Triumph India Rediscover Ladakh '24: The Road to Rediscovery

Whether you're into motorcycling or not, there's something transcendent about the embrace of the open road, and when draped in the majestic landscapes of the Himalayas, that experience quite literally reaches all-new heights. Motorcycling in the mountains offers a unique connection to nature, adventure, and to oneself really, and the route that Triumph India had planned out on the Rediscover Ladakh ride 2024 illustrated this ethos perfectly.

This time around I'd be riding the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro from Leh to Chandigarh via Hanle, Umling La, Karzok and Manali having joined in on the 15-day long ride mid-way through. Although we had a day to acclimatise our city-strung selves to our 'more natural' surroundings on what was a recuperation day for the rest of the group, I could already feel the thrill coursing through me. The air was light and crisp, a refreshing contrast to the heavy dullness back home, and I could hardly wait to hit the road. As always, it's about the journey and not so much so the destination when you're in this part of the country. And being back in the midst of the mesmerising mountainscape, immersing myself in a world that seemed painted with the hues of a dream on the Triumph's latest Tiger 900 was simply the icing on this proverbial cake.

On the first day itself, from Leh, we hit a relatively smooth highway all the way to Mahe and it's here that I discovered a beautiful stillness that of late was lacking in my life. As I fell back from the group to revel in the moment, the only sounds were the soft rustle of the wind through my helmet and the rhythmic thrum of the Tiger 900, creating this melodic soul-soothing symphony. Amidst the mountains, the burdens of urban life fade away, leaving only clarity and an exhilarating sense of freedom. Man, I missed this!

Yes, day one was anything but straightforward, and as I'd learn from some in the group, pretty much what the lot were subjected to from what was their day one a week ago. From Mahe we took a longer scenic route toward Hanle via Chushul. Here's where we got to kick up some dirt on some unfinished sections of road, and the bikes, which had just gotten some TLC back in Leh were back to getting dirty while kicking up a storm. Still, this part of the country never fails to leave you astounded with its beauty. Every twist and turn can kick up a cloud of dust or unveil another breath-taking panorama, each more magnificent than the last. Moving further down the road we took a short halt at the Rezang La War memorial where we were welcomed by army personnel who took time to share some epic stories of heroism and valor.

It was here where 120 Indian soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Battalion made their epic last stand against over 1000 Chinese fighters attacking over the hills we could see in the horizon in the Indo-China war back in 1962. This feat is considered one of the most heroic last stands in modern military history. After we moved on to unfinished highway sections with deep ruts, which were a little tricky for the group.  En route to Hanle which is a cozy little village that's best known for being one of the best sports in the country to stargaze. It's also home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, and also a structure that shoots gamma rays off into space in the hope of someone receiving them and sending back some form of response. So it's safe to say that we got to check out some really neat stuff even with our bikes parked aside on this trip.

The next day we made our way to Umling La, the world's highest motorable pass. The rides team had selected an interesting off-road stretch via Norbu La, which involved some deep and tricky sandy patches allowing for a true adventurer's experience. Learning is all part of the ride experience. And it's not about the conquering of any terrain as such, but rather about camaraderie and getting through it all as a group, even if it meant stopping and helping others get through some rough patches. And that's something I witnessed on this ride, which was always a great thing to see!

At an altitude of 19,000 plus feet, the route to Umling La is not for the faint-hearted, but it rewards the brave with unparalleled views and an adrenaline rush that's hard to match. The ascent through rocky terrain and high-altitude winds is a rite of passage, testing both rider and machine. Riding towards the pass, you feel as if you are tearing through the clouds, gliding through a realm untouched by time.

The landscape turned from dusty brown to ice white and as I reached the summit, the sense of accomplishment was palpable. Out here, you're not just riding a motorcycle; you're partaking in an experience that humbles you before nature's grandeur. A quick photo op and we quickly set off back down the mountain, because the altitude and temperatures ensure that just standing still out here is not as easy task. Although the sun shone brightly, the biting cold paled everything around, including us.

The next day saw the group make its way toward Tso Moriri â€" a tranquil lake lying in the embrace of the Himalayas. The lake itself is truly a sight to behold. Surrounded by barren mountains with snow-capped peaks and endless stretches of tranquillity, the lake invites quiet contemplation, making it a perfect sanctuary for those seeking solace in nature's embrace. With the lack of cellular network and sparse availability of basic electricity in the quiet township of Korzok, the group had yet another chance to really bond over ride stories of the days gone by.

It was really amusing to hear some of these stories â€" from the slowest in the group taking his own sweet time to get through the course of the day to the overenthusiastic sorts who kept taking tumbles in the sand. I learned that the weather had made the ride difficult through some of the earlier passes as well. But one thing was for certain, whatever the group had been through it had definitely made each and every one in the group more confident as individual riders.

Our group was led by a team from xplorearth and headed by none other than Vijay Parmar himself â€" so an apt shepherd to plan for and lead this flock. His knowledge not only of the mountains in these parts, but of individuals, occurrences and motorcycles is greatly unmatched. To describe him in short - he's a man who can tell the weather that you'll be facing in the mountains tomorrow by looking up in the sky today. Riding alongside him is an absolute delight on its own, and given this pleasant company, there wasn't much more one could have asked for.

Another great thing about being part of an organised group tour like this that while the routes, accommodation and meals are planned for in advance, having a support vehicle on hand is one of the best things you could have ever hoped. Because there are times you won't see a soul on the road for hours.  If you are on the road that is. Off the beaten path is a different ballgame altogether. In case anything goes wrong with your bike, there's a mechanic with spares who will mostly be able to fix the issue, and even if not, there's the ever handy support vehicle where you can keep your luggage and not have to lug all your belongings about on your trusty steed.

The ride from Korzok to Manali was otherworldly to say the least. Each twist of the throttle echoed the raw pulse of adventure astride the Tiger 900 Rally Pro, and the landscape morphed from narrow man-made paths flanked by towering peaks that shot up into the sky to jagged mountain ranges, winding rivers, and occasional green patches near water sources as we made our way from Pang to Jispa. The Baralacha La pass, via the spectacular Moray Plains and the twisty Gata loops, besides being the last mountain pass that we'd be traversing through on this ride was our last opportunity to be anywhere close to snow.

It was quite literally all downhill from then on, which I must admit, was very disheartening. The road down through the mountains grew steeper, with more dramatic elevation changes, but the condition of the roads is almost flawless aside from a couple of patches. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) definitely deserves a pat on the back for their exemplary efforts. All along our ride, in some of the places you'd least expect, you would see the BRO employees toiling away to make the roads safe for people to be able to pass through - which is a truly phenomenal task!

Navigating the dusty trails via the Leh â€" Manali highway down to Jispa, the air started to get heavier. Pausing at a dusty roadside dhaba, didn't have the same appeal as it did a couple of days ago. Savouring a hot cuppa or digging in to a bowl of Maggi seemed to have lost its charm. The ride was effectively over for me. From Jispa to Chandigarh with a halt in Manali, reality struck me hard. We had gone from the surreal up in the hills, being embraced by the sounds of the gushing rivers and the wind unobstructed, plunging back to reality and the sounds of cars, engines, horns and people yelling. Yes, sadly all good times must end.

Motorcycling in the mountains is an ode to freedom. And rides like Triumph's Rediscover Ladakh tour are a reminder for you to express that freedom. They're not just an excuse to go for a ride with your friends. It's more of a journey of self-discovery and connection. It's a chance to leave mundane worries behind, experience life at a different pace, bound only by the horizon.

Our ride from Leh to Chandigarh on the Triumph Rediscover Ladakh was not just a narrative of kilometers traversed; it's a tapestry of experiences stitched together by moments of wonder and inspiration. Memories etched in time. Would I indulge again? In a heartbeat. Should you? Without doubt.