Help Me Plan a Tour with My Family

[mjunaidit]

Hmmm a lot of noce feedback here. So glad to meet new people around this thread

Been previously only active in Car Detailing thread but will definitely hang out around this category as well now because of tthe awesomeness you guys have shared

[naveedyu]

Just came from northern area tour for four days on my new Grande FL 2018 delivered in june. Odo 1500 only.
Visit days 4. 9 Sept till 12 Sept.
Family...2+2 all adults
Car.. Grande FL 2018. Fully loaded trunk

Route...
Day 1..Peshawar-abbotabad-Kalabagh(ie close to nathiagali)_ night stay at kalabagh
Day 2..nathiagali-Abbotabad-naran. Night stay at Naran
Day 3..naran-babusar top-Batakundi. Night stay at batakundi.
Day 4..batakundi-Peshawar via hazara express way
Visited attractions- lake saifulmaluk, lulusar lake, babusar top.

I am just mentioning performance of car here.
I have travelled a lot in hilly areas but this was my first visit in brand new Grande.I have used manual cars a lot in hilly area but I am new to cvti transmission system so I was bit worried how to control car with now gears to change. After the visit now I am extremely confident in saying that Grande performed like a charm while climbing up or down the hill. I extensively used paddle shifters when ever I wanted to get engine breaking or wanted to over take with extra power. For climbing up till babusar top I hardly used paddle shifters or in M mode.
I am extremely happy that car was showing immediate response and a feeling of power under your control was felt.
Car consumption was around 10 in upward and 11 to 12 in down hill.
On motorway it gave me average of 16 to 17.
Except after Naran before batakundi there is a big rough patch having big stones and car needs to be driven very carefully to avoid touching rest road condition is ok. Few streams crossings and bad patches. No problem for Grande.

[mjunaidit]

That's a very nice review for the car performance. Thanks a lot for sharing brother

Question: Did you guys know which hotel are you going to stay in, in advance? Or did you just find one when you reached? That's the only thing that worries me now. I'm confident in the car after seeing so many good reviews

[naveedyu]

No need to book hotel in Naran. There is no rush at all. You will find all sorts of hotels from budget till luxury on very reasonable rates. I checked in millennium Inn it was 7.5k for two king size double bed room with complementary breakfast for four. Pine park was asking for 5k for four to five person room. These are slightly look hotels. You can even stay in hotels for one thousand a room also.
It all depends upon your budget and style.
But no need to batakundi, Naran is also cheap now

[andaparatha]

if travelling with family main bazaar mai hotel na dhundein
saif ul mulook road has good hotels

[rehmanahmed1]

Aoa brother. Is this KKH trip upto khunjrab is doable on new cultus AGS 2018, especially the babusar top and descent till chillas?

[zuhaibhyder767798]

of course you can do it, i went on my new cultus vxl 2018 till babusar top, it was fun.

[rehmanahmed1]

Thanks brother. Koi heating issue tw nai hua or any ground clearance issue or any thing else to take care of?

[zuhaibhyder767798]

no heating issue at all, if u know how to drive then there is no issue, i also had experience of driving on this road, bcz last year went till khunjarab pass on my old car.
if you face any issue in automatic transmission then u can drive your car manually.. while driving my cultus to babusar top only once i used 1st gear, other wise 2nd was enough, we were 2 adult and two kids.
on descent you should stick to lower gear.. don't use unnecessary break.

[rehmanahmed1]

Thats great. Its means cultus AGS can be used to explore the beauty of Pakistan.

[arsalaanali89]

You'd have probably got your answer by now but just for completion, no it shouldn't b a problem for your car. However you need to b careful with one thing. The ascent from chillas to babusar is greater than the other way around, and much lengthier as well. So don't push your car. Just b gentle on the gas pedal. And don't break the rhythm unnecessarily so as to conserve your clutch packs. If you keep on breaking the rhythm it will overstress the clutches on every hill start and burn them. You might wanna push your car at certain points, specially near the top where the gradient is greater. Besides, cars with auto transmission have less power and torque at the wheels than their manual counterparts so don't get swayed by all the manuals rolling way past you. You care about your own car n let them enjoy theirs. If you feel at any point that you r overstressing the car, just pull over for 10-15 min, let it rest n then start again.
Khunjerab's ascents r much more subtle and shouldn't cause any worries. Best of luck

[mjunaidit]

Whatever you were uploading didn't upload..

[pwuser149875178184]

Yes it seems so unfortunately. It’s a picture of a document signed by SP Diamer stating that KKH/ Babusar and Naran routes will be closed in Gilgit Baltistan region during 9/10 Muharram.

[mjunaidit]

Thanks for the detailed guide.

About the auto vs manual part, I think MOST of the manuals wont be 1.8, they will most probably be 1.3 so power should not be an issue but yes, no need to race anyone there. Just enjoy everything should be the goal.

Race k lye or bht spots hain

[arsalaanali89]

you wont c many 1.8 auto either. thanks to the people of pakistan, 1.3xli gli n 1.6altis have flooded every place with their presence

[mjunaidit]

1.6 is a Super Value car. Banta h us car ka flood hona

People recommended me the very same and I was indeed convinced but I wanted a car for long term use so I said why not get the best any reap the benefits over the years. Plus the safety features are really helpful in the mountains specially so it made a lot more sense to go for the 1.8 CVTi

[arsalaanali89]

Good luck with your buy. Regarding the super VALUE car, i'd disagree but yes it's a nice car to have

[mjunaidit]

Hmmm Im curious. Which car do You think is super value for money?

[naveedyu]

Grande is the best choice for domestic user who can afford. I have seen lots of Grande in northern area. It's best value of money.

[sayedgulhassan]

10 muharram night willl routes be opened?