Motorbike Touring
The classic trans-Himalayan ride, 12 days and roughly 2,000 km on a Royal Enfield Himalayan. Start in the green meadows of Sonamarg, cross the Zoji La to Kargil and Leh, ride over the Khardung La to Nubra, take the remote Shyok road to Pangong Tso, then head deep into Changthang to Hanle and the Umling La (5,799m), the highest motorable road in the world. The trip finishes down the Leh–Manali highway over the Tanglang La, More Plains, Gata Loops and Baralacha La, through the Atal Tunnel to Manali.
Arrive at Srinagar airport by noon and transfer 80 km to Sonamarg. Meet the team and your fellow riders in the evening for the trip briefing, group formation and riding rules. Overnight in a hotel.
The first day on the Srinagar–Leh highway, 125 km over the Zoji La (3,528m), a pass that tests your riding on any given day. Stop at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass to pay homage to the Indian Army. Overnight in a hotel in Kargil.
A 220 km ride past the rock-carved Maitreya Buddha at Mulbekh, over the Namika La and Fotu La, and through the moonland landscape around Lamayuru monastery. Stop at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the Sangam, the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar, before reaching Leh. Overnight in a hotel.
Ride 125 km over the Khardung La (5,359m) to the Nubra valley, where desert, mountains and river meet. See the Bactrian camels on the Hunder dunes and the 32m Maitreya Buddha at Diskit, Nubra's oldest and largest monastery. Overnight in a camp or guesthouse.
The most remote ride of the trip, 145 km along the Shyok river road with water crossings, dry riverbeds and stretches of road that barely exist, to the shores of Pangong Tso. Overnight in a lakeside camp.
Ride 200 km south along the lake and through Chushul, past the Rezang La war memorial into the Changthang region. Hanle is home to a 17th-century Drukpa monastery with views over the whole valley, and the Indian Astronomical Observatory at about 4,500m, one of the highest in the world. Overnight in a guesthouse.
A 180 km round trip to the Umling La (5,799m / 19,024 ft), the highest motorable road in the world and higher than Everest Base Camp. Stop for tea at the café on the way before riding back to Hanle. Overnight in a homestay.
A 260 km ride back to Leh along the Indus, stopping at Thiksey monastery, the Shakyamuni Buddha at Shey Palace, once Ladakh's summer capital, and the Druk White Lotus School, the 'Rancho's school' of the film 3 Idiots. Overnight in a hotel.
A day off the bike to rest, get the bikes serviced for the ride south, and explore Leh's old town, Shanti Stupa and the market at your own pace. Overnight in a hotel.
Ride 220 km down the Leh–Manali highway over the Tanglang La (5,328m), across the 40 km More Plains at about 4,800m, past Pang and over the Lachulung La and Nakee La, then down the 21 hairpins of the Gata Loops to the high plateau of Sarchu on the Ladakh–Himachal border. Overnight in a camp.
A rough 250 km day with water crossings and unpaved stretches over the Baralacha La (4,890m), past Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal, through Zing Zing Bar, Darcha, Jispa, Keylong and Tandi. Ride through the 9.02 km Atal Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel above 10,000 ft in the world, and back into green valleys to Manali. Overnight in a hotel.
Check out at 10 am after breakfast and leave your luggage at the hotel cloakroom. Spend the day exploring Manali, then board the overnight Volvo semi-sleeper bus to Delhi (530 km).
More motorbike touring
ChallengingA 10-day ride that starts and ends in Leh and takes in the best of eastern Ladakh on a Royal Enfield Himalayan. Cross the Khardung La to Nubra and the Balti village of Turtuk, ride the Shyok road to Pangong Tso, then head through Changthang to Hanle and the Umling La (5,799m), the highest motorable road in the world. From the high lake of Tso Moriri, follow the Indus back to Leh past the hot springs of Chumathang.
Tell us your dates and interests — we'll reply with a tailored itinerary.
