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Tour Highlights
Explore the Highest Roads in the Himalayas
Tour Description
Himalaya motorcycle tour
Location
far north India
Duration
11 Days, 12 Nights
Total Distance
1,590 km
Motorcycle
Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc
Pillion
experienced pillion riders welcome
Difficulty
suitable for experienced road riders
Tour Itinerary
Delhi to Leh
Day 1: Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla
- 100 km
- heritage hotel
- Shimla, the former colonial summer capital of the Imperial British Raj
- Take a comfortable, private bus 250 km to the base of the mountains before riding up to the charming former summer capital of the British colonial Raj.
Day 2: Shimla – Rampur
- 130 km
- heritage hotel
- Padam Palace, right next door to our heritage hotel
- Now it’s the mountains proper, the traffic noticeably drops off, and you’ll catch your first sight of snow-capped peaks.
Day 3: Rampur – Batseri
- 135 km
- hotel
- tunnel-like cliff-side roads carved in the rock
- A day of riding incredible roads cut into the sides of cliffs. If you ride past tonight’s hotel, you will end up in Tibet!
Day 4: Batseri – Nako
- 136 km
- camp
- cliffside roads and enormous mountain gorges
- We need special permission to explore the massive mountain near the disputed Tibetan border.
Day 5: Nako – Kaza
- 150 km
- herritage hotel
- Dhankhar Monastary and the Spiti Valley
- A sensational day riding past the Tibetan Border, the Dhankhar Monastery, the highest village in the world - Komic - and the dazzling Spiti Valley.
Day 6: Kaza – Kelong
- 185 km
- hotel
- Key Monastery, Kunzum Pass and the Chhota Gorge
-
Sensational riding past the beautiful Key Monastery, the dramatic Kunzum Pass and the vast Chhota Gorge.
Day 7: Kelong (rest day)
- -
- hotel
- Kelong ethnic market
-
Enjoy a rest day in beautiful Kelong.
Day 8: Kelong – Padum
- 200 km
- camp
- Shinku La Pass and the Gonbo Rangjon
-
We'll strike up into the amazing Zanskar Valley on a brand-new road, climbing the steep Shinku La Pass and getting blown away by the incredible Gonbo Rangjon Mountain.
Day 9: Padum – Kargil
- 230 km
- hotel
- Drang Durung Glacier, Penzi La Pass and the 7,135-metre-high Nun Mountain
- The Zanskar Valley is mind-bogglingly beautiful. What a day!
Day 10: Kargil – Lamayuru
- 145 km
- hotel
- Hamboting La Pass and Lamayuru Monastery
- We’ll climb the steep Hamboting La Pass, look out over into Pakistan, follow the Indus River and then beeline to the Lamayuru Monastery.
Day 11: Lamayuru – Leh
- 130 km
- heritage hotel
- Moonland and Leh
- Explore an excellent trail above Lamaura that looks out over the remarkable 'Moonland' before blasting back to medieval Leh, where we will celebrate our adventure under the stars.
Tour Video
The Experience
The Motorcycle
Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc
Engine
Engine Type
four stroke, single cylinder, OHV
Displacement
499 cc
Bore X Stroke
84 x 90 mm
Ignition
electronic ignition
Fuel System
electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
8.5:1
Transmission
Starter
electric/kick
Gearbox
5 speed, constant mesh
Dimensions and Weight
Wheelbase
1370 mm
Seat Height
800 mm
Ground Clearance
135 mm
Kerb Weight
187 kg
Fuel Capacity
14.5 litres
Dimensions
2180 mm (L) x 800 mm (W) x 1080 mm (H)
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Suspension Front
telescopic , hydraulic damping, stroke 130 mm travel
Suspension Rear
twin shocks, gas charged with 5-step adjustable preload
Brakes Front
single 280 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Brakes Rear
drum, Ø 152 mm
Tyres Front
90/90 19
Tyres Rear
120/80 18
Pricing Options
Per Rider
Inclusions and Extras
All-Inclusive Himalaya motorcycle tour
Motorcycle Hire
Support Team
Accommodation
Meals
VIP Bus from Delhi to Chandigarh
Airport Pickup and Dropoff
Tickets and permits
Single Accommodation
Petrol
Reviews
20+ Years On the Road
Drew Finn - Canberra Australia.
The tour was one of the best I've ever experienced. The people , the staff , the food , the accommodation was brilliant.
The trip was organised, stressless .
Plenty of support with the machines, which were classic Russian Urals and surprisingly reliable.
Digby's knowledge of Vietnam and the war was exceptional and really enjoyable to be a part of .
His lovely wife Thuy completed the tour with wonderful hospitality and friendship.
My confidence after that tour was complete and I therefore organised a bunch of Kiwi mates and rode the Himalayas with Digby and his Indian crew . It was a 14 day ride leaving Delhi riding the mountain roads up to Ladakh . Nothing short of "Epic" and I would ride it again in a New York minute .
On this trip we rode Royal Enfield Bullet 500 single bangers which were inbreakable .
team and crew support was excellent . Food and accommodation above par .
Explore Indochina is an experienced company who bring an artisan professional experience to those wanting an authentic ride through 2 amazing countries.
Definitely batting a 1000 .
Would I do it again ? Shit yeah !!
My other wish was to ride some dirt and enjoy some back roads. That was also accomplished.
Digby has toured this area extensively so he knows the best routes and is well versed in the history.
I am intending to ride in Mongolia next year and will be looking no further than Explore Indochina. A huge thankyou to you and your crew for an unforgettable tour.
Learn More
Himalaya motorcycle tour FAQ
How should I prepare for a Himalayas motorcycle tour?
To enjoy a motorcycle tour in the Himalayas, it is essential to bring proper riding equipment, such as a good-quality armoured riding jacket, sturdy boots, and high-quality rain gear. You’ll also need to be in decent shape and not suffer any lung-related illnesses. The route is designed so that you will gradually become acclimatised to the high altitude. Aside from a mild headache and occasional shortness of breath, you’ll feel great as you tour the Himalayas by motorcycle.
What should I pack for an 11-day motorcycle trip?
There is a support 4WD jeep to carry luggage while on the Himalayas motorcycle tour. Please use soft bags for ease of packing. Temperatures can range from 5-30 degrees Celsius in the Himalayas. Typically, it’s cold in the morning, but as the day warms up in India, you start un-peeling, ending up with just a t-shirt and motorbike jacket.
As a minimum, you will need an armoured motorcycle jacket and padded/armoured bike pants or jeans (ideally armoured/Kevlar). You also need to bring a good-quality helmet, hydration pak and goggles or sunglasses. A warm fleece and scarf are important, as are summer and winter gloves. Also bring a full range of warm/thermal long/short sleeve shirts, plus some normal cotton shirts for when it’s hot. Don’t forget good rain gear and boots.
Is this Himalayas tour suitable for beginners?
Our motorbike tours to the Himalayas are best enjoyed by confident and experienced road riders. You will experience both on- and off-road conditions, so our Himalayan tours are not suitable for beginners. Please bring your local motorcycle driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). This will ensure that your insurance policy covers you while riding a motorcycle in India, and you will be in the clear with the local police.
What other tours do you offer?
Aside from motorcycle tours in the Himalayas, we also offer off-road motorbike adventures in Mongolia and Laos. In Mongolia, we tour the sprawling steppes on motorbikes, while in Laos, we tour the original Ho Chi Minh Trail. We also offer motorbike tours into the mountains of far north Vietnam.
How will the group ride together?
We want you to enjoy the mountains, ride at your own pace, and stop when you please. We don’t like bunched-up groups. There will always be a lead rider at the front and a sweep rider at the back. We’ll give you a route you can check on your phone, even when there is no cell service, plus a route booklet explaining each day’s ride. We handle the logistics; you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Is altitude sickness a problem?
The good news is that our route slowly ascends into the mountains so that you will become acclimatised by the time we reach the very high altitudes. That said, staying hydrated is the single best way to limit the effects of altitude, so watch your caffeine and alcohol intake. Potassium helps, so munch on bananas when you can. We carry oxygen in the support vehicle, and our team has decades of experience in the mountains. We do not recommend Diamox, an altitude sickness tablet, because it is a diuretic.
Will there be internet service?
Most of the hotels in have slow and inadequate connection speeds. It’s best to buy a roaming service from home or an Airtel SIM card at Delhi’s airport upon arrival. The Airtel SIM card is cheap, and you can email and message with it for the entire ride except for the last four days in Ladakh, where it is not recognised.
Is the tap water safe to drink in India?
The support vehicle will always carry ample bottled water, and we strongly recommend you never drink anything out of the tap. To be safe, you should even brush your teeth with bottled water. If you get a tummy upset, the best remedy is charcoal, local Vietnamese medicine which we always carry, rehydration salts and rest.
Do I need a visa for India?
You can easily apply online for an e-tourist visa here. You can either apply for a 1-month or a 1-year visa. You can apply for the 1-month visa 30 days before arrival, whereas the 1-year visa can be applied for 120 days before arrival.
You will need to upload a square picture of yourself with a white background (JPG format <1 MB) and a PDF picture (PDF format < 300 KB) of your passport’s information page
Be sure to fill out the immigration paper given to you on the airplane to save yourself from queueing up once you arrive in Delhi.
How much money will I need to carry on the Himalaya trip?
You only need local Indian rupees for petrol, alcohol and souvenirs. There are limited ATMs in the mountains, so it’s best to either exchange cash or use the ATMs at Delhi’s airport. Bank on needing around US$150, give or take.
Which electricity plugs are used in India?
Electrical wall outlets look like this.
Do I need to take any vaccinations for India?
Have a look at this link for health advice concerning India.
