13 Day Indian Himalayas Escapade: The Perfect Off-beat Guided Motorcycle Tour
Motorcycle Tour in India
Himachal Pradesh and Leh Ladakh are nestled amidst the majestic mountains of the Trans Himalayas. This mesmerizing and thrilling adventure offers endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of middle land. India Motorbike Tour designed the perfect tour for all tastes and combined it with the perfect blend of culture and unforgettable landscapes.
Key information
- Terrain: Asphalt and off-roading
- Motorbike: Rental motorbike (Royal Enfield 411cc Himalayan motorbike)
- Mileage: 1,900 kilometers / 1,180.61 miles
- Daily rides: 100 - 340 kilometers / 62.14 - 211.27 miles
- Riding gear: India Motorbike Tour recommends carrying your own riding gears
- Meals: Non-alcoholic welcome drinks on arrival and buffet dinners / breakfasts at hotel / camps
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Starts in Delhi and ends in Leh
- Experience unique Tibetan culture
- Ride through ancient villages in the Tirthan Valley
- Cross the most grueling motor-able pass, “Khardung la”
- See roaring high-altitude rivers Satluj, Beas, Chandrabhaga, Indus, and Shyok
- World's longest tunnel (9.5 km) at above 3,050 m altitude
- World-class hospitality of Buddhist people with delicious food
- 12 nights accommodation in premium hotels / resort / Swiss camp
Skill level
- Intermediate
Accommodation
You will be staying at India Motorbike Tours' carefully selected deluxe hotels / Swiss camps. However, at one or two locations, you will be staying in basic tented accommodation as options are very limited (considering the route's topographyt). The stays are typically furnished with good-quality linen and toiletry kit. All stays are booked inclusive of buffet dinner and breakfast.
You will stay at the following accommodations along the routes:
- Delhi - Colonel’s Retreat or similar (1 night)
- Shimla - Fairmount Forest Green or similar (1 night)
- Tirthan Valley - Wilderness Home or similar (1 night)
- Manali - Glacier Resort or similar (1 night)
- Sarchu - Himalayan Marmot or similar (1 night)
- Leh - Lakrook Boutique stay or similar (3 nights)
- Nubra Valley - Nubra Vista Camp or similar (1 night)
- Pangong Lake Ciya Residency or similar (1 night)
- Hanle - Ama Cottage or similar (2 nights)
Program
Road trip highlights
- Guided motorbike trip with an experienced local team
- 24x7 support team with 4x4 back-up vehicle
- Experience unique Tibetan culture
- Ride through the ancient villages in Tirthan Valley
- Cross the most grueling motor-able pass, “Khardung la”
- Visit ancient monasteries - Diskit and Shanti Stupa
- Ride to the world's highest motor-able pass, “Umling la" at 5880 m
- Witness the 360-degree spectacular view of Himalayan mountains
- Cross over nine high-altitude mountains passes, including “Umling la”
- World's longest tunnel (9.5 km) above at 3,050 m altitude
- World's highest salty lake “Pangong Lake,”which is divided within two countries in Indo-China
- World-class hospitality of Buddhist people with delicious food
- Chance to spot the wildlife on more plains and Chumathang Valley
- Topography of the different places presenting mesmerizing views of the Indian Himalayas
- Roaring high-altitude rivers Satluj, Beas, Chandrabhaga, Indus, and Shyok
Brief itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
- Day 2: Delhi - Shimla
- Day 3: Shimla - Tirthan Valley
- Day 4: Tirthan Valley - Manali
- Day 5: Manali - Sarchu
- Day 6: Sarchu - Leh
- Day 7: Leh
- Day 8: Leh - Nubra Valley
- Day 9: Nubra Valley - Pangong Lake
- Day 10: Pangong Lake - Hanle
- Day 11: Ride to Umling La
- Day 12: Hanle - Leh
- Day 13: Drop off at Leh airport
Motorcycle
You will ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan dual-sport motorcycle with gears shift on the left. It has smooth suspension and is comfortable, making it an ideal companion for adventurous riders. The Himalayan motorcycle offers ample power for both tarmac and off-road riding. Comfort is a priority, with an upright riding position and a comfortable seat.
Duration
You will ride for approximately five to six hours in a day, inclusive of lunch / tea, photography, and other essential stoppage.
Skill level: Intermediate
- Can ride for five to six hours
- Average riding experience
- Little assistance required
- Comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- Average experience with unsurfaced roads
- Steep ascents and descents
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
- Elevation: 210 m
- Hotel
- Highlights: Welcome to India
Upon arrival at Delhi international airport, you will meet and greet with India Motorbike Tours' representative and then be transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Shimla (340 km / 211.27 miles)
- 6 to seven hours
- Elevation: 2,280 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Test ride
In the morning, after breakfast, you will board a private minibus and proceed to Shimla (the capital city of Himachal Pradesh). Sit back and enjoy the scenic view of the Himalayan foothills.
Reach Shimla in the afternoon, then after refreshments, meet with India Motorbike Tours' cruise team, followed by a brief introduction about the upcoming epic adventurous journey. It’ll be time to get familiarized with your machine (the Royal Enfield) as well as mountain traffic.
Day 3: Shimla - Tirthan Valley (145 km / 91 miles)
- 5 to six hours
- Elevation: 1,600 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Jalori Pass - Shoja - Jibhi
The epic adventurous journey will begin towards Jibhi. On the way, you will cross several quaint Himalayan villages followed by crossing a fantastic Jalori mountain pass with steep inclines and winding curves. Jibhi is a scenic village located in the lap of the Himalayas, in the Tirthan Valley, and is surrounded by millions of pine trees and Himalayan fauna / floras.
On arrival, check in to a charming wilderness home nestled amongst the lush green mountainslopes of Tirthan Valley. Post refreshment, proceed for a small hike towards Jibhi waterfall, situated deep inside the dense forest. The evening will be at leisure, or you can go for a nature walk nearby.
Day 4: Tirthan Valley - Manali (100 km / 62.14 miles)
- 3 to four hours
- Elevation: 2,000 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Banjar - Kullu - Beas River - Manali
As Day 4 dawns, you will bid goodbye to Jibhi and proceed towards Manali. On the way, you will stop at a riverside café for lunch. Later, you will continue your ride towards Manali, a gorgeous hill station located in the lap of Pir Panjal mountains. The landscape there is breathtaking.
On the way, you will be mesmerized by the fascinating Himalayan mountain views along the River Beas. In the late afternoon, you will reach Manali, which is located on the bank of the River Beas. A magnificent experience of the place will be guaranteed to stay with you forever.
Day 5: Manali - Sarchu (170 km / 105.63 miles)
- 5 to six hours
- Elevation: 4,850 m
- Camp
- Meals
- Highlights: Atal Tunnel - Jispa - Baralacha La - Killig Sarai - Sarchu Ground
High on Himalayas is the theme of the day as you will be riding to Sarchu, the most grueling ride of an adventure seeker. Sarchu is located on the borderline between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh region.
On the way, experience the Atal tunnel ride (the world's highest-altitude and longest tunnel at 9.8 km). After crossing the tunnel, you will enter the Greater Himalayan landscape. Enjoy the breathtaking view followed by the giant Baralachha Pass (4,850 meters). At the end of the day, reach the Sarchu campsite.
Day 6: Sarchu - Leh (255 km / 158.45 miles)
- 7 to eight hours
- Elevation: 5,359 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Gata loops - More plain - Lachung la pass - Taglang la pass
This day, you will climb multiple high-altitude mountain passes, including Naki la (4,740m), Lachung la (5,065m), the ghost of Gata loops (22 hairpin bend that would give a breathtaking view of the Himalayan mountains), and Taglang la (5,359m).
These will be followed by more plain and a perfect blend of mountain range horizon. Taglang la's descending part will be the beginning of the land of Lama. At the end of the day, you will reach Leh (the capital city of monks).
Day 7: Explore Leh town
- 2 to three hours
- Elevation: 3,500 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Acclimatization day - Leh market - Shanti Stupa
You will go from Tashi Delek to Ladakh. After completing the sensational ride into the Trans Himalayan region, you will have the day free to relax or explore the beautiful town on your own.
Leh is at an altitude of 3,500 m above sea level. Hence, due to high altitude, it is of utmost importance that you walk or roam around in the Leh market to prevent high acute mountain sickness (HAMS).
In the evening, you will visit the beautiful and magnificent Shanti Stupa located at a height of 3,700 m. This stupa is surrounded by the beautiful Himalayan ranges and the colorful market of Leh town. It is a great place to find some Tibetan souvenirs or try some mouthwatering food at the authentic restaurant.
Day 8: Leh - Nubra Valley (130 km / 80.78 miles)
- 5 to six hours
- Elevation: 5,602 m
- Camp
- Meals
- Highlights: Khardung la Pass - Nubra Valley - Cold Desert
This day, you will ride over the world's second highest mountain pass, Khardung la (5,602 m). Experience an astounding mixture of spectacular scenery, the most grueling mountain pass, and overwhelming beauty.
After visiting Khardung la, you will descend towards Nubra Valley (the land of Mongolian camels). On arrival at the camp, check-in and have some refreshments, then proceed to the desert, where you can experience a double-humped camel ride or spend quality time in the heart of the cold desert.
Day 9: Nubra Valley - Pangong Lake (180 km / 111.85 miles)
- 5 to six hours
- Elevation: 4,360 m
- Cottage
- Meals
- Highlights: Diskit Monastery - Shyok River - Pangong Lake
This day, you'll be off to Pangong Lake, with an en route visit to the biggest statue of Buddha in Diskit. Pangong Lake is the largest salty water lake in Asia. This lake is situated on the Indian-Chinese border (at a height of 4,360 m above sea level).
En route, you will stop at Shyok village for lunch with a breathtaking view of the high mountains. In the late afternoon, you will reach a campsite after refreshments, where you can witness the unforgettable sunset view at Pangong Lake.
Day 10: Pangong Lake - Hanle (180 km / 111.88)
- 5 to six hours
- Elevation: 4,500 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Chushul War Memorial - Rezang la - Tsaga la - Astronomical Observatory
Another action-packed adventurous ride will begin on this day. Hence, you must start early from Pangong to reach Hanle before sunset. The ride will begin towards the second highest optical telescope in the world, following Chushul War Memorial, Tsaga la, and Rezang la. Dirt road will prevail until the Loma bend, providing one of the best off-road experiences.
In the late afternoon, you will reach Hanle. It has one of the best landscapes, which you could not even imagine in your dream. Overnight stay will be at a homestay / cottage at the remotest place.
Day 11: Ride to Umling la (135 km / 83.86 miles) round trip
- 6 to seven hours
- Elevation: 5,882 m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Nurbu la - Chisumle - Umling la (world's highest motor-able pass) - Photi la
On Day 11th, get ready to conquer the world's highest motor-able pass, Umling la, at 5,882 m. It’s higher than Mount Everest Base Camp, which has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records (GWR). Experience a 360° view of the Himalayan ranges.
On this special day, you will start your morning ride at 07:30 to reach Umling la before lunch. Throughout the ride, this journey offers one of the stunning landscapes of the Himalayan ranges. Upon reaching the pass, it will capture your daring achievements and realize the daring triumph of your endeavor.
On the return ride, you will take another route via Photi la at 5,530 m to reach your hotel in Hanle. This route also provides a serpentine ride experience with different mountain views and landscapes.
Day 12: Hanle - Leh (245 km / 152.24 miles)
- 7 to eight hours
- Elevation: 3,500m
- Hotel
- Meals
- Highlights: Loma Bend - Nyoma - Mahy bridge - Chumathang - Upshi
How quickly these 11 days of adventure expedition have passed! On Day 12th, saddle up and ride back to the capital city of Ladakh via Mahe bridge. On the way, you will cross many remote picturesque villages in Chumathang Valley and stop in Upshi for lunch. At the end of the day, check-in at your pre-booked hotel in Leh town.
After completing the sensational expedition of Ladakh, Himalayas, you'll have the evening to enjoy the farewell dinner with India Motorbike Tours' cruise team, wherein the group will share memorable moments of the adventurous expedition.
Day 13: Drop off at Leh airport
- Elevation: 3,500 m
This day, it’ll be time to say goodbye to the mountains' state and proceed to Leh airport to catch a flight back to Delhi, with bags of memories and exciting stories to recount. India Motorbike Tours' services conclude at this point. They would like to thank you for giving them the opportunity to serve you, looking forward to more opportunities in future.
Instructors
Sandy
Since the day he was born Sandy has spent every day immersed in the foothills of Himalayas. It felt like his backyard and the gorgeous rivers bank were his playground. His passion is to showcase this wonderland to the rest of the world. So he started working as a tour leader some 10 years ago in these mountains. He loves to meet other people and learn about the rest of the world. He loves Himalaya!
Location
India Motorbike Tours' offered trip will give you the opportunity to travel beautiful roads of the northern Indian Himalayas, where you will encounter famous milestones, i.e., Pangong Lake, the world’s highest altitude brackish lake at a height of 4,360 m, as well as the most exciting road from Hanle to Umling la with an elevation of 5,882 m. It is the world’s highest motor-able pass.
On the other hand, Ladakh has a dramatically changing scenery around every turn, ranging from rocky mountains to snowcapped northern Himalayan ranges. It is a much less exploited area and is full of secrets that must be discovered in life.
Whether under twinkling starry skies or at the ancient monasteries of Ladakh Valley - i.e. Shanti Stupa, Diskit, and Thiksey monastery - the oriental magic of Leh Ladakh unfolds everywhere.
This getaway with diverse landscapes and cultural insights will make you feel included into Ladakhies' way of life, and will prove to be a delightful and memorable holiday that you will never forget. Book your spot and enjoy this unforgettable tour. For all travelers and motorcyclist enthusiasts, this tour is the ultimate all-around experience.
Food
Included are buffet dinners / breakfasts at hotel / camps (except in Delhi), mineral water bottle per person per day, and non-alcoholic welcome drinks on arrival at hotels / camps. North Indian, continental, Chinese, and Tibetan food will be served during the stay. India Motorbike Tours promises that you will love it (especially the Indian cuisine).
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- Royal Enfield 411cc Himalayan motorbike as per plan
- Fuel / gasoline for motorbike as per above tour plan
- Certified Royal Enfield mechanic for the entire trip
- Essential spare parts for any breakdown
- English-speaking route guide with expert knowledge of the terrain
- 4x4 support vehicle to carry extra fuel and luggage
- Inner line and wildlife entry fee permit
- Monuments and monasteries' entrance fees
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- First aid and oxygen cylinder during the tour
- Delhi to Shimla transfer by sedan car or private minibus
- Airport transfer with traditional welcome
- Airport transfers in Leh
- 12 nights premium accommodation at hotels / resort / Swiss camp
- Non-alcoholic welcome drinks on arrival at hotels / camps
- Buffet dinners / breakfasts at hotel / camps (except Delhi)
- Mineral water bottle per person per day
- All presently applicable taxes
What's not included
- International and domestic airfares
- Monuments guide and camera fee
- Lunch and soft / hard beverages
- Damage protection (DP) - 150 USD
- Motorbike damage (not applicable if you opted for DP at 150 USD)
- Riding gears - India Motorbike Tours recommends to carry your own riding gears
- Any type of health / private insurance
- Security deposit (130 USD) per rented motorbike
- Any tips for the guide, driver, and mechanic
- Telephone, laundry, and porterages
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), and unforeseen acts, etc. (to be borne by the traveler directly)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Indira Gandhi International Airport
11 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Transfer from this airport is included. Upon arrival at Delhi international airport, you will have a meet and greet with India Motorbike Tours' representative and then be transferred to your hotel.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.