Mumbai, May 30, 2026 — National Geographic India, in collaboration with Royal Enfield and UNESCO, today announced the premiere of The Great Himalayan Exploration Edition 4, the latest chapter of the landmark documentary series that has redefined how India tells its own cultural stories. The series premieres on Sunday, May 31, at 8 PM on National Geographic India, with simultaneous streaming on JioHotstar. Now in its fourth edition, the series continues its mission of placing a lens on the intangible cultural heritage of the Himalayas; the living art forms, ancestral lifestyles, age-old traditions, and community practices that have quietly defined civilisation across these mountains for centuries yet remain largely undocumented and at risk of being lost forever.
This edition turns its gaze to Himachal Pradesh, with rider-researchers traversing the distinct worlds of Spiti, Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba each a universe unto itself, each carrying a cultural identity that is as intricate as it is endangered. The series is as much about lifestyle as it is about legacy. Viewers will witness the genius of Kathkuni architecture, a centuries-old building tradition that has quietly outlasted earthquakes; the Chamurthi horse, a rare high-altitude breed that has shaped the culture and economy of Spiti’s remote valleys, and the delicate artistry of the Chamba Rumaal, the ceremonial Chamba Thaal, and the spirited Haran Dance. At the heart of the series is the Kullu Dussehra, not merely a festival, but a moment when an entire valley transforms into a living, breathing act of collective devotion, offering one of the most spectacular expressions of faith and culture. What emerges is not merely a catalogue of traditions but a profound tapestry of human creativity where heritage is stitched into shawls, simmered in kitchens, and carried in the laughter that echoes through Himalayan valleys, immortalised for generations to come.
A National Geographic India Spokesperson said, “With a returning season of The Great Himalayan Exploration, National Geographic India and Royal Enfield continue to spotlight experiences that celebrate culture, community, and exploration instead. Through National Geographic Creative Works’ powerful and authentic storytelling, the series brings meaningful narratives from far-flung corners of the Himalayas to life — spotlighting the cultures, traditions, and communities that are rarely seen, yet deeply extraordinary. We are proud to bring these extraordinary narratives to audiences across India and the world, because heritage this profound deserves the widest possible stage.”
Bidisha Dey, Executive Director, Eicher Group Foundation said, “The Great Himalayan Exploration remains a key strategic initiative for the Royal Enfield Social Mission. Our partnership with UNESCO to document 200 Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) practices across the Eastern and Western Himalayas continues to advance our long-term commitment. Through this immersive stewardship, rider-researchers engage deeply with local communities to understand and document this living heritage firsthand, directly contributing to the National ICH Inventory.
Central to our mission is our commitment to ensure these practices are sustained. Along with documentation, our focus remains on impactful, multi-channel dissemination to build awareness while safeguarding cultural identity. This new four-part docu-series brings the vibrant traditions of Himachal Pradesh to life through cinematic storytelling—amplifying distinct voices, generational crafts, providing visibility to artisans and instilling a sense of pride and resilience within local communities” she added.
Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, said, “Intangible cultural heritage is the living fabric of communities, it shapes identity, strengthens social cohesion, and carries within it the accumulated wisdom of generations. What makes Royal Enfield’s The Great Himalayan Exploration distinctive is how it brings together riders and local communities in a shared act of discovery, creating not just a record of living heritage, but a renewed sense of pride in it. Through storytelling, these practices become accessible to wider audiences while remaining rooted in the communities that own them. At UNESCO, we believe that safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is ultimately about safeguarding the conditions for human dignity, creativity, and belonging, and initiatives like this show what that looks like in practice.”
Accompanying the rider-researchers on this edition are Chef Gresham Fernandes, designer Suket Dhir, and world travellers Marc Engel, Candida Louis, and Maral Yazarloo Pattrick — each bringing a distinct perspective to the journey, and together ensuring that the series captures Himachal Pradesh’s heritage across the full spectrum of lifestyle, craft, cuisine, and culture.
~ The Great Himalayan Exploration – Edition 4 Premieres Sunday, May 31 at 8 PM on National Geographic Channel. The series will also stream on JioHotstar ~
About National Geographic Content
Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content’s award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore, and care about the world through factual storytelling. Globally, National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu In India, JioStar, a joint venture between Reliance and The Walt Disney Company, distributes National Geographic content and linear channels. National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild are available across multiple languages and have a wide-ranging mix of international shows, which are made locally relevant, and shots that are developed and created locally. National Geographic India has an 18-million-strong digital community.
