Yeah, I want to hear ALL about it!
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From US$ 2,900
Per Person
Top of the World
Ladakh, Land of High Mountain Passes where spectacular high altitude desert plains are dominated by the towering, snowcapped mountains of the Indian Himalayas. It is home to many an ancient Buddhist Monastery and a place where nomads still roam. The Ladakhis are predominantly Buddhists from Mongolian, Aryan-Indo and Tibetan descent. Trade was largely responsible for their livelihood, due to their location on the Silk Route. Aside from trade, the Ladakh people make a living with agriculture and shepherding and with the closure of the Chinese-controlled Tibet border to the east and the Pakistan border to the north, tourism has also developed into an income.
Ladakh is the 2nd coldest inhabited place on earth after Siberia. Winter temperatures can plummet to -35°C, although thankfully for us, summers are quite mild and vary between 15°C-30°C during daytime and down to a possible 5°C at night. Thanks to the Great Himalayas in the east that provide a rain shadow keeping the monsoon and snow out, building the roads we so love to ride was possible.
We will commence our journey flying into Leh, Ladakhs’ capital which is cut off by road from mid-October to late May due to snow and landslides. From here we’ll go on a Himalayan motorcycle adventure to discover crystal-clear, turquoise coloured high altitude lakes and rare wetlands of the Indo-Tibet frontier in Changthang (the land of Tibetan Nomads). We’ll ride where very few dare to ride because these are the worlds’ highest motorable roads.
Tour at a Glance
| Region of Country | Leh & Ladakh (the land of high passes and lakes) |
| Period | June – September |
| Duration | 11 Days 10 Nights |
| Riding Days | 9 Days |
| Accommodation | Hotels, Guest Houses and Permanent Tented Camps |
| Motorbike | Royal Enfield ‘Bullet’ 500cc / Himalayan 410cc |
| Level of Difficulty | Challenging |
| Max. Altitude Reached | 5602m |
| Max. Sleeping Altitude | 4572m |
| Average Daily Distance | 157km |
| Total Distance | 1260km |
| Fitness Level | Moderate to Tough |
Highlights
- Ride the legendary Royal Enfield “Bullet”
- Navigate over Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable road, on two wheels
- Experience ancient Buddhist Monasteries and Hindu temples
- Traverse the ancient Silk Route road
- Mind-blowing views of and staying next to the high-altitude lakes
- Interact with rare Tibetan nomads
Day 1 – Arrive in New Delhi, India
A Motorcycle Expeditions representative will meet and greet you at the airport IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport). From here, you’ll be transferred by private bus or taxi to your hotel in New Delhi for an overnight stay.
Day 2 – Fly to Leh (3500m, 1-2hrs)
From Delhi, a short (±1hr), but visually stunning flight over the snowcapped Himalayas will deliver you to Leh. Here you will be met and transported to a hotel by the Motorcycle Expeditions team. Rest and gentle exercise are the order of the day, as your acclimatisation to altitude begins. In the afternoon you will be presented with your motorcycle and take an introductory ride. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3 – Leh to Lamayuru (3390m, 150kms, 3-4hrs)
We’ll ride over several small passes, across desert plains and past vivid, mind-boggling rockscapes and eventually witness sunset in the idyllic setting of the 1000 year old Lamayuru Monastery. The evening can then be spent exploring the monastery, or simply taking in the ancient Stupas around the settlement and the radiant rock formations. … or just kick back with a beer amid the scenery. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel near the monastery.
Day 4 – Lamayuru Monastery to Leh via Alchi (3500m, 150km, 3-4hrs)
After breakfast we’ll ride the road back to Leh but we’ll stop on the way to visit Alchi monastery and have some lunch. By afternoon we’ll reach Leh and have some leisure time to explore the markets in town for souvenirs, the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery or Shanti Stupa. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 5 – Leh to Hyunder in Nubra Valley (3048m, 125km, 6-7hrs) Khardung La (pass at 5602m)
The mighty Khardung La (worlds’ highest motorable road) is ours today. We’ll have a chai break and some breathtaking views at an altitude of 5602m, before we descend on the other side into some of the most magnificent landscape imaginable, the vast Nubra valley. We will stop in Hyunder at a permanent tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
* Electricity and hot shower ONLY available for 3-4 hours in the evening.
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Day 6 – Nubra Valley, Hyunder to Pangong Tso (4350m, 180km, 7-8hrs)
From Nubra to the equally sensational Changthang Valley, we will take a route that is always under construction due to the harsh winter snowfalls and avalanches that leave their destructive mark. Some sinuous tarmac will bring the deep turquoise Pangong Tso (lake) into view. Dinner and overnight stay at a permanent tented camp on the lakefront.
* Electricity ONLY available for 3-4hrs in the evening.
Day 7 – Pangong Tso to Leh (3963m, 200km, 7-8hrs) Chang La (pass at 5360m)
We start the day with a steady ascend to the second highest pass of the tour, Chang La (pass at 5360m). Chang La receives fewer visitors and has a more remote feel than Khardung La, while being all but its match in loftiness. A wonderfully serpentine road and surreal scenery leave us at our destination for the day. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Leh.
Day 8 – Leh to Tso Moriri (4485m, 215km, 8–9hrs)
For the better part of the day, we follow the Indus River on tarmac until Chumathang, where we go off-road for an exhilarating mix of sand and dirt trails, scattered with small stones, culminating in a most magnificent view of Tso Moriri. We overnight on the bank of the Tso Moriri in the village of Korzok at a guest house.
* Electricity and hot shower ONLY available for 3-4 hours in the evening.
Day 9 – Tso Moriri (Korzok) to Tso Kar (4485m, 90km, 6hrs)
From Korzok we return to the Sumdo junction and take a diversion to reach Tso Kar. This road is another invigorating thrill for off-road fans! The area surrounding Tso Kar is protected and forms the Tso Kar wild life sanctuary. Dinner and overnight stay at a lodged camp.
* Electricity ONLY available for 3-4 hours in the evening.
Day 10 – Tso Kar to Leh (3500m, 150km, 7hrs) Tanglang La (pass at 5300m)
A ‘spot’ of gravel brings us to the infamous More Plain. Keep an eye out for Tibetan Nomads here. We will cross Tanglang La, the worlds’ third highest motorable pass before descending to Rumtse. Breathtaking sceneries take us past the Hemis and Thikse Monasteries into Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 11 – Fly Leh to Delhi and Home
Time to board the early morning flight back to Delhi and thence home. Hopefully you’ll take fondest memories of the most epic and grand adventure you’ve ever been on with you!
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IncludedAll ground transfers in India, airport to airportFlight tickets from Delhi to Leh and Leh to Delhi (flight fair is subject to change with season)Special permits for restricted areas500cc Motorcycle and fuel for the entire tripAccommodation (twin sharing in comfortable hotels, camps and guest houses / similar) neat and cleanBreakfast and dinner in the hotel and lunch on the way in local restaurantsMineral water will be provided during the expeditionsEnglish speaking guide, motorcyclist by profession and passionMedical kit with oxygen cylinderMechanics with all necessary spare parts itemsSupport vehicle (if riders suffer from a sore @$$, they may jump into our backup jeep to relax!!)All monument entrance fees during the tour excl. camera fees
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Not IncludedVisaInternational flightsAny medical / travel insurance coverage and personal expensesAny telephone calls / internet chargesAny tips for the guide, driver and mechanic (suggested at $100)Any items not mentioned in included sectionAlcoholic beveragesAny damage to the motorcycle must be covered by the rider in fullCosts incurred or expenses arising due to natural calamities, strikes, breakdowns and any other unforeseen calamities beyond the control of Motorcycle Expeditions Adventure Tour Pvt Ltd and its associates (force majeure)Any itinerary extensions will be subject to additional cost