The Himalaya Rally 2006 got underway on March 15 in Islamabad.

Eighteen vintage cars and 36 racers -- from Korea, Germany [Images], Britain, Switzerland [Images], Italy [Images] and Australia -- roared out of Islamabad, headed for the hills. The drivers will steer their ancient cars through the Himalayas from Islamabad to Kolkata via numerous picturesque hill stations -- Murree, Peshawar, Lahore [Images], Amritsar [Images], Dharamshala [Images], Shimla, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Nainital, Pokhara, Kathmandu, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Murshidabad. Along the way they will stop at the best of hotels and take in local pageantry and wildlife. 

The rally is touted to be one of the most exotic motoring adventures in the world and participants pay a whopping � 17,850 to take part. For more details check Himalaya Rally 2006

Photograph: Aamir Qureshi/ AFP/Getty Images