Royal Enfield Unveils Kharu Camp

Royal Enfield has unveiled Camp Kharu – its landmark Green Pit Stop in Ladakh, the first of many planned on popular motorcycling routes. A short drive from Leh town on the Leh-Manali highway (NH3), Camp Kharu is en route to some of Ladakh’s most scenic tourist destinations such as Pangong, Tsomo riri and Hanle. Located in Kharu Square, the 1,500 square meter two-storied architecture stands on the banks of the Indus River, overlooking the stunning Zanskar jetty. Travelers can stop for rest, refreshments, riding trails and tourist information – such as Intangible Cultural Heritage experiences and a list of hosts, including those supported by Royal Enfield.

“Camp Kharu is an ode to the transformative power of travel that inspires people to ‘Leave Every Place Better’. Its sustainable architecture, community initiatives and avenues of cultural exchange point the way to conscious exploration. A green stop is for slow travel, letting you savor local experiences. Local communities are at the heart of our Social Mission and an initiative like this helps local entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and the promotion of intangible cultural heritage – all in a differentiated way. Green Pit Stops are truly for the community, by the community,” says Bidisha Dey, Executive Director, Eicher Group Foundation.

Run by six self-help group (SHG) women, aged between 37 and 55, from Kharu village, the facility offers a cafe, serving authentic Ladakhi food made from locally sourced ingredients, retail and exhibition spaces and public facilities.

Selected with the support of the village Panchayat, these women received comprehensive training from Royal Enfield in entrepreneurship, hospitality, accounting, facilities management, cooking and baking. They were also taken on exposure visits to Mumbai and Goa and mentored by established chefs like Chef Prateek Sadhu of Naar. Working at Camp Kharu has given these housewives-turned-entrepreneurs a steady income, an expanded worldview, and newfound confidence. They have also participated in prominent events like Royal Enfield Motoverse Goa, Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League in Leh and Sa Ladakh at Disko Valley, Leh. Through its Social Mission, Royal Enfield supports women SHGs to develop and execute a business plan to become self-reliant.

Camp Kharu is an all-weather facility designed by architect Sandeep Bogadhi of Earthling using rammed earth architecture – an ancient and sustainable construction practice that results in a resilient structure with a low carbon footprint. Equipped with solar panels, the property is built to keep cool in summer and warm in winter, even in temperatures below 25 degrees. It is also equipped with water stations, free wi-fi and charging points for visitors. The two-storey facility includes a lounge and community space for visitors on the ground floor, as well as a dedicated exhibition space to showcase Ladakhi intangible cultural heritage, textiles and local products. It also hosts workshops and community learning activities.

Camp Kharu is a joint initiative between Royal Enfield Social Mission, Rural Development Department/Leh Development Authority, Kharu Nambardar and the local community. Responding to the long-standing need for public sanitation facilities in the bustling tourist area of ​​Kharu, Royal Enfield, through its CSR initiative, has developed a one-of-a-kind stop that is run, for and by the community.

Camp Kharu is an initiative of Royal Enfield’s social mission, which aims to work with 100 communities in the Himalayas to ensure their resilience in the face of climate change. Serving as more than just a stopover, it embodies Royal Enfield’s commitment to preserve the pristine beauty of its spiritual home – the Himalayas, with the establishment of a clean and sustainable oasis nestled in the middle of the wilderness. With the first of many green stops to come, Royal Enfield is also trying to catalyze a movement among riders to sustainably explore and regenerate the landscapes they traverse.