Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey returns after 2 years
The 18th edition of the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey began early this morning at India Gate, amid the thunderous roar of over 70 Royal Enfield motorcycles and the contrasting chanting of the lamas. Odyssey 2022 will see 70 riders travel over 2,700 kilometres in 18 days on their Royal Enfield Himalayan bikes to Umling La, the highest motorable pass in the world, over some of the most breathtaking terrains in northern India. This edition of the Himalayan Odyssey will continue to advocate for the adoption of responsible travel practices by its riders in order to #LeaveEveryPlaceBetter, with the goal of reducing the impact on the Himalayas’ fragile ecosystem and raising awareness about environmentally friendly tourism.
The Himalayan Odyssey, one of the largest and oldest motorcycle rides of its sort in the Himalayas, will return this year after a three-year break, with participants taking two distinct routes. While both parties will leave from Delhi simultaneously, one will ride to Ladakh through the scenic Manali route, while the other will take the rocky Sangla-Kaza route before meeting up in Leh. Riding across Ladakh and Spiti will test the rider’s endurance in terms of weather and terrain, while also providing an unforgettable journey.
The riding group was blessed by Buddhist lamas who recited prayers to bless the riders as they were flagged off from India Gate in New Delhi in the customary Ladakhi rite. This year, Himalayan Odyssey participants came from Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and places like Mumbai, Pune, Madurai, Delhi, Bangalore, Anantapur, and Vijayawada, among others, to take part in this epic trip.
“The Himalayas are Royal Enfield’s spiritual home, and the Himalayan Odyssey has been a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and motorcycle adventure since its birth in 1997,” stated Mohit Dhar Jayal, Chief Brand Officer, Royal Enfield. This instalment represents a key milestone in our explorations as we journey to Umling La, the world’s highest motorable pass. In 2019, we took a step toward reducing our plastic impact with our # LeaveEveryPlaceBetter project, and this year, with our ‘Responsible Travel’ initiative, we continue our path toward protecting and sustaining the Himalayas’ sensitive ecology.We believe that our efforts will help to foster an ecologically conscious and ethical community of riders and that these 70 riders will serve as an inspiration for other riders on responsible motorcycle adventures. “
The Himalayan Odyssey contingent will continue to promote the notion of responsible motorcycle travel through different endeavours while traversing some of the world’s toughest terrains and highest mountain passes. Royal Enfield presented its #LeaveEveryPlaceBetter effort during Himalayan Odyssey 2019, with the goal of deterring riders from consuming bottled water and facilitating filtered water by putting dispensers along the primary riding route in Ladakh. This year, as part of its attempts to stay environmentally friendly, all participants were given a Life Straw and a green kit to help them dramatically minimise their plastic usage. During the trip, participants will also be encouraged to dispose of all rubbish appropriately.
Working with and promoting local communities is also an important component of Royal Enfield’s Responsible Travel mission. As part of this campaign, the brand has launched many projects to empower the local community, including over 60 homestays in remote Ladakh and rural electrification with solar electricity, which has impacted 682 rural Ladakh families. Royal Enfield is also collaborating closely with local governments to oversee waste management in these areas. This year, the cavalcade will also stop at Chumathang on July 10th, when Royal Enfield will support the Chumathang Football Tournament, which will be attended by about 300 youngsters.
The riding season in the Himalayas begins in June, with hundreds of riders travelling the Ladakh and Spiti regions. Royal Enfield has established a robust service network in the region to serve riders who require servicing at 17,982 feet. The firm offers about 66 service contact locations over 6 routes with 175 qualified service technicians under this programme dubbed ‘Leh Rider’s Support’ to ensure that riders enjoy a hassle-free riding experience throughout the riding season.
