"Riding through Ladakh has changed me in ways I can’t even begin to explain,” says 21-year-pld Zenia Jamshedji, who features in the India book of Records 2024 for the youngest female Parsi riding to the top of Umling La and back. She completed the circuit from Srinagar to Chandigarh, including Zozilla Pass, Khardung La Pass, Chang La, Thang village and Siachen base camp covering a total distance of 2,000 kms in the mountains alone, notes a write-up on the young woman’s trip sent by her father Kaizad to Parsiana. "The hardships, the cold, the altitude — everything was worth it. I’ve become braver and more confident… This experience has reduced my fears.”
Zenia Jamshedji (inset and above) at Umling La Pass
The adventure began on September 7, 2024 when Zenia and her team flew from Bombay to Srinagar. By September 9 the riders had set off towards the Kargil Memorial before continuing to Dha, a grueling 244 kms away. Though beautiful, the terrain was perilous and Zenia fell off her motorbike while navigating the rocky roads. Undeterred, the team pressed on to Khardung La, one of the highest passes in the world, where they experienced a severe snowstorm that left them stranded for six hours. The cold and altitude made the journey even more challenging. After two days of recovery at the next halt in Hunder, the riders continued their adventure, with stops in Sumur and Siachen base camp.
At the heart of this adventure was Mad Max, Zenia’s trusted 14-year-old Hero Honda Karizma. Despite its age, the bike performed exceptionally well in the mountains, keeping pace with the more modern bikes in the group. "I couldn’t have asked for a better companion on this trip,” Zenia said. She was grateful to her father for maintaining the bike so well and to her mother Khushnaaz who supported her along the way. "Her presence and support really meant a lot to me.”
"It was a little scary at first, but the excitement of being up there outweighed any fear. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had,” she noted. The altitude posed serious challenges, with many riders, including Zenia, experiencing altitude sickness. "We had to rush back down, but the experience of being at Umling La was unforgettable,” said the enthusiastic rider. The adventure wrapped up with a 300 km ride to Chandigarh before the team flew back to Bombay.