Us city dwellers are strangers to how the clear night sky looks like. On this sojourn, you can gaze at a clear sky filled with stars in the company of ultra luxurious Mercedes-Benz SUVs.

Join Team OVERDRIVE on a drive into the great outdoors, far from the city, to go stargazing! Gaze at the stars from the iconic Hanle observatory nestled high in the Himalayas. To get there, drive the three-pointed stars that embody luxury, power and grace.

We promise to get you starstruck!

About Us

Embark on a journey with Team OD beyond the stars, on the next edition of the epic STARSTRUCK drive. In 2016 STARSTRUCK will take you to India's most important astronomical observatory deep within Ladakh. Travel with us to Hanle, where the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) and a High Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope (HAGAR) are located. Hanle is famous for being one of the best sites in the world for high altitude astronomy.

The telescopes are also some of the highest telescopes to be found in the world, which makes this STARSTRUCK experience one of the most unique yet.

Hanle falls in the Changthang region of Ladakh, a good 10 hour drive away from Leh. Our trip however begins in Chandigarh.
Day 1 will see you drive to the famous hill station of Manali. Enjoy river trout and the cool brisk mountain air at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. Manali is also the best gateway into Ladakh and just a few kilometres away from Manali, you leave the concrete jungle behind to head up into the world’s highest desert landscape.

On Day 2, we will head from Manali to Jispa past the formidable Rohtang pass. At 13,050 feet above sea level, Rohtang isn't the highest pass on this journey but it’s certainly one of the toughest to drive past. Poor roads, quickly changing weather and your first experience of high altitudes will leave you breathless. And then you have the scenery unfolding ahead of you as you get your first glimpse of the formidable Himalayas as you descend from Rohtang to Khoksar. At this tiny police checkpost, get your first taste of Himalayan lamb curry stewing in your plate of rice when we break for lunch! Post a full meal a couple of hours ahead is the lovely village of Jispa. It gets cold here, but we promise you will find it exciting.

Day 3 begins bright and early, actually not so bright since we will depart much before the sun decides to climb up over the peaks. Our destination is the town of Leh, the central hub of Ladakh. Everybody drops a pin here on their journey through Ladakh. After a tremendous drive crossing over four mountain passes, small streams, the flat plains of More and the lunar landscape close to Pang, you will be more than ready to drop into a comfortable warm bed.

Day 4 is a day to rest and take stock. Probably also get in some of the local sights and cuisine, and let’s not forget, spend some money in the Tibetan markets.

The next day, Day 5, we all head out into new territory. A ten hour drive will take us to the village of Hanle located at roughly 14,000 feet above sea level. It’s the site of the Hanle monastery and of course our objective, the night skies for stargazing. At Hanle we will spend two nights in a campsite surrounded by nothing but the wilderness and the Himalayan peaks. It’s going to get cold, but the brilliant night sky will warm you!

Day 6 will be much of the same -- spend the day either chilling out reading a book, or walk down to the village of Hanle and see what Ladakhi life far from the cities we live is all about. And of course let’s not forget, this is also the time for you to sharpen up some of the photography skills as we get our shots for the magazine and website. Let’s capture those memories for all time!

Day 7 must see us bid adieu to Hanle. We will head out to Leh from where you will take your flights the following day back to your nest. And hopefully the experience will leave you wanting for more, seeking an adventure of your own!

Day 8 will have Group 2 join us in Leh as we retrace our steps to Hanle and then follow the exact same route in reverse as Group 1 did. It’s going be just as epic and unforgettable, this trip to the stars!





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Gallery

Click here to view photos of the earlier editions of STARSTRUCK.

Terms & Conditions



  • Starstruck ("Road Trip") is being organized and conducted by Network18 Media & Investments Limited ("Network18").
  • The Terms and Conditions detailed below apply to all entrants registering for the Starstruck Drive road trip. Selection thereof by every participant is an acknowledgement of acceptance of these Terms and Conditions by the participant.

    • DURATION:


  • The Road Trip shall commence from 24th September 2016 from the city of Chandigarh and shall conclude on 3rd October, 2016 in the city of Leh for participants enrolling for group 1.
    For Group 2 the road trip shall commence from 27th September 2016 from Leh and shall conclude on 7th October 2016 at Chandigarh

    • ELIGIBILITY:


  • Indian Citizens who are resident in India and above the age of eighteen (18) years are eligible to participate in the Road Trip. Employees and/or family members of Network18 and its group companies are not entitled to participate.
  • Participant should not have any criminal background and Network18 holds the right to check the participant's background any time after the participant is short-listed.
  • Participant agrees to provide complete and correct information with respect to his/her identity, contact details, Permanent Account Number, age, education, profession and such other information as may be required by Network18. Network18 may ask the Participant for his/her proof of identity and/or eligibility. Failure to provide such proof by Participant immediately could result in his/her disqualification at the sole discretion of Network18.
  • As the journey can be strenuous, Participants must be in good health condition. Participants shall consult a certified medical practitioner prior to undertaking the Road Trip. Network18 may seek from the Participant a Medical Fitness Certificate by a certified medical practitioner certifying good health condition of the Participant to participate in the Road Trip. Failure to do so by the Participant will result in disqualification in Network18's sole discretion.

    • SELECTION:


  • Applications should be received by Network18 via online registrations on or before 4th August 2016 Network18 shall select participants for the Road Trip from all the entries received by Network18. Selection will be on the basis of BMI i.e. all people sending their entries will have to send their BMI as well. Basis the BMI selection of 20 people will take place.
  • Selection of the twenty (20) participants from all the complete and correct entries received for the Road Trip vests solely and exclusively with Network18 and Network18's decision shall be final and binding and cannot be contested.
  • Upon selection, participants may be required to complete paperwork and give a declaration, indemnity as specified by Network18. In the event, any of the participants does not fulfill the obligation; the participant will be disqualified from the Road Trip.

    • VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION:


  • By participating in the Road Trip, the participant acknowledges that he/she has voluntarily applied to participate on this trip and that he/she has read the description of the Road Trip as it appears on the overdrive website.

    • ASSUMPTION OF RISK:


  • By registering for the Road Trip, the participant acknowledges that he/she is aware that adventure travel such as the trip he/she is undertaking involves potentially dangerous activities, some in remote areas of the hilly terrain, with a risk of illness, injury, or death which may be caused by forces of nature, illness, or by wilful or criminal conduct of third parties or by terrorism.
  • The participant further acknowledges that weather conditions may be severe, adverse and/or unpleasant and that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some or all of the time during which he/she is participating on the Road Trip.

    • WHAT THE TRIP INCLUDES:


  • Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner); pre-departure information; entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary; ground transportation during the trip; guides and any other staff; and taxes, baggage handling, and service charges. Please note: The "B, L, D" notations apply to the period during the Road Trip only and do not include any meals on flights to/from the trip. Accommodations will be on twin sharing basis.
  • All suppliers of services connected with the Road Trip ("Other Providers"), are third-party contractors and are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services.
  • Network18 shall not be are not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any third party, such as hotels or other lodging facilities, local ground operators.

    • DELAYS & COST INCREASES:


  • Network18 will not be responsible for providing any reimbursement for delays in the Road Trip due to bad weather, trail conditions, road conditions, transportation delays or government intervention.

    • MEDICAL HEALTH AND CERTIFICATION:


  • The participant certifies that he/she is physically fit and does not have a condition that would limit mobility. Participant further certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants.
  • For adventures that take place at higher altitudes (above 11562 feet), participant certifies that he/she does not suffer from a respiratory, cardiac or circulatory disorder. We reserve the right in our sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on the Road Trip at any time during the trip.
  • In the event of removal from a trip, refunds are not given.
  • Hospital facilities or appropriate medical facilities or doctors are often unavailable and evacuation can be prolonged, difficult, and expensive. Network18 assume no liability regarding provision of medical care.
  • Participants will receive appropriate health information and a Medical Certificate to be filled out and returned to Network18.

    • INSURANCE:


  • Network18 shall take an insurance cover to cover risks involved in undertaking the Road Trip as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. It is agreed and understood by the participants that such a insurance may not cover all possible eventualities whether human or any act beyond the reasonable control of Network18, and Network18 shall not be held responsible or liable for the same.

    • PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:


  • Participant is responsible for understanding the conditions as described in the Road Trip itinerary and selecting the trip in consultation with Network18 that is appropriate to his/her interests and abilities, and for preparing for the trip by reading the Trip Itinerary and supplemental trip information in the pre-trip materials and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised in those materials.
  • Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
  • Network18 assumes no liability for loss or damage to baggage in transit and during the Road Trip.
  • It shall be the sole responsibility of the participants selected for the Road Trip to make their own travel arrangements at their sole cost to reach the city of Chandigarh prior to the commencement of the Road Trip as may be intimated by Network18 and for their return journey from Srinagar upon completion of the Road Trip.

    • PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND REFUND:


  • The fee payable for participating in the Road Trip is Rs. 1,25,000/- (Rupees 1 Lakh Twenty Five Thousand only).
  • Participants will require to pay the aforesaid amount in full for the Road Trip by transferring the money in the mentioned account and submitting proof of the same, only then it will be considered a registered candidate for the event.
  • For reservations full payment is required. After making a reservation, the participant will receive detailed pre-trip information with clothing and equipment list, invoice, insurance information, medical certificate and other information needed to prepare for the Road Trip. Final trip details will be sent 1 week prior to departure.
  • All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. Before 14th September 2016: the cancellation charges will be 25% of the total amount.
  • After 15th September 2016: No refund.
  • Network18 recommends purchase of the optional supplemental travel insurance package to protect oneself in case of an unexpected medical emergency. Network18 reserves the right to cancel the trip because of inadequate enrolment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate or because of our concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If the Road Trip is cancelled by us prior to departure, Network18 will provide the participant with a full refund of monies paid to them; except in the event cancellation is due to a significant event that makes it infeasible to undertake the Road Trip as planned, in which case Network18 will provide the participant with a refund and/or credit towards a future trip/event equivalent to monies paid to them. If Network18 cancels the Road Trip while in progress, the participant will receive a prorated refund and/or a credit based on the number of days not completed on the Road Trip.
  • Network18 reserves the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in our judgment, conditions warrant, or if we deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participant.

    • PHOTOGRAPHY:


  • We reserve the right to take photographs or videos during the operation of the Road Trip or part thereof and to use the resulting photography, videos, or recordings for promotional or commercial use. By making a reservation on the Road Trip, participant agrees to allow his/her likeness to be used by Network18 without compensation to participant. You further agree that photographic or video images of you, containing you, may be used by the organizers, managers or any sponsors or promoters of the Road Trip for publicity purposes. Copyright in all photographs, video, and related materials created by participant ("Adventure Materials") shall belong to the participant upon creation. Participant grants to Network18 and Network18 authorized third parties a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license to use any Adventure Materials provided to Network18 and/or Network18 authorised third party, in any media now existing or subsequently developed for the following limited purposes: editorial use, promotion of the editorial use, promotion of Network18's travel programs or promotion of the same.
    Network18 will provide educational enrichment for the Road Trip to ensure safety and security to the participants.
    While the organizers, managers and promoters of the Road Trip will do all in their reasonable control to make the Road Trip as safe as possible, all participants take part at their own risk.
    None of the organizers, managers or any sponsors or promoters of the Road Trip accept liability for any loss or damaged caused where:
    • There is breach of a contractual obligation or legal duty of care owed to you.
    • Such loss or damage is not reasonably foreseeable at the time of breach.
    • An injury is sustained or property damaged in the course of the Road Trip or as a result of taking part in the Road Trip; or
    • Any changes are made to the route or conduct of the Road Trip for safety or operational reasons or as otherwise required for the safe and proper carrying out of the event.
    • Without limitation, Network18 is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to personal property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of government, weather, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities or the threat thereof, of any kind, epidemics or the threat thereof, illness, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, dangers associated with or bites from animals, pests or insects, sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of medical or other emergency, negligence of physicians or medical personnel of for any cause beyond its direct control. In addition, the participant releases Network18 from their own negligence and assumes all risk thereof. Network18 may cancel the Road Trip or other organized activities at its discretion. Network18 will endeavor to give as much notice as possible of any cancellations. Network18 accept no liability for any costs incurred as a result of the cancellation. Network18 reserves the right to change the Terms and conditions at any time and without notice. You will be automatically bound by these modifications. All rights, title, claim and interest, including but not limited to the Intellectual Property Rights, in the Road Trip, the promotional material(s)/activity and in any and all content received shall vest solely and exclusively with Network18 at all times. The participant agrees that he/she shall hold harmless Network18, its employees, officers or any other person in connection with the Road Trip and shall also not file in person/ through any family member and/or third party any applications, criminal and/or civil proceedings in any courts or forum in India against Network18 to claim any damages or relief.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:


  • This event shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws in India. All matters with respect to this Road Trip are subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts at New Delhi only.