Manali To Khardung La : A Cycling Expedition by Assam Teen

To pedal on the one of the India's most dangerous highway,all it took was determination for a teenager. Raktutpal Saikia, a student ofClass XII-cum- amateur cyclist from Guwahati started his expedition from Manalito Khardung La Pass on July 15. He reached Leh on July 23. The next day hecycled from Leh (elevation 11000 feet) to Khardungla Pass (elevation 18340feet) and reached there, covering 39 km.

The entire cycling route has an average elevation of 4000metre(13,000ft).

Along the route from Manali to Leh he crossed some of manyhigh altitude passes. They are Rahtong La Pass (13060feet ), Nakee la Pass(15547feet) , Baralacha La Pass (16500 feet), Lachung La Pass (16616 feet),Tanglang La Pass (17484 feet).

The distance between Manali and Khardungla pass is 512 km.The condition of the road is pitiable in some sections . He carried all hisclothes and equipments on his own cycle. He cycled without any back upvehicle  All his equipments weighed 15 kgwhich was loaded in the rear of the cycle. He stayed in nomadic tent dhabaswhich spring up along Manali Leh highway during summer season when the highwayis opened. These dhabas provide food and shelter and a single bed costing 200to 300 rupees per night.

He had completed a cycling tour from Guwahati to Dibru-Saikhuaas the youngest member of the "Jajabor" Cycling Group in the year2017. He aspired to cycle to Khardungla pass (Ladakh), the highest motorablepass of the world at an altitude of 18340 feet cycling solo before attaining 17years age.

Raktutpal is studying in Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti, Guwahati.