[tazmaan]

Ever since Covid I have not been on a cross country driving vacation which had become a kind of a ritual ever since I bought the Isuzu V-cross.

Have done Ranthambore, Kanha , Tadoba, Mukteshwar, Gir, Pondicherry etc before the lock down.

This time we decided to do Himachal at the last minute. It was a plan made and prepared for in less than 7 days.

Some details of the trip:

Dates: 2nd May to 15th May 2022

Stay 1: Nirvana Homestay at Tandi, Jibhi, From 4th May to 8th May

Agenda: Relax, Trek and enjoy the woods.

Stay 2: Club Mahindra Manali, From 8th May to 13th May.

Agenda: Explore Manali, Rohtang and Atal tunnel.

Total Drive: 4500 Kms return trip

No of Drivers: One just me

The plan was for Wife and kids to fly to on Chandigarh 4th May where I picked them up and on the return fly back from Chandigarh on 14th May. I could have flown to Chandigarh too and booked a self drive car but as usual, my the itch to drive cross country in a V-cross is irresistible.



Important Packing List:

All original papers and ID proofs
Tool Kit
Swiss Army Knife
Head Torch 3nos
First Aid Kit
DSLR
Caps and Sunglasses
Moisturizer
Ample of dry snacks
Full list of meds for the kids
Warm clothes
Mosquito Repellant
Offline Google map
Extra crate of water
Spare tyre tube
Battery Pack for devices

I had got my Truck serviced, but since its almost 6 years old I also changed the battery, engine belts, Coolant, Wipers and brake pads. I also installed HSRP number plates with the color coded sticker since it is mandatory at a lot of places in North.

A teaser Pic:

[tazmaan]

The idea was to reach Jibhi on the 3rd day of the drive after picking up the family from Chandigarh airport on the 3rd day.

Day 1: Mumbai to Kishangarh - 1040 kms

Start time : 4:30 am
Reach Time: 8:00 pm

Route taken : Mumbai - Vadodara - Godhra - Samalaji - Udaipur - Deogarh - Ajmer - Kishangarh

The drive from Mumbai to Vadodara is straight forward. After that Godhra - Samlalaji is 4 lane road with decent amount of traffic and ample of speed brakers. Once you join the Main Udaipur Highway progress is smooth till Dawer. Dawer to Beawar is single lane smooth road with few diversions. The progress here is slow but steady. Post that up to Kishangar is 6 lane highway with a few rough patches.

There is a speed Van on the Godhra Road where I was stopped. Wiggled out of it speaking the local language. They didn't have any proof just assumed I was speeding. The Xuv 700 ahead of me was the one caught on cam.

Reached the Hotel Chitvan on the opposite side of the highway and called it a day.

Luggage at the start.



Ready to go



Start odometer reading









Don't miss the huge Shiva statue while driving through Nathdwara



End Odometer Day 1 (Pics taken next day morning)





Notice the error on Km reading, the distance as per google was 1040 kms but my tires are 5% oversized. Took the usual Breakfast, Lunch and Fuel stops. Could not take many pictures since I was driving Solo.

Day 2: Kishangarh to Chandigarh - 650 kms

Start time : 5:45 am
Reach Time: 3:30 pm

Route taken : Kishangarh - Jaipur - Bhiwadi - Western Periphery expressway - Sonipat - Ambala - Chandigarh.

The entire drive is pleasant with good roads. Speed limit at most part is 90 kmph and 120 kmph on the Western Periphery expressway. Post Sonipat there are fixed speed cameras every 25/30 kms and one has to be very careful all the way till Chandigarh.

Sunrise Day 2



Breakfast somewhere post Jaipur. Awesome Makkhan (butter) parathas.





Toll near Sonipat



Western Periphery Expressway






Reached Chandigarh Hotel : Homotel by Saraovar and relaxed.

PS : Upon entering Chandigarh I was stopped by cops. They checked car papers which were in order and eventually fined me INR 500/- for extra lights which were covered. I let it go since I was tired, said thanks paid the fine by card and headed to the hotel. One of those extra tolls we have to factor in.

[tazmaan]

On Day 3 the plan was to pick up the family from Airport at 11:30 am and head straight to Jibhi.

Route taken : Chandigarh Airport - Swarghat - Bilaspur - Mandi - Right turn just before Aut tunnel - Banjar - Jibhi - Tandi

Distance : 286 kms
Start time : 11:45 am
Reach Time: 9:30 pm

Homestay name : Nirvana True-Living , Tandi , Jibhi. Has only 4 rooms out of which we had booked 2 stone cottages. Food is awesome and so are the hosts. Clean rooms, hot water and gorgeous valley view.

The route till Aut tunnel is same as Manali. The roads are a mix of Good, Average and very bad due to road works. Roads around Mandi is especially bad and we were stuck in a 30 mins stand still traffic. It was raining throughout the drive except the last 2 odd hours. Just before the Aut tunnel the road towards Jibhi turns right. From here onwards the roads are extremely narrow and very steep near Banjar and Tandi. One car has to move off the road for two cars to pass. Since it was dark the progress was very very slow for me. From Jibhi to Our homestay at Tandi was only 9 odd kms but it took good 45 mins because of the road condition (read almost off-road).

The homestay from the parking lot was another 20 minute hike with all the luggage (Hometsay staff helped). The head torches really helped during the night hike. At one point I felt I have pushed the kids too much but they took it and once we reached the stay everything was worth it. We had packed separate lighter bags for Jibhi in order to limit the luggage for the hike.

At Jibhi all we did was relax, photography, Trekking, bonfire and enjoyed the nature. No TV, no phone network (Vodafone) just Nirvana. We went to Jibhi market for Lunch most of the days and explored a couple of restaurants. Mystic garden cafe and Neti Neti cafe has good food in Jibhi. Do note parking is scarce everywhere. One day we did the Jalori pass drive which was fun mostly for me.

I will let the pictures do the talking for the 4 days.

The Homestay













The View from the room and the property












Trekking





Wild berry not very tasty



Kids Drawing with a view



Tirthan River



Bonfire



Kids favorite time pass playing with the dogs



Jalori Pass Parking



Jalori pass views









Pics of the Parking below the home stay

[tazmaan]

After enjoying the nature it was difficult to leave Tandi behind. Even the kids wanted to extend but we had further bookings so had to leave.

Dates : 8th May to 12th May
Start time: 10:30 Am
Reach time: 4:00 Pm

Route: Tandi - Jibhi - Banjar - Aut Tunnel - Kullu - Manali.

Stay: Club Mahindra Manali

The Return drive from Tandi to Aut tunnel was a lot more fun due to day time. And from Aut tunnel onwards the drive is easy and simple. I was stopped at Manali toll gate for general checking. I can say one thing for sure Manali is way over crowded and not in a good way. It was kind of an anticlimax after Jibhi/Tandi.

In Manali we explored Mall road, did water rafting, Zip line, ATV and rented a cab to Rohtang.

On the last day we did a drive to Sissu via Atal tunnel which was by far our best day in Manali. Our car was stopped and checks were done prior to entering Atal tunnel. Driving through the tunnel was one of the highlights of the whole trip.

There are enough restaurants at Sissu along with Boating, ATV, Zip line at Sissu Lake. The toll to enter Sissu is INR 300/-

Travel time from Manali to Sissu is 1 hr 30 mins one way.

Time for pictures

View from the room



Kids loved this at Club Mahindra



Parking at Water rafting



Car Wash



Our Favorite Pizza place



Rohtang











Atal tunnel





Sissu Side





Sissu Drive













Sissu Waterfall and Boating







Cafe at Sissu



And Finally

[tazmaan]

On 13th of May we checked out. The plan was to reach Chandigarh late afternoon relax and explore Chandigarh shopping later in the night. The flight was next day Morning.

Route: Manali - Kullu - Aut - Mandi - Bilaspur - Swarghat - Chandigarh
Stay : Novotel

Reached Chandigarh late afternoon after an uneventful drive. Next day morning dropped the family to airport and did the return drive solo via the same route. Nothing to post regarding the return drive.

Other things:

Tandi was cold in the nights nearly 9 odd degrees
Please rent correct boots and clothing for Rohtag
Make sure the cars have sun shades
Carry Cap and Sun glasses
Carry extra pair of shoes
Keep and eye on tyre pressure
Got high tyre temp warning in Rajasthan twice at 48 degrees outside temperature
Don't rush, its not worth it. Drive slow Drive safe

The truck performed exceptionally well. Other than windshield fluid top-up nothing else was needed.

Pictures of Overall Odometer readings











Do note the trip reading is less than 4500 due to 5% oversized tires. The actual Average will be 5% more due to the same reason.

A short video of the whole trip:

https://youtu.be/MlLctK6mzpI

A Short Video on defensive driving at Jalori Downhill:

https://youtu.be/ONElC9IPhYQ

[tazmaan]

My best time in Tandi was to wake up before sunrise when everyone else is sleeping and try (still amateur) photograph the birds. Camera is Nikon 5300 DSLR with 300 lens.

Few bird pictures feel free to identify them. Watch full screen.

With a catch

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[justwheels]

Nothing beats a driving holiday. And your crisp travelogue made it look like a walk in the park.
Those views in Jibhi were so beautiful, surely no one wants to leave. It's some fun watching the early morning birds do their chores, much peaceful than we humans doing ours.

Thanks for sharing and wish you many miles more.

[X-Saint]

You have planned the perfect trip—balancing your passion for driving adventure along with the comfort of your family. Great pictures and well-written. By the way, as you have mentioned about 'Nathdwara' in one of your pictures, it is a place of worship for 'Vaishnavs' (Jai Shree Krishna followers). We visit this place every year from Mumbai.

[Siddarth_Ramani]

Nice pictures, looks like you and a pickup truck are a match made in heaven. One question, is 2.5 L Diesel mill adequate when fully loaded?

[black.beauty]

The car looks beautiful and I can imagine how confident you'll feel while going uphill or anywhere for that matter when you have a car as solidly built as that. I would love to have it someday except the huge turning radius would not let me buy it in Bangalore traffic conditions. May be, some other city or as a 2nd car.

[SJM1214]

Wow, Thanks for the excellent details log and amazing photos.
I love that homestay at Tandi. My next staycation is going to be there in the Lahoul region, will surely consider this homestay.

[tazmaan]

Originally Posted by justwheels

Nothing beats a driving holiday. And your crisp travelogue made it look like a walk in the park.
Those views in Jibhi were so beautiful, surely no one wants to leave. It's some fun watching the early morning birds do their chores, much peaceful than we humans doing ours.

The early mornings, walking through the woods with dew is something. While the humans are sleeping the business in the woods is at the peak.

Originally Posted by X-Saint

You have planned the perfect trip—balancing your passion for driving adventure along with the comfort of your family. Great pictures and well-written.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Siddarth_Ramani

Nice pictures, looks like you and a pickup truck are a match made in heaven. One question, is 2.5 L Diesel mill adequate when fully loaded?

Thank you! Since I have a remap from the very beginning, I don't find any difference in drivability while driving a loaded or empty truck. Only difference is better ride quality when loaded.

Originally Posted by black.beauty

The car looks beautiful and I can imagine how confident you'll feel while going uphill or anywhere for that matter when you have a car as solidly built as that. I would love to have it someday except the huge turning radius would not let me buy it in Bangalore traffic conditions. May be, some other city or as a 2nd car.

Thank you! Even in Mumbai, without a second car the Isuzu is not practical.

Originally Posted by SJM1214

Wow, Thanks for the excellent details log and amazing photos.
I love that homestay at Tandi. My next staycation is going to be there in the Lahoul region, will surely consider this homestay.

Thank you! PM me if you need the contact.