Dhritimaan Singh claimed the Moto (2-Wheel) title while the pair of Rajiv Yadav and Rohit Gowda won the Xtreme 4-Wheel category as the Rally of Himalayas 2026 concluded on Wednesday, 1 October in Padum, Zanskar. The gruelling rally raid, widely regarded as one of India's most demanding motorsport events, spanned more than four days of high-altitude competition across the Lahaul-Spiti and Zanskar regions before wrapping up at Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar district.

Course and Conditions

The rally was flagged off from Manali on 26 September, drawing 50 cars and 80 riders to tackle some of the most punishing mountain routes in the country. Competitors navigated steep inclines, fast stretches, unpredictable weather and high-altitude terrain that pushed both machines and drivers to their limits. Key sections included the iconic Kunzum La crossing, known for its extreme conditions, and a high-altitude run through the Zanskar Valley where the route climbed beyond 16,500 feet.

A standout feature of this edition was a 72-km competitive stage that was subsequently run in reverse, forcing competitors to recalibrate braking points, turn-in timing and pacing strategies on a familiar stretch approached from the opposite direction. The format underscored the rally's reputation as a true test of adaptability, not merely outright speed.

Key Moments and Withdrawals

The rally produced several defining moments. Rajiv Yadav set the early pace, leading on Day 1 while keeping a close watch on Aaryak Rana, who remained a closely tracked rival in the opening stages. As the event grew increasingly technical, consistency became as valuable as raw speed.

A significant development came when Lakhpa Tsering, the 2015 Raid de Himalaya winner, was forced to retire his Toyota Hilux following a technical failure — a reminder of how mechanical reliability is as decisive as driving skill in Himalayan raid conditions. Following the reverse stage, Daksh Gill surged into contention, winning the next two stages including the reverse Losar to Gramphu stretch. During the critical Zanskar phase, Gill reportedly reached speeds of up to 200 km/h, demonstrating the combination of precision and control required at extreme altitude. Despite his strong stage performances, Gill ultimately finished as second runner-up in the Xtreme category alongside co-driver Virender Kashyap.

Category Winners and Podium Results

In the Moto (2-Wheel) category, Dhritimaan Singh took the top honours, with Happy Verma finishing runner-up and Nitish Bharadwaj claiming second runner-up.

The Xtreme (4-Wheel) podium saw Rajiv Yadav and Rohit Gowda win ahead of Aaryak Rana and Aditya Sharma in second, while Daksh Gill and Virender Kashyap completed the top three.

In the Adventure (4-Wheel) category, Soham Hazra and Nirav Mehta claimed victory. Santosh HM and Prakash Muthusamy were runners-up, with Chandra Mouli and Sri Sakthi Kumar N. taking second runner-up honours. Sachin Mandhwani and Adhitya Anthony finished third in the Adventure class.

Conclusion and Ceremony

The rally concluded with a prize distribution ceremony in Padum, featuring cultural performances celebrating the region's heritage. Competitors, organisers and supporters gathered to recognise the efforts of all finishers who navigated over four days of some of the most demanding rally terrain in Indian motorsport. The event once again reinforced the Rally of Himalayas as a benchmark for high-altitude rally raids in the country, with the next edition likely to attract an even stronger field given the competitive performances this year.