17 Day The Route of Buddhism Guided Motorcycle Tour in India

Overview

Ladakh, Zanskar, and Spiti Valley are some of the most desired motorcycling tour routes in the northern Indian Himalayas. Millions of enthusiastic riders across the globe are exploring this most rugged terrain of the Trans-Himalayan region. India Motorbike Tours has carefully crafted this adventure ride plan with full backup support, so you can be off swiftly for this incredible adventure tour!

Highlights

• Conquer the most grueling elevated mountain pass, “Khardung la”
• Ride to the highest-altitude village in the world, “Komic”
• Post a card to your dear one from the world's highest post office “Hikkim”
• Experience the Himalayan village life
• Witness the spectacular 360-degree view of the Himalayan mountains
• See seven high-altitude rivers: Indus, Shyok, Zanskar, Chandra, Bhaga, Spiti, and Satluj
• Starts in Leh and ends in Delhi
• 16 nights accommodation in premium hotels / camp

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive in Leh

   - Elevation: 3,500m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Acclimatization ride - Shanti Stupa - Leh market You will go from Tashi Delek to Ladakh, where you will meet and greet with India Motorbike Tours' Ladakhi representative and proceed to your pre-booked hotel. Since Leh is at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level, it is of utmost importance that you walk or roam around in the town to prevent high acute mountain sickness (HAMS). Post-refreshment / acclimatization, it will be time to get familiar with your machine (the Royal Enfield) as well as mountain traffic. After a test ride, you will re

2. Day 2: Explore Leh town (60 km / 37.28 miles)

   - 2 to three hours - Elevation: 3,500m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Hemis - Thiksey Monastery - Leh Market The epic adventurous journey begins with visiting Leh town, i.e., Hemis and Thikshey monastery. A beautiful and magnificent Tibetan town located at a height of 3,500m, this beautiful place has many historical sites to explore, which will help you witness magnifique views of the entire city of Leh, surrounded by the beautiful ranges of snow-capped mountains.

3. Day 3: Leh - Nubra Valley (130 km / 80.78 miles)

   - 5 to six hours - Elevation: 5,602m - Camp - Meals - Highlights: Khardung la - Nubra Valley - Cold desert On this day, you will ride over the world's second-highest mountain pass, ‘Khardung la (5,602m). Experience an astounding mixture of spectacular scenery, the most grueling mountain pass, and overwhelming beauty. After visiting Khardung la, you will descend towards Nubra Valley (the land of Mongolian camels). On arrival at the camp, check-in, then post-refreshment, proceed to the desert, where you can experience a double-humped camel ride or spend quality time in the heart of the cold dese

4. Day 4: Nubra Valley - Pangong Lake (180 km / 111.85 miles)

   - 5 to six hours - Elevation: 4,400m - Cottage - Meals - Highlights: Diskit Monastery - Shyok River - Pangong Lake This day, you'll be off to Pangong Lake, the largest salty water lake in Asia. This lake is situated on the Indian-Chinese border (at a height of 4,360m above sea level). En route, visit the biggest statue of Buddha in Diskit. You will also stop in Shyok village for lunch with a breathtaking view of the high mountains, then in the late afternoon, reach the campsite. After refreshments at the campsite, witness the unforgettable sunset view at Pangong Lake.

5. Day 5: Pangong Lake - Hanle (180 km / 111.85 miles)

   - 5 to six hours - Elevation: 4,500m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Chushul War Memorial - Rezang la - Tsaga la - Astronomical observatory Say goodbye to Pangong Lake and ride towards Hanle to conquer the world's highest motorable pass (5,882m). You must start early from Pangong to reach Hanle before sunset. The ride will also go through the second-highest optical telescope in the world, following Chushul War Memorial, Tsaga la, and Rezang la. Dirt road will prevail until the Loma bend, providing one of the best off-road experiences. Reach Hanle in the late afternoon. It has one of the best lan

6. Day 6: Ride to Umling La (135 km / 83.86 miles) roundtrip

   - 6 to seven hours - Elevation: 5,882m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Nurbu la - Chisumle - Umling la (world's highest motor-able pass) - Photi la On Day 6, your dream will come true as this day, you will ride to the world's highest motor-able pass, “Umling la," at 5,882m. It’s higher than Mount Everest Base Camp, which has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records (GWR). There, you will experience a 360° view of the Himalayan ranges. On this special day, you will start your ride in the morning at 07:30 to reach Umling la before lunch. Throughout the ride, the journey will offer one of

7. Day 7: Hanle - Leh (245 km / 152.24 miles)

   - 7 to eight hours - Elevation: 3,500m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Loma Bend - Nyoma - Mahy bridge - Chumathang - Upshi On Day 7, saddle up and ride back to the capital city of Ladakh via Mahe bridge. On the way, you will cross many remote picturesque villages in Chumathang Valley and stop in Upshi for lunch. At the end of the day, check-in at your pre-booked hotel in Leh town. The evening will be at your leisure to explore Leh market or get relaxed at the charming hotel.

8. Day 8: Leh - Lamayuru (115 km / 75.46 miles)

   - 3 to four hourrs - Elevation: 4,265m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Indus River - Magenetic Hill - Sangam - Lamayuru monastery Post-breakfast, ride towards Lamayuru (known as moonland). The route is the most scenic, going through the bank of Indus River. It’s approximately 115 kilometers long and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. On the way, stop in Magnetic Hill and the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers. In the afternoon, reach Lamayuru. Post-refreshments at the hotel, visit Lamayuru monastery, one of the oldest and largest monasteries in the region.

9. Day 9: Lamayuru - Padum (215 km / 133.6 miles)

   - 7 to eight hours - Elevation: 3,670m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Zanskar River - Wanla - Hanupatta - Sirsir la - Photoksar - Singe la - Padum High on Himalayas will be the theme of the day, as on this day, you will ride on the toughest route of Zanskar Valley. It is total wilderness with no human habitations, except for a few tiny food stalls on the road. Greenery will totally disappear. Expect no traffic, barring the random Sumo / Scorpio taxi (playing between Leh to Padum). This will be a truly cliffhanger drive - the road cuts out of the cliffs, hugging the River Zanskar, which is in fu

10. Day 10: Padum - Keylong (180 km / 111.85 miles)

    - 5 to six hours - Elevation 5,100m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Bardan monastery - Gombo Rongjan - Shinku La - Darhca - Jispa How quickly these nine days of adventure expedition have passed! On Day 10, you will ride towards Keylong, the last leg of the Ladkakh and Zanskar ride will be a bit hard but with the best landscape. It will take time to cross Shinku la pass (5,100m), picturesque grand mountain Gombo Rongjan (Mahakal), and a few scenic villages, i.e., Darcha and Jispa. In the afternoon, reach Keylong. On arrival at the hotel, check-in and get refreshed. The evening will be at your lei

11. Day 11: Keylong - Kunzum Pass - Kaza (190 km / 118.06 miles)

    - 6 to seven hours - Elevation: 4,587m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Off road - Kunzum Pass - Asia's highest suspension bridge, “Chicham” This day, you will start towards Kaza, another spell of Trans-Himalaya journey. Keylong to Kaza is approximately 190 km and it’ll take at least seven to eight hours to complete the journey because of its challenging terrain. It is definitely one of the most adventurous rides in the entire northern Himalayas but despite all encounters, it is also the most beautiful ride you’ll witness in a lifetime. On the way, you will take a few stops for tea / snacks. Upon

12. Day 12: Explore Kaza's surroundings (80 km / 49.70 miles)

    - 4 to five hours - Elevation: 4,585m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Ki Gompa - Langza - Komic - Hikkim (world's highest post office) This day will start with visiting Key Monastery, the biggest monastery of Spiti Vallley, situated on a hilltop at around 4,165m above sea level. It will be a lifetime spiritual experience. Next, the incredible climb will take you towards the biggest statue of Buddha, where you can witness the 360-degree view of Himalayan peaks. Later, you will continue riding through a single black serpentine tarmac towards Komic (world's highest-altitude motor-able village), whe

13. Day 13: Kaza - Tabo (70 km / 43.5 miles)

    - 4 to five hours - Elevation: 3,900m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Lallung Village - Dhankar Monastery - Tabo Monastery This day, tranquility will start your ride towards Tabo. You will ride through the few unexplored ancient villages and monasteries, i.e., Lallung monastery, situated in Lingti Valley and lying at an altitude of 3,700m. Next, continue towards Dhankar Monastery at 3,900m. It’s a castle-structure monastery on a cliff, giving a breathtaking view of Spiti River. The 360-degree topography from the monastery will be an everlasting impression. Leave Dhankar for Tabo, a historical Aj

14. Day 14: Tabo – Kalpa (160 km / 99.42 miles)

    - 5 to six hours - Elevation: 2,960m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Khab (confluence of Satluj and Spiti River) - Pooh - Nako - Sumdho A fairytale journey will begin as this day, you will be heading to Kalpa, which is situated in Kinnaur Valley. En route, admire the serenity of the village lives of Pooh and Sumdho. Interestingly, these scenic villages are situated on the bank of River Spiti. Stop for lunch in the pretty and unspoiled town of Nako. Then, an enchanting experience will await you as you make your way towards Kalpa, an enchanting village nestled in the towering, white blanket-wrappe

15. Day 15: Kalpa - Shimla (200 km / 124.27 miles)

    - 6 to seven hours - Elevation: 2,300m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Rampur Bushehar - Satluj River - Fagu - Shimla After breakfast, you will proceed towards Shimla (the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, also known as the summer capital of the British Era). This day's ride will have you going through the jaw-dropping beauty of Kinnaur Valley and traversing apple orchards. On the way, you will stop in Sainj village for brilliant food. At the end of the day, you will reach Shimla and check-in at pre-booked hotels. After completing the sensational motorbike expedition, there will be a farewell di

16. Day 16: Day at your leisure in Shimla

    - Elevation: 2,300m - Hotel - Meals - Highlights: Jakhu Temple - Shimla Mall Road This day, you will be free to visit the heart of the town, “The Mall Road.” It is one of the busiest commercial areas of Shimla. It was built by the British during the colonial rule in India. Entry of vehicles is banned, hence people love to go to that place to walk around for shopping and try local cuisine. The Mall Road market has a number of restaurants that offers a wide range of Indian and continental cuisines.

17. Day 17: Shimla - Delhi Airport

    - 6 to seven hours - Elevation: 230m - Highlights: Solan - Chandigarh This day it’ll be time to say goodbye to the mountain state and drive back to Delhi airport to catch an international flight, with unforgettable memories and exciting stories to recount. India Motorbike Tours' services conclude here. They would like to thank you for giving them the opportunity to serve you, and are looking forward for more opportunities in future.

Ride Details

Terrain

Asphalt and off-roading

Motorbike

Rental motorbike (Royal Enfield Himalayan Motorcycle)

Mileage

2,450 kilometers / 1,522.36 miles

Daily rides

60 - 340 kilometers / 37.28 - 211.27 miles

Riding gear

India Motorbike Tour recommends carrying your own riding gears

Meals

Non-alcoholic welcome drink, buffet dinners and breakfasts daily (except in Delhi)

Accommodation

You will be staying in India Motorbike Tours' carefully selected deluxe hotels / Swiss camps. However, at one or two locations, you will be staying in basic tented accommodation as options are very limited (considering the route' topography). The stays are typically furnished with good-quality linen and toiletry kit. All stays are booked with an inclusive buffet dinner and breakfast. You will stay at the following accommodations along the routes:

Food

You'll have non-alcoholic welcome drinks on arrival at hotels / camps, as well as buffet dinners / breakfasts at hotels / camps (except in Delhi). Mineral water bottle will also be provided per person per day. North Indian, continental, Chinese, and Tibetan food will be served during the stay. India Motorbike Tours promises that you will love it (especially the Indian cuisine).

Getting There

In this tour, you will come across Leh, Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Changla, Lamayuru, Photoksar, Sirsir la, Singe La, Padum, Purne, Gombo Rongzon, Shinku La, Jispa, Kunzum pass, Kaza, Tabo, Kalpa, and finally, the tourist hotspot, Shimla. These fabulous spots captivate you together with the fantastic landscape. You will discover three diversely beautiful Himalayan regions, i.e., Lada

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