15 Day Great Himalayan Challenge Motorcycle Tour in the Himalayas of India

Overview

It's one epic tour for all motorcycle enthusiast from all over the world and would test your endurance, physical as well as mental. This is a 15-day / 14-night motorbike tour with unlimited fun and challenge on bikes crossing several high mountain passes including the world’s top two highest mountain passes. The bike safari involves crossing over high mountain passes providing spectacular views of snow capped peaks, rugged terrain, and traveling through one of the most spectacular and picturesque landscapes in the world. Come prepared for every possible weather imaginable from scorching sunshine to freezing blizzards, even in mid-summers.

Highlights

• Starts in Manali and ends in Leh
• Varied colours of Himalayan culture - Kullvi, Kinnauri, Spitian, and Ladakhi
• Ride to Spiti valley which is quite similar to rural Tibet
• Some of highest villages of the world in Spiti valley
• Centuries old monasteries of Tabo, known as Ajanta of Himalayas
• Ride across Trans Himalayan regions across several mountain passes
• Stay in Leh, also known as Little Tibet
• 14 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive Manali

   Arrive Kullu airport, meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Manali. Morning free. Afternoon we assemble at the hotel for a small briefing about the tour and then we meet our Royal friend – The Himalayan. Later we take you on a test ride to Sollang Valley and Atal Rohtang Tunnel which is longest tunnel in World at 3000 m. Ride back to your hotel for a relaxed evening. Overnight at hotel.

2. Day 02: Manali/ Tirthan (110 kms / 3 - 4 hours)

   Morning after breakfast we start our Motorbike adventure. On your Royal Enfield bikes from Manali to Tirthan Valley. Ride from Manali on NH 21 crossing Kullu town and after crossing tunnel at Aut, we turn to enter Tirthan valley. We ride along Tirthan river entering the valley to our abode by the river bank. Enjoy the gurgling river or ride further deeper into Tirthan valley to explore its scenic views and villages. Overnight at guest house.

3. Day 3: Tirthan/ Kalpa (220 kms / 8 hours)

   We start our ride in morning, climbing up and crossing over Jalori Pass from where on a clear day a long necklace of Himalayan Range can be viewed including peaks of Kullu region like Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba etc. We now descend down towards Satluj valley. We ride crossing Rampur and continue riding Satluj valley, entering Kinnaur and head to Recong Peo the main town of Kinnaur region and climb up to Kalpa village. Kalpa village is located in backdrop of Kinner Kailash mountain range. On arrival check in and overnight at hotel.

4. Day 4: Kalpa/ Nako/ Tabo (190 kms / 8 hours)

   Another day of an interesting ride. Its exciting riding the narrow Satluj valley till Khab where Satluj river meets Spiti river and this points is also the reference where we enter the Spiti valley. We ascend upto Nako village, the last among Kinnauri villages located on banks of a small lake. We walk around village and later continue further towards Tabo. Tabo monastery was founded in 996 AD by the great teacher Richensang-po, Tabo is renowned for its breathtaking murals and stucco images – and is often called “The Ajanta of the Himalayas”. The largest monastic complex in Spiti, the old secti

5. Day 5: Tabo/ Dhankar/ Pin Valley/ Kaza (105 kms / 06-07 hours)

   Today we ride around Spiti valley, exploring the mesmerizing landscape, varied colors of mountains and remote villages & gompas. We start our ride in morning towards Dhankar village & monastery. This Monastery at Dhankar rests high over the valley and is a stupendous example of local architecture. It is regarded to have once been a fort and was also the residence of the ruler of Spiti – the Nano. We ride further towards Pin Valley, the land of Ibex and Snow Leopards. We end the day on reaching Kaza, the main town of Spiti valley. Evening free to explore Kaza town and make some noise “ride hard

6. Day 6: In Kaza – Touch the Sky

   Morning we ride to visit Comic which is among the World’s Highest permanently inhabited village and then later visit Hikim boasting of World’s Highest Post office & Langza village located in backdrop of Chao Chao Kang Nilda Peak. Evening free to explore Kaza town and market. Overnight at hotel.

7. Day 7: Kaza/ Chandertal (117 kms / 4 – 5 hours)

   Morning after breakfast visit the Ki monastery, 12 kms from Kaza. This centuries – old gompa is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors – and at one time also acted as a fort. It houses valuable Thangkas and offers a panoramic view of the area. We continue our ride further to Kibber village at 4205 m which has now become famous for Snow Leopard sighting in winter months. We cross Chichim Bridge which is the highest Bridge in Asia. What a ride is going to be from here onwards, hold your breaths to ride into the Himalayas. Now we ride inside deep into Himalayas. From Chichim we ride towards Losar whi

8. Day 8: Chandertal/ Chatru/ Jispa (116 kms / 6 hours)

   Morning we start our ride from Chandertal lake for yet another breathtaking day of charming scenic views and exciting rides. We ride through the trans Himalayan region crossing Batal, Chatru entering into Lahaul valley. From Gramphoo we continue through Lahaul valley crossing several village likes Sissu, Gondla, Tandi, Keylong, Gemur to Jispa. We check in at the camp for overnight stay.

9. Day 9: Jispa/ Baralacha Pass/ Sarchu (85 kms / 3 hours)

   On your bikes from Jispa to Sarchu enroute crossing Darcha and over Baralachala Pass (4800 m). On arrival check in at camp. Evening free to walk around in Sarchu. Overnight in camp.

10. Day 10: Sarchu/ Tanglang La Pass/ Leh (253 kms / 8 hours)

    On your bikes from Sarchu to Leh crossing over Naki La (4800 m), Lachang La (5065 m) and More Plains. After crossing More plains, climb upto Tanglang La pass (5328 m) and continue further to Leh. On arrival in Leh by evening check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel

11. Day 11: In Leh – riding around

    After breakfast ride your Royal Enfield bikes to Nimo to witness the confluence of Zanskar & Indus River. Return to Leh enroute visiting Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Spituk Monastery. Evening free to walk around exploring Leh market or upto Shanti Stupa to have a glimpse of setting sun & Leh town. Overnight at hotel.

12. Day 12: Leh/ Nubra via Khardungla (130 kms / 6 hours)

    Today after breakfast at your hotel ride to Nubra valley via the famed Khardungla pass (5600 m), which was once the highest motorable pass in the world. Later ride to Nubra valley, take photoshots enroute. The natural home of double hump bacterial 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 at Hunder.

13. Day 13: Nubra/ Shyok/ Pangong Lake (140 kms / 5 hours)

    Today after breakfast we leave for yet another mesmerizing ride to follow Shyok river to reach Pangong Lake (4250 m). Arrive Pangong, which is the highest salt water Lake in the World, shared by two countries India & China. Enjoy the beauty of the lake. Overnight in camp.

14. Day 14: Pangong/ Thiksey monastery/ Shey Palace/ Leh (160 kms / 7 hours)

    After breakfast we leave Pangong and start our ride towards Leh town crossing over Chang La (5160 m). Enroute we also visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace to reach Leh. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of day free and overnight at hotel.

15. Day 15: Depart Leh

    Intime transfer to Leh airport to connect flight to Delhi. End of tour.

Ride Details

Terrain

60% pavement 40% off road

Bike

Royal Enfield Himalayan or Standard 500 bike rental

Mileage

1,576 kilometers / 979 miles

Daily rides

85 - 253 kilometers / 53 - 157 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

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be on twin sharing basis in a hotels / guests houses / camps / tents.

Food

Breakfast and dinner during the tour are included. During rides we stop at a local dhaba / restaurant where you would be served a simple lunch.

Getting There

The motorcycle tour starts from Manali which has an alpine feel, into Kinnaur valley which is a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist cultures, riding into Buddhist dominant region of Spiti which is very similar to rural Tibet and then riding across several mountains entering Ladakh finally conquering Khardung La.

Rider Reviews