Name: 17 Day The Route of Buddhism Guided Motorcycle Tour in India
Brand: India Motorbike Tours
Price: 2200 USD
Availability: InStock

Accommodation

Check-in Time:

12:00

You will be staying in 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' topography). The stays are typically furnished with good-quality linen and toiletry kit. All stays are booked with an inclusive buffet dinner and breakfast.

You will stay at the following accommodations along the routes:

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)
Lamayuru - Hotel Namkila or similar (1 night)
Padum - Hotel Omasila or similar (1 night)
Keylong - Tashi Delek or similar (1 night)
Kaza - Sakya Abode or similar (2 nights)
Tabo - Maiterya Regency or similar (1 night)
Kalpa - Hotel Kalpa or similar (1 night)
Shimla - Fairmount Forest Green or similar (2 night)

Program

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. This 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 more than six hours in a day, inclusive of lunch / tea, photography, and other essential stoppage.

Road trip highlights

Guided motorcycle trip with an experienced local team
24x7 support team with 4x4 backup vehicle
Experience unique Tibetan culture
Conquer the most grueling elevated mountain pass, “Khardung la”
Ride to the highest-altitude village in the world, “Komic”
Post a card to your dear one from the world's highest post office, “Hikkim”
Experience the Himalayan village life
Witness the spectacular 360-degree view of Himalayan mountains
Have the chance to spot wildlife in Changthang Valley, Zanskar, Kibber, and Langza
Visit ancient monasteries: Diskit, Thiksey, Lamayuru, Phutal, Key, Dhankar, and Tabo
Worldclass hospitality of Buddhist peoples with delicious food
World's highest salty lake, “Pangong Lake,” which is divided within two countries in Indo-China
World's longest tunnel (9.5 km) at above 3,050m altitude
Topography of the different places presenting mesmerizing views of the northern Himalayas
7 high-altitude rivers: Indus, Shyok, Zanskar, Chandra, Bhaga, Spiti, and Satluj
6 high-altitude mountain passes, including “Khardung la”

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

Brief route plan

Day 1 Arrive in Leh
Day 2 Leh's surroundings
Day 3 Leh - Nubra Valley
Day 4 Nubra Valley - Pangong Lake
Day 5 Pangong Lake - Hanle
Day 6 Ride to Umling Pass
Day 7 Hanle - Leh
Day 8 Leh - Lamayuru
Day 9 Lamayuru - Padum
Day 10 Padum - Keylong
Day 11 Keylong - Kaza
Day 12 Kaza's surroundings
Day 13 Kaza - Tabo
Day 14 Tabo - Kalpa
Day 15 Kalpa - Shimla
Day 16 Day in Shimla
Day 17 Shimla - Delhi drop off

Day 1: Arrive in Leh

Elevation: 3,500m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Acclimatization ride - Shanti Stupa - Leh market

You will go from Tashi Delek to Ladakh, where you will meet and greet with India Motorbike Tours' Ladakhi representative and proceed to your pre-booked hotel. Since Leh is at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level, it is of utmost importance that you walk or roam around in the town to prevent high acute mountain sickness (HAMS).

Post-refreshment / acclimatization, it will be time to get familiar with your machine (the Royal Enfield) as well as mountain traffic. After a test ride, you will return to the hotel. The evening will be free for you to roam around in the colorful market of Leh City.

Day 2: Explore Leh town (60 km / 37.28 miles)

2 to three hours
Elevation: 3,500m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Hemis - Thiksey Monastery - Leh Market

The epic adventurous journey begins with visiting Leh town, i.e., Hemis and Thikshey monastery. A beautiful and magnificent Tibetan town located at a height of 3,500m, this beautiful place has many historical sites to explore, which will help you witness magnifique views of the entire city of Leh, surrounded by the beautiful ranges of snow-capped mountains.

Day 3: Leh - Nubra Valley (130 km / 80.78 miles)

5 to six hours
Elevation: 5,602m
Camp
Meals
Highlights: Khardung la - Nubra Valley - Cold desert

On this day, you will ride over the world's second-highest mountain pass, ‘Khardung la (5,602m). 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, then post-refreshment, 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 4: Nubra Valley - Pangong Lake (180 km / 111.85 miles)

5 to six hours
Elevation: 4,400m
Cottage
Meals
Highlights: Diskit Monastery - Shyok River - Pangong Lake

This day, you'll be off to Pangong Lake, the largest salty water lake in Asia. This lake is situated on the Indian-Chinese border (at a height of 4,360m above sea level).

En route, visit the biggest statue of Buddha in Diskit. You will also stop in Shyok village for lunch with a breathtaking view of the high mountains, then in the late afternoon, reach the campsite. After refreshments at the campsite, witness the unforgettable sunset view at Pangong Lake.

Day 5: Pangong Lake - Hanle (180 km / 111.85 miles)

5 to six hours
Elevation: 4,500m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Chushul War Memorial - Rezang la - Tsaga la - Astronomical observatory

Say goodbye to Pangong Lake and ride towards Hanle to conquer the world's highest motorable pass (5,882m). You must start early from Pangong to reach Hanle before sunset.

The ride will also go through 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.

Reach Hanle in the late afternoon. It has one of the best landscapes, which you could not imagine even in your dream. Overnight stay will be at a homestay / cottage in the remotest place.

Day 6: Ride to Umling La (135 km / 83.86 miles) roundtrip

6 to seven hours
Elevation: 5,882m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Nurbu la - Chisumle - Umling la (world's highest motor-able pass) - Photi la

On Day 6, your dream will come true as this day, you will ride to the world's highest motor-able pass, “Umling la," at 5,882m. It’s higher than Mount Everest Base Camp, which has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records (GWR). There, you will experience a 360° view of the Himalayan ranges.

On this special day, you will start your ride in the morning at 07:30 to reach Umling la before lunch. Throughout the ride, the journey will offer one of the stunning landscapes of Himalayan ranges. Upon reaching Umling la, capture your daring achievements and realize the daring triumph of your endeavor.

On the return ride, you will take another route via Photi la 5,530m to reach back to the hotel in Hanle. This route will also provide a serpentine ride experience, with different mountain views and landscapes.

Day 7: Hanle - Leh (245 km / 152.24 miles)

7 to eight hours
Elevation: 3,500m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Loma Bend - Nyoma - Mahy bridge - Chumathang - Upshi

On Day 7, 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. The evening will be at your leisure to explore Leh market or get relaxed at the charming hotel.

Day 8: Leh - Lamayuru (115 km / 75.46 miles)

3 to four hourrs
Elevation: 4,265m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Indus River - Magenetic Hill - Sangam - Lamayuru monastery

Post-breakfast, ride towards Lamayuru (known as moonland). The route is the most scenic, going through the bank of Indus River. It’s approximately 115 kilometers long and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

On the way, stop in Magnetic Hill and the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers. In the afternoon, reach Lamayuru. Post-refreshments at the hotel, visit Lamayuru monastery, one of the oldest and largest monasteries in the region.

Day 9: Lamayuru - Padum (215 km / 133.6 miles)

7 to eight hours
Elevation: 3,670m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Zanskar River - Wanla - Hanupatta - Sirsir la - Photoksar - Singe la - Padum

High on Himalayas will be the theme of the day, as on this day, you will ride on the toughest route of Zanskar Valley. It is total wilderness with no human habitations, except for a few tiny food stalls on the road.

Greenery will totally disappear. Expect no traffic, barring the random Sumo / Scorpio taxi (playing between Leh to Padum). This will be a truly cliffhanger drive - the road cuts out of the cliffs, hugging the River Zanskar, which is in full spate. In the late afternoon, reach Padum, the principal town of Zanskar Valley.

Day 10: Padum - Keylong (180 km / 111.85 miles)

5 to six hours
Elevation 5,100m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Bardan monastery - Gombo Rongjan - Shinku La - Darhca - Jispa

How quickly these nine days of adventure expedition have passed! On Day 10, you will ride towards Keylong, the last leg of the Ladkakh and Zanskar ride will be a bit hard but with the best landscape. It will take time to cross Shinku la pass (5,100m), picturesque grand mountain Gombo Rongjan (Mahakal), and a few scenic villages, i.e., Darcha and Jispa.

In the afternoon, reach Keylong. On arrival at the hotel, check-in and get refreshed. The evening will be at your leisure.

Day 11: Keylong - Kunzum Pass - Kaza (190 km / 118.06 miles)

6 to seven hours
Elevation: 4,587m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Off road - Kunzum Pass - Asia's highest suspension bridge, “Chicham”

This day, you will start towards Kaza, another spell of Trans-Himalaya journey. Keylong to Kaza is approximately 190 km and it’ll take at least seven to eight hours to complete the journey because of its challenging terrain.

It is definitely one of the most adventurous rides in the entire northern Himalayas but despite all encounters, it is also the most beautiful ride you’ll witness in a lifetime.

On the way, you will take a few stops for tea / snacks. Upon reaching Kunzum pass atop 4,590m, you'll stop there and pay regards at Kunzum Mata Temple (the temple of goddess Kaali) for a safe journey. This temple, situated amidst the snow-covered mountains and blue sky, will look completely enthralling.

Later, you will continue your ride towards Kaza via Asia's highest suspension bridge, i.e., Chicham, located above the Samba Lamba nallah. At the end of the day, you will reach Kaza Hotel.

Day 12: Explore Kaza's surroundings (80 km / 49.70 miles)

4 to five hours
Elevation: 4,585m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Ki Gompa - Langza - Komic - Hikkim (world's highest post office)

This day will start with visiting Key Monastery, the biggest monastery of Spiti Vallley, situated on a hilltop at around 4,165m above sea level. It will be a lifetime spiritual experience. Next, the incredible climb will take you towards the biggest statue of Buddha, where you can witness the 360-degree view of Himalayan peaks.

Later, you will continue riding through a single black serpentine tarmac towards Komic (world's highest-altitude motor-able village), where you can spend some memorable moments admiring the Gaya Peak (6,000m).

You will then continue towards Hikkim village. It has the world's highest altitude post office at 4,440m. As evening falls, you will return to Kaza and call it a day.

Day 13: Kaza - Tabo (70 km / 43.5 miles)

4 to five hours
Elevation: 3,900m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Lallung Village - Dhankar Monastery - Tabo Monastery

This day, tranquility will start your ride towards Tabo. You will ride through the few unexplored ancient villages and monasteries, i.e., Lallung monastery, situated in Lingti Valley and lying at an altitude of 3,700m.

Next, continue towards Dhankar Monastery at 3,900m. It’s a castle-structure monastery on a cliff, giving a breathtaking view of Spiti River. The 360-degree topography from the monastery will be an everlasting impression.

Leave Dhankar for Tabo, a historical Ajanta of Himalayas site situated at an altitude of 3,280m. On arrival, check-in at the pre-booked hotel near the monastery. You'll also have an evening visit to a 1,028-year-old Tabo monastery, "the place of happiness."

Day 14: Tabo – Kalpa (160 km / 99.42 miles)

5 to six hours
Elevation: 2,960m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Khab (confluence of Satluj and Spiti River) - Pooh - Nako - Sumdho

A fairytale journey will begin as this day, you will be heading to Kalpa, which is situated in Kinnaur Valley. En route, admire the serenity of the village lives of Pooh and Sumdho. Interestingly, these scenic villages are situated on the bank of River Spiti.

Stop for lunch in the pretty and unspoiled town of Nako. Then, an enchanting experience will await you as you make your way towards Kalpa, an enchanting village nestled in the towering, white blanket-wrapped, holy Kinnaur Kailash mountains.

Day 15: Kalpa - Shimla (200 km / 124.27 miles)

6 to seven hours
Elevation: 2,300m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Rampur Bushehar - Satluj River - Fagu - Shimla

After breakfast, you will proceed towards Shimla (the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, also known as the summer capital of the British Era). This day's ride will have you going through the jaw-dropping beauty of Kinnaur Valley and traversing apple orchards.

On the way, you will stop in Sainj village for brilliant food. At the end of the day, you will reach Shimla and check-in at pre-booked hotels.

After completing the sensational motorbike expedition, there will be a farewell dinner with India Motorbike Tours' cruise members while all participants share their memorable moments of Trans-Himalaya journey.

Day 16: Day at your leisure in Shimla

Elevation: 2,300m
Hotel
Meals
Highlights: Jakhu Temple - Shimla Mall Road

This day, you will be free to visit the heart of the town, “The Mall Road.” It is one of the busiest commercial areas of Shimla. It was built by the British during the colonial rule in India.

Entry of vehicles is banned, hence people love to go to that place to walk around for shopping and try local cuisine. The Mall Road market has a number of restaurants that offers a wide range of Indian and continental cuisines.

Day 17: Shimla - Delhi Airport

6 to seven hours
Elevation: 230m
Highlights: Solan - Chandigarh

This day it’ll be time to say goodbye to the mountain state and drive back to Delhi airport to catch an international flight, with unforgettable memories and exciting stories to recount.

India Motorbike Tours' services conclude here. They would like to thank you for giving them the opportunity to serve you, and are looking forward for 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

In this tour, you will come across Leh, Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Changla, Lamayuru, Photoksar, Sirsir la, Singe La, Padum, Purne, Gombo Rongzon, Shinku La, Jispa, Kunzum pass, Kaza, Tabo, Kalpa, and finally, the tourist hotspot, Shimla. These fabulous spots captivate you together with the fantastic landscape.

You will discover three diversely beautiful Himalayan regions, i.e., Ladakh, Zanskar, and Himachal Pradesh. The erstwhile Buddhist kingdom, Ladakh, and the home of Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh, portray their entire diversity of culture and naturally crafted landscape.

From an adventure point of view, this tour offers the dazzling roads of the northern Himalayas, as well as gives the opportunity to explore its ancient monasteries and natural wonders with spectacular panoramic vistas!

This dramatically changing scenery will take you through six high-altitude mountain passes including the most emblematic world's highest, Khardung La (elevation 5,602m), and the second highest, Chang La (elevation 5,360m).

There is much more to see whilst riding, namely: Nubra Valley, a lovely experience of Himalayan cold desert, the un-imaginary world’s famous Pangong Lake (elevation 4,225m), which lies between Indo-China territory, the Zangla, a flatland of Zanskar Himalayas, and the Dhankar gompa, a mesmerizing view of Spiti Valley.

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Food

You'll have non-alcoholic welcome drinks on arrival at hotels / camps, as well as buffet dinners / breakfasts at hotels / camps (except in Delhi). Mineral water bottle will also be provided per person per day. 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)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

Royal Enﬁeld 411cc Himalayan motorbike as per plan
Fuel / gasoline for motorbike as per the 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
Spare ride during the ride (in any emergency)
Spare seats in escort vehicle (in any emergency)
Inner-line and wildlife entry fee permit
Monuments and monasteries' entrances fee
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Shimla to Delhi transfer by sedan car or private minibus
First aid and oxygen cylinder during the tour
All presently applicable taxes
Airport transfer with traditional welcome in Leh
16 nights premium accommodation at hotels / resorts / Swiss camps
Non-alcoholic welcome drinks on arrival at hotels / camps
Buffet dinners / breakfasts at hotel / camps (except Delhi)
Mineral water bottle per person per day

What's not included

International and domestic airfare
Monuments guide and Camera fee
Lunch and soft / hard beverages
Damage protection (DP) - 150 USD
Motorbike damage (not applicable if you have 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), other unforeseen acts, etc. (to be borne by the traveler directly)

How to get there

Recommended Airports

DEL

Indira Gandhi International Airport

623 km

Transfer not provided

IXL

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

4 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Kindly arrive in Delhi one day before to allow yourself flexible time to make the connection Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh to report at the location. Airport transfer with traditional welcome in Leh is included.

Airport transfer included: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

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.

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