The adventure of Manali Leh Highway is not only that you have covered 460 kms. Crossed the long road and reached Ladakh. “This journey will be easy and it will be a lot of fun”, everyone goes thinking like this but it never happens what we think. This highway is ready to test you. And in today's post, we will read how 2 stroke auto rickshaws hit the highway and risk everything to succeed.
In India, a two stroke engine with three wheels is called an auto rickshaw. Let me tell you that this engine is so powerful that it does not give up even at 5600 meters (18372 feet) above sea level. The two stroke engine is believed to be the magic of engineering, an engine that is as strong as a mountain for any kind of topography.
Himalayan Rickshaw Run is organized every year from Manali to Leh. This is a self supported run in which there are at least two people in a rickshaw, and these two people do not get any additional support in case of any kind of emergency. The biggest enemy of this highway is altitude sickness, this sickness is so dangerous that it can easily kill anyone. The oxygen level on the highway is only 65%-75%, if your oxygen is 65 then don't be afraid, you are fine. Due to lack of oxygen, the engine of the rickshaw stops again and again but thanks to two stroke technology.
The ground clearance of the rickshaw is so low that the sharp stones on the highway can raise their head anytime breaking the oil chamber of the rickshaw and kill it. Some streams are so fast and deep that the engine of the rickshaw can be dead due to water filling in the silencer. After the rickshaw breaks down, you cannot seek help even if you want because there is no mobile network, no electricity, no repairing shop and no mechanic here. Understand that you are stuck in the ocean alone and now you just have to wait for death.
Of course, there is danger at every step here, but even after this danger, people come here in this rickshaw run. The answer to this question is the landscape present here, this highway equipped with five mountain passes includes three lakes in your womb, mountain passes above 5000 thousand meters, snow leopard, kyang etc. Adventure is not just that, when it is night then you have to sleep in the tent brought with you. Means you have to carry your home in your rickshaw.
Now let's talk about myself, I met these people at 'Pagal Nala' which is located in Lahaul valley. I was here with my friends and that's when this 'Himalayan Rickshaw Run' started happening. He stopped his rickshaw before 'Pagal Nala' because there was a traffic jam. When I talked to them in this jam, I came to know that these people are coming from Leh and some riders are from New Zealand. I asked him if I can click your photo then he said "hell ya".
Disclaimer: All photos are clicked by me (himalayanwomb), all photos are clicked from canon 77d, photos are edited in lightroom. This blog has been written in Hindi and translated into English, for which the help of Google translation has been taken. And yes I proudly say this post is AI free.