We finally made it! Yes we dreamt it, we planned it meticulously and we finally did it. We drove all the way from Bangalore to Ladakh in our Duster 85 PS RxL Diesel.
What all checks and preparation we had done regarding our car and our trip will come at the very last of this series, but right now I am too excited to tell you the story.....so let's begin. Its going to be a long series with loads of pictures and videos so that if you haven't been to Ladakh already, this series will try to convince you to visit this amazing land, and if you have already been there, the series will refresh your sweet memories.
Since we travelled in our own car, so our itinerary was flexible.We had no hard rules of meeting dates and places.So in some places we have stayed for a couple of days more as per our liking and convenience.
Check out the video created with so much of love.
18th May
Bangalore - Hyderabad, distance : 576 km
We started from our home as early as 3 AM. We started early so that we could escape the city traffic as much possible.Things were going pretty cool till Kurnool, but after that our car's spark plug started showing red indicator on the display.We stopped at some food joint to have some refreshments.The temperature was so high outside that we could literally feel our skin burning.Anyway once we started the car, we saw the indicator gone.
We halted at Shamshabad in Hyderabad for the day. The reason for choosing Shamshabad was twofold.Firstly, the place has many car mechanic.We wanted our car to be checked for the spark plug.And secondly, availability of anything in the place is abundant.
Once our got got thoroughly checked, the mechanic told us that everything was okay.Because of so much heat ( it was close to 41 degree ) the spark plug in Duster gave that indication.We were good to go.
19th May
Hyderabad - Nagpur, distance : 501 km
Next day we left Hyderabad for Nagpur.The distance is some 500 KM.As we left Hyderabad we proceeded towards Nagpur, we found that availability of restaurants or hotels gets lesser and lesser.After Adilabad, there is nothing till you reach Nagpur.So its a good idea to carry some consumables with you on this way. Road condition till Adilabad that is Telengana border is very good but after that as we entered Maharashtra, it deteriorated. In some places it was patchwork on the highway.
We stayed in Nagpur for the day.Temperature gets very very hot in Nagpur during May
20th May
Nagpur - Sagar, distance : 392 km
Our night halt destination for the day was Sagar which is in Madhya Pradesh. We passed by the periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve. Even though we did not visit Pench, but from the road passes through Pench Reserve. From what we could feel by just being on the road is that the reserve is extremely well maintained. If you are following the same route you can halt an extra day at Pench to see tigers and other wild animals in the jungle safari. Just make sure that you have your safari tickets booked online beforehand.
Road conditions from Nagpur to Sagar was good.We stayed in Sagar for the day.Although Sagar is an important pilgrimage place in MP, but we visited none.Temperature in Sagar also gets very high during the day. Locals told us that in evenings it rains.In Sagar you will also get to see dhabas on the sides of the highway.Food is tasty and very pocket friendly.
21th May
Sagar - Agra, distance : 445 km
From South India, today we will be getting into North India by our car. My excitement was bountiful .A long journey, close to 1500 km traversing through the median line of India.When we reached Agra, it was close to 5 PM.We decided to see the majestic Taj Mahal from the Taj view point ADA.
We kept our car at the designated parking spot for Taj view point ADA and got up on a battery operated rickshaw van.Parking fees was INR 50 and beyond this point cars are not allowed.
We paid INR 200 for the rickshaw van. However we later got to know that we have been cheated. Per person charge is INR 10 for one way and if you book the entire van it's 50 bucks each way which makes it a 100 bucks for a two way journey. Anyway the distance is barely 500 meters so if anyone wants to walk can easily walk as well.
We got some beautiful views of the majestic Taj that we did not mind the cheating. Overall the cleanliness of Agra is majorly lacking except for the few famous tourist spots.
We got a packet of Agra pedha, a famous Agra sweet made from white pumpkin.There will be plenty of shops selling pedha on either side of the road.
22 May
Agra - Naldehra, distance : 589 km
Ah finally! We reached Himachal.We choose to stay at Naldehra which is a mere 22 km away from Shimla.Very quiet and peaceful the place is filled with pine, deodar and cedar trees.The air is as fresh and crisp as it can be and the only noise one will hear is chirping of birds.Very very less touristy, secluded and full with tall trees on the montains, Naldehra was our first destination for the next two days.
We stayed at Woodstock resort and hotel which was absolutely and fantastic.A lot of the interiors was very tastefully made with wood.Nestled within the mountains surrounded by tall pine trees, this dreamy place can made the most mundane person a poet.
From South to North, we finally did it. We took the picturesque Manali - Leh highway to reach Leh. In the next blog we will share our experiences in Naldehra and beyond. Stay connected.
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