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From US$ 3,750
Per Person
Into the Thin Air
This exciting Himalayan motorcycle odyssey will immerse you into a vast abundance of spectacular, ancient and diverse landscapes and cultures of the Indian Himalayas. Bliss out on the saddle of your Royal Enfield while it purrs through the lush green pastures of Himachal Pradesh, around endless twisties and over some of the worlds’ highest motorable passes, including Khardung La (worlds’ highest motorable road at 5359m) and across the most striking high altitude deserts of Zanskar and Ladakh, boasting their hanging glaciers. Witness dramatic sunsets over Tso Kar, a high altitude lake in the incomparable Indus valley surrounded by 7300m high snowy peaks and from your houseboat on Dal lake in SriNagar. Nothing comes close in terms of natural splendour. From Shimla to Srinagar, we journey among some of the most beauteous nature and wonderfully endearing people. This should prove to be a ride beyond your wildest and highest dreams!
Tour at a Glance
| Region of country | Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh |
| Period | July – September |
| Duration | 14 Days 13 Nights |
| Riding Days | 9 Days |
| Accommodation | Hotels, Guest Houses, Lodged Camps, House Boats |
| Motorbike | Royal Enfield 500cc “Bullet”, 500cc Classic, 410cc |
| Level of Difficulty | Challenging |
| Max. Altitude Reached | 5359m |
| Max. Sleeping Altitude | 4530m |
| Average Daily Distance | 160km |
| Total Distance | 1603km |
| Fitness Level | Moderate to Tough |
Highlights
- Ride the legendary Royal Enfield “Bullet”
- Navigate over Khardung La, the worlds’ highest motorable road on two wheels
- Experience ancient Buddhist Monasteries and Hindu temples
- Breathtaking summits, valleys and views of the Himalayas
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 – New Delhi to Shimla (2000m, 350 km, 8-9hrs)
Check out after breakfast, to fly to Chandigarh. From here, a private vehicle will transport us to Shimla in the foothills of the Pir Panjal Range in the inner Himalayan Region. Lunch will be had on the way. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3 – Shimla to Sarahan (2500m, 190km, 7-8hrs)
We take a tree-lined, scenic road up to Narkand (2500m) through a pine forest and then brush past villages to join the Main road to Kinnaur, Spiti and continue to Sarahan, the summer capital of the Rampur Bushahr. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
Day 4 – Sarahan to Kalpa (2960m, 81km, 4-5hrs)
In Sarahan, there’ll be time to visit the 1500 year old Shri Bhimakali Temple, offering us a spectacular view of the Shrikhand peaks, before we head out on our second days’ ride. Narrow, serpentine roads carved out of the rocks amongst a breath-taking mountain backdrop take us to Recong Peo, where we apply for permits before heading up towards Kalpa. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 5 – Kalpa to Kaza (3600m, 200km, 7hrs)
The permits we applied for and our passports will be checked at Jhangi. Captivating scenery takes us on our route to Khab, before we ascend up a rocky road, soaring over Spiti River till Nako. From here we ride through several villages till Tabo and on through Dhankar, which is the time-honoured capital seat of the Spiti king. Time permitting, we’ll also ride to Lalung Monastery, before we reach Pin valley known for its national park (home of snow leopards and ibex). Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
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Day 6 – Kaza to Jispa (3200m, 209km, 8-9hrs) Kunzum La (pass at 4700m)
The road leads us through several villages of Spiti valley. A short uphill ride takes us to Kunzum La (pass at 4700m), which offers an extensive view of the snow-capped mountains. The terrain from Losar village to Gramphu over Kunzum La is an off-road boon for motorcyclists. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
Day 7 – Jispa to Tso Kar (3320m, 221km, 8-9hrs) Baralacha La (pass at 4890m) and Lachalung La (pass at 5060m)
A winding road leads up to one of the toughest passes of the journey, the Baralacha La (pass at 4890m), before we stop in Bharatpur for a well-deserved chai break. Soon you’ll be stretching your leaning skills on your Enfield around the 22 renowned hairpin bends of the Gata Loops, before tackling Lachalung La (pass at 5060m). Dinner and overnight stay at a lodged camp.
Day 8 – Tso Kar to Leh (4530m, 154kms, 5-6hrs)
We’re off to an early start on an invigorating mix of sand and dirt trails, scattered with small stones. For the better part of todays’ journey, we follow the Indus River past Chumathang. There’ll be a quick stop / check post near Upshi, before we head on to Leh, past the Thiksey Monastery, on the Leh – Manali highway. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 9 – Leh cresting Khardung La and back to Leh (3500m, 78km, 5hrs) Khardung La (pass at 5359m)
The mighty Khardung La is ours today! This is the worlds’ highest motorable road at a riveting 5359m, only 39 km from Leh. Fantastic, surreal sceneries and landscapes will guide you all the way to the very top. Upon return to Leh, your afternoon is free for a visit to the market or a stroll to the alluring Shanti Stupa with a captivating view of Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 10 – Leh to Lamayuru (3390m, 150km, 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.
Day 11 – Lamayuru to Kargil (2676m, 103km, 4hrs) Fotu La(pass at 4108m) Namki La(pass at 3815m)
All “ZENned” out, we point our bikes around the never-ending twisties while riding through some of mother natures’ most divine scenery! This day alone, should make the trip worthwhile. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 12 – Kargil to Srinagar (1585m, 217km, 6-7hrs) Zoji La(pass at 3033m)
It would be advisable to start early. We’ll pass through Drass, the second coldest inhabited place on earth and you can have spectacular view of Kargils’ world famous peaks, Tiger hill & Tololing peak. We cross Zoji La pass to enter Srinagar Valley. Dinner and overnight stay on a houseboat.
Day 13 – Srinagar (1585m)
Today is a rest day in Srinagar. You are free to go sightseeing and shopping in the local markets. Other options are paragliding, waterskiing and shikara rides on Dal lake. Dinner and overnight stay on a houseboat.
Day 14 – Srinagar to Delhi
As per the flight timing, you’ll be transferred to Srinagar airport to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for a quick freshen up, if time allows and transferred to the airport for your international flight home.
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IncludedAll ground transfers in India, airport to airportDelhi to Chandigarh flight ticket for each riderPrivate vehicle(bus) transfer from Chandigarh to ShimlaFlight ticket from Srinagar to DelhiSpecial permits for restricted areasChoice of Royal Enfield 500cc or Himalayan 411cc motorcycle and fuel for the entire tripAccommodation (twin sharing in comfort hotels / 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, a motorcyclist by profession and passionMedical kit with oxygen cylinderMechanics with all the necessary spare partsSupport 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
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