halt. Tthe rear right wheel got jammed on Dal lake road outside an army base. That was lucky, it didn’t happen the next day, on the way to Kargil. Army people started helping without even me asking. Very hospitable and helpful.
God takes care of his children. Just in the morning I had the car washed and check by a mechanic next to the hotel. Took his number too, just for formality. This came in use. Called him there, somehow got the car back to his garage. Both rear brake pads sets replaced.

Back to sight seeing.

[UniqueMods]

July 13th Day 5 - Srinagar to Kargil
Roads are 30% good, for a small car.
Zozilla pass is dusty but doable by any vehicle.
Hotel Shichen at Kargil. Expensive as I went without booking. Rs. 2400 for room with double bed. Very cosy.














Escort through Zozila pass

[GTO]

Thread moved to the Travelogues forum. Thanks for sharing!

[sachinj12]

@UM, that is one heck of a trip you have done. And of course, some really good snaps.

It would be really nice if you could add a bit more info on the route,conditions etc etc.

Originally Posted by UniqueMods

Still, we decided to go till where we could and return if thing got too difficult.

Even I have been telling the same to the doomsday-predictors, pessimists and well-wishers, who doubt the capability of my Linea.

Zozilla pass is dusty but doable by any vehicle.

Thanks a lot, UniqueMods, for these encouraging words. My Linea will be crossing Zozilla Pass on 16 September 2011 carrying myself and my wife. I am glued to this thread.

[sami316]

Hi UM,

This is a really great trip that you guys have done that too in a Hatchback. Kudos to both of you. Thanks for sharing the pics. Waiting for more. Would request you to add more details to the TL and make it more informative. Thanks again.

[UniqueMods]

Some more snaps prior to reaching Kargil.













July 14th Day 6 - Kargil to Leh
50 Km before leh is good roads. Rest is ok with bad patches in between.

[UniqueMods]

More snaps from on-road to Leh.

I reached Leh at 3 pm, and went straight to the DC office. I had my permits in hand in 30 min.
Collect the form from the ground floor building right next to the main gate, on the left.
Pay the environmental donation and fill form and take one sign and stamp after showing original Pan/ Passport. Next in the main building, the DC approves it and your done. The DC is a very sweet and corporative lady.
Rest of the day went in sightseeing and shopping.

[UniqueMods]

Originally Posted by GTO

Thread moved to the Travelogues forum. Thanks for sharing!

THANKS

Originally Posted by sachinj12

@UM, that is one heck of a trip you have done. And of course, some really good snaps.

It would be really nice if you could add a bit more info on the route,conditions etc etc.

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Even I have been telling the same to the doomsday-predictors, pessimists and well-wishers, who doubt the capability of my Linea.

Thanks a lot, UniqueMods, for these encouraging words. My Linea will be crossing Zozilla Pass on 16 September 2011 carrying myself and my wife. I am glued to this thread.

Please be prepared for some underbody damage. My cars got a new silencer flex pipe (Rs1000). Also got a new coating of antirust coating for about 45 small scrapes and "thud" on the underbody that my wife was counting (Free touchup)

Originally Posted by sami316

Hi UM,

This is a really great trip that you guys have done that too in a Hatchback. Kudos to both of you. Thanks for sharing the pics. Waiting for more. Would request you to add more details to the TL and make it more informative. Thanks again.

Thanks. I will put up my entire trip planning data later in a ZIP file.

UM

Originally Posted by UniqueMods

Please be prepared for some underbody damage.

I have planned to do my Leh expedition via Srinagar for both up and down journeys. I don't intend to return via Rohtang Pass and Keylong. Does this apply even then?

[UniqueMods]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

I have planned to do my Leh expedition via Srinagar for both up and down journeys. I don't intend to return via Rohtang Pass and Keylong. Does this apply even then?

Till Srinagar its 100% tarmac. Srinagar to Kargil to Leh has its bad patches.
Zozilla and the 10km sterch after zozila is in bad condition. This place my car did touch on the under body couple of times, but one has to be careful, thats all. The most dangerous was Rotang. Please avoid it completely. I will come to my experience of Leh to Sarchu and Manali in the coming posts.

UM

Originally Posted by UniqueMods

The most dangerous was Rotang. Please avoid it completely.

Thanks a lot once again, UniqueMods, for prompt response. Yes, that's why I don't intend to go anywhere near RohtangPass!

[Night_Hawk]

Originally Posted by UniqueMods

Bluee (Santro), Wifee and Mee - A trip of a life time - 13 days of nature’s virgin beauty and 1 big scare.
I had been planning this for more than a year, but never had any company to actually do it.
Finally in Mar 2011, gathered and encourage a group of friend to do the trip. 3 cars, 12 guys n gals.
By the mid of June, one by one, jobs, leaves and other travel plans, the number reduced and I was left with no one.
So…My wife and I decided to do it ourselves, inspired by the many couples that had done this trip alone.

Very Interesting narration. Pictures are awesome. What camera did you use.
Please do share the details of the day / night tempretures; and the mobile netwrok connectivity issues too. This will be of immense use for people planning a trip to this dream destination

[UniqueMods]

Updating Driving time.

July 9th Day 1 - Mumbai to Ajmer - 1050km – 3am to 7pm – aggressive driving
July 10th Day 2 - Ajmer to Pathankot – 900km – 5am to 8pm – aggressive driving
July 11th Day 3 - Pathankot to Srinagar – 250km – 8am to 2pm – relaxed driving
July 12th Day 4 - Srinagar rest and sightseeing – 50 km in city
July 13th Day 5 - Srinagar to Kargil – 200km – 6am to 3pm - relaxed but careful driving
July 14th Day 6 - Kargil to Leh – 230km – 6am to 3pm - relaxed but careful driving

Originally Posted by Night_Hawk

Very Interesting narration. Pictures are awesome. What camera did you use.
Please do share the details of the day / night tempretures; and the mobile netwrok connectivity issues too. This will be of immense use for people planning a trip to this dream destination

I used a canon 10mp pocket camera. Should have bought and taken a DSLR. The difference between the pics and the actual look is huge.

I don't have actual temps but i will classify into comfort level.
Jammu, Srinagar, Manali were pleasant with no need of warm cloths. Day or night.
Kargil, Leh were cold but comfortable with just a sweater at night.
Sarchu, Khardung La, Zingral were chilling at Night.

I was carrying 1 vodafone perpaid and 1 Postpaid. also 1 Tata CDMA postpaid. All were working till Leh. Leh to Sarchu to Manali, none of them worked. there are STD at every village and only working cell is BSNL postpaid.

UM