[aviorp]

Originally Posted by @400Kph

29 hours continuous driving !!! Are you serious ? Isnt that kind of dangerous ?

No, not at all. I know people who have driven for more than 40 hours.

Originally Posted by amitwlele

Good start. I think it was good that you had a partner in this long drive. It definitely helps, rather than doing the journey alone.

Following the thread for further updates.

Thanks amitwlele. Yeah, it did help to an extent. Will share more information on this.

Originally Posted by sachinj12

One more travelouge of Leh/ Waiting for more! Also I suggest (if I may) add a bit more writing to the travelouge. Nothing like a good detailed info and jaw dropping pics.

Edit: Every time I see a travelouge of Leh/Ladakh, I half expect the BHPian's location to be a North India. Good to see someone from our own Bangy do it

Thanks sachinj12. I'll surely write a lot more. Just that the initial 4 days was more than a drive to Leh. So, dont have many pics.

Originally Posted by noidea

29 hours, on the trot, is a ridiculous amount of time to spend behind the wheel.
Didn't any of the seniors ask you not to do it?? I would especially like to hear what HVK has to say about that bit of dare devilry!
Though I am cheering for you!!

Thanks noidea. Well, its not that unsafe I guess because I know, people have done a lot more than this.

[aviorp]

I had to ask for directions to Pathankot from Amritsar and I pronounced P'kot the way it is. When I asked a few guys, they gave me a look, as though, that place dint even exist and I dint realize, what I was doing wrong. Finally, at a fuel station, the guy said 'Pathaaankot', with the syllable stress.

Well, I have actually been making mistakes all the way. For example : Hanumangarh is pronouced Hanumangad. No wonder people gave me such perplexed looks, when I asked for directions.

Well, I thought I had learnt my lesson, but not quite.

It was around 90 odd kms and the road is pathetic. It is a 2-lane road with buses doing a drag race (Kerala style). Just after Sujanpur, there was a massive traffic jam. After inching forward, saw the first signs of J&K.



I dont remember seeing such a beautiful sunset in the entire trip.



The road to Jammu was a 4-lane, however people cross roads at their own wish and worst were cows, sitting in the middle of the road. As it was getting dark, I was getting stressed, trying to focus more on the roads.

So, got this idea of taking a short-cut to Udhampur, which made the situation even worst.

Took a right to Udhampur, at Samba and immediately realized, it was a blunder. Hardly 10 kms into the drive and vehicles were stuck because water broke loose somewhere and a small stream, had now become like a river crossing. I dont have any pics of these as uncle had dozed off and I dint have the patience to take the camera out.

Finally, at 11 PM reached Udhampur and checked into a hotel.

Route :

Amritsar -> Pathankot -> Lakhenpur -> Samba -> Udhampur

Distance :

230

Total Distance for the day :

Hanumangarh -> Amritsar -> Udhampur : 530 Kms



Monday, 12th September

Left Udhampur around 7 AM and had our breakfast at Batote. Our first taste of Maggi noodles, during this trip.

We heard some gun-firing and uncle asking a cop, what was that all about.

This is the place, the cop corrected me on how to pronounce 'Ladakh'. He said 'Ladaaakh', again with the syllable stress. By now, I really was hoping, not to make a mistake.



Fresh and cold water.



We were told not to take pics and just keep going. Had to request quite a few times to take just one pic.



First view of greenery, surrounded by hills.









Unfortunately, the canteen was closed. I would have loved to have dosa at this view point.



Reached Srinagar around 1 PM. Had our lunch and headed towards Dal Lake.







I was clicking few pics and saw this gentleman walking up to my uncle. As I walked towards him, saw the 'LTD' sticker on his car and realized he must the same person, who Kumar sir was referring to.

His name is Rajeev and he was on the way to Leh as well. After a brief conversation, he took off.

[aviorp]

From here on, the views were getting better and better.



















I wanted to cross Zoji-la before dark, however there was a massive jam. Just as I thought, we would be stuck for the night, a truck driver said to go back and take an alternate route. Luckily, there was just one truck behind us. Somehow managed to reverse and took the alternate route. Lucky for the first time.















It was very cold outside and getting dark. So, some of them came out blurred. Sorry about the quality of these pics.





I missed Tiger Hill as it was past 7. There were patches of tarred roads, but it is pain to drive in the dark. I should have learnt something out of this, but situations forced me to do a lot more than I had imagined.

We reached Kargil around 11 PM and luckily found a place to stay.

[aviorp]

Tuesday, 13th September

I had read a lot about Zanskar Valley and was keen to make it to Padum. The distance was about 240Kms. Since, we reached Kargil late in the night, was unable to wake up early and we left around 8 AM. Hardly a couple of hours into the drive, I knew it would take us a lot of time to reach Padum.

The roads are muddy, filled with gravel stones and the uneven surface makes sure that you cannot go beyond 20 or 30 kph.

The roads were getting worst and I knew I cannot drive anymore. Initially thought of staying at Rangdum and go to Padum the following day, but that would take 2 more days and also I have to drive back on the same road again. So, thought to myself, leave these roads to the experts to drive and decided to skip Padum.

A few kms from Rangdum turned back towards Kargil, as it was already 1 PM and I was in no mood to drive in the night again.

Few pictures on the way.



Hills with different shades and colours.



One colourful bird.



This fellow ran across the road. Stopped for a few seconds and disappeared behind the rocks.



U-turn



Few pics of Nun and Kun.







On the way back, met RKBharat (Rajeev), who was on his way to Padum. Wished him luck on that stretch and headed back to Kargil.

It is an achievement to do that stretch on a sedan. Kudos to you buddy.

Wednesday, 14th September

Kargil to Leh, is about 230 Kms. The roads till Mulbekh is not in a great shape. It was pretty much similar to the road to Zanskar.

From Mulbekh it was a bliss to drive, on the freshly laid tar roads.







Loved every bit of this drive. Splendid views.











A common sight on this stretch.



Roads kept getting better..



.. and the views



Some good stretch of roads..



Some bad..













Will continue with the rest tomorrow..

[ashphil]

Fantasic TL! To travel with a non driver as a companion must have been a dream come true! Driving 29 hours continiously.......I am in awe of your endurance but please do take care. That kind of stress takes the pleasure out of driving and compromises your safety as well as the safety of the other road users( My humble 2 cents so please do not take offence!)
I am looking forward to the rest of your TL. Please do include some information on the experience of travelling with some one old enough to be your father.
Regards,
Ashok

[parsh]

Another Great TL on Ladakh. Hooked on. Superb snaps, colors and shades. Liked the prep you did for the travel arming yourself with all the much needed artillery. Keep them coming...

[aviorp]

Originally Posted by ashphil

Fantasic TL! To travel with a non driver as a companion must have been a dream come true! Driving 29 hours continiously.......I am in awe of your endurance but please do take care. That kind of stress takes the pleasure out of driving and compromises your safety as well as the safety of the other road users( My humble 2 cents so please do not take offence!)
I am looking forward to the rest of your TL. Please do include some information on the experience of travelling with some one old enough to be your father.
Regards,
Ashok

Thanks Ashok. Sure, I'll definitely keep in mind, not to compromise on the safety.

Yes, there is a lot to come and I'll share my experience, about travelling with my uncle.

Originally Posted by parsh

Another Great TL on Ladakh. Hooked on. Superb snaps, colors and shades. Liked the prep you did for the travel arming yourself with all the much needed artillery. Keep them coming...

Thanks a lot Parsh. Will try to cover as much as I can today.

[rkbharat]

Nice start buddy. Good to catch you twice during the trip.

But honestly speaking you turned around from Rangdum after covering the worst parts of the stretch.

From where did you exactly turned around, Panikhar or Rangdum?

Roads after Rangdum were fantastic(on hills standard). The only stretch between Parkachik and Rangdum was worst. Anyways all 250 km one way is 25km/hr drive.

But Views around Padum are heavenly. We spent three days in padum covering all corners from Zangla, Karsha, Shila, Raru to Zonkle. We tried even beyond that but roads were off.


BTW the upper road for Zozila looks good, but we kept on the lower road for even coming back

[aviorp]

Continuation of the Kargil-Leh Pictures

The First 'La' of our trip.









Uncle enjoying the beautiful scenary.



How true.



This was something unique. Looked awesome.



Aint those curves attractive?



Yipee, less than 100 Kms to Leh.



The roads were getting better..



..so were the views.





Then, as though someone wanted me to control my emotions.



The roads and views continued after a break

[aviorp]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

Nice start buddy. Good to catch you twice during the trip.

But honestly speaking you turned around from Rangdum after covering the worst parts of the stretch.

From where did you exactly turned around, Panikhar or Rangdum?

Roads after Rangdum were fantastic(on hills standard). The only stretch between Parkachik and Rangdum was worst. Anyways all 250 km one way is 25km/hr drive.

But Views around Padum are heavenly. We spent three days in padum covering all corners from Zangla, Karsha, Shila, Raru to Zonkle. We tried even beyond that but roads were off.


BTW the upper road for Zozila looks good, but we kept on the lower road for even coming back

Thanks Rajiv. I'm spell bound with the kind of courage you have. It takes something to drive on those roads. Take a bow.

Yeah, few kms from Rangdum. It was already past 1 and I had to drive another 150Kms to Kargil. So, just turned around, without going all the way till Rangdum.

I so wish I had done those places because the roads got worst after we finished Nubra. Please do post your t-log. I'm keen to see those places through your lens.

Cheers
Avinash

[aviorp]

There is a lot of debate on how this works, but when you are there, you'll forget everything else and try it yourself. It felt like as though someone was pulling the car from behind. Wonderful Experience.







Aint she beautiful?



The roads and views could not have got any better, when you're driving to the top of the world.



Official entry



How does that sound?



A localite



After this curve..



What an outstanding scene. The Indus Valley.





Hotel May Flower, where we halted for two days.



First time ever I saw an apple tree.




Thursday, 15th September

I had to give the Scorp a wash and headed to the Lehling Nawang center around 10 A.M. Took a couple of hours for the complete wash and also got the interiors cleaned.

During that time, met an army official who was from Belgaum. He shared his story about the various places he was posted, food, life in the army and his future plans. It was an honour to have met him.



Getting the permits took an hour or so. The guy dint have the forms and had to walk to some place (some stationary shop) to get the forms. I had all the documents and photocopies ready, otherwise had to pay Rs.3 for each photocopy.

[aviorp]

We had a lot of time to spare, after getting the permits. Thought of first spending the time by visiting the palace but decided to go to Hemis.

Hemis is a few kms from Karu, around 60Kms from Leh.

Super roads..





..and even better views.



A witty guy in BRO.



Shey Palace





Exemplary views



Scorp after a well deserved bath



On the way to Hemis







Hemis Monastery













On the way back to Leh






As we were entering the hotel, a voice from behind asked in a typical Kannada tone 'Bangaloora'?

I was thrilled to hear that and looked around to see this guy, carrying his biking equipments (a typical biker) and with him a foreigner. After a brief conversation told him, will meet him after freshening up.

We had plans of going to the market to do some shopping but couldn't go out, as it was raining. So, went to meet these guys.

One of them is from Bangalore and the other a Brit. The guy from B'lore was riding his bullet, alone from Delhi. After Manali, the clutch failed and he was trying to fix it. The Brit who was passing by helped him and they started to travel together. After exchaning our stories, we hit the bed by 11.

I was excited as the following day, was going to be the day I waited for so long. K-TOP. Not even in the wildest dreams, I thought, what was in store for us.




Brit's ride.



Our Kannadiga boy's ride.

[SILVERWOOD]

Dear aviorp,

I was glued on your thread for 30 odd minutes and let me say it deserves 5 stars.

Keep the rest coming.

[flycatcher]

Hey I know that bike guy! We studied engineering in the same college. Though I have never spoken to him.
Amazing travelogue! I have been trying to convince my better half to drive to leh-ladakh next year. But till now I have not succeeded. May be I should follow your strategy by showing her travelogues of Bangalore-leh trips. Hopefully it works out.
I have a question. Do you think the roads are good enough to be done on a Punto/Linea? I am guessing Linea might scrap a lot in the hills.

[aviorp]

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

Dear aviorp,

I was glued on your thread for 30 odd minutes and let me say it deserves 5 stars.

Keep the rest coming.

Thanks SILVERWOOD. I'm glad you liked it.

Originally Posted by flycatcher

Hey I know that bike guy! We studied engineering in the same college. Though I have never spoken to him.

Yes, MSRIT, if I'm not wrong. If you happen to meet him, you can share this story.

Amazing travelogue! I have been trying to convince my better half to drive to leh-ladakh next year. But till now I have not succeeded. May be I should follow your strategy by showing her travelogues of Bangalore-leh trips. Hopefully it works out

Thank you. I was in a similar situation 8 months ago. Show them the pictures, that is what matters. I'm sure she will agree too.

I have a question. Do you think the roads are good enough to be done on a Punto/Linea? I am guessing Linea might scrap a lot in the hills.

Definitely you can but make sure to get those skid plates (I'm not sure what is the exact name) so you can prevent damage to the chassis. Just have to be extra-cautious on a sedan.