Description

Introduction
Undeniably one of the toughest road journeys anywhere in India – we take you across some of the highest roads on earth and at altitudes that will leave you speechless with anticipation and exhilaration. As you ride your motor bike into the midst of these mountains you go from the lush green lower foothills into the awesome beauty of the barren landscapes of Ladakh.

This adventure takes on hazards such as snow-melt waters, desert sands and glacial movements. The mighty Himalayan range with its wilderness and barren landscapes will eclipse anything you might have ridden through before or ever imag¬ined of in your wildest dreams.

Ladakh is an experience and an extraordinary place where stupendous scenery and its people are truly charming. Immerse yourself in ancient cultures that are still thriving in these remote areas of the upper Himalayas – these journeys will definitely leave a remarkable impression on you.  An epic journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes that India has to offer, high in the northern part of the country, amidst the majestic Himalayas is a land of unimaginable beauty and culture.

Day 1 – Arrival
Arrive at Delhi International Airport and transfer by private transport to your hotel and overnight stay.  Relax for the remainder of the day and be introduced to your Royal Enfield motorbike. Trip briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2 | Delhi to Ludhiana | 330 Kms | 4 Lane Highway
Start as early as possible from Delhi, before the traffic gets too busy!  You will have breakfast at a dhaba (roadside restaurant) near Murthal. After breakfast, you will be riding for at least 100 kms on a well-maintained highway.  Stop around 60 kms before Ludhiana for lunch in an air conditioned motel and then continue to your hotel.

Day 3 | Ludhiana to Patnitop | 350 Kms
Start riding early today – it is going to be great as you enter the mountainous area where you will be riding for the next 13 days!
After breakfast, your first 242 kms will be on a 4-lane good tarmac highway. As you reach a small village called Samba, take a right turn towards Udhampur. The remaining kilometers will be on the winding roads towards Patnitop. Patnitop is one of the most popular hill resorts in this region and is situated on a hilltop in the district of Udhampur, with an altitude of 2024m. The river Chenab flows in close proximity to this location. It comprises several meadows enveloped by thick forests of Cedar and Blue Pine, and affords peaceful walks amidst conifer groves, breathtaking views of the Chenab basin and the Pir Panjal range beyond.

Day 4 | Patnitop to Srinagar | 184 Kms
Start early to Srinagar through Ramban, Khooni Darra and Jawahar Tunnel.  It is a beautiful ride through mountains to reach Srinagar before evening.  The evening can be spent exploring the local market and eating Kashmiri Cuisine.

Day 5 | Srinagar | Rest Day / Bike maintenance
Staying in Srinagar is a lifetime experience. Each and every moment spent in this alluring land has a unique flavour to it.  Visit the Mughal Gardens which are the pride and joy of the city. Built by the Mughal Kings centuries ago, they are well maintained by the tourism department of the state.  The Mughal Gardens include Chasm-e-Shahi, Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh and are located in the Boulevard Road in Srinagar.
The afternoon is free for you to relax or you can go to Challi Point where you can get a shikara ride (type of wooden boat) on Dal Lake and also visit the Lal Chowk and Polo View markets for souvenirs.

Day 6 | Srinagar to Sonamarg to Zorji La to Drass Sector to Kargil | 201 Kms
Today is an awesome ride with good roads, roaring rivers and thick forest on both sides.  You need to start early and cross the Zorji La Pass (3528m) before 11am.  After the pass, ride towards Drass (lunch stop) where the roads are bumpy, with stones and sometimes, there is not a road. After Drass, the roads are smooth until Kargil (visit the War Memorial) with the River Drass flowing on your right hand side.  Check in to your hotel.

Day 7 | Kargil to Mulbel to Namikla to Fotu La to Lamayuru to Leh | 280 Kms
Today the journey is around 280 kms from Kargil to Leh. This is one of the most enjoyable rides, with an amazing scenic road, where green mountains fade away to grey and brown. An early start of 6 am should easily get you to Leh by 5pm with enough photo breaks. Our major stops will be Mulbek, Fotula, Lamayuru and Patthar Sahib Gurudwara.  Check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay.
Mulbek: The Buddha Statue located on National Highway at 3304m. The statue is cut out of rock and is 9 meters tall, named “Future Buddha” the Maitreya. This is the line where the Buddhist culture starts towards Leh and Muslim Culture ends towards Kargil.
Fotula: One of the two passes which you have to cross to reach Leh. It is also the highest point between Srinagar – Leh.
Patthar Sahib Gurudwara: is a beautiful Gurudwara sahib constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak, about 25 miles away from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil road, 12000 ft above sea level. The Gurdwara was built in 1517 to commemorate the visit to the Ladakh region of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder Guru of the Sikh faith.

Day 8 | Leh | Acclimatization Day
You should take a good rest after reaching Leh to get the body acclimatized to the height gained. After breakfast, you can choose to go for OPTIONAL local sightseeing or you can relax or walk to the local market. For local sightseeing you can visit Hemis Monastery, Thikse Monastery, Leh Palace, Stok Monastery or Shanti Stupa.

Day 9 | Leh to Khardung La to Village Hunder (Nubra Valley) | 130 KMS
Today you will be crossing The Khardung La Pass, the highest driveable road in the world – 5606m and it is mostly covered in snow all year.  TIP: Do not spend a lot of time at the Khardung La top, as a headache can soon come because of the lack of oxygen and this is one of the first symptoms of getting acute mountain sickness (AMS).
After crossing the pass, you will be riding to the village of Khardung for lunch and later, towards the most beautiful Nubra Valley. You will be spending some time at the sand dunes and you can choose to go for an optional Bacterian Camel (Double Humped Camel) ride before checking in to your resort there.

Day 10 | Hunder to Diskit to Leh | 130 KMS
After breakfast, you will be riding to another monastery at Diskit before your journey back to Leh over the Khardung La pass. Reach Leh by the evening and visit a local restaurant on the Changspa Road.

Day 11 | Leh to Chang La to Tangtse to Pangong Tso | 160 Kms
Today you will be crossing the Chang La Pass, the second highest driveable pass in the world, 5360m to reach Changthang. Thang, in Ladakhi means plains and Changthang is famous for its remoteness, vast mountains, Pashmina Sheep and of course, Pangong Tso lake. Tonight you will be sleeping in a permanent tented camp accommodation at a small village called Spangmik next to the 130 km long blue lake where 30 kms are in India and the remainder is in China. Pangong Tso, this is the longest and highest salt-lake in the world.  NOTE: Spangmik is 160 kms from Leh and there are no petrol stations on the way so you will use the plastic canisters to take spare fuel.

Day 12 | Spangmik to Leh | 160 KMS
After having breakfast at your tented accommodation you will head back towards Leh following the same route which we used the previous day going back up over the high pass.  Overnight in Leh.

Day 13 | Leh to Upshi to Tanglang La to More Plains to Pang to Lachung La to Namik La to Gata Loops to Sarchu | 250 KMS
After breakfast in Leh you will head towards Tanglang La Pass, 5328m, which is the second highest driveable road in the world – this one also claims to be the 2nd highest as well even though it is slightly lower!  Cross more plains which are a flat, dusty and barren stretch of land that lie after Tanglang La.  You will then be crossing 2 more passes named Lachung La and Namik La to reach Gata Loops. The 21 Gata Loops are formed by the winding road that decends down the mountain to reach our final destination of the day Sarchu.

Day 14 | Sarchu to Baralacha La to Xing Xing Bar to Darcha to Koksar to Rohtang La to Manali
After breakfast you will be driving towards Baralacha La which is one of the toughest passes of your ride. Crossing Xing Xing Bar and Koksar you will reach the last pass of your complete ride Rohtang La – 3978m.  Rohtang La is the shortest of all passes but it is really unpredictable when it rains and the weather conditions are foggy. Crossing Rohtang La you will reach Manali where a comfortable and warm cottage style accommodation awaits you.

Day 15 | Manali to Chandigarh | 288 KMS
The ride from Manali to Chandigarh is a pretty smooth journey of around 288 kms. Arrive early evening and check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 16 | Chandigarh to Delhi | 251 KMS
Again a smooth but busy highway to ride your bike on which will end in the very busy capital city of India – Delhi.  Check in to your hotel and relax or optional sightseeing in Delhi followed by your farewell dinner.  Overnight in Delhi.

Day 17
Tour ends – transfer to airport – return home or onward travel.