Seventy-two riders, 2,700 kilometres, 17 days...get the idea? No? Well, 72 is the number of bikers who will be covering 2,700 kilometres in 17 days and conquer three mountain ranges and six passes, including Khardung La, at a peak of 18, 380 feet!

Recognised as the holy grail of motorcycle riders, the 11th edition of the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey was flagged off from the India Gate, recently. These motorcyclists will ride for 17 days, winding their way through some of the most scenic and yes, tough terrains of the Himalayas. 

The flag-off ceremony took place after lamas chanted prayers and blessed the riders. The cavalcade of riders who congregated at the India Gate were from major metropolitan cities and as well as from smaller states and cities like Tripura, Calicut, Amravati and Erode to celebrate this ultimate motorcycling adventure.

From mighty peaks, down to beautiful mountain curves, the riders will come face to face with one of the most challenging riding terrains – just for the sheer love of motorcycling. 

The motorcyclists will pass through Parwanoo, Narkhanda, Keylong, Sarchu via Kalpa and Kaza regions on their way to Leh.

The Kalpa and Kaza areas are considered to be the toughest terrains for riding not only in India but across the world. After relaxing for a day, on July 1, the riders will set out for the sand dunes of Hunder and then commence their return journey tracing Leh, Debring, Keylong, Manali and Chandigarh to finally reach Delhi. 

To mark the ride to Ladakh, bikers will also be celebrating ‘Himalayan Reunion’ on June 29 once they reach Leh.

The idea behind this meet is to recognise the spirit of riders who have conquered the Himalayan range, wherein the riders get an opportunity to share their biking experiences, especially, the ones made while riding to the Himalayas for the first time. For those who have already conquered the hills once, this would be a chance to relive their earlier experiences.

“This is the ultimate motorcycling adventure that unites the rider with the bike and the terrain to create an experience of a lifetime.

 It is this love of pure motorcycling that brings riders together from all over the world and bond over their common passion of riding a bike to the Himalayas,” says Abhijit Singh Brar, marketing head of Royal Enfield, which organises this annual event.