Royal Enfield x UNESCO’s The Great Himalayan Exploration premieres on National Geographic India

Royal Enfield Social Mission, in partnership with UNESCO, has announced the premier of the fourth edition of ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration’. The four episode docu-series, which captures the living heritage of Himachal Pradesh, premieres on National Geographic India and is streaming exclusively on JioHotstar every Sunday at 8 PM.

Selected from over 550 applicants for this edition, the series follows 20 rider-researchers on a transformative journey across the culturally rich landscapes of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, and Spiti. Joined by notable voices—including Chef Gresham Fernandes, Architect Rahul Bhushan, and Designer Suket Dhir—alongside prominent creators Candida Louis, Maral Yazarloo Pattrick, and Marc Engel, the expedition dives deep into the region's Lifestyle, Art, Culture, and Traditions. The series highlights immersive engagements between the riders and local communities as they document their living heritage.

Bidisha Dey, Executive Director, Eicher Group Foundation said, “Safeguarding living heritage is a shared responsibility that belongs in spaces beyond academic research. We want to bring new voices into the fold, and our collaboration with National Geographic India is key to making these stories accessible to a broader audience. This builds directly on our groundwork with UNESCO, through which we have documented over 100 Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) practices across the Eastern and Western Himalayas till date. As the travel season picks up in Himachal Pradesh, and following the wide viewership of the season one telecast, we hope this new edition inspires travellers to appreciate and understand the living heritage of the region and connect with its communities.”

Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, said, "Intangible cultural heritage is the living fabric of communities, it shapes identity, strengthens social cohesion, and carries within it the accumulated wisdom of generations. What makes Royal Enfield's The Great Himalayan Exploration distinctive is how it brings together riders and local communities in a shared act of discovery, creating not just a record of living heritage, but a renewed sense of pride in it. Through storytelling, these practices become accessible to wider audiences while remaining rooted in the communities that own them. At UNESCO, we believe that safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is ultimately about safeguarding the conditions for human dignity, creativity, and belonging, and initiatives like this show what that looks like in practice.”

Spokesperson from National Geographic India said, "With a returning season of The Great Himalayan Exploration, National Geographic India and Royal Enfield continue to spotlight experiences that celebrate culture, community, and exploration instead. Through National Geographic Creative Works’ powerful and authentic storytelling, the series brings meaningful narratives from far-flung corners of the Himalayas to life — spotlighting the cultures, traditions, and communities that are rarely seen, yet deeply extraordinary. We are proud to bring these extraordinary narratives to audiences across India and the world, because heritage this profound deserves the widest possible stage."

Spotlighting the intricate, deeply rooted cultural identity of the region, the series captures the architectural genius of Kathkuni buildings—a centuries-old style engineered to withstand high-altitude earthquakes. The episodes journey through the delicate artistry of the Chamba Rumaal, Kangra paintings, and the ceremonial Chamba Thaal, while celebrating the spirited Haran and Nati dances. It also features iconic symbols of identity and respect, such as the Himachali Topi, Spiti jewellery, the sacred Sanchok ceremony, and the traditional Mandiyali Dham. Additionally, viewers are introduced to the Chamurthi horse, a rare high-altitude breed that has shaped the culture and economy of Spiti's remote valleys. At the heart of the series is the Kullu Dussehra, a festival during which an entire valley transforms into a living expression of collective devotion.

As defined by UNESCO, Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and sometimes individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. Also called living cultural heritage, it is usually expressed in one of the following forms: oral traditions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.

A unique motorcycling expedition to safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Royal Enfield’s ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration’ is an initiative to document these ICH practices in the Indian Himalayan region. Launched in the Eastern Himalayas in 2022 and continuing through the Western Himalayas and North Eastern Himalayas, The Great Himalayan Exploration is a multi-year partnership between UNESCO and Royal Enfield, striving to identify and document 200 Intangible Cultural Heritage practices.