[DevilzzzzOwn]

RJ2285, any feedback you can provide on the road conditions? Actually, it's been more than 6 months and in India that can mean an entire Highway going missing

I will be travelling by my XUV 3OO Diesel AMT from Pune to Manali on December 25th. I will be travelling with my parents who are senior citizens, but my dad is a keen driver even at this age, so I have the luxury of a co-driver. Although this was factored in the trip planning phase, aka, driving through the night to cover max distance, it was dropped due to no sense of security on Indian Highways at night, that too unfamiliar to me and dad.

Why the trip? I have been continuously working on my projects since February 2022 with no holiday and only weekly offs. I want to decompress and get rid of this burnout. And parents are retired so they just want to go on any trip at the drop of a hat. I wanted to do Goa but that would be the opposite of the peace that I want, so North India it is. And did I mention fresh SNOW

Here's my Itinerary that I have so far managed to create.

Day 1: 03:00 Leave Pune.
Day 1: 23:00 Reach Bhilwada, Rajasthan, 950 Kms. Via Nashik, Ratlam, Chittorgarh. Check into overnight hotel.
Day 2: 06:00 Leave Bhilwara.
Day 2: 20:00 Reach Chandigarh, 720 Kms. Via Jaipur, Ambala.

QUERY 1: Google Maps shows 2 routes. First is the one I have posted. 2nd is from Bhilwara to Chandigarh via Jaipur, Gurugram outskirts, New Delhi outskirts and Panipat, Kurukshetra and then Ambala to Chandigarh. Although the difference in terms of distance on both routes is 40 odd Kms, the time difference is also an additional 1 hour. I am assuming being the capital, the roads around Delhi should be fantastic and hence I can opt for option 2. Which one would you guys suggest?

Day 3: 06:00 Leave Chandigarh.
Day 3: 14:00 Reach Kullu, 260 kms. Check into the hotel. Local sight Seeing.
Day 4: Kullu sightseeing.

QUERY 2: Does Kullu have a lot of places for tourists that we can cover in 1 day? Or is it better to forego this day and head straight to Manali on Day 4? I chose 2 days in Kullu incase Mom or Dad show any signs of AMS, this day can be used as an acclimatization day.
Day 5: 08:00 Leave Kullu.
Day 5: 10:00 Reach Manali, 50 kms. Check into Hotel and do local sight seeing.
Day 6: Targeted points of interest are Solang Valley, Gulaba Viewpoint, Rohtang Pass and return to Manali via Atal Tunnel.

QUERY 3: I will be driving an XUV 3OO AMT Diesel, MY 2020, 31K on Odo. Factory fitted tyres with plenty of thread for another 20K Kms and serviced at 30K Kms. Will the fact that this is a FWD vehicle hinder the progress? Will AMT be a mess on the snowy ghats? I don't have any experience whatsoever of driving in hilly and snowy regions, but ghats are something that we Puneris regularly come across. Any advice on this will be helpful. Dad suggested we take a taxi on hire for the Rohtang Pass day in Manali, and I agree. However, that elusive pic of me and my car and the mile marker with Rohtang written on it, is missing from my To-Do-List. The itch to drive my own car to Rohtang is pretty strong. But not stronger than personal safety, of course.

Day 7: 08:00 Leave Manali
Day 7: 23:00 Reach Agra. Check into hotel.
Day 8: 04:00 Leave Agra.
Day 9: Reach Pune. Leisurely drive back. No targets. No mandatory night halts. The Agra Bombay Road is quite familiar to my dad and I and we can take turns to cover this bit, no problems.

QUERY 4: Any and all inputs on the road conditions, routes to be taken, stays etc are welcome. I have just booked 2 hotels so far. 2 nights in Kullu and 2 night in Manali. Both are cancellable with no charges. So I am open to modify the itinerary as per the feedback.

QUERY 5 As far as I can understand from what I read, AMS will not be a problem in Kullu, Manali or Rohtang. However, since I am travelling with 2 others in their golden age, any suggestions on what meds and or any specialized equipment etc to be carried will be appreciated.

QUERY 6: Will I get to see fresh snowfall at any of the places from December 26th to December 29th, 2022? IMD says yes, in Manali, but you never know. Any special place during this time of the year where I am guaranteed fresh snowfall in that area? Not willing to go over the Rohtang Pass, so that is a limitation.

QUERY 7: Are private vehicles welcome in HP? I remember the incident where the windscreen of a private vehicle was smashed by a huge rock by a taxi operator and the resulting court case etc. But that was in Leh. Also, I came across a Green Tax that tourist vehicles have to pay in advance for Himachal. But couldn't find a place to pay it. What other charges should I be aware of?

Thanks in advance. This will be my first documented Travelogue ever, so very excited.

@Mods, please merge with existing Thread if suitable. Couldn't find any for Pune-Manali. Found one for Mumbai - Manali but that was not helpful, sadly.

Drive Safe.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by DevilzzzzOwn

QUERY 1: Google Maps shows 2 routes. First is the one I have posted. 2nd is from Bhilwara to Chandigarh via Jaipur, Gurugram outskirts, New Delhi outskirts and Panipat, Kurukshetra and then Ambala to Chandigarh.

After you cross Kotputli take the exit to Narnaul - 148B and then to 152D at Narnaul - Trans-Haryana Expressway (Narnaul-Ambala), onwards to Ambala- Chandigarh. It will be the fastest and shortest.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bhil...30.6679559!3e0

Will the fact that this is a FWD vehicle hinder the progress? Will AMT be a mess on the snowy ghats?

Not sure if you will get snowfall during Christmas in Manali. Even if it snows, it should not be much to worry about unless it is too much.

I don't have any experience whatsoever of driving in hilly and snowy regions, but ghats are something that we Puneris regularly come across.

Ghats and the Himalayas are different. But the basic principal of driving remains the same, always stay in your Lane, very important to adhere to lane on the blind curves.

Dad suggested we take a taxi on hire for the Rohtang Pass day in Manali, and I agree.

Yes and No. Decide when you reach there. Due to the tunnel, rush should be minimal subject to the pass being open. If there is too much snow on the road, then it makes no sense to take your car or even Taxi as usually, they mayn't even reach the pass due to the weather.

Any and all inputs on the road conditions, routes to be taken, stays etc are welcome. I have just booked 2 hotels so far. 2 nights in Kullu and 2 night in Manali. Both are cancellable with no charges. So I am open to modify the itinerary as per the feedback.

Roads are usually good until you are in Punjab. Thereafter due to the construction work, it might get tricky. Do go through the Delhi- Manali thread.

Not sure if there are enough things to do in Kullu. Though there are some home stays close to mountains/rivers should you want to have a peaceful time.

As far as I can understand from what I read, AMS will not be a problem in Kullu, Manali or Rohtang. However, since I am travelling with 2 others in their golden age, any suggestions on what meds and or any specialized equipment etc to be carried will be appreciated.

Diamox is what people usually take. Keep anti-Vomit tablets too as well some for fever. Good quality woollens are a must.

Any special place during this time of the year where I am guaranteed fresh snowfall in that area? Not willing to go over the Rohtang Pass, so that is a limitation.

There will be snow somewhere during that time around Manali. Take a Taxi to such nearest point if you don't feel comfortable. Decide when you reach there.

Are private vehicles welcome in HP?

Absolutely no problems. When you enter Himachal and Manali, there will be some entry tax ( Rs75 or so for Himachal and maybe 100-250 for Manali)


Rest others can chime in.