This bike ride takes you through stunning Trans-Himalayan mountains, crossing over great Himalayan peaks and travelling through deserts, quaint villages and hamlets, to off the beaten track destinations. We will be driving on the highest motorable road in the world (Manali-Leh highway) traversing Himalayan passes and the silk route. We will also be visiting monasteries and temples, where we will view ancient Himalayan and Tibetan architecture and art. We will take in the local Hindu and Buddhist culture and enjoy delicious food on the way. There will be plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and take pictures.
Day 1: Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi we will drive by cab to our hotel for check in. We will take the day at ease, with a short local sight-seeing tour of Delhi. Overnight at your hotel.
OR Alternative Option
Upon arrival in Delhi we can take a connecting flight to Kullu. This will save a day and a 650 km cab journey.
Day 2: Manali
We will arrive at Manali and will check into our hotel. After breakfast and a little rest, we will check our bikes and gear and start an acclimatisation tour with our guide to Naggar/ Jana road. We will visit Naggar castle, Roerich art gallery, and Jana and Nashala villages. After that, we will return to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Manali – Jispa (140 km/ driving time 6-7 hours) over Rohtang Pass (3978 m)
After an early morning breakfast, we will start our journey, leaving the lush green countryside of Manali to drive towards Rohtang pass (3978m). Few places on earth can mark such dramatic changes in the landscape as the Rohtang Pass. To one side, you can see the lush green head of Kullu Valley and to the other, you have an awesome vista of bare, chocolate – coloured mountains, hanging glaciers and snowfields that shine in the dazzling crisp light. We cross to the other side to descend towards Khoksar, and further on the Valley floor, we will ride through field of potatoes and peas, dotted by Lahauli Villages, and encounter the local inhabitants working in the fields. After crossing the bridge at Tandi, the meeting point of the rivers Chandra and Bhaga, which later becomes Chenab, we cross Keylong. Keylong is the district Head Quarter of Lahaul and Spiti. It is quite a busy town, as it is the only big market in Lahaul Region. Lahauli culture is a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu teachings.
We will reach Jispa in the evening, and we will check into our hotel/deluxe campsite for our overnight stay.
Day 4: Jispa – Sarchu (95 km, driving time 5 hours), drive over the high pass of Baralacha-la (4800 m), over Naki-la (4740 m) and Lachlung-la (5019 m)
Enjoy the beautiful morning at Jispa. After breakfast we will start riding toward Sarchu via Darcha. The ride will get challenging as we will be riding high today, crossing over Baralachala Pass (4800 m). On the way, we will visit two Beautiful glacier lakes: Deepak Tal & Suraj Tal and will cross many water streams. On arrival at Sarchu we will check in at camp for our overnight stay.
Day 5: Sarchu – Tsomoriri Lake (250 km/ driving time 7- 8 hours)
We will start early after breakfast for our ride from Sarchu toward Tsomoriri. We will cross 22 Gata loops where Ibex, mountain goats & blue sheep can be spotted, before entering the Murray plains, where we enter a totally different landscape that is almost barren. Chocolate-coloured mountains surround you along the way. This is one of the most amazing journeys in the world as we traverse through the high mountain desert of the western Himalayas.
Further on, the ride diverts from Tanglang-la base (5360 m), which is the second highest motorable pass towards Tsomoriri. The road winds through many small villages with massive stupas, giving you an indication that you are entering the Ladakh region, which is prominently Buddhist. We will continue our journey through big military encampments and villages along the way, until we reach Tsomoriri. We will check in at our hotel/guest house for our overnight stay.
Day 6: Tsomoriri Lake – Tanglang-la (5360 m)- Leh (250 km/ driving time 8 – 9 hours)
After an early breakfast we will visit the old monastery at Tsomoriri and the lake, and continue our ride to Leh, crossing over Tanglang-la pass. At Leh, we will check into our hotel for our overnight stay.
Day 7: Leh – Rest Day (Checking of Bikes and service)
Day 8: Leh – Day tour on Srinagar highway by cab
Wake up amidst the Himalayas and take the morning at ease. After a later breakfast we will go for a local sightseeing tour to visit Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, Nimo village (confluence of Rivers Indus and Zaskar), Magnet point, and back to Leh. The evening is free to explore the mall on your own. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 9: Leh – Khardungla Pass (5600 m) – Nubra (120 km/ driving time 6-7 hours)
After breakfast, we will start our morning ride to Nubra. This journey takes us over one of the highest motorable roads across Khardung La (5600 m) into spectacular deep, sheer sided valleys, massive glaciers and high mountains such as Saser Kangri (7670 m). Nubra Valley, which means garden or green valley, is formed by the confluence of Shayok River and Nubra River. The origin of the longest headwater of Shayok River, the Chip Chap stream, is Karakoram Pass, and the Nubra River originates from Siachin Glacier. Enjoying the ride on the world’s highest motorable road, we will continue to Nubra valley through many small villages, reaching Spanmic where we will stay overnight at a family-run guest house. We will visit Spanmic and Sumur village.
Day 10: Nubra – Leh (same route)
In the morning we will visit Hunder village for a double humped camel ride in the sand dunes. This is the natural home of these camels. We will also visit Disket monastery which is 500 years old. You will see the big statue of Maithrea Buddha (Buddha of future) facing to the Pakistan side to the north. We will return to Leh.
We will stay overnight at our hotel.
Day 11: Leh – Pangong Lake over Changla pass 5300 m (160 km/driving time 5-6 hours)
After an early breakfast we will ride to Pangong Lake which is 130 km long and 5 km wide. The lake is situated for 75 % in China. We will experience a beautiful ride from Leh along the Indus River and enter a lush green valley. Later, we will ride up to Changla pass and enter Changthang valley, visit Pangong Lake, and check into camp where we will stay overnight.
Day 12: Pangong Lake – Leh (160 km/ driving time 5-6 hours)
Wake up on the shores of Pangong Lake and enjoy the mesmerising sunrise. We will have breakfast and ride back to Leh, where we will check into our hotel. We will have our dinner and evening in the hotel, celebrating a successful expedition.
Day 13: Leh – Delhi flight (2 hours)
After breakfast we will depart for the Airport, for our flight to Delhi. We will transfer to our hotel and spend the evening in Delhi.
OR Alternative option:
We can time the flights to arrive Delhi and board to next flight.
Day 14: Delhi – Home
After Breakfast we will take cabs to the Airport, where you will board for your destination home.
HIGH SEASON / ON SEASON
LOW SEASON / OFF SEASON
