[Kashi053]

Originally Posted by SidTheChamp

If you got more pictures of other vehicles including the legendary Jeep Wrangler, please share.

Thanks Sid.

Got some more pics from my friends. Special thanks and photo credits to Hariraj Singh for sharing these.


Managing such a big Convoy is big task. Kudos to team for their expertise.


Ashish & Sumit enjoying the snowfall.


Jeep Wrangler in action.





Guess the car :P


Thar in action









Here comes the Hari's Scorpio-N. The Scorpio didn't give much trouble compared to Diesel Thars during morning start at -29 deg. Not sure what mechanism has changed between the two.





Bharal or Ibex ? I always get confused between the two.



Kinner Kailash from our hotel kalpa



Finally, the most energetic crew of the lot. Sachin & Raghu.

[SidTheChamp]

Originally Posted by Kashi053

Thanks Sid.

Got some more pics from my friends. Special thanks and photo credits to Hariraj Singh for sharing these.

Managing such a big Convoy is big task. Kudos to team for their expertise.

Many many thanks for sharing the pics. Appreciate your efforts. And yes, managing such a big convoy in snow is no small task. Mishap can occur any time in the hills and in snow. Discipline is key.

Jeep Wrangler in action.

Ah finally the Wrangler on Indian Roads. This is the first time I'm seeing it, the only other place where I saw Wrangler was in the movie 'Animal' which doesn't say much.
One can easily see how much Thar is inspired from Wrangler. A casual look of Wrangler can be mistaken for a 5 door Thar. Its a pity this vehicle doesn't sell more in India.

Guess the car :P

Easy to guess, the Wrangler. More than the color, the number 12 gave it away.

Thar in action

Gorgeous looks of Thar

Kinner Kailash from our hotel kalpa

Breathtaking pic of Kinner Kailash. What's that light right at the bottom of the hills. Is it a homestay/

Finally, the most energetic crew of the lot. Sachin & Raghu.

What a capture this is. Sachin & Raghu must be very happy with this pic

[RijuC]

Probably we crossed this big convoy near Narkanda on 4th Feb while returning. Mine is BB Jimny with HR26 Numberplate. We were waving and blowing horn

[//M]

I crossed a big group of Jimnys on their way towards Kinnaur and onwards to Spiti about a month back. But this looks even better. Mix and match of all real SUVs playing around in the snow. Seems like a fun trip with crazy bunch of like-minded people. I am eager to do Winter Spiti and RBTS is such a lucrative option to get a proper SUV at disposal.

How was your experience with RBTS? I have heard very good reviews about them but yet to explore this option for a trip yet.

[Kashi053]

Originally Posted by //M

I am eager to do Winter Spiti and RBTS is such a lucrative option to get a proper SUV at disposal.

How was your experience with RBTS? I have heard very good reviews about them but yet to explore this option for a trip yet.

I am hearing more snowfall is going on at Lahaul/Spiti region and you still have time till March end. I would recommend going along with one or two recovery vehicle irrespective of which 4*4 you take.

I am using RBTS service from last 4-5 years and my experience was excellent. Very good condition vehicle with good support.

[RiderS]

Awesome travelogue!

I had been on the same circuit last October all the way driving from Chennai. Since its during summer we have done the full circuit, exit via Chandra Taal, Sissu, Manali

Nice to see the same spots during winter with full snow spread, planning to do a winter Spiti trip too, but this time thought of hiring a Thar from Chandigarh.

Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.

[bullitt1]

Terrific drive. I had come across RBTS while browsing but never explored the private rentals. But based on your experience, have to give a shot. Would you mind sharing the rental prices.

[Kkumar]

Vow, a great travelogue with excellent photos; really tempting. It's always better to go in a group to explore such remote locations as it will take away the burden of coordinating stays and the fear of any unforeseen incidents. Kudos to you. Can you please tell about the handling of Jimny and its ergonomics. Thank you. Keep on munching miles.

[Kashi053]

Originally Posted by bullitt1

Terrific drive. I had come across RBTS while browsing but never explored the private rentals. But based on your experience, have to give a shot. Would you mind sharing the rental prices.

Thank you.

I had paid 6K per day for Jimny AT without fuel.

[chandu]

Thanks for the wonderful post @Kashi053
We were planning a trip to Spiti (full loop from shimla to Spiti and back through Manali) later this summer and it was good to read about your trip. I was wondering if anyone had any recent trip feedback on which type of car to chose for a self drive, there is a choice of a Fortuner, Jimny, Thar and even a Innova Crysta with a driver. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks very much.

[RoadFiend]

Originally Posted by Kashi053

1. You can not take rental cars to Nubra, Pangong side. Leh Taxi Union will not allow it.
3. Rental cars are allowed to Spiti as of now.

Superb narrative Kashi053, felt transported there! I am also Bangalore based and planning a Ladakh self-drive trip in mid-June. Came across RBTS Chandigarh and considering flying to Chandigarh and renting their Jimny AT. Very heartened to read about your good experiences with them over multiple rentals!

I've one doubt: I'm tentatively considering following circuits over about 14 days:
-Nubra
-Pangong Tso
-Hanle
-Tso Moriri
-Padum
Looks like I'll have to park the RBTS self-drive car at Leh and take local taxis for all of these?

I have a fondness for self-drive. Are there alternative circuits in Ladakh or Himachal, where I can see mountains and snow, without having to opt for taxis?

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by RoadFiend

Looks like I'll have to park the RBTS self-drive car at Leh and take local taxis for all of these?

I have a fondness for self-drive. Are there alternative circuits in Ladakh or Himachal, where I can see mountains and snow, without having to opt for taxis?

No option in Ladakh until unless you drive in your personal vehicle. These rules are imposed by local taxi union. But no such restrictions in Spiti or in Himachal.

BTW, June may not be the right month to drive in snow. Like OP, you have to plan the trip in Jan/Feb.

[RoadFiend]

Originally Posted by shipnil

No option in Ladakh until unless you drive in your personal vehicle. These rules are imposed by local taxi union. But no such restrictions in Spiti or in Himachal.

BTW, June may not be the right month to drive in snow. Like OP, you have to plan the trip in Jan/Feb.

Thanks shipnil for clarifying!

I'm from Bangalore and this will be my first trip ever there (that too with middle school kid), and so I'm hoping June is tame enough for me as a newbie (followed by more adventurous trips).

Since personal vehicle is needed, I'm trying to understand whether my Fortuner 4x2 AT will suffice? It's 12 year old, so I'll also have to figure out a path bypassing NCR and it's prohibition of >10-yr old diesel vehicle.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by RoadFiend

Since personal vehicle is needed, I'm trying to understand whether my Fortuner 4x2 AT will suffice?

That would be more than capable assuming you have maintained it well. I had done Ladakh trip in my own humble Ford Figo Diesel in 2013. Roads have definitely improved since then with a lot of tunnels opened now.

[Kashi053]

Originally Posted by RoadFiend

I've one doubt: I'm tentatively considering following circuits over about 14 days:
-Nubra
-Pangong Tso
-Hanle
-Tso Moriri
-Padum
Looks like I'll have to park the RBTS self-drive car at Leh and take local taxis for all of these?

I have a fondness for self-drive. Are there alternative circuits in Ladakh or Himachal, where I can see mountains and snow, without having to opt for taxis?

Nubra, Pangong Tso are not allowed by rental cars.

You can actually do Manali, Jispa, Purne, Padum, Lingshed, Leh, Manali in self drive rental cars. This route is amazing and more adventurous. I am not sure about Hanle by rental cars. Please check with RBTS once about this. If Hanle is allowed, you can do Leh - Hanle - Tso moriri - Manali.