12 Day Guided Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Tour in India

Overview

Hotel D's Casa, Mcleodganj, ClubHouse Road, near Liason Office, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Highlights

• Starts in Dharamsala and ends in Leh
• Visit H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama's Monastery
• Ride crisscrossing mountains, valleys, and over high passes
• Visit a more than 1000-year-old monastery
• Journey through the heart of Himachal Pradesh
• Stay at some of the most remote and highest villages
• 11 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj)

   Arrive in McLeod Ganj by lunchtime. Evening visit to the Dalai Lama’s Monastery. Team dinner and briefing for the upcoming tour days.

2. Day 2: McLeod Ganj - Barot via Billing (110 kilometers / 69 miles, 1829 meters / 6000 feet)

   After breakfast, you ride towards Barot, one of the most beautiful valleys of Himachal Pradesh. You ride through the busy Dharamsala roads, followed by the tea plantations at Palampur. The ride is full of diverse scenery. From Bir, you take the uphill road to Billing, which is a world-famous Paragliding site, and ride via the newly constructed road joining Billing to Barot Valley.

3. Day 3: Barot - Khanag via Kandi Road (144 kilometers / 90 miles, 2086 meters / 6844 feet)

   From Barot, you take the scenic route, which also happens to be the road less travelled by visitors. It is a beautiful ride all the way to Bajaura. From Bajaura, you ride on the National Highway for a little while and then once again leave it after crossing the Aut Tunnel. The road here onwards is narrow and uphill. You stop for a Chai (tea) break at Jalori Pass while enjoying the valley views.

4. Day 4: Khanag - Sarahan (139 kilometers / 87 miles, 2313 meters / 7589 feet)

   From Khanag, you ride down shady and windy Himalayan roads to Ani. You aim to reach Sarahan by the early afternoon so that you have enough time to visit the famous 1500-year-old Bhima Kali Temple. Sarahan has a pleasantly cool weather compared to the region that you have been riding through today, and the view from up here is just amazing.

5. Day 5: Sarahan - Kalpa (85 kilometers / 53 miles, 2960 meters / 9712 feet)

   Today’s road is about 90% metalled and some small stretches where the roads are being widened would be dusty, and there would be some loose stones on the road. Occasionally, you might have to stop and wait for the road workers to signal that you can move ahead. For Kalpa, you turn left from the main road and there is a steep ascent of around seven kilometers up to Reckong Peo, which is the district headquarters. From there, Kalpa is a further 15-kilometer climb. It is a beautiful stretch that involves riding through a pine forest and lots of tight bends. The air feels much crisper and fresher

6. Day 6: Kalpa - Nako (117 kilometers / 73 miles, 3662 meters / 120150feet)

   Enroute, you cross a check post at Jhangi where you must stop for a routine permit and passport check. Nako is the last village of Kinnaur; it is an ideal little Buddhist village. Dotted around the village are tiny shrines, and at the very entrance of the village is an old Monastery believed to have been founded by the Great Translator Rinchen Zangpo. The monastery has very interesting and fascinating mural works.

7. Day 7: Nako - Kaza (110 kilometers / 69 miles, 3650 meters / 11975 feet)

   Today’s motorbike ride sees you entering the Spiti Valley. You ride through an amazing landscape and glimpses of the cold desert of the Spiti Valley will start from the beginning of the journey today. The initial leg of the journey is up the hill and then you cross the famous Mulling Nala and then start your journey downhill towards the valley floor. Once again today, you will cross a military checkpoint at Sumdo; from there, the Tibet Border is only a few kilometers away. En route, you will visit the Tabo Monastery.

8. Day 8: Kaza

   After a leisurely breakfast, you will ride to Key Monastery and then Langza and Comic Village, which is one of the highest inhabited villages accessible by road in the world. You then ride through these two picturesque villages. Afternoon is free for relaxation, wandering around town for souvenir shopping.

9. Day 9: Kaza - Keylong (187 kilometers / 117 miles, 3156 meters / 10355 feet)

   A beautiful ride once again. You ride past the Key Monastery and go up towards Kibber Village. You then ride over the Chicham bridge, which is the world’s highest bridge (in terms of altitude). Today, you ride past some magnificent-looking villages, and the entire ride is very scenic. After crossing the last village of Spiti Valley, ‘Losar,’ the road would be entirely off-road - dusty and rocky.

10. Day 10: Keylong - Leh (3500 meters / 11483 feet)

    It is a long yet the most thrilling ride of the tour today. You cross several high passes and ride across some amazing landscapes. This is part of the famous Manali to Ladakh route that is on the bucket list of many riders.

11. Day 11: Leh rest day with optional Khardungla ride

    Depending on what you have chosen. You can either be riding up the Khardung La pass (second highest motorable pass in the World) or enjoying a relaxing time in one of the many cafes of Leh. Evening dinner with the team.

12. Day 12: Departure

    The tour ends.

Ride Details

Bike

rental bike (Royal Enfield Himalayan 415 cc)

Mileage

892 kilometers / 555 miles

Daily rides

111.5 kilometers / 69.4 miles

Riding gear

not included

Meals

all breakfasts and dinners

Accommodation

During the tour, you will stay in comfortable hotels, guest houses, and camps.

Food

The tour includes daily breakfast and dinner. During the ride, stop en route to local restaurants or Dhaba where you may enjoy a meal on a direct payment basis. Water will be provided for the entire duration of the tour.

Getting There

This amazing journey starts on a spiritual note with a visit to the H.H. The Dalai Lama's Monastery in McLeod Ganj. From McLeodganj, Dharamsala, you set off for: [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/himalayan-challenges/12-day-guided-himalayan-heights-motorcycle-tour-in-india# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/himalayan-challenges/12-day-guided-himalayan-heights-motorcycle-tour-in-india# "Zoom out