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Old 1st February 2016, 18:00   #91
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

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Originally Posted by roymj88 View Post
Hi @.anshuman : Do you know as to how much amount of antifreeze should go into the tank?
Sorry for the late reply. One bottle is meant for 20 gallons of Diesel, that is approx 75 litres, one bottle for full tank for most SUV's.
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Old 18th December 2016, 12:17   #92
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Amazing travelogue! This thread, single-handedly inspired a bunch of us to do this circuit in December. Hats off to you guys!

4 of us are doing this circuit (Delhi - Sarahan - Kibber and back) from 23rd (Thurs) to 29th Dec. We're taking a rental Scorpio 4WD.
Just curious, if there are any other folks/groups doing this circuit around the same time. It'll be re-assuring to have a second vehicle around the same time. Our biggest concern is getting stuck on the road, with no backup.
Also, I'm unable to find antifreeze online. Any idea, where can I procure this in Delhi NCR?

Last edited by FlyingSpur : 30th December 2016 at 23:09. Reason: Tlog = travelogue; Please use full English when posting and avoid sms language / shortforms.
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Old 18th December 2016, 15:34   #93
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

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Originally Posted by texens View Post
Amazing Tlog ! This thread, single-handedly inspired a bunch of us to do this circuit in December. Hats off to you guys!
Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by texens View Post
4 of us are doing this circuit (Delhi - Sarahan - Kibber and back) from 23rd (Thurs) to 29th Dec. We're taking a rental Scorpio 4WD.
Just curious, if there are any other folks/groups doing this circuit around the same time. It'll be re-assuring to have a second vehicle around the same time.
I have a friend who was thinking of doing the same route in his Gypsy. Have PM'ed you his number


Quote:
Originally Posted by texens View Post
Our biggest concern is getting stuck on the road, with no backup.
You may want to worry about your rented vehicle breaking down and that's a valid concern but even that can be mitigated to an extent by hiring the vehicle a day early making sure everything works like it should and fluid levels and condition are acceptable. You should not worry too much about getting stuck on account of environmental conditions as that is a very real possibility. Instead you want to go into the valley with a a different mindset that your drive could end up getting extended by a few weeks at worst and you obviously need to plan for that (provisions and water)[/quote]

Quote:
Originally Posted by texens View Post
Also, I'm unable to find antifreeze online. Any idea, where can I procure this in Delhi NCR?
Not sure where you can buy that in Delhi. The locals do add 200ml of kerosene into the diesel tanks of their sumos and boleros to keep diesel from freezing. We did not try that but instead used a stove to heat up the thar's tank as described earlier. Incase you are compelled to do the same, please do check if the tank and skid plate of the Scorpio are made of steel and not plastic.
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Old 20th December 2016, 23:02   #94
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

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Originally Posted by satan View Post
I have a friend who was thinking of doing the same route in his Gypsy. Have PM'ed you his number
Thanks satan.

Going a little , please excuse. This thread is, sort of, authority on this topic, and hence posting my questions here

I see, as per the weather forecast, no snow is expected in December on this route. The first snowfall is expected on 2nd Jan.
The rental car - Scorpio 4x4 that we were going to take from Myles on Thursday, met with an accident and is not available any more. As per Myles, they don't have any other 4x4 vehicles.
Question: Given the zero precipitation weather forecast, can this route be done in a 2wd without much hassle?

We're now thinking of taking our own car (Ecosport Diesel or Ecosport Ecoboost or Brezza) to Spiti.
Pros : We don't have to worry about the rental car being in top notch condition. We have maintained our cars well, so we can be assured that the chances of our car breaking down is much lower than a rental car.
Cons : A lot of wear and tear enroute? We all love our cars, don't we?

Question : What do you guys suggest with regard to personal car vs rental car on a tough route like this ?
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Old 21st December 2016, 00:00   #95
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

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Originally Posted by texens View Post
Thanks satan.

Going a little , please excuse. This thread is, sort of, authority on this topic, and hence posting my questions here

I see, as per the weather forecast, no snow is expected in December on this route. The first snowfall is expected on 2nd Jan.
The rental car - Scorpio 4x4 that we were going to take from Myles on Thursday, met with an accident and is not available any more. As per Myles, they don't have any other 4x4 vehicles.
Question: Given the zero precipitation weather forecast, can this route be done in a 2wd without much hassle?
absolutely


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We're now thinking of taking our own car (Ecosport Diesel or Ecosport Ecoboost or Brezza) to Spiti.
Please take the Brezza eyes shut


Quote:
Originally Posted by texens View Post
Cons : A lot of wear and tear enroute? We all love our cars, don't we?
Question : What do you guys suggest with regard to personal car vs rental car on a tough route like this ?
Yes we do love our cars but I kind of disagree or perhaps have a very different mindset. I tend to keep my cars for a min of 10 yrs(call me old fashioned) According to me driving a hired vehicle doesn't even come close to driving your own car and the experience will help you gain a new found respect for it once you complete the trip.4 months ago I drove my 18 year old LC from Mumbai to Leh via Sach Pass. Incase you aren't aware the roads of Sach pass are like tyre shredders if you aren't careful with your vehicle and yet we managed to do the entire circuit without as much a scratch on any tyre. Roads upto Kaza from the Tabo side aren't that bad but you still have to drive patiently maybe even crawl at times. So its really up to how well you take care of your vehicle when on such trips.

Lastly there are around a dozen Maruti 800s and Altos in Kaza owned by the locals and they swear by them - just to give you some comfort...
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Old 30th December 2016, 00:43   #96
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Just got back from a 7 day trip to Kaza. The route we took - Delhi - Chandigarh - Tatapani - Kalpa - Pooh - Kaza - and back. We took a 2WD XUV 500. Had no difficulty any where except for a small stretch of ice at a slope near Nako Lake. We came across season's first snowfall at Kalpa, but that was it. There was hardly any snow anywhere on the road. Will share a detailed Tlog soon. Thanks to this thread and the corresponding video on YouTube for inspiring us to do this trip. In all probability, we'll be doing this route once again in January some year - when we can come across decent amount snow !
Thanks again !
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Old 14th January 2018, 12:09   #97
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Been planning a similar trip for past 4 years now and it has finally got materialised! Starting from Delhi on 5th Feb 2018. A total of four cars and 12 persons are going, it's a 7-10 days trip. Anybody wants to join please post below or PM me. Thank you!
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Old 11th May 2018, 16:47   #98
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Four years after first doing this winter trip to Spiti in Jan 2014 we were there again late March 2018 to catch some snow. Instead of starting a fresh blog I just thought of adding a few posts with some new info and pics.

This time we did the trip in two Fortuners belonging to Jay (Jay smokes leaves) and Soumya (Genesis). This was a really quick trip completed Bombay to Bombay within 9 days. Travelling in two souped up Fortuners with like minded and seasoned drivers literally meant no destination too far for the day (or night ). We kept the plan for the trip very loose and here is how it finally panned out.

Mar 21 – Bombay – Behror
Mar 22 – Behror – Chandigarh
Mar 23 – Chandigarh – Thanedar
Mar 24 – Thanedar – Reckong Peo
Mar 25 – ReckongPeo – Langza
Mar 26 – Langza – Komic – Hikkim - Langza
Mar 27 – Langza – Pin Valley (Mudh) – Rampur
Mar 28 – Rampur – Behror
Mar 29 – Behror - Bombay


Since this was my second winter trip into Spiti I had debriefed the others on what to expect in terms of the hardships/challenges that the frozen valley throws at us city slickers, mainly the extreme cold, poor toilet facilities, very basic meals and vehicle starting issues. However all apprehensions were laid to rest after we hit a jackpot at Langza with Lara’s homestay. With an English toilet, tower heaters in each bedroom, super comfy mattresses and heavy quilts, a library for lazy afternoons and amazing home cooked food, we were indeed spoilt and decided to stay on for an extra night exploring the surroundings. That included the World’s highest village at Komic and also the highest post office at Hikkim.


Listing out a few highlights of this trip as against starting a new blog. Soumya and Jay please add.

Places of Interest (Hotels & Restaurants)
1. The RJTDC Midway at Behror is closed but there is a very good hotel with a south indian restaurant by the name of Sagar Ratna around 5kms after the RJTDC. This is a vegetarian place. If you prefer a non-veg Hotel there is the Maharani Midway which is slightly cheaper on accommodation but rooms aren’t that good.
2. The Zilmil Dhaba at Karnal is a great place to stop for a bite and there’s also a pressure washer facility for those that like to wash their cars on the move (like me). Air filter blower also available there especially when returning from the Himalaya.
Don’t miss picking up the Alwar Milk cake available in a small shop in the compound
3. Thanedar – Banjara Orchard Retreat. Easily my favorite destination in Himachal
4. Lara’s Homestay Langza – The JACKPOT
if you are planning a winter trip to Spiti. You will be hard pressed to find more comfortable accomodation open during the winter months
5. Bushahr Regency Rampur – First time stay there and very very pleasantly surprised. Great value for money and great food

Pics to follow..

Last edited by satan : 11th May 2018 at 16:48. Reason: syntax correction
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Old 13th May 2018, 00:20   #99
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

First a few poser pics of the 2 Fortuners without which this trip would not have been possible within 9 days.

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Old 13th May 2018, 15:00   #100
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Tea Break outside Udvada station

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Supersized Sugarcane

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Milkman @ Chandigarh

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Morning at Reckongpeo Forest Guesthouse
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Confluence of rivers at Khab
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Making friends with man's best friend

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Girl Power
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Hogging at a Langar before Tabo
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Monk @ Komic rustles up tea and bread
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Wildlife enroute
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Scenery enroute
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Outside Kaza's fuel pump
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Pics of Lara's Homestay @ Langza
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Attached Thumbnails
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Old 15th May 2018, 18:02   #101
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Pics of Lara's Homestay, THE retreat for a comfortable and adventurous snow trip during winter
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Happy Kids of the Himalaya
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Cricket @ 14,700ft
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Old 20th May 2018, 15:57   #102
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Soumya decides to do an impromtu Raasta Roko enroute
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The magnificent statue of the Buddha watching over Langza
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Enroute to Komic
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Jay with a monk @ Komic
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At the highest post office in the world - Hikkim
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A peek inside the PO
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The Crew @ Komic
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The Komic gompa courtyard
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A new statue of the Buddha under construction around Tabo
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Old 24th May 2018, 16:26   #103
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

Entering Pin Valley
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A lone shepherd makes his way up
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Ice road to Mudh
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We were the first vehicles up there in 5 days and at some bends where sunlight wouldnt reach, the ice was like glass. Full concentration here when driving here as the road was narrow
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Amazing Vistas of intermittant snow and vegetation
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Spot the Fortuners
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"Robert" in action local speak for a Robot ie a JCB

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Who is clicking who
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Finally at the end of the valley in Mudh
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Signboard at the fag end of the village
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Old 27th February 2019, 15:05   #104
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

And the winter trips to Spiti continue, this year in a Jeep Compass. Enjoy this video put together by Rishad Mehta.

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Old 27th February 2019, 18:15   #105
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Re: Winter trip to Spiti in a Fortuner & Thar

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And the winter trips to Spiti continue, this year in a Jeep Compass. Enjoy this video put together by Rishad Mehta.
Nice video, though it sounded more like a Compass add. Were you also a part of it ?
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