The Himalayan Odyssey, a 2,700 km biking expedition from Indian capital New Delhi to Ladakh in the Himalayas was flagged off on Saturday morning.

One of the many adventure expeditions for bikers organised by the Chennai-based Royal Enfield company, it drew 65 participants from India as well as abroad. The flag-off was done by Dr Venki Padmanabhan, the CEO of Royal Enfield.

Enfield bikes are a hot favourite in India among enthusiasts for their big size and the heavy purr of the engine. These bikes now command a fan following across the world.

The company has been holding similar such biking expeditions across India in not just the mountains but also in the Rajasthan desert, the Rann of Kutch, the Himalayan countries of Bhutan and Nepal, the backpacker hotspot of Goa and in the southern states of India.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey 2012 will cross three mountain ranges, six passes reaching 18,380 feet in the Himalayas. The company dissuades beginners from participating due to the harsh weather conditions as well as a tough terrain.

The flag-off ceremony had Buddhist monks who chanted and conducted prayers for the well being of the bikers.

Addressing the bikers, Dr Padmanabhan said: "I love to hear their accounts upon their triumphant return in two weeks. Boys come back as men, men come back sages and those went as sages come back as boys."

The oldest motorcycle company in existence, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. It currently manufactures its bikes in Chennai, in south India, and prides itself for having been able to prise open the segment of leisure-seekers, rich urban youth and those who seek adventure.