Ladakh is the most northern region of India and one of the greatest areas on earth for riding. Imagine high altitude passes covered by Tibetan prayer flags, perfect gravel roads, endless salt lakes and serene monasteries.
Imagine pure nature and the highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La with its breathtaking altitude of 5616 meters and spectacular views onto the mountain range of Nubra valley.
From Leh we ride the three highest passes in the world, Khardung La, Tanglang La and Chu La and visit the three most stunning salt-lakes, vast and shining in turquoise and blue colors, on this Himalaya motorbike tour, all located on an altitude higher than 4,500 meters.
This North India Motorbike Tour covers all highlights of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh, including staying overnight in the Nubra valley where we ride on camels, take a relaxing bath at Panamik hot springs, visit the ancient monasteries of Diskit and Lamayuru, get hands on experience of the Nomadic life by staying two nights in our camp at Tsomori lake close to Tibetan nomads and of course ride the most spectacular roads of your dreams.
And if this is not enough, you can see sunrise at the magic Taj Mahal at the end of your ride.
We offer this tour together with our partner Peter´s Classic Bike Adventures Pvt. Ltd.
The Best Of The Indian Himalayas Motorbike Tour Tour Pass Overview:
5.615m – Khardung La – Pass – Highest motorable pass in the world
5.390m – Tanglang La – Pass- 2nd highest in the world
5.360 m – Chan La – Pass – 3rd highest in the world
5.300 m – Wari La – Pass
5.050 m – Namshang La – Pass
4.900 m – Konka La – Pass
4.005 m – Fatu La – Pass
The Best Of The Indian Himalayas Motorbike Tour Overview:
Date: | 31.08.2019 to 15.09.2019 |
Prices: | Royal Enfield 500cc: US$ 5,120 BMW G 310 GS: US$ 5,660 Taj Mahal excursion (single): US$ 405 Taj Mahal excursion (double): US$ 540 Pillion: US$ 4,070 Single room supplement: US$ 710 |
Highlights/Itinerary: | Delhi- Leh – Ladakh Monasteries: Hemis and Tikse – Alchi – Fatu La – Hunder – Lac Pangong – Korzok – Lac Tsokar – Leh – optional Taj Mahal visit |
Difficulty: |
Demanding. In order to enjoy this Himalaya motorbike tour ride, you need to have good riding skills, be flexible when it comes to changes during the tour, for example because of road blocks, and have a positive attitude towards adventure. This tour takes mainly place on good gravel. Be ready for the unexpected and pack for cold weather – the weather in the mountains can change quickly. |
Duration/Length: | 16 days/ 11 riding days/~ 1.200 kilometers |
Style: |
North India motorbike tour with overnight stays in hotels, guest houses and accommodation. Mix of paved and gravel roads. |
Media: | North India Motorbike Tour – The Best of Ladakh- Photo Gallery |
Motorbikes: | Royal Enfield 500cc / BMW G 310 GS |
→North India Motorbike Tour – The Best Of The Indian Himalayas- Photo Gallery←
Daily itinerary: North India Motorbike Tour – The Best Of The Indian Himalayas
Day / Date |
Route |
Pictures |
1 | Arrival in Delhi: Overnight near the airport. | |
2 | Delhi – Leh: Early morning flight to Leh. The short plane flight to Leh is one of the most spectacular flights in the Himalayas with breathtaking views. Transfer from Leh airport to your hotel. Upon arrival short walk to Shanti Stupa (pagoda) and welcome dinner where you meet the team and your fellow riders. |
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3 | Get ready for your Himalaya motorbike tour adventure. After the tour briefing you will get to know your bike and ride up to some of the most famous monastery of Ladakh: Hemis and Tikse, located in the upper Indus valley. Enjoy dinner on a panorama rooftop terrace in the old town of Leh. |
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4 | Leh – Alchi: On the first riding day of your North India Motorbike Tour we start with a easy going ride up the Indus valley. We visit the ruins and temples of Basgo – an old royal palace and continue to Alchi where we stay in a garden guesthouse near the oldest monastery of Ladakh which has spectacular mural on display. | |
5 | Alchi – Fatu La – Alchi: We continue our Himalaya motorbike tour and follow the tracks of the Indus valley on endless curves all the way to Fatu La pass, located on 4,000 meters from where we enjoy the views. Although by far not the highest pass on this tour, the views are stunning. Riding back to Alchi, we stop for visiting the impressive Lamayuru monastery. |
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6 | Alchi – Leh: One of the most remote locations is waiting for us, Yang Tang village and the mountain pass Hemis, home to an ancient and holy juniper forest. In the afternoon we ride back to Leh and enjoy once again the bazaars, great restaurants and beer gardens. |
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7 | Leh – Hunder: It´s time for highest motorable road in the world on your North India Motorbike Tour: the Khardung La pass, king of all mountain passes, with an altitude of 5,604 meters. After the pass a long decent into the Nubra valley is waiting for us – and Diskit monastery before we head for today´s destination, Hunder. | |
8 | Hunder: This day trip starting and ending in Hunder will get us to the relaxing hot spings of Panamik. In the afternoon we change our vehicle and ride on camel back through the sand dunes. | |
9 | Hunder – Pangong Lake: Today´s demanding ride will bring us to two passes above 5,000 meters. The day starts with a steep climp up to Wari La pass (5,300) – but attention – this is not an easy ascent. The second pass of the day is Chan La pass (5,360) and a tough mountain road will bring us to the shores of azure-blue Pangong lake. After this truly spectacular day we will spend the night in a simple guesthouse with an amazing lake onto the shore. | |
10 | Pangong Lake – Leh: Ride back to Leh in the morning. Free afternoon in Leh. | |
11 | Leh – Korzok: The Eastern Indus Valley awaits us. We cross the Mahe bridge and after crossing the inner border checkpoint we ascent again to Namshan pass (5,050 meters). Behind, the grassland of the Tibetan nomads welcomes us and the surface of the turquoise-blue shining Tsomori lake. Near Korzok village and monastery we will spend the night in a comfy tent resort. We have time to spend the afternoon at the lake and enjoy the views from the shore; on the other side lays Tibet. In the dinner restaurant tent we will enjoy a traditional Ladakhi dinner. |
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12 | A rest day on the North India Motorbike Tour. Explore the ancient monastery and hike to the Tibetan nomads nearby to have a butter tea – or take a bath in Tsomori lake. You have plenty of time to enjoy the gorgeous landscape and culture from your comfy resort camp. | |
13 | Korzok – Tsokar Salt Lake: The day starts with a ride on trails through dry high plateau deserts and along sulfur springs, just before crossing exposed Pologonka pass (4,910 meters high). After the pass we reach our destination, Tsoka lake, located in a nature reserve. There are many wild animals which can be spotted, such as wild mongoose and various bird species. The camp is 2 kilometers from the lake near the only fresh water source of the region. It´s our last night in a tent – we are sure you will enjoy the “milkyway hotel” with the best views on our Galaxy at night on 4,600 meters – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. |
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14 | Tsokar Salt Lake – Leh: On today´s menu of your North India Motorbike Tour is the second highest motorable pass on earth, Taglang pass (5,390m). The ascent today is relatively easy and the ride down from the pass into cliffs and gorges, almost 2,000 meters below the pass, is truly spectacular. We return to Leh and follow once again the Indus river. In Leh, the final destination of our Himalaya motorbike tour, you can stroll the bazaar and buy last minute souvenirs before having a farewell dinner at you favorite dinner restaurant. | |
15 | Leh – Delhi: Transfer to the airport and early morning flight back to Delhi. If You want to fly back home on the same day, your international flight should take place in the afternoon. Hotel in Delhi not included. If you book the optional visit to the Taj Mahal, you will be picked up from the airport and driven directly to Agra. In Agra, we’ll check into a 4 star hotel near the Taj Mahal and take it easy for the rest of the day. A buffet dinner is available in the hotel. |
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16 | Continuation of the optional Taj Mahal visit: We’re out before breakfast to see the world’s most famous monument to love, the Taj Mahal, at sunrise. After breakfast and a stop at Agra’s monumental Red Fort, we’ll take our AC bus back to New Delhi airport from where you can fly home directly afterwards. Hotel in Delhi not included. |
Included Services:
Motorbike of your choice (Royal Enfield 500cc or BMW G 310 GS) |
English speaking tour guide on own motorbike |
Local tour guide |
Supply vehicle for luggage and pillions |
Experienced motorbike mechanic |
Domestic flights Delhi-Leh and Leh-Delhi |
Accommodation in mid range hotels and tent accommodation in the deep countryside |
If staying in tents: Large dining tent for breakfasts & dinners, separate toilet tent, roomy two person tents with proper beds or comfortable thermal mats |
All airport transfers in Leh |
Breakfast and dinner with soft drinks |
Lunch snacks and bottled water in the supply vehicle |
Road and toll fees, entrance fees to sights |
Fuel for your motorbike |
Optional: Excursion in a private minibus from Delhi to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal with accommodation in a 4-star hotel at the end of the tour |
Not included services:
Alcoholic drinks |
Airport transfers in Delhi (Tibetmoto will provide hotel information for the taxi driver in local language) |
Ladakh is a district located in the far north of India, more precisely in the state of Kashmir. The main cities in this district are Leh and Kargil, which are located at an altitude of 3,500 and 2,800 m respectively. This whole region is located in the Himalayan range. Ladakh is a very different part of India from the rest of the country because it is very close to Tibet. Proof of this is the nickname “Little Tibet” frequently given to this region! Unlike the rest of India, this region has the advantage of not experiencing any monsoons during the year. Thus, when in the middle of summer, the whole of Asia is watered by downpours, Ladakh is spared. As a result, the region is very arid and poor in flora.
With more than a billion inhabitants, about thirty sub-regions, hundreds of languages, cultures, deities, and cuisines, India is a multifaceted destination. Ladakh is one of my favorite regions, with its lunar landscapes, crystal clear lakes and Buddhist serenity. A motorcycle tour in India through this snowy desert is unforgettable, even for the most experienced rider.
Rajasthan in northern India is best known by its name, which means “land of kings,”. With its royal palaces and imposing fortresses, this state is sublimated by the undulating dunes of the vast Indian desert as a backdrop.