[weka]

Awesome travelogue!!! Clear details, map locations and pictures and i was wishing i was there. One more read like this and i'll start packing my bags and finishing my long pending trip to Leh and Ladakh.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

We found the Pajero team in one of the tent camps at Sarchu and informed them of the tire fix. They thanked us profusely, we wished them luck and left.

I'm confused Gannu..

The Ghata loops is a series of 21 hairpin bends which looks like the Indian version of the Stelvio Pass.. Unfortunately, we didn't click a snap of the loops - perhaps next time!

How come Ghata loop description coming after your Sarchu camp? Is it by design?

Fantastic read and a great trip you guys had! Only a little more time in hand could have taken you guys to Tso Moriri. Next time don't miss that.

We also came across the now defunct fuel pump (possibly washed out due to the floods that happened in this area):

This pump is like this since 2012 (or may be before that too). Before also it was always a pump with erratic supply. At least that what we've experienced in 2010.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by technicalytuned

Is there any security issues while taking ladies on a Ladakh trip?

Absolutely not! They are as safe as they will be in any other part of the country.

Originally Posted by AZ911

Did you face any problems or confrontations with the local taxi guys? I guess they would not trouble any private vehicles.

No they don’t. Only the self-driven rental cars were being targeted.

Originally Posted by GameOfCars

Any suggestions, if the 1.2TDI could also make it without much of hiccups?

The 1.2 TDI can easily do the Ladakh circuit if a Nano, Maruti 800, Eon etc. could pull it off. If the car is loaded with 4 adults and the luggage, the underbody will take a hit at the water crossings and other bad stretches. Best to limit it to 2 per car if you are planning to take the Polo.

Originally Posted by GameOfCars

And had you got any specific under-body casing or protection installed?

No. I wanted to but dropped the plan since we were running short of time. I have mentioned it in the travelogue.

Originally Posted by GameOfCars

I've got a Hyundai Creta too now and many would say it would make more sense to take that on such a trip but my heart is literally dumb-stuck to do this once in a lifetime road journey in the car I love the most, i.e. my Polo.

I’d say, the Creta can do this better than the Polo with 4 adults and the luggage onboard without the chances of underbody scraping. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

How come Ghata loop description coming after your Sarchu camp? Is it by design?

Haha good catch Rudra ji. That was because it was drafted in our physical log that way by my partner:



We were maintaining a small notebook and he was scribbling down whatever we came across during the trip. Ghata loops came later as evident above.











In fact, we were maintaining the stats of the expenses, distance etc. in the same book:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Only a little more time in hand could have taken you guys to Tso Moriri. Next time don't miss that.

Definitely! Tso Moriri was planned but the leave plan was such that we had to give it a skip. We also missed out on some other interesting monasteries like Likir Monastery as you had suggested before. Will cover these during our next trip.

[Pravinzs77]

Amazing travelogue! This is one of he best I have come across. Your trip has inspired me and I would like to venture some thing like this in the near future. Wonderful snaps and the videos are simply stunning. Kudos to your writing!

[ShankarG]

Great Travelogue Gannu. Amazingly well planned and executed topped by such a great writing. With a single hand driving, you have done quite a long journey. Kudos.

I just returned yesterday from my travel to Ladakh (by air). I am still in the awe of the mighty mountains, Pnagong lake and Changla -khardungla pass. Taking inspiration from so many of you, i have vowed myself to take the next trip by road either by car or bike.
How did you manage out there without mobile data connection. We had no internet connectivity anywhere except through hotel Wifi. Were you having any GPS kit as well ?

Also, you have taught all the aspiring travelogue writers the art of writing. Your notes give us a great idea on how the notes should be taken and then an amazing story is created out of it. I am sure you had a great time.
Thanks.

[chase_nt]

What an awesome travelogue. Great write up, amazing photos, nice videos what else can someone ask for. It felt as though i was traveling along with you guys on your adventure. Epic stuff buddy and one heck of a road trip that you've undertaken. Thank you for sharing your experiences

[streetracer_919]

you did not mention the situation of the taxi unions in the region. Did you interact with them during the course of your trip? like for any updates of road conditions etc?
was there any tensed situation.

[AZ911]

Originally Posted by streetracer_919

you did not mention the situation of the taxi unions in the region. Did you interact with them during the course of your trip? like for any updates of road conditions etc?
was there any tensed situation.

Please refer to post #63.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by ShankarG

How did you manage out there without mobile data connection.

We had a BSNL postpaid SIM Shankar. It worked in Leh wherever we were able to get the network coverage - sometimes we were able to get stray signals as well! Vodafone postpaid worked only after reaching Keylong.

Originally Posted by ShankarG

We had no internet connectivity anywhere except through hotel Wifi.

Amen. Internet connectivity at Leh was only available from the homestay's wifi network.

Originally Posted by ShankarG

Were you having any GPS kit as well ?

We didn't have any dedicated GPS devices but we had taken A3 prints of the Ladakh circuits and had loaded offline maps in my partner's Nexus 5 device. Since it had the BSNL postpaid SIM, it showed the routes accurately. But we seldom had to rely on it as most of the waypoints were marked.

Originally Posted by streetracer_919

you did not mention the situation of the taxi unions in the region.

I have;not in the travelogue but in the subsequent comments:

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

No Aman. No one bothered to stop our car at Leh or the circuits there. I suppose private vehicles with white number plates are spared.

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

No they don’t. Only the self-driven rental cars were being targeted.

Originally Posted by streetracer_919

Did you interact with them during the course of your trip? like for any updates of road conditions etc?
was there any tensed situation.

Interacted with a couple of them when we were getting our car washed from a garage. We asked them about the road conditions to Nubra valley and such. They responded positively. But that's about it.

[PapaBravo]

Wonderful write up Gannu 1. I read the whole travelogue without skipping a word. The narration took us with you on the trip. The tips in the end are priceless. Thanks.

We would be doing Ladakh next year & this TL would act as a guide in that region. Do let us know when you are visiting Sikkim. We are always up for Sikkim.

Regards,

Pawan

[coolboy007]

The moment i read that the thread has been created by you, i knew it would be extremely well detailed and a long one at that , just went outside to have a smoke and then finally settled down to read the full log in one go.

Exceptional thread Gannu, the photos, writeup, expenses etc have all been noted with precision. Enjoyed reading the full travelogue and i hope that next year, i also get to drive to Leh, so badly want to go but some thing or the other always crops up. Kudos to your GT TDi, the 1.6 TDi can easily take on any terrain on offer. Congrats on striking off one more thing from your wish list.

[SachinMK]

Excellent travelogue, If i ever plan for this route, this thread will surely help ALOT in all aspects. Wondering how you keep all those minute details & expenditures of the entire trip.

I have recommended this thread to many of my friends whoever planed for ladakh trip.

[anubshar]

Wonderful travelogue, the fact that you have taken a low GC hatchback to Leh has inspired me to attempt this trip next year in an Alto.

[Sting]

What a brilliant travelogue Gannu 1. It's an engrossing read for those who have visited Ladakh (to relive the memories) and for those who haven't (to prepare for their dream drive/ride). The level of detail, explanations, costs, etc will surely help a lot of travellers to plan their own trip, kudos to you!

This and tsk1979s log combined are must read for anyone planning to do the Ladakh circuit.

Rated a much deserved 5 stars.

Cheers,
Sting

[Aniruddha_Ch]

Hearty congratulations and thank you so much for taking everyone to leh virtually. Read it in one go, totally worth it.

Let me list down everything we carried on this trip:

This would act as a checklist for this kind of roadtrip and very helpful

excited and feeling accomplished. After I parked the car, I couldn’t help but stand in front of her for a while, as I touched the bonnet.
In the end, this was the actual schedule that worked out:

And this was our overall route map:

That moment is like a emotional connect expressing a gratitude, GT been very faithful companion of yours. Ofcourse convincing me to try this expedition in my Swift.
And good that you displayed numbers, it indeed helpful to plan out

Next on the cards? A trip to Sikkim and the land of the Seven Sisters.

All the best, and we all are waiting for this travelogue.