Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya set to take more tougher route

The 15th Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya will feature around 150 teams with more than 250 participants in the four wheeler and two wheeler sections, who will brave the inhospitable terrains and weather conditions of the Western Himalayas to compete for the top prize.
Besides the highest-ever participation for one of the toughest rallies in the world, adding to the adventure and excitement this year will be an all new scooters category and a large female contingent.
The rally, which will be flagged off from Shimla on October 6, will run again in two different routes for the X-Treme and Adventue categories.

Apart from the eight-time winner Suresh Rana, this year's Raid-De-Himalaya will have an all women's team from Indian Army for the first time, besides six brave motorsport enthusiasts who will traverse through unfriendly routes in a scooter (in Xtreme category).
CS Santosh from Bangalore will be back to defend his title in two wheeler category, despite having suffered third degree burns at Abu Dhabi in April.
The motorsports extravaganza will traverse a distance of approximately 1800 in six legs spread over as many days.

After ceremonial flag-off from Shimla on Oct 5, the rally traverses to Manali during the first competition leg next day. After crossing over Rohtang pass, the rally will negotiate the treacherous stretch before it enters the Spiti valley on October 7.

In Spiti valley, the rally will pass by the world famous Buddhist Monastery Necklace monasteries and some of the highest permanent settlements of Asia. The rally will then proceed towards Keylong, cross over Baralachala to enter Pang.
After crossing over Tanglang La, the second highest motorable pass in the world, the rally will enter Leh. Yet another round of motoring thrill around Leh circuit will see rallyists negotiating hard to reach the top of Khardungla, the highest motorable road in the world.
With this leg, the rally will come to an end and winners will be declared, followed by a prize ceremony on October 12 at Leh.