Himalaya ADV
Himalaya ADV
Experienced
Riders who feel comfortable handling their motorcycle on various terrains & surface conditions, including gravel. No off-road technical skills are required.
Riding High
Discover one of the most fantastic adventures the world has to offer on two wheels! A journey that takes you through India’s Himalayan Ridge to the Tibetan plateau while riding the highest mountain passes in the world for motorized vehicles reaching altitudes of up to 18,380 Feet (5600 M)!
“I felt like I was in a National Geographic showcase, like the ones you always see on TV I never believed I could do it, be there, ride, in these places … it’s a dream come true. “
Lets be clear that this is not a trip intended for the “crazy” hardcore adventure off-roading rider. Any experienced rider can ride these roads. However, that being said, it is a challenging journey of physical difficulty, with great heights, broken roads, dirt pathways and more. This is why the tour has been immaculately planned allowing for optimal adaptation to heights during the first days of riding and ultimately complete preparation for the highest part of the journey. Our ride for this adventure is the Royal Enfield (500cc). Although this gives us less horsepower and may lack the latest in technology, it provides us with an authentic riding experience that does not detract from the pleasure. On the contrary, in India, these are the most suitable motorcycles in terms of traffic, culture, atmosphere, and mountain roads.
RIDER TESTIMONIALS
TOUR MAP
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Land in Delhi, Flight to Chandigarh – Shimla (75 mi/120 km)
Landing in Delhi we immediately take a connecting flight to Chandigarh, a city located just at the at the foot of the Himalayas, and an ideal place to go pick up our motorcycles. We will not waste any time and hop on our bikes and start riding up the winding road to the colonial resort town of Shimla. We will have a calm riding day, just getting used to our motorcycles, the Indian culture, the mountain roads, driving on the left side of the road and generally just getting into the groove.
Day 2: Shimla to Mandi (110 mi/180 km)
Beautiful mountain roads through the provinces of the Siwalik Range of the outer Himalayas, with heights rising and falling between 1300 ft (400 m) to 8200 ft (2500 m). While riding the Himalayas, distance is not equivalent to what we see on paper. Traffic in India wonderfully unique and chaotic. It requires maximum concentration, good instincts and riding where there are no rules (learning, understanding and adapting to the traffic in India is really the first lesson and probably the most significant insight you can have into Indian culture as a whole). We arrive in the Mandi District where we will be staying the night.
Day 3: Mandy to Manali (75 mi/120 km)
We continue north through the famous Kullu Valley, riding through the beautiful canyon on the banks of the Beas River overlooking majestic hills covered with pine that lead us to one of the most sought after destinations in the Himalayas, Manali. An amazing location, Manali is a pilgrimage destination filled with temples, ski resorts, markets, and the exit to the famous Rohtang Mountain Pass.
Day 4: Rest day in Manali
A day of rest in Manali where we will freely and independently wander around the town to explore the temples and markets, but mainly gathering strength and preparing for the coming days of the journey.
Day 5: Manali on the Rohtang Pass to Keylong (75 mi/120 km)
The Rohtang Mountain Pass is one of the most interesting obstacles on our journey. Not only is it at a height of 13,050 ft (3980 m), but the road is quite rickety at the top and includes riding through waterways and quite a bit of mud. Like all things that are hard to come by, this will reward you with a landscape that is simply AMAZING. We will take a steep descent into the narrow and deep valley and ride along the Chandra River that rages down to Keylong.
Day 6: Keylong to Sarchu (70 mi/110 km)
Geographically speaking, today we actually cross the ridge, or “the center point” of the Himalayas. Climbing at a height of 16,050 ft (4890 m) to the Bara-lacha la mountain pass. Sections of the road leading up to this pass are pretty rough with bumps, stones, potholes and navigating through water. Although a bit rough on the bottom, your heart will ease that pain as it is filled with breathtaking endless mountain views in every direction. One of the most beautiful sites we will ride on this journey. We will spend our first tent stay in the magical valley full of meadows at a height of 13,800 ft (4200 m).
Day 7: Sarchu to Tso Kar Lake (140 km)
The beginning of the day will be marked by riding the amazing winding path with its beautiful curves that seems to endlessly ascend the steep slope. Lungalacha-La crossing awaits us ahead at 16,600 ft above sea level (5060 meters)! After that, we will descend through the beautiful sandy plains and ride along the desert valley where we are likely to encounter herds of yaks. We will descend from the main road between Manali and Lala towards Tso Kar Lake at an altitude of 14,100 ft (4300 m), where we will spend the night. Accommodation in field tent.
Day 8: Tso Kar to Tso Moriri (50 mi/80 km)
Over the course of the day we will be riding the distance between Lake Carr and Lake Moriri on desolate dirt roads at altitudes of over 13,100 ft (4000 m). A short day with crazy beautiful rides but also a bit more difficult! Tso Moriri is the largest and highest lake in the India Trans-Himalayas at an altitude of 14’700 ft (4500 m)! Blue waters surrounded by snowy peaks, a small village and monastery on its shore, overwhelming contrast of colors and a sky that reveals the stars in a new dimension and in perfect clarity. It’s beauty is maddening, truly something unique. Accommodation in field tent.
Day 9: Tso Moriri to Leh (130 mi/220 km)
A long day ahead of us that will lead us into Leh, the capital of the Ladakh region. We will ride gravel dirt roads along the mighty Indus River. We will slowly begin to feel that we have reentered civilization as the area is more populated with villages and small towns on the way. We will also stop on the way to see the beautiful Tiksa mound, housing a three-story Buddha statue.
Day 10: Leh to Khardung La (50 mi/80 km)
This is it, the grand finale, the world’s highest mountain pass for vehicles – Khardung La! We will conquer it, breath in the air at nearly 18,300 ft and take a photo to prove it! Our ride back will be a satisfying one with a great sense of accomplishment and glory. We should celebrate, and celebrate we will!
Day 11: Leh
A well-deserved day of rest and recovery from our journey. Today is about hanging out in our pampering hotel, shopping in the markets, laundry, a roam around the city and a short walk to a beautiful observation point. Bottom line, REST!
Day 12: Leh to Delhi (domestic flight)
In the morning we hop on a flight back to Delhi. From the skies we will get a satisfying birds-eye view of all the beauty that we have experienced on our journey before landing in Delhi for a final taste of a different side of India, through the bustling bazaar streets of its capital.
INCLUDED
- 9 Days motorcycle rental
- 11 nights in unique top accommodations
- All Meals (Alcohol not included)
- Chase/support vehicle for luggage transport and passengers (limited)
- Satellite telephone, First Aid, emergency equipment
- Experienced tour guide on motorcycle, multilingual, with GPS employed by Sapirience
- Entrance fees to scheduled sites along route
- 2 experienced mechanics with spare motorcycle
- Fuel
NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare
- Travelers insurance
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- All services not specified in the “included” section
