Grand Himalayan Road Tour (GHiRT)- What to Visit?

ks_bluechip

Does it make sense to drive your own vehicle and visit the Himalayas? Somewhat like the recent (Jan-08) car-driving trip ( GIRT ) that I made with a college buddy, to the 4-corners of India. In India, the Himalayas spread over many states: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and to cover all that would be a pretty tough and a long drive! Certainly lot more complex than a GIRT in the Plains!

This is just a germinating idea (at this stage) that started off with some recent posts in the "Escape to Kumaon" thread by eminent Himalayan travellers like Dilliwalla, Piyush etc. So no specififc schedule/plan is made as yet.

If one were to do such an HRT (HRT coined by Dilliwala):
- Which vehicle? is 4WD must??
- Any restrictions on drivers from the Plains, taking to the mountain roads?
- Which places to visit and what routes to take? Is it best to do just one Himalayan State at a time?
- What time of the year?

Anybody with past experiences on such driving trips and with ideas and suggestions, please post your views on this thread.

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AvidTrekker

I have been going on a HRT for the last 20 years in my head ONLY

Its like this... I can only spare "so much" time and "so much" money. Either I am short of time or short of money. I also give priority to "trekking" in case of clash-of-interest. One of my friends offered me a "free HRT" 15-day-road-trip with some small trek included. We chalked out the dates and something happened. It got cancelled. This happened just 5 months back


4WD gives you confidence on slushy roads, black ice and the "last three kilometres" (which are the most scenic). For example, At Larot (Pabbar River valley), one can go up the dirt track in a 4 X 4 and walk up the balance in just three hours to reach the top of Chansil Ghati. Otherwise its a full day's climb, Next day return. Nothing to stay on top. Just a beautiful meadow at 10500 feet.

Ideally it should be a "optional 4WD", not "permanent 4WD". One drives by 2WD most of the time coz it is more frugal in the plains. Switch to 4WD when needed ONLY.

None. Any experienced driver should do. Its a pleasure to drive in the mountains. Only minus point is: "if I am driving, I will miss the breathtaking view." If many stops are provided, then I won't miss out on the view.

If one is hiring a professional driver, then one should hire a mountain driver, if available. Plains drivers are not generally comfy in the mountains.

Ha ! I can show you routes on the map. And some not-on-the-map. Its a long topic, can't write it in this short time.
Generally between late May and October if you want to take the highest passes (snow has melted or Army has opened up the road). Unless you have someone who will ferry your vehicle by chopper.
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puchoo

yep, i agree with avid on the "permanent 4WD" thingie..

Driving - please stick to your side of the road. I clock in a lot of Km's on the hills every year and the one thing i cant stand or understand is why do drivers think they own the whole road... one 'deeper than you thought curve', one fast bus and thats it.

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Dilliwala

Me? Oh no, u get the credit for that. I just did the "file compression"




ksb, I'll resist the urge for now to jump in with the other answers, let a few more replies come.
I have a feeling I'll be viewing this thread often from now on.

AvidTrekker

Please do jump in !! Never mind "more replies".
I have a feeling that I'll be reading dilliwala's replies on this topic I know that he has a wealth of knowledge about travelling in the Himalaya.

At least this way, I can enjoy a HRT online !!!

Pssst ! HRT also stands for "Hormone Replacement Therapy", administered mostly to females.
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ks_bluechip

Avid & Puchoo: Which Indian models have this 2/4WD that you talk of? Do you know??

When I was driving on the GIRT on NH-17, about 10Kms south & before Alleppy I found some shiny Willy's Jeeps lined up on the Highway, outside a refurbishing Garage. They were priced at Rs 75,000 for a 70s Model and Rs 1.25 Lacs for a 80s model. I think those have the changeable 2WD/4WD? They looked real tempting buy to me (see picture below). But don't know how reliable they would be on the mountain roads of Uttaranachal

Yes, I meant nifty "HRT" compression!

BTW: Does your Bolero have 4WD ????

- KS

Attached Thumbnails

 

puchoo

Well a gypsy comes to mind immediately.


Really sweet looking machines.Often toyed with the idea of picking up one for myself but its just not practical in Delhi...even though the price is tempting! I learnt to drive partly on a Mahindra in the hills..so have a soft spot for them.

ks_bluechip

Why mostly? ... does it, sometime, work for Men too?

BTW: I think read recently some Tamilnadu-Govt Orgn added a 3rd checkbox in Sex Option of their Forms .... Like: [M/F/T]

- KS

Aishah

I wouldn't use HRT for the initials KS - might be totally misunderstood! I thought of HURT but that only takes in two states not the rest of the ones you mentioned...
Just passing on this info I learned yesterday from a driver - he says that Tata Indica or for that matter diesel operated vehicles can be hard to start up in the mountains or when the temps are really cold. So maybe your Indica might not be the best vehicle to use. Also consider the diesel aspect - it has to be warm to fire up doesn't it?

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puchoo

Its still a very common sight to see truck driver lighting small fires under their tanks to get the diesel to de-freeze....the Indica might have an internal heater though given the fact that its a turn of the century car etc?

Aishah

It has an internal heater - when you switch it on you have to wait to hear a 2nd 'click' which indicates it's ready to start. But in the cold mountains, this 2nd 'click' often doesn't eventuate!

ks_bluechip

Hi Aishah, You are right .... How about GHRT - Grand Himalayan Road Trip? (similar to erstwhile GIRT ). Unless Dilliwalla or somebody else comes up with better compression alogrithm soon, you can have the Thread title changed accordingly.

Yes, I also doubt if my Indica-V2 can do the mounatins. Though I have seen many Indica deisel Taxis (also called Indicabs) ply in the mountains. Maybe they do only the lower and middle regions of the mountains? Maybe some Car experts will throw light on this aspect.

deeps79

GHRT - excellent, another excellent road trip for u KS sir.......As always i can only sit and get jealous.

In Sep-Oct, i think indica should be able to go to 90% of the places without problem.

I also believe that you should target it state wise .....lets say starting from Srinagar to Leh- Khardungla - Nubra- Khardungla- Pangong- Tso Moriri- Barchala la- keylong - (a detour to Udaipur) before coming back to Keylong or maybe crossing to other side of himachal (choice is urs) and then exploring Lahaul Spiti - Sangla- Sarahan - shimla.....

next one could concentrate on kumaon and garhwal (DilliWalla and piyush are the best people for it )

Final one to concentrate on Bengal, Assam and ARunachal.........

I seriously think, you have to break it 3 different stages atleast.......maybe u can spend 15 days in between these stages at a small place and just relax before moving ahead for next stage.

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Aishah

GHRT - that sounds grand! Yes, I've seen them in the summer months around McLeod Ganj, up to Landour etc. and going all over the popular tourist routes. I think problems in the winter - check out Roshe's Article - 'A Trip to Heaven' - in the Articles section here.She and her husband did a tour of Uttarakhand in September.

shahronakm

May be this book could be helpful to you.

Riding the Himalaya by Keki N Daruwalla;
published by Niyogi Books, New Delhi
Rs.795.00 (pb) less 20% discount net Rs.636.00

Prices quoted by Strand Book Stall. Delivery 2 - 3 days.

Ronak.

PS: I have not read this book, but it was recommended in one of the travel magazines.

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