Overview
The remarkable journey through Ladakh is a mindful choreography of astonishing views and cultural immersion, designed to soothe weary souls and inspire the spirit of adventure. You will cross legendary passes, engage with remote villages, and visit sacred monasteries while balancing ample time for restful acclimatization. From the gentle Leh Valley to the dazzling Nubra sand dunes, from Pangong's rapidly changing lake colors to Hanle’s dark night sky filled with twinkling stars, this itinerary is a dynamic narrative of discovery, reflection, and intimate experiences in one of the last great frontiers on this planet.
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Leh
- Ride on one of the world's highest motorable pass, Khardung La
- Visit Leh monasteries and palaces
- Ride to Nubra Valley with sand dunes and Bactrian camels
- Turtuk village culture, Siachen base camp, Hanle Astronomical Observatory
- Admire Pangong Lake and Tsomoriri Lake
- 10 nights accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1: Leh Arrival and Rest Day for Acclimatisation
On this day when you arrive at Leh by air, you would witness one of the most beautiful sights of the Leh Valley amidst the spectacular Himalayan peaks. A tour representative will receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel. When you land here, it's thin air—the oxygen content has reduced to half of what you are used to in plains, and your body needs to adapt to low oxygen levels. This day you take complete rest—it's 11,500 ft, and you need to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 2: Leh Indus Valley Tour
Another day to acclimatize to high altitude, as also cover some essential tourist spots—Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh; Thiksay, an impressive complex rising upon the hill above the village; Stok Palace, the present residence of the royal family; and Hemis, one of Ladakh’s most well-known monasteries. Also visit Shanti Stupa—a white-domed stupa on a hilltop with nice views—and Leh Palace, the former residence of the royal family. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3: Day Trip to Alchi - Lamayuru - (140 km / 87 miles, 3 hours’ drive one way)
Today is going to be a long day, so try to leave early after breakfast. A scenic drive through some fine rocky faces to visit the famous Lamayuru Monastery situated over a unique landscape that resembles the moon—called Moonland. Visit the monastery of Alchi, famous for its 1000-year-old wall paintings, which exist in a dark room and can be seen under torchlight. Drive onto the strangely true Magnetic Hill and the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara with a stopover at the Sangam of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. Once back in Leh, visit the Hall of Fame, a museum and memorial dedicated to the brave soldiers
Day 4: Nubra Valley via Khardungla pass (120 km / 75 miles, approx 5 hours, altitude 10,000 feet)
After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley over Khardung La (17600 ft), one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The view from the top of the pass is amazing. One can see all the way south over the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks. After this, drive towards the Nubra hamlets of Diskit & Hunder through an area of rolling sand dunes. You would see Bactrian double-humped camels (remnants of silk route trading days), and you can take a camel safari out into the dunes. Also visit Diskit Monastery; the impressive and tall 106-foot Maitreya Buddha at Diskit attracts thousands of touris
Day 5: Turtuk Day Trip (110 km / 68 miles, approx 2.5 hours one way)
Day excursion to Turtuk, a remote village inhabited by Balti ethnic Muslims, located just a few kilometers from the line of control. Turtuk used to be a summer retreat of the Bazgo dynasty, the rulers of Baltistan, and you could see that residence. It was under Pakistan's control until 1971, after which India gained control of this strategic area. The residents speak Baltistani and some Ladakhi and Urdu. Once back, dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 6: Siachen Base Camp Day Trip (approx. 3 hours one way)
Today, after breakfast, leave for Siachen base camp—it is a lovely drive along the Nubra River. En route, visit the Panamik hot springs. The Silk Route traders used to have a stopover here for medicated hot spring baths before crossing over across Karakoram Pass. Once back, dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 7: Nubra to Pangong via Shyok (160 km / 99 miles, approx. 6 hours / altitude 14,000 feet)
After breakfast, leave early for Pangong Lake via Shyok and onto Tangtse and Spangmik. It’s a shortcut and is a beautiful, rugged route. The road follows the Shyok River and climbs up a mountain before finally descending into Shyok Village. It will take you a couple of hours to reach Shyok. You would have some amazing views of Pangong Lake at dusk. Dinner and overnight stay at a camp in Pangong.
Day 8: Pangong to Hanle (175 km / 109 miles, approx. 6-7 hours / altitude 14,800 ft)
This day you would drive through the battlefields of Chushul and visit the Rezang La war memorial—learn about the supreme sacrifice made by Maj. Shaitan Singh and his company. Hanle is a small village with simple stay arrangements. You could visit Hanle Monastery and enjoy the view from the astronomical observatory. Overnight homestay is at Hanle village.
Day 9: Hanle to Tsomoriri (180 km / 112 miles, approx. 6-7 hours / altitude 14,900 ft)
Drive to Tsomoriri via the Nyoma and Mahey bridges. Tso Moriri is yet another lesser-visited high-altitude lake, which looks very beautiful in the mornings and evenings. You could climb up to the stupa to get the full view of the lake. Overnight at Tsomoriri, where stays again are simple.
Day 10: Tsomoriri to Leh (approx. 8 hours)
Today you would drive back to Leh via Tsokar, Tanglangla, and Karu. You would be able to spot the nomads with their flock of sheep and maybe the wild asses. Overnight at Leh. You may go to Leh market tonight for some souvenirs.
Day 11: Departure
Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight for the onward journey.
Ride Details
- Bike
- Rental bike (Royal Enfield Himalayan, included)
- Mileage
- Approximately 1000 km+ / 621 miles
- Daily rides
- 130 - 180 km / 81 - 112 miles
- Meals
- Daily breakfast is included (dinner included in camps)
What's included
- Accommodation for 10 nights in deluxe hotels and camps (on a twin sharing basis)
- Daily breakfasts (dinner only in camps)
- Dinners in camps
- Bike rentals as per choice and availability for ride duration - RE Himalayans
- Transfers between airport and hotel
- Tour leader and local guide on motorcycle
- Support vehicle with driver
- Mechanic with spare parts to perform minor repairs en route
- All permits and permissions for restricted areas
- Environment fees, Red cross fees
- All toll tax and parking charges
- Fuel for the entire tour
- Airport transfers both ways
- Emergency oxygen arrangements in the vehicle
Not included
- Flights to and from Leh (book this ASAP – it gets more expensive the closer it gets to March)
- Lunch and dinners (unless specified)
- Laundry, tips, camera fees, souvenirs, etc.
- Personal expenses and other additional expenses incurred due to bad weather, flight cancellations, road closures, landslides, political disturbances, etc.
- Damage to the motorcycle needs to be made good
- Personal riding kit – jacket, helmet, gloves, and shoes
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Accommodation
You will stay in mid-range, handpicked hotels / camps on a twin/double sharing basis. Single occupancy can be arranged on request and add-on costs.
Food
The package includes daily breakfast. Dinner is also included during stays at camps.
