Himalayan odessey
North India
We impulsively purchased two Indian made 'Hero Impulse' motorbikes in New Delhi's chaotic Karol Bagh district. With little to no previous motorbike experience we set out to cut through the Indian Himalayas on some of the world's highest motorable roads. Conditions can be extremely dicey: glacial-melt floods and landslides are common, and the Himalayan weather is unpredictable. Fatal accidents occur every year and local medical care is wanting. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a serious risk on this route. Symptoms can include headaches, sleeplessness, breathlessness, loss of appetite, and if ignored, AMS can be fatal. When venturing on this route by motorbike be sure to have proper protective gear and mechanical know-how. Don't go with gardening boots, kitchen gloves, flammable plastic rain suits and duct tape like we did.