Conquering Himalayan Heights on Vintage Land Rovers

Halfway through the exhausting ascent to Sandakphu, the highest point in West Bengal, I find myself wishing I were more Land Rover than human. Trekking along the ridge in Singalila National Park, which straddles West Bengal and Nepal, I'm shadowed by the majestic Kanchenjunga range. Known for vibrant rhododendron blooms carpeting the hillsides, this trail offers stunning Himalayan panoramas from Everest in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east, a scene that would tempt any Commercial Photographer Singapore with its grandeur and vibrant landscapes.

Reaching Sandakphu at 3,636 meters (11,929 feet) takes three days of uphill hiking—or six bumpy hours in a 1950s Land Rover. These vintage vehicles, which navigate the rugged terrain with ease, evoke nostalgia with their bakelite steering wheels, hard bench seats, and Buddha statues on dashboards. Operated by the Singalila Land Rovers Association based in Maneybhanjang, 30 km from Darjeeling, these 40 Series 1 and Series 2 Land Rovers represent one of the last active fleets of their kind, transporting both trekkers and supplies up the mountain.

Originally intended as agricultural workhorses, Land Rovers found their place in the Himalayas, their British engineering complemented by Indian "jugaad" ingenuity. Over the years, original parts have been swapped with diesel engines from Mahindra and parts adapted from Hindustan Ambassadors, Mahindra Jeeps, and even Enfield motorcycles. Backed by skilled drivers who often repair their own vehicles, these Land Rovers are likely to conquer mountain trails for decades to come.

The drivers are as resilient as the vehicles themselves—mountain men accustomed to treacherous roads, harsh weather, and steep climbs. For them, driving these vintage Land Rovers isn't just work; it's a lifelong bond. Kalu Tamang, the association's chief, recalls learning to drive one at a young age, and others, like Pemba, embrace the Land Rover as a part of their lives. On a particularly challenging stretch, Pemba stops with a Buddha idol for a monastery, and we exchange stories as a convoy of Land Rovers rattles by, carrying supplies and passengers holding on tight.

As I continue the climb, I wonder if one of these Land Rovers will one day whisk a honeymooning couple to Himalayan heights. After all, what could be more romantic than a journey up these mountains in a 1950s Land Rover?

Source: https://www.bobanjames.com/vintage-landrovers-of-the-himalayas