‘The mountains are calling’: 18-year-old Mehreen Dhillon responds with a record-breaking drive

Barely 18, Mehreen Dhillon has already etched her name into the record books, not once, but twice. Her latest achievement makes her the youngest female to drive across multiple high-altitude mountain passes, a feat that saw her navigate 13 challenging Himalayan passes across the Himachal Pradesh–Ladakh circuit, all behind the wheel of her own vehicle.

This isn’t her first brush with adventure or acclaim. Earlier, Mehreen made it to the India Book of Records as the youngest female to drive across the Winter Spiti Circuit in snow. That expedition covered 1,192 kilometres over seven days, traversing some of the harshest winter terrain across Kalpa, Shimla, Kaza, Manali, Rampur, and finally Shinku La Pass.

Advertisement

The journey, which began from her hometown in Greater Noida, took the young teen on a 3,482-kilometre drive across some of India’s most challenging and remote terrains. In a span of 14 days, Mehreen crossed 13 high-altitude Himalayan passes, including Umling La (19024 ft), Shinku La (16,580 ft), Senge La (14,800 ft), Sirsir La (15,757 ft), Wari La (17,429 ft), Khardung La (18,328 ft), Chang La (17,492 ft), Tsagala Pass (15,260 ft), Pologingkala Pass (15,892 ft), Lachungla Pass (16,616 ft), Nakeela top (15,547 ft), Baralachala La (16,040 ft), and Baralacha La (16,500 ft).

Speaking to The Statesman, Mehreen said the quote, “The mountains are calling — and I must go,” inspired her to undertake such a challenging road trip through the Himalayas. “This is a quote that my family and I abide by religiously,” she said, adding, “The mountains always offer peace and silence, away from the city’s busy schedule. Ladakh’s passes weren’t just destinations for me, they were a way to disconnect from the chaos of my daily life and reconnect with who I am.”

Speaking about spending 14 days at a stretch covering the high mountain passes, Mehreen said that, having always been drawn to travel, the long hours on the road never felt like a burden. “I’m used to sitting in the car for long durations, watching the landscape shift after a few mountains,” she shared. “For me, driving for long stretches is just another way of doing what I already love.”

Among the many high passes, Umling La stood out as the most challenging, not just for its extreme altitude but for the off-road trail they followed. “You can feel the car start to struggle; every turn needs attention. The engine slows down, and you’re constantly adjusting. But standing at the top, the highest motorable pass in the world, felt like standing on the roof of the world,” added Mehreen.

Fear, often a deterrent for many, didn’t find a place on this journey for Mehreen. “Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means you’re standing on the edge of something worth doing,” she said. “The landscapes of Ladakh are so powerful, fear fades into the background.”

What truly sustained her, though, was the unshakeable support from her family. “They trusted me with something this big at such a young age. That trust gave me the courage to take every turn, every leap.”

Setting this record was never just about recognition for the young girl. “This is more than a title. It’s a symbol of courage, planning, and belief, both in myself and from those around me. I hope it shows young girls that limits are often just imaginary lines waiting to be crossed,” she said.

For those girls chasing their passions, her message is clear: “You don’t need to wait for permission. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. The journey itself will shape you. Take that first step. Protect your passion. Let your voice lead the way, and don’t let fear become the author of your story.”