Trans-Himalayan trip on a tractor

The beauty of mountains fascinates this man. An advocate by profession, Jaibir Singh has made several forays into the Himalayan region driving his car.

But this was an adventure journey with a difference. In a first of its kind, Jaibir Singh, a resident of Tohana town in this district, recently covered the trans-Himalayan region on a tractor! Jaibir took up this expedition to garner a place in the Limca Book of World Records, as he claims that there is no record of this sort as yet.

“I wanted to do this event as it is very different from what other people have done. Others travel in the trans-Himalayan region by car, jeep or motorcycle, but no one has ever gone there on a tractor because it is a very uncomfortable machine and difficult to drive in that region,” says Jaibir.

“I selected the high altitude area of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. My journey was a circular route. I needed a tractor and financial support, so I approached Preet Tractors, Nabha. I gave them my plan and they readily agreed to sponsor my expedition,” he adds.

Jaibir started his expedition on June 12, 2008, from Nabha, where he was flagged-off by Surjeet Singh Rakhra, a former MLA and an NRI. He entered Jammu and Kashmir on the second day of his journey via Gobindgarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

“As per schedule, the event was for three persons but due to some reasons the other two could not accompany me and I had to complete this event all alone,” he says.

“I collected my journey proofs from the police stations on the way and also maintained a log book, including fuel and stay bills, as this was required as proofs for Limca Book of Records,” he adds.

Jaibir attached a small trolley to the tractor to carry his luggage, kitchen kit, tent and a barrel that could hold 200 litres diesel as there are no filling stations in the remote areas of Zanskar. He also carried some spare parts and a tool kit of the tractor.

“I faced some problems with the tractor on two or three occasions like leakage of diesel and nozzle breakage and could not find a mechanic nearby. I handled the snags by myself as I have been doing such expeditions for the past ten years and can handle various machines,” Jaibir claims.

In high altitude deserts, Nubra and more plains, he carried extra water and food, as there was no chance of finding any eatery there.

At many places he could not find any shelter so he used his own tent. At some, he took shelter at Army camps and they treated him very well.

“I also travelled in the inner areas of Ladakh for which a permit was required to be issued by magistrate, Leh Ladakh. I visited Pangong Lake, which is at an altitude of 14,500 ft and 135 km in length. Out of the total, 45 km falls in Indian boundary and 90 km in China. It is a very beautiful and appears like an ocean. Boating in this lake is not allowed for tourists and security speed boats of army protect it,” Jaibir.

“I crossed nine high passes of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, including the world’s highest motorable road Khardung La (18,380 ft) and the third highest Chang La (17,800 ft.),” he claims.

During his return journey through Manali and Chandigarh, Jaibir travelled amidst heavy downpour. But despite all kind of hardships, he enjoyed each moment.