Hello Esteemed Members
My Jimny has completed 30k kms after our recent trip.
I use my Jimny for my daily commute to work which is 35 kms which is 10% city and 90% highway commute, as well as for my travelling trips.
I have done Miyar valley (Lahaul region) which was a drive from my place in Rohtak to Udaipur (Himachal). We continued from Udaipur to village Khanjar .The trek to beautiful valley of miyar glacier base camp starts from this village. We hiked and camped in the valley for 4 days and returned to Khanjar and then back home.
Our second trip was to view the site of Kailash Mansarovar from old Lipulekh pass, Aadi Kailash, Om Parvat and Darma valley. The drive from Dharchula to Nabhi Dhang is completely off road. Nabhi Dhang being the getaway to both Lipulekh pass and Aadi Kailash, the way to Lipulekh pass and Aadi Kailash tested the machine’s capability. The Darma valley route was also in no better condition. We hiked to Panchachuli glacier and experienced glacier rumble for first time. It was magnificent.
Third trip was to Sural valley via Sach Pass, Jispa, Padum, Suru valley, Muskoh valley and Srinagar. Having done Sach Pass twice earlier, this time the road were in worse condition both to and fro . However it was lush green and most beautiful this time. We drove for 23hrs from Rohtak to reach Sural non stop.
Sural valley is magnificent as one can drive their vehicles and hike between Himalayan birch trees . This Birch tree is also known as bhojpatra (on the bark of which our ancient scripture are written).
Hike in this valley offers view of Shiv Shankar peak and multiple waterfalls. It is a wonderful place for astrophotography as a beautiful clear view of galaxy can be taken. We travelled to Jispa after spending a couple of days in the valley. From Jispa we went to Padum via Shinkula pass. The road towards Shinkula from Jispa is in excellent condition, the descent is all mud, slush and puddles. After descent you are greeted by the holy Gonbo Rangjon. The road till padum is in good condition with just few stretch of gravel road.
After staying a night here we started for Suru valley. Crossing Pensi la pass, Drag Drung glacier we halted on the banks of Suru river with Nun Kun peaks in sight and stargazed till late night.
Next day we drove from Suru valley to Mushkoh valley in Kargil. We stayed in Muskoh for a couple of days where we spotted 7-8 Himalayan brown bears. Himalayan brown bear is the biggest bear found in India and only 500-700 are left in wild.
Next we wanted to go to Gurez valley via Kaobal gali pass but sadly could not obtain permission from the army. We started for home from Mushkoh valley only to get caught in clamp down in Srinagar for a night due to Amarnath Yatra. Atleast we got to watch India win T20 World Cup that night. Next day on Sunday we drove for 18hrs to reach home.
Coming to vehicle surely the Jimny has few glitches like brakes on high altitude, armrest, bottle holders, disc brake warping but in my humble opinion every issue is manageable. I have just installed continental cross contact 215 75 r15, rest my car is stock. I was disheartened for a while by scratches and bumps given by ppf applier but now all of those act as evil eye warder and I put my car to the most rugged use I can. Off course I’m not into off-roading or rally racing or the technicalities of automobiles. I just need a vehicle that takes me to places I want to explore. Now I don’t feel disheartened by discount discussions that are happening as I have enjoyed the celebrity car status being the first lot buyer and the car has given me enough smiles already. People are still turning their head to have a glimpse of Jimny on the road. The best thing about Jimny is the low sales number so it will remain exclusive and people who understand the capability of this machine will keep one.
cheers
Dr. Alok Chaudhary
