Ultra Journeys are thousand kilometers long explorations across the Western Indian Himalayas. As a minimalist fast-hiker I explored 350+ traverses / mountain passes across Himachal, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir. This blog includes detailed maps, articles, blogs, news & videos for each ultra journey.
In February 2022 I did a first low-altitude trans-Jammu Winter traverse through Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Reasi districts. Starting from the Ravi river valley in Chamba district (HP) and traversing across 300km beautiful ridgelines through the Himalayan foothills to Reasi near Jammu. During April-May I did a second mid-level 800km Spring traverse through the lesser known regions in the districts of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban. I hiked along 3000-3800m high ridgelines separating the Chenab, Tawi, Niru, Siul, Kal Nal and Kagune Gad river valleys.
Over 90 days during winter from mid Nov 2020 to mid Feb 2021 I hiked 2000km trans Uttarakhand covering 110 lesser known passes with a total elevation gain of 1.7 lakh meters (equal to 19x height of Everest). To plan my journey I mapped thousands of trails from the Survey of India maps which appeared to be 90% accurate and still existing. Below a summary of my journey.
A two months journey climbing 200 historical forts across the Sahyadri mountain range in Maharastra, India in the footsteps of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj covering 2000km between Nasik, Mumbai, Pune and Satara
Mission Trans Himalaya 2019 – completed 120 passes over 4 months (one per day) covering 3000+ km and 175 thousand meters elevation gain across glaciers, alpine meadows, canyons, high altitude deserts, wild streams, forests passing through 341 beautiful hamlets in the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal and J&K.
A 75 days ultra hiking journey during mid July to end Sep 2018 across 40 high altitude passes in Spiti, Zanskar, Pangi, Chamba, Kinnaur, Shimla and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
A 2000 km self-supported solo run across the remote mountains of Northeast Vietnam through the provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang and Bac Kan. Carrying a map, tarp and sleeping bag for shelter, experiencing heart warming hospitality in beautiful hamlets. Navigation using Google maps, running across beautiful off road trails and swimming through rivers and lakes.
A 2 week 700km run from Shimla to Jammu through the beautiful, lesser known valleys in Himachal: Spiti and Pangi. A self-supported run, carrying camping gears in a 3 runner / 3 cyclists configuration, taking food in villages along the way. 14 days x 50km per day.
Throughout 2017, I participated in various beautiful international trail races across Europe and Asia with varying distances of 100km to 100 miles. Most races involve steep elevation gain, consist of very technical trails and (some have) alpine climate. All races require a mandatory self-supported running kit with basic gears.
A self-supported 600K solo run from Dalhousie to Padum through the interior valleys of Pangi and Zanskar. Carrying basic gears, food and overnight stay in villages and home-stays along the way. 12 days x 50km per day on jeep tracks and single trails.
A 2 week 800km 4 member cycle journey through the lesser touristic roads in the mountains of Northwest Vietnam from Hanoi to Sapa to Lao Cai. Self supported group with camping gears, taking food in villages along the way. Vietnamese hospitality invites us to stay home with several families on the way.
A 2 week 700km run from Srinagar to Manali through the mesmerizing remote Pangi valley in 2015. One runner and 3 cyclists. Self supported with camping gears on cycles. Food in the villages along the way
A 2 week 600km ultra run from Shimla to Manali through the high altitude desert of Spiti. A self supported group of 3 runners, 3 cyclists with camping gears. Food taken in villages along the way.
A 2 week 800km cycling journey from North to South through the mountains and national parks of central Srilanka. 3 member self-supported group with camping gears, food in the villages along the way.
A 2-week 1000km journey from Shimla through Spiti & Lahaul to Leh, Ladakh. 3 students on 3 cycles, self-supported journey. Camping and food in villages and camps along the way.