Ladakh Trans Himalayan Motorcycle Tour

Ladakh Trans Himalayan Motorcycle Tour

Ladakh is the highest plateau in India and the name itself means land of high passes. This is a beautiful, high and remote borderland area of the Western Himalaya with unmistakable Buddhist influence. Located in the northeastern corner of India and nestled between the world's two highest mountain ranges of the Himalaya and the Karakorum, this is a wonderfully remote wilderness region where you'll find soaring mountain peaks, high Himalayan passes, stark arid plains and ancient monasteries and settlements. It’s a wonderful place for great trekking and tours particularly during the Summer and early Autumn months and is very much influenced by Tibetan and Buddhist culture.

You’ll ride along the Leh Manali Highway, that connects Manali in Himachal Pradesh and Leh in Ladakh and the Manali - Solang Valley to the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys in Himachal to the Zanskar Valley. The Highway is only open for a few months each year and is flanked by the high Himalayan and mighty Karakoram mountain ranges and offers spectacular views.

A real highlight of this trip is crossing 4 high mountain passes including the ultimate, the Khardung La pass, the highest motorable pass in the world at an altitude of 5604m. From the top of the pass you’ll be able to enjoy amazing views across the Indus Valley and the Zanskar Range.

You’ll also visit key sites along the way including renowned Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries, explore the picturesque towns of Manali and Mandi and travel through varied landscapes of lush valleys, high altitude lakes, waterfalls, ancient monasteries, temples and fortresses, lofty glaciers and soaring snow-capped Himalayan peaks. You’ll get a real insight into local culture too, which is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture. Throughout, you’ll be accompanied by an experienced local guide, including an experienced biking guide, mechanic and support vehicle and team during biking days.

Itinerary

• Day 01

  Arrive Delhi (300m)

  Welcome to Delhi! You'll be met by one of our local representatives who’ll be waiting for you after you’ve gone through immigration formalities and baggage collection. He or she will accompany you on the short drive to your hotel and assist with check in. The rest of your day is at leisure to rest and relax before your tour fully begins tomorrow. Overnight Delhi. Overnight: 5 star Vivanta by Taj hotel, Delhi.

• Day 02

  Delhi sightseeing

  India’s capital city, Delhi, is actually a unique and fascinating blend of two very different cities, each with its own distinctive flavour and character. No visit to India is complete without visiting these two complementary halves, both Old and New. Today is a good chance to explore some of the key sites of Old and New Delhi as well as start to get to know the rest of your group. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat this morning, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, by the banks of the Yamuna River. From here we drive past the Red Fort en route to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and a key site in Delhi, which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet. From here we head towards the spice market, a highlight of Old Delhi, for a rikshaw ride through the narrow old streets and a great way to experience this area. After visiting Old Delhi, it’s a short drive to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind in its architecture and layout. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The walled Old city is all tradition and a place where ancient ways of life can still be experienced in all its facets and colours and bustle. New Delhi in contrast, is a modern cosmopolitan city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. Here you’ll visit the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India with building started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. It’s a key landmark as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. From here we continue, to visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the world-famous Taj Mahal. During the tour we also drive past the imposing India Gate, designed by Lutyens in 1921 as well as the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence. Later this evening we’ve arranged a welcome dinner in a local restaurant as another chance to get to know your group, as well as enjoy the delicious local food, before we leave Delhi tomorrow. Overnight Delhi. Overnight: 5 star Vivanta by Taj hotel, Delhi. (Meals: B, D – please note dinner for the group will be at a local restaurant this evening not at your hotel).

• Day 03

  Delhi to Chandigarh (330m) by train and drive to Nalagarh (2206m) - 65km, approximately 1.30 hrs drive

  This morning you’ll be picked up for the transfer to the train station in time to board the train to Chandigarh. It’s just under 3 hours to reach Chandigarh from where it’s a short 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive to Nalagarh. Nalagarh Fort Resort is located atop a hillside with panoramic views of the Shivalik Hills. The resort is surrounded by green hills and rises above the 20 acre estate of forest and orchards, built on five levels, two of which have well-manicured lawns. The fort and the palace of Nalagarh have a series of structures that are mostly built in the Mughal style of architecture, which have been extensively renovated into a quality heritage resort where we’ll stay overnight. After time to check in and get refreshed, this afternoon it’s time for handover of the bikes and to take a test ride. We provide Royal Enfield 450 CC Himalayan bikes for this trip as these are the best for the terrain. You’ll also be accompanied by an experienced English speaking biking guide, mechanic and a support vehicle for luggage and spares. Overnight at Nalagarh Fort Resort. (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 04

  Ride Nalagarh to Mandi (760m) - 205km, approximately 5 hrs

  Today we leave Nalagarh for the ride of around 5 hours towards Mandi, stopping en route for a light lunch. Mandi, located in the sacred land of Rishi Mandvya, is known as the Kashi of Himachal Pradesh. The town is dotted with 81 temples which are the finest monuments of hill architecture. Mandi district has many high-altitude lakes, snowy mountains, dense deodar forests, lush green valleys, velvety pastures and unbeaten trekking routes passing across wild flower meadows. Reaching the town we’ll check in and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to rest and relax or explore locally before or after dinner this evening Overnight: Visco Resort (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 05

  Ride Mandi to Manali (2050m) - 110km, approximately 4 hrs

  This morning we ride towards Manali, which is 1896 m above sea level and situated at the northern end of the pretty Kullu valley. Manali is another picturesque little town bustling with activity and is the most popular place in the Himachal Pradesh region during the summer season. Manali was also very popular on the 1970s hippy trail, with many including The Beatles hanging out here. Around Manali, nature has lavished the region with beautiful forests, waterfalls, green slopes, rivulets and soaring snow-covered mountain peaks. Manali also boasts of a Mountaineering Institute, which imparts training in mountaineering, skiing and other adventure activities. Reaching Manali, there’s plenty to explore locally or rest and relax at the hotel. Overnight: Manuallaya Resort (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 06

  Manali (2050m)

  After breakfast today we’ll visit Naggar (1800m), around 22km from Kullu, Naggar was the former capital of the Kullu Rajas (rulers) util A.D. 1660. The ancient castle, now converted into a tourist accommodation, overlooks the entire Beas Valley. Nicholas Roerich, the famous Russian painter and philosopher lived here and his quaint little house has been converted into a small museum. There are two old temples near the castle. After time here we return to Manali for an afternoon guided walking tour of Old Manali, where you’ll see the old traditional wooden houses and nice wood carving temples. Rest and relax this evening. Overnight: Manuallaya Resort (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 07

  Ride Manali to Jispa (3200m) via the Atal Tunnel (3100m) - 140km, approximately 6 hrs

  After an early breakfast we ride towards Jespa, a small village in the Lahaul region in the stunning Spiti Valley, our route taking us through the Atal Tunnel, at over 3100m and the highest single tube tunnel in the world. Today we’ll cross another high mountain pass, the Rohtang La (3900m) which connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. From the pass we’ll have wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding snow capped peaks and glaciers. The Spiti Valley is a high-altitude mountain desert with lunar like terrain as well as high passes, glaciers and water crossings. Enroute, we visit Sisu and Keylong villages. The lofty Shingri Glacier is seen in all its grandeur here, its high passes standing between the locals and the wider world. The name "Spiti" means "the middle land" - the land between Tibet and India and this region is less visited. Reaching Jispa we’ll rest overnight with the rest of today to relax and perhaps explore locally. Overnight: Padma Lodge (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 08

  Ride Jispa to Sarchu (4201m) - 98km, approximately 5 hrs

  After an early breakfast we ride towards Sarchu. Situated on the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, Sarchu is an important stop point on the Leh -Manali Highway, located between the high Himalayan mountain passes of the Baralacha La and the Lachlung La. It’s a starkly beautiful location and was once an important point on the ancient silk trading route, still a busy and important place today with traders, nomads and adventurers, especially during the May to September period when the snow melts and the Leh -Manali highway is open to traffic. Sarchu is also an important start point for treks to Zanskar. Overnight: Adventure camp (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 09

  Ride Sarchu to Leh (3500m) - 253km, approximately 8 hrs

  After breakfast we ride towards Leh, the capital and gateway to Ladakh. The Zanskar Range remains to be crossed and this takes two more passes, the La Chung-La (5059m) and the Tanglang La (5325m). Leh is rapidly spreading in all directions from its original position beneath the long abandoned Namgyal Palace. While the town has come a long way from the days when polo was played on its main street, Leh still remains a pleasant, traditional Himalayan town. Overnight: Hotel Kanglachen or similar (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 10

  Leh (3500m) – visit Shankar (5359m), Spituk (3307m) and Phyang (3500m) monasteries

  This morning is free to rest and relax. This afternoon we’ll ride out to visit Shankar Monastery - a relativity modern monastery, it is closely associated with Spituk monastery and serves as the residence of the head priest. A number of gold icons are to be found here. Just 8km from Leh, Spituk monastery stands prominently on the top of a hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley, with views for miles. Many icons of Buddha as well as fine thangkas are to be found in this 15th century gompa (monastery). The gompa also houses collections of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakli. We’ll also visit Phyang Monastery which is 17kms from the Leh-Kargil road, built by Tashi Namgyal in the latter half of the 16th century AD. It belongs to the Red Cap Sect of Buddhism and there are hundreds of icons of Buddha and other gods kept here. After our monastery visit we ride back to Leh to relax for the evening. Overnight: Hotel Kanglachen or similar (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 11

  Leh to Hemis, Shey and Thiksey Monasteries (3657m)

  After breakfast today it’s a full day as we ride out to visit the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas & monasteries of Hemis, Shey and Thiksey. Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas (monasteries) in Ladakh. There are several temples here to explore and enjoy the exquisite images, stupas and wall paintings of Lord Buddha. From Thiksey we continue to nearby Shey village where you'll be able to visit Shey Palace and Gompa. Situated on a hillside 15 kms upstream from Leh, this was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power in pre-Tibetan times. Here you'll see the impressive 7.5 m high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind. After time to explore, we continue the ride to reach Hemis monastery, one of the most famous monasteries of Ladakh. Hemis Gompa is the wealthiest, best known and largest monastery of Ladakh and is also the site of the large annual summer festival, held to honour Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. Hemis also has the largest Thangka in Ladakh (a thangka is a large, hand painted pictorial religious scroll) which is unfurled only once every 12 years. Hemis monastery was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. This evening before returning to the hotel, we visit the magnificent Shanti Stupa, a large white domed Buddhist stupa. Rest and relax overnight. Overnight: Hotel Kanglachen or similar (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 12

  Ride Leh to Khardung La (5604m) – 41km one way, approximately 2-3 hrs each way

  Today is a key highlight of the trip as we ride from Leh to the Khardung La before returning to Leh. It will take around 2 to 3 hrs to ride the 41 km climb of 2200 m. The last 10 kms are unsurfaced road and is the ultimate challenge of the trip. The Khardung La is the last of the 5 high mountain passes on this trip and is the highest motorable pass in the world taking you to dizzying 5604m. The view from the top is spectacular, stretching from the Indus valley in the south over the endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar Range to the giants of the Saser Massif in the North. You can feel proud of a true achievement as you finish the trip with your final satisfying descent. On return to Leh it’s time to handover the motorbikes this evening before enjoying a group farewell dinner on our last night in Ladakh. Overnight: Hotel Kanglachen or similar (Meals: B, L, D)

• Day 13

  Fly Leh to Delhi

  This morning is free until time to check out and your transfer to airport for your short flight on towards Delhi. Depending on flight times for your dates of travel, it may mean an early start but it's worth it for the spectacular flight over the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Arriving in Delhi, you’ll be met by one of our local representatives who’ll assist with your transfer drive and check in to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to rest and relax, perhaps do some last minute shopping or exploring locally or simply relax in the hotel or by the pool. Overnight Delhi. Overnight: 5 star Vivanta by Taj hotel, Delhi. (Meals: B)

• Day 14

  Depart Delhi

  This morning is free until time to check out and your transfer to the International Airport for your departure flight home or onward to your next destination. (Meals: B)