INDIA / Ladakh - Mystical Highlands
At a Glance ...
| Best travel-time | June, July, August |
| Start/Finish | Delhi / Delhi |
| Duration | 14 travel days, 12 riding days |
| Distance covered | 870 mi / 1.400 km |
| Day rides | 50 - 180 mi / 80 - 290 km |
| Roads | Mainly tarmac; around 400 km / 280 mi some stretches with gravel |
| Motorcycles | Royal Enfield Bullet or RE Himalayan, 500cc, left side gear shift, front disk break |
| Rider's requirements | A comfortable ride on tarmac and gravel. Steady nerves for the traffic needed! |
| Group size | Min. 4 and max. 10 riders - space for pillion rider in our follow up car. |
| Accommodation | Middle-class hotels and Guest houses |
| What's included | Domestic flights, All meals, all non-alcoholic beverages, all entry fees, petrol for the bikes |
| Highlights |
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| Important | VISA needed! For many nationalities "Visa on arrival" possible now. You need to apply online! |
Ladakh - "Little Tibet" and highest passes in the world!
| Day 1 | Arrival in Delhi, onward flight to Leh, Ladakh. Acclimatization and rest day. |
| Day 2 | Today we cover the first kilometers on our Royal Enfield Motorcycles. We visit beautiful monasteries and ride along the Indus River. Brief insights into Buddhist culture are of course included! Approximately 90 km. |
| Day 3 | A ride up the mountain along small roads brings us closer to the rugged but majestic mountain landscape. The first passes of our journey are conquered today. We spend the night in the oasis of Alchi. Approximately 130 km. |
| Day 4 | After visiting its famous 11th century monastery, we leave Alchi in the morning. On the way to Kargil we stop in Lamayuru to visit what is probably the most spectacularly situated monastery in the "Moon Valley". Drive over the Futola with 4108 mtr (13,477 ft). Overnight in Kargil. Approximately 160 km. |
| Day 5 | Today we leave early, because today there are 231 kms (145 mi) superlative on the program. The drive into the Zanskar valley, on a well-preserved gravel road along the Nun Kun massif with its 7000 mtr (22,965 ft) is unforgettable. This is a long but very rewarding day. We spend 3 nights in Padum. Approximately 230 km. |
| Day 6 | A leisurely day to recover from the exertions of the previous day. Today we pay a visit to a local family. |
| Day 7 | Small exploratory trips in and around the Zanskar valley. Approximately 100 km. |
| Day 8 | A long and special day of driving is ahead of us. The recently opened road into the Lahaul Valley reconnects us with the Manali Leh Highway. It goes over the Shingo la pass with 5100 mtr (16,732 ft). Overnight stay in a beautiful resort in Jispa. Approximately 140 km. |
| Day 9 | Motorcycle rides at the highest altitudes. Two passes with altitudes over 5,000 mtr (16,500 ft) have to be conquered. A crazy day! Stunning landscape on the way and around the Tso Kar Lake, where we stay in the Eco Lodge. This is the Himalayas showing its best sides! Approximately 225 km. |
| Day 10 | Back on the highway, the motorcycle ride first goes down the Tanglang la pass and through the surreal red rock landscape of the Rhumtse valley. Our destination is the village of Shakti. Approximately 134 km. |
| Day 11 | We drive to undoubtedly the most beautiful lake in Ladakh, the salt lake Pangong tso. Approximately 180 km. |
| Day 12 | Even if we think we have already seen all facets of this landscape, the Nubra Valley will astonish us again. We visit the picturesque Nubra Valley and its sand dunes at 3,500 mtr (11,500 ft). Approximately 228 km. |
| Day 13 | End the trip with a drive over the Khardung La Pass at 5,359 mtr (17,582 ft), until recently known as the Highest Pass in the World. We are back in Leh, Ladakh. Comfortable end to the trip. Approximately 115 km. |
| Day 14 | Early morning flight to Delhi and in the afternoon return flight to Europe. Optional extension with a visit to the Taj Mahal or shopping in Delhi! |
