The Indian Himalaya Bike tour is a mystical river journey from Leh to the wild Zanskar Valley, hidden in the remotest riches of the Himalayas. Get ready to ride through barren, rocky valleys and passes and to the ultimate high point, Khardung La.
-Key information
*Terrain: 60% tarmac, 40 % off road
*Bike: rental bike (411cc Royal Enfield Himalayan or 500cc Royal Enfield Classic )
*Mileage: 1200 kilometers / 746 miles
*Daily rides: 100 kilometers / 62 miles
*Riding gear: included: standard size helmet (used) and gloves (used); available to rent: riding jacket or shoes
*Meals: all breakfasts and dinners
When choosing a destination for your backpacking trip, it is important to consider the level of difficulty of the trail and the weather conditions. Some popular backpacking destinations include national parks, wilderness areas, and mountain ranges. It is also important to obtain any necessary permits and to be aware of any regulations or rules for the area you plan to visit.
On arrival in Leh, you will be transferred to the hotel and have free time for the remainder of the morning to acclimatize to the elevation of 3,600 meters. In the afternoon, you’ll meet to prepare for the Himalaya motorcycle tour and have a group welcome dinner in the evening.
Your first excursion with your Enfield motorcycles to Ladakh’s most famous monasteries, Hemis and Thikse. That evening, you’ll be having an Indian tandoori dinner in the beer garden restaurant
At the start of the Himalayan tour, you’ll visit the ruins of the ancient Basgo Royal Fortress and the picturesque Likir Monastery with its huge, free-standing snake Buddha on the way to Alchi. You’ll spend the night in a basic guest house in Alchi (3,200 meters), an oasis on the Indus River which is home to the oldest monastery in Ladakh. Your catering crew will pamper you today for the first time.
You’ll pass the impressive Lamayuru Monastery and visit it on the way back, continuing ever upwards to Fatu La pass (4,000 meters). You’ll then descend into Baltistan Valley to the garrison city Kargil, the gateway to Zanskar Valley. A hotel at the bazaar (2,600 meters) will be your home for the night.
Through the beautiful, wild Suru Valley, you’ll be leaving paved roads behind today, continuing on a dusty track on your motorcycles, at average speeds of around 20 kilometers per hour. Ascending to the herdsman’s village of Parkachik, you’ll set up camp in a meadow at 3,900 meters, surrounded by towering mountains.
Today, you’ll ascend the adventurous track further until you reach Penzi La pass (4,401 meters) and visit the tiny Rangdum Mountain Monastery before descending along a huge glacier at the entrance to Zanskar Valley. You’ll be camping on a mountain meadow at the Zanskar River at nearly 4,000 meters.
Around noon, you’ll reach Padum, the only small town in Zanskar. Only around 1,000 people live here in the summer. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Karsha Monastery, a medieval oasis of peace and an important center of the Buddhist faith.
You’ll be spending the night in the best guest house in Zanskar, the basic but comfortable Hotel Ibex at an altitude of approximately 3,500 meters.
Today, you’ll be heading out to the Thongde Monastery, which overlooks the Zanskar River from a rocky outcrop a special highlight of the Himalayan bike tour and the favorite of the pilot group in 2006. The afternoon is set aside for relaxing in the hotel garden and shopping in Padum. Dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Your return trip of the motorcycle tour of the Indian Himalayas starts with a longer ride. You’ll be crossing Penzi La pass (4,401 meters) and spending another night camped on a meadow near Parkachik Glacier.
Descending through Suru Valley on your motorcycles to Kargil, you’ll come across your first filling station in 550 kilometers! Crossing the Fatu La Pass, you’ll reach the Lamayuru Monastery, setting up your camp there at an altitude of around 3,800 meters.
You’ll have the opportunity to witness the morning meditation in the monastery an unforgettable experience. Next, a steep descent to the Indus Valley. Your next track starts at the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
The 40-kilometer ride along the wild Zanskar River to Chilling, a village of coppersmiths, is one of the most breathtaking motorcycle routes anywhere in the Himalayas! You’ll be reaching Leh the end of your motorcycle tour in the late afternoon.
Today you’ll be reaching the high point of your Himalaya bike tour literally. You will be riding 50 kilometers on the road and 2,000 meters ascent to Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world.
There’s nothing else like it! There will be time for relaxation and shopping in the afternoon, followed by a farewell dinner with the crew.
Early morning transfer to airport for onward connection.
We have you covered! We will email you as items in your order ship, or if there are updates on the status of your order. Can’t find the email?Click here to check the status of your order.
We have you covered! We will email you as items in your order ship, or if there are updates on the status of your order. Can’t find the email?Click here to check the status of your order.
We have you covered! We will email you as items in your order ship, or if there are updates on the status of your order. Can’t find the email?Click here to check the status of your order.
We have you covered! We will email you as items in your order ship, or if there are updates on the status of your order. Can’t find the email?Click here to check the status of your order.
We have you covered! We will email you as items in your order ship, or if there are updates on the status of your order. Can’t find the email?Click here to check the status of your order.
