Yeah, I want to hear ALL about it!
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From US$ 3,450
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 to Turtuk to Nubra (2820 m, 165km, 5-6hrs)
After breakfast in the morning at the camp/Guesthouse, we will ride to Turtuk sector, formerly a part of Baltistan and administered by Pakistan until 1971 before India liberated the region. The Turuk and adjoining villages are resided by Balti ethnic peoples, who are culturally different from Leh. We will explore the villages and ride back to Hunder by evening. Dinner overnight stay.
Day 7 – Nubra Valley, Hyunder to Pangong Tso (4350m, 180km, 5-6hrs)
WFrom 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 8 – Pangong to Hanle, (4500m, 300km, 7-8hrs)
OOn the way to Hanle, Chushul village, Chushul War Memorial, and TsagLa are the places to explore. The Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle is located close to the Tibetan/Chinese border and is a sensitive zone. It is famous as the second highest (4500 meters) observatory in the World, for the Himalayan Chandra Telescope and the high-altitude gamma-ray telescope. Hanle is also known for the demise of King Singe Namgyal after his return from an expedition with the Mongols. After exploring the place, overnight stay at the guest house at Hanle.
Day 9 – Hanle to Umling La pass to Tso-Moriri, (5883m, 4522m, 232Km, 7-
8hrs)
8hrs)
FUmlung-La starts from the hotel the next day morning after breakfast. It is a mountain pass in Ladakh between the Indus River and the Koyul Lungpa river on
the ridgeline near Demchok. It is located about 235 km away from Leh and 105 km from Hanle village. At an altitude of 5798 meters, Umling La pass is the highest motorable pass in the World. After visit Umling-La pass we are ride to Tso-Moriri. dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10 — Tso-Moriri to Leh, (3500m, 220km, 6-7hrs)
After breakfast check out and ride to Leh via Mahey Bridge and continue proceed toward Leh via on the way visit Chumathang hot spring, dinner and overnight stay in Leh 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