Chennai-Leh Trip: Dream Run done!

ram2004 · 21st July 2006, 07:00

Hi Members

We just returned yesterday after an exhilirating trip to Leh from
Chennai on a Tata Safari Exi (Petrol) 4x4. Pure bliss, I just dont
have the right words to describe this one of a kind experience. Our
route on this dream run was as follows:

3/Jul : Chennai - Bangalore
4/Jul : Bangalore - Lonavala (950kms)
5/Jul : Lonavala - Udaipur (via Mumbai, Surat, Ahmdbd)
6/Jul : Udaipur - Panipat (via New Delhi)
7/Jul : Panipat - Manali (via Chandigarh)
8/Jul : Manali - Jispa (via Rohtang La)
9/Jul : Jispa - Leh (Bharalacha La, Lachlung La, Tanglang La)
10/Jul : At leh
11/Jul : Leh - Pangong Tso - Leh (Chang La)
12/Jul : Leh - Panamik - Leh (Khardung La)
13/Jul : Leh - Sonamarg (via Zoji La)
14/Jul : Sonamarg - Pathankot (via Srinagar-Jammu)
15/Jul : Pathankot - Bikaner (via Amritsar)
16/Jul : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
17/Jul ; Jaisalmer - Manor (we did 1000+kms this day)
18/Jul : Manor - Hubli
19/Jul : Hubli - Chennai

600+ photos; 4hrs+ of video will remind us that it was not a dream
after all. I will in the next week or so compile our trip logs,
photos et all for the benefit of everyone. We didnt have any outwardly
incident enroute, our car was a beauty with no hickups in any manner
whatsoever (down the critics of tata safari petrol!!!!), - our dedication list is endless.

We need to emphasise here the invaluable help HV Kumar (of india highways group - yahoo.com - link established through team-bhp.com) has been giving
us right through the course of the ride. He has gone out of the way
calling us, giving continous streams of SMS on what we should and
shouldnt - hats off to him. He waited in torrential rain in Mumbai
to meet us in the Eastern Express/Auroli Bridge junction. We
are fortunate to have him as our friend and we are greatly indebted
to him.

I have driven in the US, Europe but let me tell you all there is
nothing so varied and exciting as a ride in our wonderful country.

Should any of you require immediate information please get in touch
with me at the following mail also:
notify.ram@gmail.com

Thanks
chennai team to Leh
Ram + Suresh + Bhaskar (from Chennai) and Ameet (from Bangalore

condor · 21st July 2006, 08:48

Ram, that's one hell of a drive. Pls post some pics and give the link ..

tifosikrishna · 21st July 2006, 09:39

congrats

. It should have been one helluva of a trip. waiting to see the photographs... how many kms did you do??? waiting for a detailed report.

congrats once again.

prasadee · 21st July 2006, 09:44

Congrats on completing a dream run. Eagerly awaiting the pics!

ballkey · 21st July 2006, 09:49

Exciting, you must've been on the road for a full fortnight. Did all of you take turns driving? Props to Tata for making a proper 4x4. Why petrol though?

Anyway, very cool trip - I'd love to do this..

Steeroid · 21st July 2006, 10:31

Congratulations on living your dream!

I hope to, one of these days. I have a feeling its going to be a more leisurely trip, though - will have to be a month at least so that we dont whiz through the country without getting to know every region better. However, there are now a lot of dependencies for this dream run and the project plan is looking a bit dicey now.

islero · 21st July 2006, 10:47

WOW!!! That seems a pretty awesome journey!! Congratulations on having lived your dream!!! It must have been an amazing experience....

Venkat · 21st July 2006, 10:57

WOW...pretty awesome guys. Fantastic.

I did the Mumbai Kerala trip 2 months back and was thinking great about myself.

It would be interesting to note down the preparation things to do and tips enroute to make the trip planning better for all of us.

There is a sticky post on this topic and do add to the collective knowledge pool. It would also be interesting to know the emotional state of affairs when 4 of you are cooped up in a small space for over 1000 kms.

Cheers once again.

Venkat

naveendhyani · 21st July 2006, 11:53

hi ram! congratulations on ur lovely trip. i also m leaving for ladakh in august on a 2 week tour. ny tips & suggestions wud really come in handy. pls check out my thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ip-ladakh.html

BTW my weapon is a black baleno

akroy · 21st July 2006, 12:10

Congrats Ram !!! That was a hell of a trip. Maan its really a dream...
Looking fwd for a nice travelogue and the the pics....

Abhi

madhav · 21st July 2006, 12:32

Congrats ram... this trip must be on of the high's in your life. Something not many people get to do!

Just wanted to share with all you people... One of our good family friend is an old man around 65 whose passion is driving. He has three daughters, all married and settled and busy with their own lives. So he and his wife are planning a road trip in their Indica... they are going to drive all over India for about 2 months.. taking their own time seeing places and just driving!!

Someday all of us should plan a trip like that... go see places and just drive for the pure pleasure of driving!!

naveendhyani · 21st July 2006, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by madhav

One of our good family friend is an old man around 65 whose passion is driving. He has three daughters, all married and settled and busy with their own lives. So he and his wife are planning a road trip in their Indica... they are going to drive all over India for about 2 months.. taking their own time seeing places and just driving!!

is he a member of TBHP??? if not do request him to sign on & share his travelogue as well.

yogesh sarkar · 21st July 2006, 15:43

good, although a little fast for my liking but good nonetheless. Waiting for trip log and photos.

jango · 21st July 2006, 23:34

U just make me feel to start and zoom off to leh.........pics pls !!!

nitrous · 22nd July 2006, 02:14

Quote:

trip to Leh from
Chennai on a Tata Safari Exi (Petrol) 4x4.

Which bank did u rob to pay for the fuel??

Anyways, hats off to u for such an effort.

21st July 2006, 07:00	#1
ram2004 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 38 Thanked: 11 Times	Chennai-Leh Trip: Dream Run done! Hi Members We just returned yesterday after an exhilirating trip to Leh from Chennai on a Tata Safari Exi (Petrol) 4x4. Pure bliss, I just dont have the right words to describe this one of a kind experience. Our route on this dream run was as follows: 3/Jul : Chennai - Bangalore 4/Jul : Bangalore - Lonavala (950kms) 5/Jul : Lonavala - Udaipur (via Mumbai, Surat, Ahmdbd) 6/Jul : Udaipur - Panipat (via New Delhi) 7/Jul : Panipat - Manali (via Chandigarh) 8/Jul : Manali - Jispa (via Rohtang La) 9/Jul : Jispa - Leh (Bharalacha La, Lachlung La, Tanglang La) 10/Jul : At leh 11/Jul : Leh - Pangong Tso - Leh (Chang La) 12/Jul : Leh - Panamik - Leh (Khardung La) 13/Jul : Leh - Sonamarg (via Zoji La) 14/Jul : Sonamarg - Pathankot (via Srinagar-Jammu) 15/Jul : Pathankot - Bikaner (via Amritsar) 16/Jul : Bikaner - Jaisalmer 17/Jul ; Jaisalmer - Manor (we did 1000+kms this day) 18/Jul : Manor - Hubli 19/Jul : Hubli - Chennai 600+ photos; 4hrs+ of video will remind us that it was not a dream after all. I will in the next week or so compile our trip logs, photos et all for the benefit of everyone. We didnt have any outwardly incident enroute, our car was a beauty with no hickups in any manner whatsoever (down the critics of tata safari petrol!!!!), - our dedication list is endless. We need to emphasise here the invaluable help HV Kumar (of india highways group - yahoo.com - link established through team-bhp.com) has been giving us right through the course of the ride. He has gone out of the way calling us, giving continous streams of SMS on what we should and shouldnt - hats off to him. He waited in torrential rain in Mumbai to meet us in the Eastern Express/Auroli Bridge junction. We are fortunate to have him as our friend and we are greatly indebted to him. I have driven in the US, Europe but let me tell you all there is nothing so varied and exciting as a ride in our wonderful country. Should any of you require immediate information please get in touch with me at the following mail also: notify.ram@gmail.com Thanks chennai team to Leh Ram + Suresh + Bhaskar (from Chennai) and Ameet (from Bangalore
	(1) Thanks

21st July 2006, 08:48	#2
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,014 Times View My Garage	Ram, that's one hell of a drive. Pls post some pics and give the link ..
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 09:39	#3
tifosikrishna BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 827 Thanked: 383 Times View My Garage	congrats . It should have been one helluva of a trip. waiting to see the photographs... how many kms did you do??? waiting for a detailed report. congrats once again.
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 09:44	#4
prasadee BANNED Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 569 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Congrats on completing a dream run. Eagerly awaiting the pics!
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 09:49	#5
ballkey BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 425 Thanked: 34 Times	Exciting, you must've been on the road for a full fortnight. Did all of you take turns driving? Props to Tata for making a proper 4x4. Why petrol though? Anyway, very cool trip - I'd love to do this..
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 10:31	#6
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Congratulations on living your dream! I hope to, one of these days. I have a feeling its going to be a more leisurely trip, though - will have to be a month at least so that we dont whiz through the country without getting to know every region better. However, there are now a lot of dependencies for this dream run and the project plan is looking a bit dicey now.
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 10:47	#7
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	WOW!!! That seems a pretty awesome journey!! Congratulations on having lived your dream!!! It must have been an amazing experience....
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 10:57	#8
Venkat BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 73 Thanked: 5 Times	WOW...pretty awesome guys. Fantastic. I did the Mumbai Kerala trip 2 months back and was thinking great about myself. It would be interesting to note down the preparation things to do and tips enroute to make the trip planning better for all of us. There is a sticky post on this topic and do add to the collective knowledge pool. It would also be interesting to know the emotional state of affairs when 4 of you are cooped up in a small space for over 1000 kms. Cheers once again. Venkat
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 11:53	#9
naveendhyani BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 542 Thanked: 9 Times	hi ram! congratulations on ur lovely trip. i also m leaving for ladakh in august on a 2 week tour. ny tips & suggestions wud really come in handy. pls check out my thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ip-ladakh.html BTW my weapon is a black baleno
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 12:10	#10
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,423 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	Congrats Ram !!! That was a hell of a trip. Maan its really a dream... Looking fwd for a nice travelogue and the the pics.... Abhi
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 12:32	#11
madhav BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 285 Thanked: 73 Times	Congrats ram... this trip must be on of the high's in your life. Something not many people get to do! Just wanted to share with all you people... One of our good family friend is an old man around 65 whose passion is driving. He has three daughters, all married and settled and busy with their own lives. So he and his wife are planning a road trip in their Indica... they are going to drive all over India for about 2 months.. taking their own time seeing places and just driving!! Someday all of us should plan a trip like that... go see places and just drive for the pure pleasure of driving!!
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 15:43	#13
yogesh sarkar BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 238 Thanked: 37 Times	good, although a little fast for my liking but good nonetheless. Waiting for trip log and photos.
	() Thanks

21st July 2006, 23:34	#14
jango BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York & kotayam Posts: 800 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	U just make me feel to start and zoom off to leh.........pics pls !!!
	() Thanks