Overview
The Trans Himalayan Ride has it all - excitement, thrill, experiences - culture, and traditions. A 12-day classic motorcycle tour including 10 days of riding, this is a fully guided taste of the Himalayas. If you have not done this ride, seriously you need to collect this jewel of a ride and add id to your precious riding list.
Highlights
- Starts in Shimla and ends in Leh
- Experience Kalka Shimla Toy train ride, A World Heritage Site
- Stay at Shimla which was once the Capital of British India
- Discover middle Himalayan mountains, Tirthan and Kullu valley
- Roller coaster ride across Himalayan valleys and passes into Indus Valley reaching Leh
- Stay in Leh, also known as Little Tibet
- Enjoy the pristine beauty of Nubra valley and Pangong Lake
- 11 nights accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Shimla
Arrive at Kalka railway station and take the Kalka Shimla Toy Train chugging its way up to Shimla crisscrossing hills and passing through 103 tunnels, an architectural marvel and among the World Heritage Sites. Meet on arrival at Shimla station and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Shimla / Jalori Pass / Tirthan (200 km / 124 miles / 7 - 8 hours)
Morning after breakfast, you assemble for a small briefing on the tour and you get introduced to your ride for next 10 days, the Royal Enfield. You start your ride, crossing the city and catching on to the Hindustan Tibet road riding up the Satluj valley and getting excellent Himalayan mountain views. At Sainj you cross the river and start your ascend to Jalori Pass (3,120 m), stopping at the pass for a cup of tea at the local stall. You ride further downhill into Tirthan valley crossing small town Banjar. Your hotel is located on the banks of the river. Rest and relax to the music of fast flo
Day 3: Tirthan / Manali (110 km / 68 miles / 3 hours)
Post breakfast you start your ride along river Tirthan till Aut, where you cross a 3 km tunnel to enter Kullu valley. You ride up the valley enroute stopping at a local shawl factory and continue to Naggar which was the capital of rulers of Kullu about 500 years ago. Here you visit the Naggar Castle, Roeirch Art Gallery, and walk past Tripura Sundari temple. You continue your ride to your retreat for the night. Check in and overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Manali / Atal Tunnel / Jispa (100 km / 62 miles / 4 hours)
You start your ride today crossing Solang Valley and Atal Rohtang Tunnel which at 3,000 m is the longest tunnel in the world above this altitude. You enter Lahaul valley and ride to Jispa riding along Chandra river to Tandi and then crossing Keylong and Gemur villages to reach Jispa. On arrival, check in and overnight in tents.
Day 5: Jispa / Baralacha La Pass / Sarchu (85 km / 53 miles / 4 hours)
On your bikes, ride from Jispa to Sarchu enroute crossing Darcha and over Baralachala Pass (4,800 m). On arrival, check in at them camp. Evening is free to walk around in Sarchu. Overnight in camp.
Day 6: Sarchu / Tsokhar (122 km / 76 miles / 5 hours)
Post breakfast, you start your ride from Sarchu to Tsokhar crossing over Naki La (4,800 m), Lachang La (5,065 m), and crossing the vast expense of More plains to reach Tsokhar. At an altitude of 4,520 m this is one of the most amazing high altitude lakes in the Ruspshu Nomadic belt. This crystal clear lake is a protected bird sanctuary and home to thousands of migratory bird including the endangered black necked crane. Walk around the lake and explore Tsokhar village. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Tsokhar / Leh (150 km / 93 miles / 4 - 5 hours)
After enjoying your breakfast you start your ride with ascend to Tanglang La pass (5,328 m) and a lovely ride down to Upshi to enter Indus valley and further to Leh riding along the river. Arrive at the ancient town of Leh. Check in at the hotel. Evening is free to enjoy a walk around Leh market or visit the Leh Palace or enjoy sunset from Shanti Stupa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Leh
After breakfast ride your Royal Enfield bikes to Nimo to witness the confluence of Zanskar and Indus River. Return to Leh enroute visiting Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and Spituk Monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Leh / Nubra via Khardung La (130 km / 81 miles / 6 hours)
Today after breakfast at your hotel ride to Nubra valley via the famed Khardung La pass (5,600 m), which was once the highest motorable pass in the world. Later ride to Nubra valley, take photos enroute. The natural home of double hump Bactrian camel and famous old silk route, enjoy a small camel ride at the sand dunes. On arrival, check in at camp. Evening explore Hunder village. Overnight stay at camp in Hunder.
Day 10: Nubra / Shyok / Pangong Lake (140 km / 87 miles / 5 hours)
Today after breakfast you leave for yet another mesmerizing ride to follow Shyok river to reach Pangong Lake (4,250 m). Arrive in Pangong, which is the highest salt water lake in the world, shared by two countries, India and China. Enjoy the beauty of the lake. Overnight in camp.
Day 11: Pangong / Thiksey monastery / Shey Palace / Leh (160 km / 99 miles / 7 hours)
After breakfast you leave Pangong and start your ride towards Leh town crossing over Chang La (5,160 m). Enroute you also visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace to reach Leh. On arrival, check in at hotel. Rest of day free and overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Leh
In time transfer to Leh airport to connect flight to Delhi.
Ride Details
- Terrain
- 70% pavement 30% off road
- Bike
- Royal Enfield Himalayan or Standard 500 bike rental
- Mileage
- 1,197 kilometers / 744 miles
- Daily rides
- 85 - 200 kilometers / 53 - 124 miles
- Riding gear
- not included: helmets / knee guard / elbow guards / shoes / biking trousers and jackets; mandatory: helmet
- Meals
- breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the tour
What's included
- Transfers to / from airport and hotel
- 11 nights accommodation on twin sharing basis in comfort category hotels/ guests houses / camps / tents
- Breakfast and dinner during the tour
- Royal Enfield Himalayan or Scram 411 cc
- All fuel for the ride
- English speaking guide
- First aid box and oxygen on high altitude adventures
- Mechanics with all necessary spare parts
- Support vehicles to carry your luggage, spare, extra fuel
- Permits and environment fees for restricted areas
- All entrance fees to places of visit
- Presently applicable taxes
Not included
- Any flight international or domestic
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Anything not mentioned in What's included
Accommodation
Your accommodation will be on twin sharing basis in hotels / guests houses / camps / tents.
Food
Breakfast and dinner during the tour are included. During rides, you will stop for lunch at a local dhaba / restaurant and you may order on direct payment basis.
Getting There
You start your tour with a ride on World Heritage Site Kalka Shimla Toy Train to Shimla which was once the summer capital of British India. You start your ride in the middle Himalayas riding up the Satluj valley and taking a small mountain road crossing Jalori Pass thickly wooded with cedar trees and providing exceptional views of Himalayan ranges. From here you take a route for a sojourn in Manal
