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5th October 2016, 17:26
| #16 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
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| Day 7: Kaza to Manali A long drive required an early start! Departure from the retreat was at 6 am sharp. The following is the Google map for the planned journey.  However, as per their own disclaimer, the indicated travel time seems to satisfy only academic interests!  After driving on non-existent roads for nearly two hours, we first reached Kunjom Top at an elevation of 15,000 feet. All travelers on the Kaza-Manali road stop at the Monastery for a while and pray (for a safe journey)! Kujom Top!!     Since we had left early from Kaza, hot breakfast was arranged for us at the Kunjom Top. It would be an understatement if I termed the hot Parathas tasty, they were simply out of the world! Next on the itinerary was Chandratal Lake!  The lake takes its name from its crescent shape (like a moon). Situated at an altitude of about 14,100 feet, the lake is spectacular with mountains overlooking the lake on three sides! The drive to Chandratal Lake was one of the most challenging in our entire expedition!   After the 12.5 km drive, the last 1.5 km is not motorable and needs to be traversed by foot!   Nirvana or ecstasy? One of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen!   Watch out sky, here we come!  Crazy Band of Brothers!  A magnificent panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains!  The descent back to the main road was quicker, considering all the participants were tired and hungry!      Lunch at the local Chacha Dhaba, back on the highway!   Chacha has been provided with a Satellite Phone since he is the only respite to any stranded traveler in the middle of nowhere! A pit-stop!  A grueling but extraordinary drive until Rohtang Pass!    The drive from Rohtang Pass to Manali was fraught with traffic and by then darkness had engulfed the area. We finally reached and checked into the lovely Johnsons Cafe and Hotel at Manali! After a really long day, it was time to freshen-up dine and sleep! Last edited by cpbopanna : 5th October 2016 at 20:06. |
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5th October 2016, 20:11
| #17 |
| BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
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| Day 8: Last day of the expedition at Manali! View from our room at Johnsons Cafe!  The start of a lazy day, with a nice breakfast Restaurant opening into the lawns!  Since it was a free-day, each of us explored the township on our own, shopping around for leather jackets and quaint artifacts. However, the group converged at an Italian Restaurant - Casa Bella Vista for lunch - comprising fresh, authentic, coal-fired Pizzas! The expedition's last relaxed lunch!   The expedition ended with an informal parting dinner - where contact details were exchanged. Epilogue: On 11-September-16, the convoy departed early from Manali to Chandigarh since most of us had late afternoon flights. We drove in a convoy until we reached close to Chandigarh Airport where the vehicle drop-off point was located. Mahindra's crew dropped each of us to the airport for our respective departures! That was the end of the most-exciting, well-organized expedition I have ever participated in! To give Mahindra Adventures and Hari Singh's team credit, I can emphatically state that the organization of the event was beyond my expectations. The entire journey ran smoothly like a well-oiled engine and it was evident that the teams had worked endless days and nights leaving no stone unturned! My respect for the Mahindra Scorpio has increased manifold! Treat it with respect, and it shall definitely not fail you! I would not dream of driving any milder vehicle on such terrain! Disclaimer: 1) 100% of the videos and 95% of the pictures were captured in my camera. 2) Google earth pictures are of course downloaded from Google. 3) I have use a couple of pictures taken by my Spiti friends, one or two from the web! 4) All videos have been uploaded onto YouTube; but are unlisted! 5) I am neither an employee of Mahindra nor affiliated with the Company. participated in the expedition on my own! Last edited by cpbopanna : 5th October 2016 at 21:17. |
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6th October 2016, 09:58
| #18 |
| Team-BHP Support  | |
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6th October 2016, 12:28
| #19 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: BOM, AUH
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6th October 2016, 13:20
| #20 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
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| Quote:
I enjoyed the expedition so much, that I have been over-inspired (if at all there is a term like that!) | |
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6th October 2016, 15:29
| #21 |
| Newbie Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Heart of India
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6th October 2016, 15:41
| #22 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai
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6th October 2016, 15:48
| #23 | ||
| BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 594
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| Quote:
Quote:
All the participants were provided Scorpios. The advance vehicle was an XUV. The lead vehicle was a Mahindra Legend and the float was a Thar. The media vehicles were Scorpios as well. The sweep was Getaway! It is not advisable to have anyone below 18 or above 65 participate in the expedition! | ||
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7th October 2016, 12:42
| #24 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Pune/Mumbai
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7th October 2016, 12:55
| #25 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 594
Thanked: 947 Times
| Quote:
Participating in the Spiti expedition with your wife makes sense, and since both of you drive, it'll be even better! We had four couples in our expedition and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, though in two cases (if I am not mistaken) the wives didn't drive! The cost of the expedition (for a pair of participants) was Rs. 1.5 Lakhs + fuel costs (roughly 7 to 8 thousand). Add another Rs. 20k for return flight tickets from wherever you are based to Chandigarh. You can therefore take it as approximately Rs. 1 lakh per head (all inclusive) But believe me, it's worth every Rupee of your money! Regards, Bopanna | |
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17th October 2016, 08:46
| #26 |
| BHPian  | |
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28th October 2016, 22:55
| #27 | |
| Senior - BHPian  | Re: Day 5: Nako to Kaza Quote:
Glad you folks were safe! Maddy | |
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28th October 2016, 23:07
| #28 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
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| Quote:
But what a small world, a biker and a jeeper both from Kutta driving/riding around the Himalayas at the same time! | |
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6th February 2017, 14:50
| #29 |
| BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mumbai
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6th February 2017, 17:02
| #30 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 594
Thanked: 947 Times
| Re: An odyssey into the skies! Mahindra Adventure's Himalayan-Spiti expedition Quote:
I saw one or two 2WD Scorpios (Zoom) struggling to climb, the torque is not enough. Remember the 4WD vehicles have a low range, hence torque gets multiplied! I would not recommend a 2WD vehicle on these stretches! The route is best handled by a 4WD!  | |
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