The Himalayan Odyssey 2009 route map.
Himalayan Odyssey 2009 updates:
Day 0:
Participants started coming in from 0700 and registration process, medical checkup & bike checkup went on till briefing @ 2100
Briefing Day: By: Prakash
The day before the D-day, Vishwa Yuvak Kendra (International Youth Hostel) in Delhi was slowly getting flooded with lot of people. People from different places, speaking different languages, in different sizes. But two things were distinctively similar in all of them. One was the high energy level and the second was a helmet. Anybody would have guessed these guys are up to something really adventurous and fun. Once the rooms and all the available places were occupied by those men, came the machines with the distinctive thump. The bikes which reached Delhi via road/train from different parts of the world started occupying the parking lots, each one announcing its arrival in its own tone and intensity. By end of the day, the Kendra was fully occupied by the men and machines.
Late in the evening was the first briefing, which marked the start of the Himalayan Odyssey 2009. Kanwardeep and Sachin briefed the team about what they can expect in the next two weeks and what is expected from them. Day ended with each of the riders heading out to their rooms to pack and get their gears up, while the metal beasts stood quietly outside waiting to get into action the next day.
Day 1:
Everybody was up at 5 and very excited to start on the trip they had been planning for months. We rode into India gate at dot 0630. Group pic, prayers, media interaction and a quick bite we were flagged off at 0730. The Himalayan Odyssey has begun.
0930: Breakfast @ rasoi just outside Delhi. 1330: snacks at Royal Enfield dealer, karnal.
1600: Good ricke organized tea and snacks @ zirakpur.
1800: All checked into hotel park view. Service went on till 2230.
Day 1:
Delhi - Chandigarh – By: Akshay Sudhir Ketkar
Hello we have embarked on our journey towards the peak of heaven. On the path to salvation we are on a mission, to conquer the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung la. Our flag off from India gate was a huge success and we all had our brief moment of stardom. The thump of our bikes made the onlookers’ eyes turn. And frankly we were quite a spectacle. The biggest challenge was the unbearable heat, but men on mission never give up. The first leg of our journey was a huge success as we all rode into Chandigarh with style, flair and no untowardly incidences on the way. Wish us all good luck that we achieve our goal unscathed.
Day 2:
We were flagged of @ 0800. Today is the longest day in terms of both distance and time. Participants will get their first feel of ghats and cooler temperatures.
1500: Lunch at bilaspur.
2000: We have reached Manali. Participants had good ride today over 240 kms of ghats and cool weather with a little rain. All checked into hotel marvel.
Day 3:
0845: We left Manali and rode towards our first pass.
1700: All reached khokasar. We had traffic jam, plenty of snow and our first wet shoes!
1830: All refueling at Tandi petrol pump. No fuel here after for the next 360 kms. Here some will stay at their first camp.
2130: Others checked into Keylong.
Day 3:
Manali to Keylong – By: Abid Rehman
Good weather to start with in Manali. Lot of traffic en route to Rohtang pass. Breathtaking view. Got snow at Rohtang. Exhilarating ride. Downhill from Rohtang. Reached keylong at 9:00 pm
Day 4:
One participant had to leave us due to chicken pox and an accident.
0730: Started.
1330: Baralachla was snowing heavily with freezing temps. This has to be the worst weather ever on the Odyssey. And to top it up we were stuck /moving slowly behind traffic jams.
1530: Lunch at Bharatpur.
1830: Checked into Sarchu camp. It is going to be long, freezing cold night. Sleeping bags better be good. Early morning service.
Day 5:
We woke up to white every where and frozen water.
0930: Left sarchu, the sun finally shone and snow & ice has melted. Yet the winds were bone chilling and moore plain had strong winds.
1900: Crossed Tanglangla.
2100: Reached Rumptse camp to a very cold but beautiful camp.
Day 6:
Guys got up starting 0400.
0830: Left to a welcome sunny morning after a freezing cold night.
1130: Left Upshi for leh and entire group rode together for next 55kms.
1300: Checked into Leh.
Day 7:
Rest, recovering for participants, shopping and bike repairs today.
Day 8:
0830: After riding through some very tough conditions, we were finally on our way to Khardungla. Two participants could not join us due to health reasons. By now all others have acclamatised and happily spend over an hour top of the highest motorable road in the world taking pics.
1300: All back in Leh. More rest, service, shopping & party.
Day 9:
0900: Left Leh,
1130: Reached Upshi, good weather, shinning sun, and temperature much more comfortable then few days back.
1500: Reached Debring camp after a group pic at moore plains. We all had a good evening around Tsokar. Its cold and the highest camp but still better than what we have braved.
Day 10:
0700: Now the routes are longer and tougher but the sun is on our side.
2000: Reached Keylong. Baralachla was a completely different scene this time. Riders enjoyed spending time up there. Infact all the passes are complete contrast.
Day 11:
0800: Started from Keylong and fuelup at Tandi.
1030: Snacks at Khoksar. Now we ride towards Losar with 80 kms of rocks strewn route.
1700: Reached Losar.
1830: Checked into Kaza
Day 12:
0930: Quick fuel stop at Kaza and we are on our way. After days of seeing rocks, sand and snow desert the landscape has changed into lush green hills, a brown raging Sutlej and beautiful waterfalls.
1930: All Checked into Kalpa and a beautiful sunset view of Kinner Kailash.
Day 13:
0830: Good roads follow us and hills are now ending as we approach sea level. Warm clothing now packed up and jacket vents open.
2130: Checked into Narkanda.
Day 14:
0930: Last of the ghats today. We bypass Shimla and go via Khufri, Chayal, Kandaghat, 50kms of good ghats with very tight turns. Today we reach sea levels and hot weather.
1900: Checked into Parwanoo and swimming pool.
Day 15:
We left at 0830. Participants wanted to stay back in the hills and extend the ride for another few days. After the cold today we had to brave the sweltering summer heat.
1630: Himalayan Odyssey 09 has come to an end.
Party at canought place @ 0730.