Himalayas: Over the Roof of the World

Alice Cuninghame    overlandholidays     4x4, 4x4 driving holidays, Himalayas, India, Overland holidays

India is full of dust, dirt and heat. A place where travellers fight for space on crowded trains and traffic-choked streets. And that’s it, isn’t it?

It isn’t. Venture north, past the teeming cities, through the green lowlands, and up onto the roof of the world. India’s Himalayas are a startling contrast to the rest of the country, and the only way to really get to know them is overland. Buses do connect the larger towns in India, but they won’t take you to the heart of the place.

The Himalayas Image: Flickr/ilkerender

Plenty of travel companies offer overland trips around the Indian Himalaya, in buses or jeeps. They often include an element of trekking, and opportunities to try out other adventure sports. For a tailor-made itinerary, you can often hire a private car and driver: a surprisingly cheap option.

The most adventurous – and most fun – option is to hire your own vehicle. A jeep or other four-wheel-drive is the best option, allowing you access to the more isolated areas. Motorbike hire is another. Whichever you choose, you’ll need to be a confident and experienced driver:  the narrow mountain passes are no place for nervous drivers.

Many travellers start their Himalayan adventure in Manali, a chilled out place with a hippy vibe. It is a jumble of guesthouses and travel companies, backed by forests and snow-capped peaks. From June to September, the road from Manali to Leh is open. It’s the world’s second highest road, taking around two days to navigate. It’s a stunning drive through rocky moonscapes, tiny Buddhist villages, and heart-stopping valleys. Leh is a bustling, friendly little town which welcomes visitors, perhaps because they’re cut off from the outside world for so much of the year. From Leh, the road continues to Srinagar, but political conditions can make following that route unwise.

More accessible highlights of the Himalayas include Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama; Shimla, the British Raj’s summer capital; and Joshimath, a centre of pilgrimage and the jumping off point for treks through the Valley of Flowers, carpeted in orchids and poppies in summer.

The Himalayas are a magical place: high altitude deserts, thick snow and lush forests can all be seen in a couple of days. Adventure sports fans will find plenty to keep them occupied, but simply experiencing the incredible views and clear air is enough to keep most people smiling.

About the author

Alice Cuninghame wrote 15 articles on this blog.

Freelance copywriter, travel writer and adventure lover. Happiest on mountains and in oceans.

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