Riding into the high mountains had been on the team's bucket list for a long time. The mission: journey deep into the country's incredible landscapes and capture the stunning visual experience through the lens. When the opportunity finally materialized, everything moved quickly. Busy schedules left little time to think about the journey until a couple of weeks before takeoff—when pre-trip jitters and anxiety about navigating notoriously dangerous mountain roads kicked in.
Flying in directly from a project in Europe, the stark contrast of arriving at the starting destination was immediate. After catching up at the airport, the riders were met by their local guide and host. They settled into a traditional houseboat on a tranquil lake while sorting out the bikes—a serene start that quickly eased initial fears.
Preparing the motorcycles proved intense. A recent minor accident during prep meant wiring the bikes for battery power, chargers, and camera equipment had to be crammed into a single day. The initial test was a night ride through chaotic, rule-free city traffic and armed checkpoints.
The next morning, after a traditional blessing for the group, the riders hit the road. Checkpoints were frequent and strict, requiring endless paperwork and photos, which pushed the schedule well into the dark. Riding late, the team eventually found a local guesthouse, exhausted and ready for sleep.
The route called for crossing high mountain passes to avoid altitude sickness, providing endless photo opportunities along the way. The narrow roads clung to massive cliff faces, featuring vertical drop-offs that would humble even experienced off-road riders. Riding in low gears, the group picked their way past boulders, mud, and cascading waterfalls while stopping frequently to shoot video and stills. Just as they reached a spine-chilling section of the trail, a massive landslide blocked the path completely. Retracing their steps in the dark was daunting, but with no way through, the riders were forced to turn back to the nearest town, arriving late at night completely out of fuel.
With the primary route closed, the group pivoted to a high-altitude pass summiting at over 14,500 feet. Armed with anti-altitude sickness medication and extra layers, they started the steep, technical climb. Up past the tree line, the terrain turned to wet rock, mud, and melting snow on steep 45-degree inclines. Despite fatigue, cold, and a painful foot injury suffered by one of the riders, reaching the summit at 14,760 feet was an incredible rush. Standing amongst the high peaks, surrounded by fresh snow under a clear blue sky, offered an unforgettable milestone to capture on camera.
Descending the other side brought new challenges: loose steering components that required quick roadside fixes, a high-speed rear tire blowout, and navigating endless miles of heavy, unpredictable highway traffic.
By the final leg into the city, intense heat and gridlock pushed the group to the point of severe heat exhaustion. They had to pull off, find shade, and rehydrate before pushing through the last few miles of backstreet traffic to reach the final stop.
What started as a daunting expedition ended as an incredible success. Navigating unforgiving terrain, overcoming mechanical failures, and documenting every mile along the way left the riders with deep friendships and remarkable footage that will be tough to beat.
This story originally appeared in Upshift Issue 27. Since then, the mountain regions throughout northern India have suffered severe flooding and devastating landslides that have displaced thousands of residents. If you are able, please consider donating to aid organizations providing relief to those affected. Reputable charities supporting the area include the Indian Red Cross Society, PM CARES Fund and Oxfam India.
