Oct 24, 2009 06:51 PM
10343 Views
Mahindra is now offering a 4 year/1, 00, 000 Kms warranty on its premium MPV, Xylo. This just goes to show the confidence that Mahindra has in its product. It is natural that Mahindra holds full confidence in Xylo. What follows is an account of an ardent Mahindra Xylo fan who took the Xylo through a gruelling journey to Leh. The xylo stood tall in the face of winds, rains and snow covered roads.
The Travelouge:
I do not know how the thought of going to Leh came in my mind but I got a feeling that Laddakh was calling me. I spoke to my family... and on hearing the plan they were very excited and readily approved the plan. I went through the internet and gather as much information as I can about the roads, place, temperature, best time to visit, essential items to carry, medicines, where to stay in between.
I have decided the route as Noida-Chandigarh-Manali-Keylong-Leh-Srinagar-Jammu-Noida. I had not much experience of driving Diesel vehicle that too big (earlier I have a Santro) , so first I decided to go to Mussorrie by Xylo. On 12th June, we started from Noida to Leh at 1700 HRS halting at Chandigarh.
The next day we started for Manali at 0800 HRS and reached Manali. at 1800 HRS. We stayed at Manali on 13th night and proceeded for Leh on 14th morning 0630 HRS. We reached Rohtang pass around 1130 HRS. Most of the roads are in very bad shape and broken. We had breakfast and some photos in Rohtang and then proceeded for Keylong which is approx 119 KMs from Manali. I chose Keylong for two reasons as it is only 400 mtrs below than Leh and there is not much dearth of oxygen as compared to Sarchu or Pang. From Keylong to Leh, it is 364 KMs and I decided to cover the distance in one day so we woke up early and started the journey on15h morning at 0550 HRS. The route from Keylong to Leh is breathtaking. There were very rough patches as well as very good stretches also came. The last fuelling point was at Tandi before Keylong where we got 15 litres diesel and there was no petrol pump before Leh and due to thin air and climbing the mountains in 1st or 2 gear, the average come down drastically, so we carried diesel in can from Manali. It took us 15 hours from Keylong to Leh and we crossed so many mountain passes i.e. Barachala (16500 feet) , Nakeela (15547 Feet), Lachungla (16616 feet), Tanglangla (17582 feet) which are one of the highest motorable roads in the world. We also crossed Chagla Pass (17586 feet) ) enroute Pangong Lake (which falls in India0China border) through the thick snowfall. In fact, out of 30 vehicles, only 10 vehicles could reach to this lake including my Xylo. We could not reach Khardungla (K-Top) as there was heavy snowfall and we had to return after traveling 26 kms route (out of of 39 kms) as Army did not allow to move the vehicles further.
On returning, we came through Leh-Kargil-Drass-Zozila Pass-Sonmarg-Srinagar-Jammu-Pathankot-Noida. Zozi-la Pass is also tough to cross. The entire route was full of excitement, thrilling, adventurous, snow laded mountains with a memorable scenic beauty hardly to find anywhere. I travelled 3314 KMs in 10 days and crossed toughest and highest roads in between. I have all the praise for XYLO which has not given my any trouble and this is my first visit of this kind. I had never undertaken any such journey throughout in my life. My determination and XYLO made it possible. On the way, so many vehicles struck up in the water, ice but this vehicle has given me no complaint at all. I can say that I am a proud owner of XYLO.
