The 19th edition of the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey had kicked off from Delhi, recently. The Odyssey entails an 18-day adventure ride with 75 riders, across 3,050km from Delhi to Uming La – the highest motorable pass in the world – through some of the most scenic and dreamy routes.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey had begun in a classic Ladakhi fashion, with the group of riders getting their blessings and good-wishes from Buddhist lamas through the form of prayers.
People from different areas of the world, such as the Netherlands and Singapore, showed up for this momentous event. Also, riders from various cities in the nooks and crannies of the country showed up, too.
All 75 riders began the long but memorable ride from Delhi, and followed the Jammu-Srinagar route. On the way, the riders stopped at the Kargil War Memorial, Dras, to remember and show our respect to the fallen soldiers. After the stop at Kargil, the riders will travel towards Leh before riding to Umling La.
From Umling La, the group will ride toward the beautiful landscapes of Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley, while travelling on the brutal Sarchu route, to get to Manali before coming to an end at Chandigarh.
Riding a bike in Ladakh is much easier said than done. The terrains will put to test the rider’s skill and the weather and altitude will put to test the rider’s mental and physical abilities. But, on the other hand, the group will witness some of the most magical views through their journey.
This tour is not only to showcase the greatness of the Himalayas, but also to raise awareness of the slowly deteriorating and fragile ecosystem of the area and environment-friendly tourism. This edition of the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey is focused on and supportive of responsible travel practices by their community of riders.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria the Chief Commercial Officer of Royal Enfield said, “The Himalayas have always been our spiritual home, and Himalayan Odyssey is a tribute to our undying spirit of exploration and motorcycle adventure.”
Mr. Guleria added, “Each year, we see participants in huge numbers joining us on the Himalayan Odyssey ride where we not only help them explore the beautiful Ladakh region, but also become more environmentally conscious and responsible on the journey.”
The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey is a massive opportunity for the adventure and nature lovers to experience the wonders of North India and the Himalayas. Not only are they providing us with an opportunity like this, they are also bestowing knowledge on responsible travelling upon us.
