I began my solo journey from Mumbai to Kargil on June 7, 2022, at midnight, starting from the Reclamation flyover in Bandra West. My first planned stop was Jaipur. I drove non-stop except for a few food and bio breaks, maintaining speeds between 50 and 100 kmph depending on the road conditions. It took me 21 hours to reach Jaipur.
The Adventure Begins
Day 1: Departure from Mumbai and Drive to Jaipur
Midnight Departure I began my solo journey from Mumbai to Kargil on June 7, 2022, at midnight, starting from the Reclamation flyover in Bandra West.
Non-Stop Drive My first planned stop was Jaipur. I drove non-stop except for a few food and bio breaks, maintaining speeds between 50 and 100 kmph depending on the road conditions.
Arrival in Jaipur It took me 21 hours to reach Jaipur, arriving in the late evening of the same day.
Day 2: Jaipur to Ajmer
Encounter with Landslide
During my journey, I encountered a landslide near Banihal Pass in Kashmir. I managed to capture it on camera just as a Wagon R was wiped off the cliff by a massive rock.
Escape and Aftermath
Getting out of that situation was challenging, especially with the chaos of people running and abandoning their vehicles. I managed a quick U-turn and parked at a safe distance. When I returned on foot, I saw the car far down the gorge, split open, and it was doubtful anyone had survived. It was a stark reminder of the dangers of mountain roads.
Continuing the Journey
I had planned to stop in Amritsar for the night, but I felt good enough to keep going. I finally took a break at Sartoj Havelli on the Punjab-Haryana border around 11:30 PM.
Day 3: Driving through Punjab and Rajasthan
Heavy Rain and Road Conditions
After my break at Sartoj Havelli, I drove through heavy rain all the way into Rajasthan the next morning. The roads were empty and dark, which was a relief as I didn't have to worry about buffaloes suddenly appearing.
Police Check Posts
Out of seventeen police check posts, only one was manned, probably due to the harsh weather. The officer there offered me a chai, which felt heavenly at that moment. Two cups later, I was back on the road.
Arrival in Ajmer
I eventually made it to Ajmer at 4:30 PM, after driving for a total of 30.5 hours, including a 2-hour nap in the car.
Sharing the Journey
You can check out most parts of my journey on my YouTube channels, kristrails and Krisindia. I didn't film one particular segment in Kargil, where I stayed for three days.
