Kolkata to Ladakh: One man, many miles & a desire to explore

Having little money but a strong desire to explore India, 40-year-old Avman Bhowmick set out on an arduous bicycle journey from Kolkata to Ladakh on February 16.

He has already been on the road for 65 days, covering parts of Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

“I have travelled around 2,800 km over the 65 days, and it would take me another month to reach my destination,” said Bhowmick.

Currently in Mandi, he will take the Kullu-Manali route to reach his destination.

While most people undertake such long and challenging journeys for a cause or to spread a significant message, Bhowmick’s motivation is quite simple. “I just want to explore the country I live in. And since I don’t have enough money to travel across India using other means, I decided to cycle to Ladakh,” he shares.

Cycling allows him to move at his own pace, and meet many people along the way.

“The best part of the journey has been meeting new people. They’ve all been so welcoming,” he adds. Along the way, Bhowmick has indulged in religious tourism, spending time in holy cities and towns in Uttar Pradesh.

“On my way back, I plan to explore some off-beat places that aren’t on the usual tourist trail,” he says.

While the trip has been enjoyable, it hasn’t come without its challenges, especially once he entered hilly regions. Carrying his tent, sleeping bag, stove, a small gas cylinder, food, and clothes on a bicycle weighing around 40 kg is no easy feat. “Pushing the cycle up a hilly incline is tough,” admits Bhowmick, who has been preparing for this journey by taking time off from his job at a jewellery store in Kolkata. For overnight stays, he usually pitches his tent at petrol pumps, and, when he can’t find one, he looks for a temple or gurdwara to rest.

If all goes well, Bhowmick is already considering another ambitious trip — from Kashmir to Kanyakumari — once he reaches Ladakh.