London to Delhi By Road

haven

Expedition Leader
Tushar and Pooja Agarwal are Indian citizens who live and work in London. They decided to drive overland from Europe to their family home in Delhi, India. After months of planning, the couple hit the road, driving a stock 2005 Jeep Liberty with 2.5L four cylinder gasoline engine (called a Cherokee in Europe). 51 days later, they arrived in India, completing their journey without major incident or mechanical problem.

The route the Agarwals chose passed through Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tibet, Nepal and India. This route, while longer than the traditional southern Silk Road route, was chosen to avoid potential political entanglements in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In this photo, the Agarwals travel on National Highway G219 in southwestern China near Tibet.
chinahiwayG219.jpg


Since China and India are in conflict over control of some Himalayan territory, the Agarwals' journey across China was under strict control, including a defined route, a Chinese "guide," and required registration at many checkpoints along the way. Travelers who are not Indian nationals have fewer restrictions.

The Agarwals' experiences are described in their web site, which includes a blog and lots of photos http://www.londondelhibyroad.com

The trip blog describes the process of obtaining visas, trouble with traffic police in Poland and Ukraine, difficult high altitude driving in Tibet, and other adventures. After seven weeks and 8400 miles of travel through 15 countries, the journey was complete.

Favorite quote:
"Tibet would come to a standstill if Toyota stopped making the Land Cruiser. Other than a very few others, the LC is the only 4×4 you see here."
 

maxingout

Adventurer
It is great that they did it in a stock Jeep Liberty. It shows what you can do with planning, persistence, and good driving skills.

If you had turned the same trip into a road rally at high speed, the outcome might have not been as good.

I am amazed at what you can do with a stock vehicle if you don't beat it to death by overloading and running at high speeds.

I was watching a Canning Stock Route video in which the shock absorbers failed simultaneously on several Mercedes offroad vehicles when they were subjected to continuous corrugations for long periods of time.

I find it encouraging what can be accomplished with sensible driving and reasonable vehicle loads.
 

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