Preparations for the winter trip to Spiti Valley

So, we are in to start with the trip, and I shall try to write all my preps for that trip here, so as to not miss anything and make a better and comfortable trip, this one. Its with my family, including my little one.

Duration : The trip duration would be 9 days, with 1 day for any emergencies.
Dates : 25th Dec 2009 - 2nd Jan' 2009
Mode of transport : Ford Ikon' 2004 model.
Travellers : Self, wifey, our 6 yr(by then) old daughter, Jappi (is sure, he wants to join as of now. Rest others (Bunty, Geeta, Rimpi, Bimpi & fam are still thinking) are still thinking and contemplating about it. I guess I need to prepare a detailed plan to be able to convinve them.

This is the list of things I need to take care about, get done with, before we can start with the trip, am jotting down the things, along with the approx cost along side.

1. Leave application for 4 days 28-31st Dec'2009
2. Car silencer work to be done - 5000
3. Fog Lights required for the car - 1500
4. Extra bulba for the car - 500
5. Extra tubes for the car - 800
6. New tires to be bought for the trip, the tires are already 42000 kms old now - 15000
7. Camera - what about it, the 7yr old, 5 MP cybershot would not be sufficient, think about it. - borrow from a friend.
8. Car service - all oils and lubes to be checked/changed - myself to be there for the servicing and see/check everything. - 3000
9. First day stop at Shimla, to be booked in advance.
10. All winter wear required for further trip to be bought at Shimla - 5000
11. If there is more than one car, we shall buy good quality walki-talkie.
12. Prepare a complete day by day plan for the trip with map, soon.
13. Sump Guard - find out more, this seems like a must have. Find about MotorCraft in Noida, contact Raj Kapoor - 9811071147. Costing - ?????
14. How much a spare tyre would cost. I would only need the rim basically, while changing all the tyres, I can keep one of these as the spare one. That way I would have two stare tires always.

Shall keep on updating this with the new planned activities and their status.