The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Royal Enfield have announced the fourth edition of The Great Himalayan Exploration, a collaborative motorcycling expedition dedicated to documenting and preserving the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the Indian Himalayan region.
This phase of the initiative will focus on five distinct ICH practices across Himachal Pradesh, combining immersive travel, ethnographic observation, and local storytelling to create a living record of cultural knowledge systems and traditions.
Commencing from Chandigarh on March 1, 2026, the expedition will journey through The Himalayan Hub, a centre of excellence in Theog, Shimla, which focuses on developing sustainable environmental solutions. A group of six rider-researchers will travel across Himachal Pradesh until March 14, 2026, engaging directly with communities, artisans, and practitioners to capture their living heritage through video documentation and participatory observation.
The documented traditions for this edition include:
Animal Husbandry by the Gaddis – a pastoral lifestyle rooted in seasonal migration and ecological knowledge of mountain terrains.
Kariyala – a folk theatre form from Shimla and Sirmaur blending satire, music, and performance to reflect social commentary.
Thoda / Thodey – a martial dance and sport native to Shimla and Sirmaur, performed during fairs and festivals.
Chulli Oil Making – a traditional method of extracting oil from wild apricot kernels in Kinnaur using indigenous, sustainable techniques.
Pulla – a heritage craft of handwoven grass footwear, traditionally used in mountainous households.
According to UNESCO, Intangible Cultural Heritage encompasses the practices, knowledge, skills, and expressions that communities recognise as part of their cultural identity. These living traditions—ranging from oral expressions and performing arts to craftsmanship and rituals—reflect the continuity and diversity of human creativity.
Through The Great Himalayan Exploration, UNESCO and Royal Enfield continue to spotlight the Himalayas as a repository of cultural resilience and environmental wisdom, fostering cross-generational awareness and community pride. The collaboration exemplifies a growing synergy between cultural preservation and responsible exploration.
