Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty

TheDesertRat · 13th August 2015, 17:39

What Next

Will the wife do it again? No

Will I do it again? A resounding "Hell Yeah"

My other tips are given here:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-guide-67.html

I am by no means an expert on travelling to the region but I will try and answer queries where I can.

Credits

My wife and cousin who endured this torturous yet rewarding journey with me.
Our local guardians who took care of us all the way and literally acted as our parents
Tanveer (tsk1979) for his expert guidance
All other forum members who have provided valuable information here
BCMTouring guys as their highway update page helped me a lot
My Ecosport for a hassle-free journey I will remember for the rest of my life.

Was it worth it? Every bit of it and more!!!

Cheers,
Saurabh

ampere · 13th August 2015, 20:06

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

Brilliant ! Yours I think is a select set of Ecosport on the forum to travel to one of the pantheons of tourism. And fantastic photos to remember the drive.

S2!!! · 14th August 2015, 14:50

You've nicely documented your 15-day visit complimented by some super clicks

After seeing the way your first travelogue has turned out, I'm sure you have already made plans for a second one

TheDesertRat · 14th August 2015, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2!!!

You've nicely documented your 15-day visit complimented by some super clicks

After seeing the way your first travelogue has turned out, I'm sure you have already made plans for a second one

Yes S2 sir! I have some unfinished business up there and more

Libra · 14th August 2015, 15:14

Hats off to you and your family. The ordeal seemed to be never ending but you made it. Also, you write well in my opinion

ajay0612 · 14th August 2015, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDesertRat

Was it worth it? Every bit of it and more!!!

Cheers,
Saurabh

Crisp & efficient travelogue. Every bit of it - useful!. Thanks for sharing.

FORTified · 14th August 2015, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDesertRat

Day 13, 14 and 15

As you can see, if you push yourself and luck is by your side, you can get to Leh in 3 days from Ghaziabad. However, if you are not destiny's favourite child, you end up getting to Leh in 9 days!!!

You summed it up very accurately.We did this trip exactly an year ago and we ended up in Leh on 8th day [started from Bangalore and visited Mumbai, Bhilwara, Amritsar, Gulmarg, Srinagar and Kargil on way]

You were extremely unlucky.
Better luck next time

Judemayne · 14th August 2015, 20:00

Admire the determination of all concerned and your combined will to reach Leh at any cost? Thank the lord you did not turn back like the Innova did-good for you. Will be doing the trip (a little round about) starting on 17 Aug and will be in Srinagar on 30th Aug after a detour through Gujarat and Rajasthan. (my 62nd Birthday present)

Hope we do not have your "Luck"!

Great piece of writing-lets have more from you.

regards

jude

adik1984 · 14th August 2015, 20:37

Brilliant review

i just sealed the plan with friends next year to go Leh , driving from delhi. Hope all goes well, since the day i own Fortuner, i have this dream of driving and not flying to this majestic place.

Amen!

pgupta · 14th August 2015, 21:54

First of all I enjoyed reading this thoroughly. Thanks for sharing. Hats off to your and your families determination. And last but not the least you have a very lucid style of writing which is is very nice. Excellent description of events and I could "almost" feel what you went through. That's the beauty of your writing.

rohitchandra21 · 15th August 2015, 18:42

One needs great courage and motivation to do something like this specially what you and your family have gone through. Hats off to you! Even I am planning a trip to Ladakh in a Swift Dzire early next month. Do you think it's possible to do such a trip in a sedan? Has the situation regarding the taxi unions and their so called demands stopped or got better? Is it safe to drive in Leh and surrounding areas?

Your way of writing is excellent and crisp. Loved reading it and the pictures are nice too.

TheDesertRat · 15th August 2015, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohitchandra21

One needs great courage and motivation to do something like this specially what you and your family have gone through. Hats off to you! Even I am planning a trip to Ladakh in a Swift Dzire early next month. Do you think it's possible to do such a trip in a sedan? Has the situation regarding the taxi unions and their so called demands stopped or got better? Is it safe to drive in Leh and surrounding areas?

Your way of writing is excellent and crisp. Loved reading it and the pictures are nice too.

Thanks for the compliments. I am not sure if anyone can be in a position to answer whether the routes for this region are suitable for a SUV, hatchback, Truck. I saw quite a few Maruti 800s being driven around by locals with ease. I also saw SUVs struggling. You have to take the call depending on the weather, road conditions and your driving skills.

As far as the situation with the taxi union is concerned, this too remains a big unknown. I saw quite a few private cars plying to all the places I visited.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libra

Hats off to you and your family. The ordeal seemed to be never ending but you made it. Also, you write well in my opinion

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay0612

Crisp & efficient travelogue. Every bit of it - useful!. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the appreciation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FORTified

You summed it up very accurately.We did this trip exactly an year ago and we ended up in Leh on 8th day [started from Bangalore and visited Mumbai, Bhilwara, Amritsar, Gulmarg, Srinagar and Kargil on way]

You were extremely unlucky.
Better luck next time

I do hope so sir.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judemayne

Admire the determination of all concerned and your combined will to reach Leh at any cost? Thank the lord you did not turn back like the Innova did-good for you. Will be doing the trip (a little round about) starting on 17 Aug and will be in Srinagar on 30th Aug after a detour through Gujarat and Rajasthan. (my 62nd Birthday present)

Hope we do not have your "Luck"!

Great piece of writing-lets have more from you.

regards

jude

Jude, all the best for your trip and I am sure you will have an amazing 62nd!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by adik1984

Brilliant review

i just sealed the plan with friends next year to go Leh , driving from delhi. Hope all goes well, since the day i own Fortuner, i have this dream of driving and not flying to this majestic place.

Amen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgupta

First of all I enjoyed reading this thoroughly. Thanks for sharing. Hats off to your and your families determination. And last but not the least you have a very lucid style of writing which is is very nice. Excellent description of events and I could "almost" feel what you went through. That's the beauty of your writing.

Thanks

ayon · 16th August 2015, 21:42

It was a treat reading your travelogue. Well done. the photographs are also very beautiful.
The Leh road trip is definitely once in a lifetime experience.

I recently did it in my new XUV 500 and what an experience it was. the raw beauty of the landscape just leaves you speechless. will upload my travelogue as soon as possible

wilful · 18th August 2015, 14:32

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful travelogue (nice pics too). I salute you for sticking through your plans despite all the hassles faced.

I would have probably faltered at the first hurdle.
Also as an Ecosport owner it's great to know that the vehicle took the beating in its stride.

TheDesertRat · 18th August 2015, 17:22

Thanks @ayon and @wiflul

Ecosport did get its share of beating and this prompts me to mention a few points about the vehicle behaviour. I am not very technical when it comes to cars but others can chime in with corrections/reasons:

1. The loss of power was evident on inclines. Ecopsort did struggle in 2nd and 3rd gear on average inclines. Scoprio on the other hand gobbled every incline on 2nd and 3rd.

2. The light steering (which is a boon in city traffic) required me to be firm and cautious when the terrain was bad. No such problems with the Scoprio again.

3. Interestingly the amount of body roll and "jumps" were minimal on Ecosport whereas inside the Scoprio our stomachs were churning!

4. The "high GC" claim made by the Ford adverts seem to be limited to the city potholes. In mountains, this is not sufficient.

5. I was satisfied by the FE. The trip meter recorded an FE of around 13.5 for the entire trip.

13th August 2015, 17:39	#16
TheDesertRat BHPian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 116 Thanked: 375 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty What Next Will the wife do it again? No Will I do it again? A resounding "Hell Yeah" My other tips are given here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-guide-67.html I am by no means an expert on travelling to the region but I will try and answer queries where I can. Credits My wife and cousin who endured this torturous yet rewarding journey with me. Our local guardians who took care of us all the way and literally acted as our parents Tanveer (tsk1979) for his expert guidance All other forum members who have provided valuable information here BCMTouring guys as their highway update page helped me a lot My Ecosport for a hassle-free journey I will remember for the rest of my life. Was it worth it? Every bit of it and more!!! Cheers, Saurabh
	(6) Thanks

13th August 2015, 20:06	#17
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,951 Thanked: 12,939 Times View My Garage	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing! Brilliant ! Yours I think is a select set of Ecosport on the forum to travel to one of the pantheons of tourism. And fantastic photos to remember the drive. Last edited by ampere : 13th August 2015 at 20:09.
	() Thanks

14th August 2015, 14:50	#18
S2!!! Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,918 Thanked: 10,064 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty You've nicely documented your 15-day visit complimented by some super clicks After seeing the way your first travelogue has turned out, I'm sure you have already made plans for a second one
	(1) Thanks

14th August 2015, 15:14	#20
Libra BHPian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: New Delhi Posts: 68 Thanked: 49 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty Hats off to you and your family. The ordeal seemed to be never ending but you made it. Also, you write well in my opinion
	() Thanks

14th August 2015, 20:00	#23
Judemayne BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 316 Thanked: 108 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty Admire the determination of all concerned and your combined will to reach Leh at any cost? Thank the lord you did not turn back like the Innova did-good for you. Will be doing the trip (a little round about) starting on 17 Aug and will be in Srinagar on 30th Aug after a detour through Gujarat and Rajasthan. (my 62nd Birthday present) Hope we do not have your "Luck"! Great piece of writing-lets have more from you. regards jude
	() Thanks

14th August 2015, 20:37	#24
adik1984 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New Delhi+ Posts: 46 Thanked: 31 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty Brilliant review i just sealed the plan with friends next year to go Leh , driving from delhi. Hope all goes well, since the day i own Fortuner, i have this dream of driving and not flying to this majestic place. Amen!
	() Thanks

14th August 2015, 21:54	#25
pgupta BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 217 Thanked: 162 Times	First of all I enjoyed reading this thoroughly. Thanks for sharing. Hats off to your and your families determination. And last but not the least you have a very lucid style of writing which is is very nice. Excellent description of events and I could "almost" feel what you went through. That's the beauty of your writing.
	() Thanks

15th August 2015, 18:42	#26
rohitchandra21 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Düsseldorf Posts: 10 Thanked: 3 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty One needs great courage and motivation to do something like this specially what you and your family have gone through. Hats off to you! Even I am planning a trip to Ladakh in a Swift Dzire early next month. Do you think it's possible to do such a trip in a sedan? Has the situation regarding the taxi unions and their so called demands stopped or got better? Is it safe to drive in Leh and surrounding areas? Your way of writing is excellent and crisp. Loved reading it and the pictures are nice too.
	() Thanks

16th August 2015, 21:42	#28
ayon BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dehradun Posts: 25 Thanked: 22 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty It was a treat reading your travelogue. Well done. the photographs are also very beautiful. The Leh road trip is definitely once in a lifetime experience. I recently did it in my new XUV 500 and what an experience it was. the raw beauty of the landscape just leaves you speechless. will upload my travelogue as soon as possible Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

18th August 2015, 14:32	#29
wilful Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: cochin Posts: 1,277 Thanked: 1,227 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty Thanks for sharing such a wonderful travelogue (nice pics too). I salute you for sticking through your plans despite all the hassles faced. I would have probably faltered at the first hurdle. Also as an Ecosport owner it's great to know that the vehicle took the beating in its stride.
	() Thanks

18th August 2015, 17:22	#30
TheDesertRat BHPian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 116 Thanked: 375 Times	Re: Ladakh Diaries - Unforgiving challenges lead to awe-inspiring beauty Thanks @ayon and @wiflul Ecosport did get its share of beating and this prompts me to mention a few points about the vehicle behaviour. I am not very technical when it comes to cars but others can chime in with corrections/reasons: 1. The loss of power was evident on inclines. Ecopsort did struggle in 2nd and 3rd gear on average inclines. Scoprio on the other hand gobbled every incline on 2nd and 3rd. 2. The light steering (which is a boon in city traffic) required me to be firm and cautious when the terrain was bad. No such problems with the Scoprio again. 3. Interestingly the amount of body roll and "jumps" were minimal on Ecosport whereas inside the Scoprio our stomachs were churning! 4. The "high GC" claim made by the Ford adverts seem to be limited to the city potholes. In mountains, this is not sufficient. 5. I was satisfied by the FE. The trip meter recorded an FE of around 13.5 for the entire trip.
	() Thanks