A Beginning in Shimla: Colonial Elegance Meets Mountain Idyll
The starting point of our trip was Shimla, a mountain station at about 2,200 meters above sea level with colonial flair. The British past is omnipresent here, and the tranquillity and beauty of the place provided the perfect prelude. On the first evening, the group met for a dinner together, where old friends caught-up and the group eagerly anticipated the adventures ahead.
Warming up in Narkanda: The Enfields conquer the mountains
On the second day, we jumped onto the motorcycle saddles. Despite an unexpectedly large number of kilometers on the first ride, the journey was a great workout to familiarize oneself with the Royal Enfield motorcycles. The challenges of the steep and winding roads awakened our spirit of adventure – and the laughter at the short-term idea of switching steeds to a yak was contagious!
Magical Sutlej Valley: Temples, Legends and Fascinating Architecture
The second driving stage took us to the Sutlej Valley. The winding, rock-lined roads along the 2,000-meter-high mountain ranges and the visit to the Kali Temple in Sarahan, at the entrance to the Kinnaur Valley, were impressive. The mystical stories and the ornate wooden architecture of the temples transported us to another era. The day’s stage was about 160km.
Adventure in the Sangla Valley: Passes, Glaciers and Fairytale Landscapes
The Sangla Valley, reached on the fourth day, was a highlight of the tour in the truest sense of the word. The dizzying mountain roads led us through ever-changing vistas – from green forests to rocky glaciers. At an altitude of 3,450 meters, in Chitkul, the last village before the Sino-Indian border, we felt like we were in a fairy tale: snow-capped mountains, wooden huts and apple orchards as far as the eye can see. We enjoyed the evening after about 110 km on the road.
The Sacred Mountain: Kinnaur Kailash and the Residence of Shiva
On the fifth day, we started with a short hike in the beautiful surroundings before continuing on the slopes for about 80km. We reached the village of Kalpa and admired the majestic mountains Jorkhanden and Kinnaur Kailash, which loomed over us at a whopping 6,000 meters of altitude. This sacred mountain, the winter residence of the god Shiva, offered us an impressive backdrop and made today’s journey a spiritual experience.
Hot Springs and Wild Rivers: Tatapani and the Great Himalayan National Park
The drive to the Tatapani hot springs on day six was as relaxing as it was exciting. The narrow, winding roads and the colorful buses loaded with people and freight made us smile and tense up at the same time. We had our lunch break at a small local tea house on the side of the road – it doesn’t get more authentic than that. The relaxing bath in the thermal springs was very welcome after about 200 km of motorcycling in Indian traffic. A campfire in the evening rounded off the relaxation after a long day of riding.
The seventh day brought us to the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crossing the Jalori Pass at an altitude of 3,200 meters and driving along crystal-clear mountain rivers offered spectacular views and an unforgettable experience of the surrounding nature.
The Parvati Valley: Sacred Springs and Cultural Encounters
In the wild Parvati Valley, known for its hot sulphur springs, we immersed ourselves in the culture of the Sikhs and Hindus on our eighth day on tour. The bath in the temple springs of Manikaran and a visit to a Royal Enfield shop in Kullu rounded off the day after a 120 km scenic ride.
Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj: Encounter with Tibetan Culture
After a long drive, we reached Dharamsala on the tenth day. The influence of Tibetan culture is omnipresent. A free day in McLeod Ganj allowed us to explore the Tibetan exile community, the Namgyal Monastery and the Norbulingka Institute. The spiritual atmosphere and cultural treasures of this region are impressive. The rest day was enjoyed by everyone and at the same time increased the anticipation of the remaining journey to come. Our day’s stage was about 200 km long.
Khajjiar: India’s “mini-Switzerland”
On the 12th day, crossing the Jot Pass, we arrived in Khajjiar – often dubbed “Mini-Switzerland” for its lush meadows, its small lake and surrounding cedar forests. This peaceful retreat marked the perfect conclusion to our mountain escapades and awakened feelings of home.
The Finale: Amritsar and the Golden Temple
Our final day of riding consisted of about 210 km through the fertile plains of Punjab to Amritsar. The next day we visited the Golden Temple, the most important and holiest place of the Sikhs. For us, it was a spiritual and cultural highlight of the trip and a fitting end to a remarkable journey before saying goodbye to the region and everything it offered us.
At our farewell dinner, stories of the past 14 days flowed. We were able to experience the Himalayas from a new perspective. Together we raised a toast to another successfully completed adventure and the friendships rekindled along the way!
