14 Day Ride to Umling La, Highest Pass in World Motorcycle Adventure Tour in India
India Motorcycle Tour
Umling La is the highest motorable pass in the world; experience the thrill and adventure of a motorcycle tour on the highest roads and remote valleys, riding across Ladakh and Zanskar to Umling La! Feel on top of the world when you are riding on the world’s highest roads to the highest motorable passes.
Key information
- Terrain: high altitude ride, 30% tough sections & demanding
- Bike: rental bike (Royal Enfield Himalayan or Scram 411cc)
- Mileage: 1675 kilometers / 1041 miles
- Daily rides: 100 - 300 kilometers / 62 - 186 miles
- Riding gear: bring your own helmet, riding jacket and pants, water and wind proof
- Meals: all breakfasts and dinners
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Leh
- Ride through the world's highest motorable pass and highest roads
- See the world’s highest Ramsar Lake site and highest observatory
- Experience azure lakes in Ladakh highlands
- Stay at some of the most remote highest villages
- Visit a more than 1000-year-old monastery
- Ride crisscrossing mountains, valleys, and over high passes
- 13 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
Accommodation
During the tour, you will stay in comfortable hotels, guest houses, and camps.
Program
Start this exciting adventure from Leh, a centuries-old town in the middle of the Himalayas which used to be part of the Silk Route connecting Indian plains. Ladakh has a stark landscape surrounded by towering mountains, a high-altitude region dotted with beautiful villages and colorful monasteries.
Ride around Ladakh to Alchi Monastery which is more than 1000 years old and stay near yet another 1000-year-old monastery at Lamayuru. From here, launch yourselves into Zanskar Valley, one of the most remote parts of the Himalayas which for a few years could be reached by trekking only.
For a few days, you would be crisscrossing many mountain passes, across several valleys, remote villages, and mind-blowing scenic views. Traverse Zanskar valley across its length, riding up to Shinku La which connects Zanskar to Lahaul. You'll now take the Manali-Leh road crossing high passes stopping at Tsokar Lake before you head to the world’s highest Ramsar site, Tsomoriri Lake.
You'll then ride to Hanle village which has the world’s highest observatory and it is from here that you ride to touch the sky, taking the world’s highest road to Umling La (5798 meters), the world’s highest motorable pass.
Take a sojourn on the banks of beautiful Pangong Lake which is divided between India and China. From here, ride to the exotic Nubra Valley where you'll enjoy the sand dunes in the middle of the Himalayas and ride double-humped camels. End the tour in Leh but not before you scale the mighty Khardung La which for many decades used to enjoy the distinction of being the highest in the world.
Tour brief
- Riding region: Zanskar, Ladakh/Himalayas
- Highest altitude gained: 5798 meters
- Highest altitude stay: 4530 meters
- Riding level: Moderate to challenging
- Places covered: Leh, Alchi, Lamayuru, Sirsir La, Singe La, Zang La, Padum, Shinku La, Jispa, Baralach La Pass, Sarchu, Lachung La, Tsokhar, Tsomoriri, Nyoma, Hanle, Umling La, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Deskit, Hundur, Khardung La, Leh
Day 1: Arrive Leh
Meet on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Today is a complete day free for acclimatization. Evening free to enjoy a walk around Leh market visit the Leh Palace or enjoy sunset from Shanti Stupa. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 2: Leh - Alchi - Lamayuru (160 kilometers / 5 hours)
Post breakfast, start your ride to Sham Valley. Witness the confluence of Zanskar and Indus Valley at Nimmu and continue further to Alchi monastery which is more than 1000 years old and one of the most important in Ladakh. Continue your ride further to Lamayuru, which is another more than 1000-year-old monastery, beautifully perched on a mountain slope, and has an impressive statue of Avalokiteshwara, the god with 1000 hands. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 3: Lamayuru - Sirsir La - Padum (184 kilometers / 8 hours)
After breakfast, ride down the valley taking a road up the mountains towards Sirsir La. Cross the villages of Wanla and Hanupattta to the Sirsir La (4760 meters). From the pass, get a spellbinding view of the mountains and valley. Ride down to Photoksar village from where you'll ride towards your other pass Singe La taking a lot of winding roads and hair pins.
Today you get to view one of the most astounding scenic views and ride. Ride through the mountains and valley of Zanskar region to arrive by evening at Padum. Check-in and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: In Padum
Today, take a break to explore the small town of Padum. Ride to explore Karsha Monastery and Sani Monastery. The afternoon is free to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Padum - Shinku La - Jispa (185 kilometers / 8 hours)
A long day of riding across Zanskar Valley. Start riding in the morning en route crossing Bardan Gompa to reach Purne. Keep enjoying your ride across the valley with towering mountains on both ends and views of holy Gombo Rangjan mountain. After crossing the holy mountain, start ascending to Shinku La (5091 meters) crossing it to enter Lahaul Valley and down to Darcha from where you ride to Jispa. Check-in and overnight in the hotel.
Day 6: Jispa - Baralacha La - Tsokhar (225 kilometers / 7 hours)
On your bikes from the Jispa to Sarchu route crossing Darcha and over Baralachala Pass (4800 meters). Ride across Sarchu plains and start your ascend on Gatta Loops which is a set of 18 hairpin bends to Naki La from where you cross another pass Lachung La and cross Moore plains to reach Tsokar Lake. On arrival check in at camp. The evening is free to walk around the lake and you may chance upon sight of the rare endangered Black Necked Crane or the Tibetan Ass. Overnight in a camp.
Day 7: Tsokhar - Tsomoriri Lake (100 kilometers/ 4 hours)
After breakfast, start your ride to Karsok village crossing Polokong La (4985 meters). Arrive at Karzok village located beautifully on the banks of Tsomoriri Lake at (4522 meters). The lake and surrounding area are protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, is the world’s highest Ramsar site.
Check-in at a camp. Later, walk to the Karzok monastery and spend time around the shores of the lake appreciating its beauty. Overnight in tents.
Day 8: Tsomoriri - Nyoma (102 kilometers / 3 hours)
Spend the morning walking around and enjoying the pristine beauty of Tsomoriri Lake. Later, ride to Mahe Bridge where you'll cross the river Indus and ride to the small settlement of Nyoma. Stay overnight at a local homestay and relax to be ready for a long day.
Day 9: In Nyoma (Scale Umling La, the highest pass in the world)
In the morning, start early riding towards Hanle village which is rated as the best place for astronomy observations and has an ISRO observatory. From Hanle, take a dirt road for 30 kilometers, riding across a vast Tibetan plateau and then scaling a mountain pass. Ride down from here to Chisumle from where your ascend to Umling La starts.
Reach the top of Umling La, having the distinction of being the highest motorable pass in the world (5798 meters). Click many pictures spend a little time at the top and then ride down towards Chisumle and then back to Nyoma for overnight.
Today will be a long day covering 300 kilometers in total during the ride. This region is very sensitive and just next to the Chinese border. Foreigners are not allowed to stay overnight at Hanle village and hence you have to take the long ride from Nyoma.
Day 10: Nyoma - Pangong Lake (140 kilometers / 6 hours)
After breakfast, start your ride to Pangong Lake, riding along the Indus River for a little more than an hour and then through remote regions crossing the villages of Tsaga and Chushul. A mesmerizing ride, especially while you ride along the Indus and then toward the end along the breathtaking Pangong Lake.
Arrive at Pangong, which is the highest saltwater lake in the world, shared by two countries, India and China. Enjoy the beauty of the lake. Overnight in a camp.
Day 11: Pangong - Nubra (140 kilometers / 5 hourrs)
Start early riding from Pangong to Shyaok from where you follow the course of the Shyok River providing excellent scenic views of the beautiful Nubra valley. Arrive at Deskit and visit the monastery, riding further to Hundur village. At Hundur, check in at camp and later visit. The sand dunes and enjoy a double-humped camel ride. Overnight in a camp.
Day 12: Nubra - Khardung La - Leh (120 kilometers / 6 hours)
Start in the morning towards North Pullu from where you start your climb to cross Khardung La which was once famous as the highest motorable pass in the world. Ride down to Leh with views of the Ladakh range and the city throughout our ride. Check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: In Leh
Today is free to explore the town or visit at your own will, a few cultural sights like Stok Palace and Hemis monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Depart Leh
In-time transfer to Leh airport to connect flight to Delhi. End of tour.
Skill level required for this tour: intermediate
Intermediate:
- can ride for 3-4 hours
- average riding experience
- little assistance required
- comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- average experience with unsurfaced roads
- steep ascents and descents
Location
The route of this tour starts from Leh to Alchi, Lamayuru, Padum, Jispa, Tsokhar, Tsomoriri, Hanle, Pangong, Nubra, and then back to Leh.
Food
The tour includes breakfast and dinners. During the ride, stop en route to local restaurants/dhaba where you may enjoy a meal on a direct payment basis.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The following drinks are included:
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
What's included
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- 13 nights accommodation
- Breakfasts and dinners during the tour
- Royal Enfield Himalayan or Scram 411cc motorcycle rental
- All fuel for the ride
- English-speaking guide
- First-aid box and oxygen on high-altitude adventures
- Mechanics with all necessary spare parts
- Support vehicles to carry your luggage, spare, extra fuel
- Permits and environment fees for restricted areas
- All entrance fees to places of visit
- Presently applicable taxes
What's not included
- Any flight (international or domestic)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Anything not mentioned under What's included
- GST
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
3 km
Transfer included
Arrival by car
There are daily flights operated between New Delhi and Leh. You may also plan a road trip from Manali to Leh which can be organised at an extra cost. For more information, please send an inquiry.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 23% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.