Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto – In 99 pictures

After we successfully completed our ‘Road Trip from Bangalore to Rajasthan in our beloved Fiat Punto‘, Neetan was yearning for more driving sprints. He was strongly inclined to do a road trip to Ladakh from Bangalore in our Fiat Punto. But, I was overconfident that he could not do it – for two reasons. One being, I had entirely planned the Rajasthan trip, right from booking hotels to finalizing the itinerary and even finalized the routes and roads we were supposed to drive on, so I assumed that Neetan would be too busy with work to dig into all these details for his Ladakh trip. Second being that our son was just born and I thought(which proved to be a myth later) that he would certainly not leave me and go, No chance! – I thought.

One week into the departure date, I realized that Neetan was indeed leaving me and my little one back home and was all set to conquer Ladakh!! And his apprentice in this mission would be his cousin Dheeraj and Neetan’s best buddy Madhuranath. I was disappointed – Oh, sorry. Actually Jealous! Though ‘How can he leave me and go?’ ruled the charts, the bigger question that eluded me was thatย ‘How can he leave me and GO TO LADAKH?’ How many dreams I had about this place, how many travelogues I browsed about it, how many pics I have seen of it. In fact, everyday, our drive back home from office was filled with me elaborating the travel tales I had read for the day to Neetan. And suddenly I’m told – ‘Next time baby. I shall and see if all is well and take you there another time!’. I will obviously feel jealous and cheated. Isn’t it??

After I was convinced and consoled that there will definitely be another drive from Bangalore to Ladakh with me and the little one, the jealous feeling toned down(but not gone completely till date!) and fear set in! I had seen enough pictures and videos of Ladakhi terrain and I had good reasons to be afraid. And Mr.H.V. Kumar came as a messiah and guided in every step with detailed itinerary and regular updates – All in good will, without expecting anything in return. He had guided us in our Rajasthan odyssey too. So when he set his foot in, I was relaxed.


Reading suggestion – Road trip from Bangalore to Rajasthan of 6000+kms


So, Ladies and Gentlemen, here we present the journey of a brave Fiat Punto from Bangalore to Ladakh and back conquering almost 10,000+kms

P.S: Many pictures here are shown, as seen from the window frame or dashboard of the car. These were not edited to crop into just the scenery – to give an idea of how the beautiful landscapes envelope the drive!

Let’s begin, the journey from Bangalore to Ladakh!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Zipping past the rolling hills in Karnataka

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Maharashtra welcoming our Punto

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

I love these tunnels just before Pune. Been here many times ๐Ÿ™‚

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Rains washing away the dirt in Gujrat

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Typical Rajasthan scene!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Almost near Punjab Border

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Enter Punjab!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Officially, our Punto is now in Jammu and Kashmir

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

And the views from the dashboard starts to get better!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

And danger lurks nearby!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

A partly broken bridge !

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Time for a break!

Dheeraj pointing out something to Neetan. Sadly these views will be missed as this road will be seldom taken now due to the construction of the new Jammu-Srinagar road tunnel! Look how dirt has clinged onto Punto!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Ouch!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Yeah! Bring on the Swag!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Views and more views!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

And some more!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

And many more!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Look how cars look so tiny!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

And sheep ferried across the roadways!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

And monster crater beckons!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Resting for the day in Srinagar

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Time to fill Punto’s tummy!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Neetan fetching some water in Gulmarg!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

A beautiful shrine in a lovely backdrop!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Looks so beautiful in the picture. Imagine how it would have been in real!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Picture postcard!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Filmi!! Green grass, white flowery expanse, and a running horse !!

A magical early morning drive from Srinagar to Kargil

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Neetan staring at the majestic mountains!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Dramatic!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

From the window!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Punto resting for a while!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Spot the tiny Tata Sumos!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Sonamarg!! Simply beautiful!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Is it for real??

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Views from the window pane!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Just look at the colors!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Am I in heaven?

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

View from Punto’s back seat. Windows can be rolled down only halfway, hence glass is seen in the lower half of the pic!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Oh! Please, Give me a break!! It’s so beautiful! How could I be left out from this drive!! Arrgh!!

(*Neetan who is sitting beside me right now, is getting some serious rants*.

He giggles.

*Gets a knock on his head from Rinith!!*

*Papa, how could you leave me and go alone to Ladakh?*

*Knocks on head again!*

Revenge! I’m loving it!!)

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Entering Baltal

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Goats during their job!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Aww!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Aww! Aww!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Aww! Ouch! Zojla Pass!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Punto tackling a water crossing in Zojila!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Zojila Pass conquered!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Maggi Time!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Mountains all the way!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Beckoning views!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Road in the valley!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

How true!!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Flag flying high! Kargil War Memorial!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Amar Jawan!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Along the river, beside the mountains!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Icing on the cake – Oops, mountain!

After driving through Kargil, they tried to enter Zanskar Valley. They pushed till Rangdum andย turned back due to rough terrain which couldn’t be handled by Punto and kept it pending for next time.ย 

And they had a surprise waiting for them. A landslide in Kargil!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Roads washed away!!

They were struck in Kargil for 2 days. Punto was parked somewhere far amidst a long queue of vehicles. And they walked till the town where they rested and went back to get Punto when the road was cleared after 2 days.

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Lamayuru – Moon like landscapes!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Oh! The famous Magnetic hill! Yes, we do have a customary video taken here. Will post it in sometime ๐Ÿ™‚

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Perched high on the mountains! Majestic!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Thank you! Chang La Conquered!

So, the boys arrive in Leh, ditch the Punto baby for a day, hire Bullets and drive to Pangong Tso!ย 

*You can take the boy away from the bike. But you can never take the bike away from the boy!*

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Views en route Pangong Tso!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

All the sand! Where is the road? Oh! there it is!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

The ever serene Pangong Tso!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Back to Leh City!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Attempting to conquer the mighty Khardung La!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Fresh landslide cleared!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Oh! yes, Khardung La baby!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

๐Ÿ™‚

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Yes! Typical Neetan! Doesn’t smile or rejoice when he accomplishes something! *That Humble guy*

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Look! That’s our Punto there with his Master!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

On the way to Turtuk!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Should I drive or stare at you!!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Dear Nature, how can you be so mesmerizing??

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Rest for the day at Turtuk!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Charming Tso Kar!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Tso Kar closeup

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

En route Moore plains!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Aah! the views!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Clouds are so near, yet so far!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Blessed to be driving in these locales

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Enroute Moore plains

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Neat roads!

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Interesting, eh?

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Punto and Dheeraj(right) in Rothang pass!

 

Bangalore to Ladakh Road Trip in a Fiat Punto - In 99 pictures

Finally, Neetan smiles!

Check out how Punto tackled Rothang Pass. Totally Nerve wracking!!

I shall be back with the planned Itinerary, the original itinerary they could stick to and other videos in the next post! I won’t keep you waiting for long! Until then, follow us on social media in the links given below to be informed about the latest posts ๐Ÿ™‚

PC: Madhuranath and Dheeraj. Thanks guys!


Have you been to Ladakh? Loved the drive? Hit us up with your views in the comment box below!ย 


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