When the mountains called, Aphidalin Syiemlieh, fondly known as Affy, from Shillong didn’t just answer, she roared in on two wheels. As the lone rider from Meghalaya in the “Himalayan Highs: Ladakh Expedition 2025,” Affy joined eight other women from across India for a life-altering motorcycle journey through the rugged landscapes of Ladakh.
Led by Kaafila Moto Expeditions and Biker Babes India, this all-women ride was not just a travel itinerary; it was a movement that Affy embodied with heart, spirit, and highland grit.
A Highland Soul on the Highest Roads
Carrying the cool confidence of Shillong’s pine hills, Affy stood out not just for where she came from but for what she brought to the group – quiet strength, unwavering determination, and an infectious zest for adventure. Her participation symbolised more than individual courage as it was a proud moment for the North East.
“Riding into Ladakh felt like carrying a piece of Shillong to the top of the world,” she shared. “Every turn reminded me of home, but also pushed me to grow beyond it.”
The expedition started in Srinagar and carved its way through the dramatic Zoji La Pass and into Kargil, with Affy riding strong amidst towering snow walls and biting winds. The riders then reached Leh, soaking in the spiritual heartbeat of Ladakh.
Their route took them through the shifting sands of Nubra Valley, past the thundering Shyok River, and to the iconic Pangong Lake. At Hanle, they danced under starlit skies before conquering Umling La, the highest motorable road in the world; a milestone that Affy called “both surreal and soul-stirring.”
From there, the wheels rolled through Chumathang, the ghostly calm of Tso Kar, and the serpentine Gata Loops, ending in Manali, where the scent of deodar and pine signaled a homecoming not just to place, but also to self.
For Affy, the ride was deeply personal. “It was about proving to myself that I belong here whether on the roads, with the winds, and on top of the world,” she said.
Moments of fatigue and fear were met with chai, laughter, and sisterhood. Affy recalls tearful evenings softened by mountain sunsets and conversations with fellow riders that made her feel “seen, held, and empowered.”
“Out there, there were no city names, no hometown tags, just women claiming space and lifting each other.”
A Proud Echo from Shillong
Affy’s journey is already inspiring young women back home. Her story of strength, freedom, and breaking boundaries resonates deeply in a region where such narratives are still rare.
She returns not just with memories, but with a mission to encourage more women especially from the North East to ride, to lead, and to embrace the unknown.