RB
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- Nov 17, 2004
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We have covered a fair bit of territory in India but our regular driver/guide Magan has been keen to show us around the far north. Sept is a fair time for this sort of adventure- perhaps still a little wet around Manali but predicted to be good weather further north. I have posted a couple of earlier reports on here India 2023-Back to India-Camels, Mustard, Safaris and Living like a Maharaja. | Australian Frequent Flyer and And Our Driver Said You Need A Good Horn, Good Brakes & Good Luck to Drive In India | Australian Frequent Flyer
Our itinerary is pretty flexible but this is a general outline of the plan-Manali being the only overlap from previous travel along with a quick 1 night stay in Chandigarh to break-up travel time.
We are somewhat limited by the Aust Govt travel warning against travel to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Magan had some health issues so he missed the first few stops but his long term associate Chander was a great driver/guide/associate throughout the trip.
Preparations
The online Indian visa application was something we had tackled previously, so we had a pretty good handle on the process. We got new passport photos done at Aust Post & that was easy & provided the size required. The visa was granted overnight after we completed the paperwork. We decided to get pills for the altitude and were prescribed Diamox- to be started before the serious rise in elevation and continue to take until a couple of days after we get to Leh. Other than that it was picking how much cold weather stuff to take, with Delhi expected to be mid 30’s for arrival (turns out we really overdid the cold weather gear). We have excellent neighbours so our house will be fine during our absence.
Our transport for the roadtrip.
We spent a lot of time with Chander & had a great time-excellent safe driver, fantastic knowledge of India and an excellent sense of humour. He has taught himself Italian after he found quite a few clients were from India!
Magan, 17yrs after we first met him-still a great asset to our travel
A few general scenes from our trip
Our itinerary is pretty flexible but this is a general outline of the plan-Manali being the only overlap from previous travel along with a quick 1 night stay in Chandigarh to break-up travel time.
We are somewhat limited by the Aust Govt travel warning against travel to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Magan had some health issues so he missed the first few stops but his long term associate Chander was a great driver/guide/associate throughout the trip.
Preparations
The online Indian visa application was something we had tackled previously, so we had a pretty good handle on the process. We got new passport photos done at Aust Post & that was easy & provided the size required. The visa was granted overnight after we completed the paperwork. We decided to get pills for the altitude and were prescribed Diamox- to be started before the serious rise in elevation and continue to take until a couple of days after we get to Leh. Other than that it was picking how much cold weather stuff to take, with Delhi expected to be mid 30’s for arrival (turns out we really overdid the cold weather gear). We have excellent neighbours so our house will be fine during our absence.
Our transport for the roadtrip.
We spent a lot of time with Chander & had a great time-excellent safe driver, fantastic knowledge of India and an excellent sense of humour. He has taught himself Italian after he found quite a few clients were from India!
Magan, 17yrs after we first met him-still a great asset to our travel
A few general scenes from our trip
