[Siddy_1998]

A travelogue with a Volkswagen Polo? I definitely could not miss.
Infact, I wish to do a road trip like this in my own Polo.

Well written. To the point. And the pictures really do so much talking.

[anshumandun]

Originally Posted by Ragavsr

One small mistake I spotted. The Jawahar Tunnel is not 9 kms. Either you have gone through the Qazigund Banihal tunnel which is 9 km long and officially opened on 20th April 2022 (trial runs were allowed earlier) . After the Qazigund tunnel opened , only fuel tankers were taking the old Jawahar tunnel route and the Jawahar tunnel is 3 km odd.

Originally Posted by thirugata

Yes, it has to be the Quazigund Banihal tunnel. Had driven through it on the 6th Apr.. Truly an engineering marvel. I think it is 8.3 Kms and the Syama Prasad Mukherjee tunnel is 9 km I guess.

Thanks for pointing out . It was in fact the Quazigund Banihal tunnel. It was not even listed on google maps that time so just after I crossed the tunnel, the time to destination reduced by ~50mins instantly. I was confused that it was the Jawahar tunnel. I must have crossed this tunnel during the trial runs.

[oilmonkey]

Great write up and lovely pictures. Can you provide a detailed feedback about the MRF Perfinza tyres how did they perform on this long road trip and your overall review of them.

[anshumandun]

Originally Posted by oilmonkey

Can you provide a detailed feedback about the MRF Perfinza tyres how did they perform on this long road trip and your overall review of them.

I quite like the Perfinzas. They have over 45k kms on them now and still some life left. My only reference are the OEM Apollo Alnacs that came with the car and the MRFs are better than those in terms of road noise as well as grip. The car was holding on well even on hard cornering during the trip and there were no punctures or damages to the tyres even on the non-existent roads near Changla.

I have now started noticing some cracks on the tyres and will change them soon although tread wise they are still good for another 10k kms.

[oilmonkey]

Originally Posted by anshumandun

I quite like the Perfinzas. They have over 45k kms on them now and still some life left. My only reference are the OEM Apollo Alnacs that came with the car and the MRFs are better than those in terms of road noise as well as grip. The car was holding on well even on hard cornering during the trip and there were no punctures or damages to the tyres even on the non-existent roads near Changla.

I have now started noticing some cracks on the tyres and will change them soon although tread wise they are still good for another 10k kms.

Thank you for the response. Please keep us posted on your next choice of tyre change.

I was looking at something similar to Perfinza which can be relied on even non-existent roads apart from having good grip and low noise on proper roads. Need to decide between the Michelin Primacy 4ST and Perfinza and your feedback is helpful.

[Ikran]

Amazing read... You have captured your vacation very well. Seeing Polo reach Leh gives me enuf confidence to take my Baleno to the mountains soon...!!!

Happy and safe driving.... :-)

[unoczar]

Originally Posted by anshumandun

went in September 2021.

Hello, do you mind sharing your dates and how cold it was?
My trip is finally shaping up with a departure of 16/23 SEP from Hyderabad.

[anshumandun]

Originally Posted by unoczar

Hello, do you mind sharing your dates and how cold it was?
My trip is finally shaping up with a departure of 16/23 SEP from Hyderabad.

I don't recall exactly but it was in September (1st to 20th I think). Leh was pleasant at 10-15 deg C but if you are not used to cold weather, better be prepared and carry a blower heater with you. Places like KhardungLa and Pangong were sub zero. If you plan on staying in Pangong, the tents will be extremely cold in the night so pack a lot of warm clothing.

All the best for the trip

[unoczar]

Originally Posted by anshumandun

I don't recall exactly but it was in September (1st to 20th I think). Leh was pleasant at 10-15 deg C but if you are not used to cold weather, better be prepared and carry a blower heater with you. Places like KhardungLa and Pangong were sub zero. If you plan on staying in Pangong, the tents will be extremely cold in the night so pack a lot of warm clothing.

All the best for the trip

Thanks for this. My original plan was last week of August. But it's been pushed by around 20 days. Let's see if it bears fruit this year.

[unoczar]

How cold was it in nights? Leh and around?

[VALLABHA]

Stunning pics! What an amazing trip you did with your VW Polo GT! Those pics make people want to do this trip without fail. I hope I'll be able to do it sometime. What camera/mobile are those pics clicked with?

[anshumandun]

Originally Posted by unoczar

How cold was it in nights? Leh and around?

Leh was okay. Around 5-10 degree in night. Pangong was cold with near 0 temperature in the night.

Originally Posted by VALLABHA

Stunning pics! What an amazing trip you did with your VW Polo GT! Those pics make people want to do this trip without fail. I hope I'll be able to do it sometime. What camera/mobile are those pics clicked with?

Thanks! All photos taken with Iphone XR.

[Hardrock0005]

Such a wonderful thread.
Loving it.
Did you face any problem with fuel(quality, as gt’s injector are sensitive to Bad fuel quality) and were there enough pumps especially in j&k?was the fuel good?
Any problem like coolant freeze or long crank?

Originally Posted by anshumandun

VW Flash Red Against Nature's Sky Blue
Attachment 2305752

The BRO Racetrack
Attachment 2305754

GT experiencing snow and negative temperature for the first time in it's life.
Attachment 2305756

At Khardungla! (which is not the highest motorable pass anymore because BRO outdid themselves by building the Umlingla Pass)
Attachment 2305758

Customary Picture
Attachment 2305760

It can't get any more real
Attachment 2305761

En-route Pangong
Attachment 2305762

Crossing Changla
Attachment 2305763

One of many glaciar lakes
Attachment 2305764

When you see such beauty, you stop!
Attachment 2305766

Early morning in Pangong
Attachment 2305769

My personal favourite pic of the GT
Attachment 2305770

Different shades of Pangong
Attachment 2305771

Panoramic view
Attachment 2305772

One last pic before we started the return journey
Attachment 2305773

The sky is so clear that the photo looks photoshopped
Attachment 2305774

[pravs3012]

Thanks for sharing an absolutely beautiful and amazing travelogue! Your pictures are worth many words and you have captured the beauty with perfection. If Leh sees more traffic from team-bhp members in the near future - we will blame you.
I can relate to the love for Polo as I did drive it for 8.5 years (not GT though).
Thanks again!

[anshumandun]

Originally Posted by Hardrock0005

Did you face any problem with fuel(quality, as gt’s injector are sensitive to Bad fuel quality) and were there enough pumps especially in j&k?was the fuel good?
Any problem like coolant freeze or long crank?

No problem at all. The car performed flawlessly. Petrol pumps are everywhere nowadays so no issues on that front too.

Originally Posted by pravs3012

Thanks for sharing an absolutely beautiful and amazing travelogue!

Thanks for your kind words