[TusharK]

Volkswagen has launched its customer experience initiative called ‘Volkswagen Experiences’ in India.



Volkswagen Experiences is not just for customers. Travel enthusiasts can also attend the event. The first expedition will be held from June 9 to June 14, 2024.

‘The 1st Chapter: An Exhilarating Expedition to Ladakh’ includes a drive from Chandigarh to Leh and back. It will be conducted in two batches, both of which will be limited to 60 slots. Those interested in attending will have to pay a fee of Rs 75,000 per person. This doesn’t include flight tickets.

Volkswagen will provide cars for the event and will organize overnight stays, meals and fuel. Customers will have to bear the cost of repairs caused due to negligent driving. A doctor will accompany the group throughout the journey.

The second expedition from Leh to Chandigarh will be held from June 18 to June 23.

Link to Team-BHP news

[SilverSmoke]

Great initiative. But with monsoons closing in, all trips must be avoided post 15th June to August as downpour becomes very unpredictable in such terrain.

[sachin_cs]

This is such a cool initiative by VW to plan an expedition to the high Himalayas. Other brands, specially Skoda should offer such trips too. I’m really interested in joining this trip provided I get my dates sorted, it would be a wonderful experience driving a Virtus in the beautiful section between Leh-Kargil, if that’s on the itinerary.

Originally Posted by SilverSmoke

Great initiative. But with monsoons closing in, all trips must be avoided post 15th June to August as downpour becomes very unpredictable in such terrain.

The trip is anyways scheduled between 9th June to 23 June in two batches. From what I have experienced, it’s best to visit Ladakh when the season starts in May-June and in the end of the season Sept-Oct as there is comparatively less slush and water crossings [Srinagar-Leh route].

[attrip2008]

This is a good initiative.

Buy my big grouse is that you will be part of group of 4 driving one car which means that you alone won't get to drive the whole route. By strict math you will drive for ~25% time assuming it's all the enthusiasts wanting to drive who sign up.

If I am investing time and money, I would want to drive at least 50% if not ideally the full route to get the complete experience.

Plus it's not cheap- amount per person is ~INR80K. nd it's the same amount that you pay for each incremental member, be it 1 or 4 members as part of you group. . So, if 4 friends plan it it is ~INR 320K. :O

For that money you can rent a really nice car or two even for your group, have a lavish stay and still save some.

Not sure how VW planned it.

[Sen_auto_sation]

A welcome initiative from a global carmaker to really showcase how capable their products like the Tiguan/Tayron (?) are, and would also likely include the Virtus, Taigun, et al, although not sure how these cars would be allocated given the flat charges and the completely different segments that these cars belong.

Being the enthusiast that I am, quickly registered to the VW site to show my interest. However, upon registering, found further details which did not add up well in my mind—as already summarised by @attrip2008 (by the time I sat down to write this post):

Originally Posted by attrip2008

This is a good initiative.

Bu(t) my big grouse is that you will be part of group of 4 (pax) driving one car which means that you alone won't get to drive the whole route. By strict math you will drive for ~25% time...
..investing time and money, I would want to drive at least 50% if not ideally the full route to get the complete experience.
Plus it's not cheap- amount per person is ~INR80K…, be it 1 or 4 members... So, if 4 friends plan it it is ~INR 320K. :O
For that money you can rent a really nice car or two even for your group, have a lavish stay and still save some...

Besides, the costs charged by VW only has standard inclusions, and a number of exclusions, including not limited to: flight tickets to/from the start & end of each trip — it goes one way b/w CHD to LEH for Group A (early-June) and LEH to CHD for Group B (late-June), other overheads, travel/personal insurance, visa/permits, applicable taxes, etc. (are all excluded) which means the actual price would be upwards of INR 100K per person, of course dependent on which part of the country one travels from/to.

Even if somebody decides to sign up for both legs of this experience/adventure drive with VW, they would need to arrange for their own stay+food for a MIN 5 nights b/w the two group date of the drives. Quite the expensive proposition still (the only advantage being one gets to drive with a convoy run by a professional expedition management team to manage the experience, a service crew to manage the health of vehicles, on board experienced doctor with essential supplies, besides save on wear & tear of one’s own car driving in a challenging/rigorous terrain).

A number of such adventure/experience group drives are catching up in India, and hence, it might be worth to evaluate/opt for one an alternative private organiser, which may eventually turn out to be more cost efficient. 🤔🤔

[praneesd]

Quite expensive to say. If this was priced btw ₹35000 to ₹50000, more people would consider it. But nonetheless I feel there are people who would go ahead and grab the opportunity.

[ajmat]

Apart from the drive, you are not seeing too much. All the way to Ladakh for a day there?

[Sahil00090]

A good initiative, could've kept the cost a bit lower considering the number of days and no major sights being covered in Ladakh. Already going on a ride to Leh otherwise it's really tempting.

I am interested to know the cars selected for this as Leh Manali highway is bad.

Will definitely wait for review and hopefully sign up next time.