The Joy of Taking a Motorcycle Tour into the Indian Himalayas
Starting Your Motorcycle Adventure: Delhi
With its blend of ancient history and modern life, Delhi is the perfect launching point. After soaking in the energy of this vibrant city, you and your fellow riders head north by bus, where the serene beauty of the mountains begins to unfold.
Shimla Hill Station and Rampur Palace
One of the tour’s first stops is the Shimla hill station. Once the summer capital of British India, Shimla’s colonial charm and scenic vistas offer a relaxing respite. Riding through Shimla’s pine forests and meandering roads is an excellent warm-up for the high-altitude challenges ahead: it forms a positive attitude for your tour.
After Narkanda, the tour becomes increasingly adventurous, so spending a night next to the Padum Palace in Rampur is perfect. Next morning – next adventure. Just after the village of Jeori, the cliff-hugging roads begin, so listening to what your lead rider says is very important. These narrow and winding roads, with sheer drops on one side and towering cliffs on the other, offer amazing views of deep valleys and rushing rivers below. However, riding your motorcycle on these roads can be challenging, so take your time to get to your next destination safely.
The Stunning Scenery of Sangla Valley
One of the motorcycle tour highlights is the stunning Sangla Valley. This remote region is known for its apple orchards and traditional wooden houses nestled between massive snow-capped mountains. The road is very exciting to ride because it is cut into the sides of a huge cliff face. Our stunning lodge is nestled on a river bend and dominated in all directions by enormous cliff mountains.
Scenic Kalpa and the Spiti Valley
Next, the motorbike tour passes Kalpa, a quiet town set against the backdrop of the majestic Kinnaur Kailash range. Kalpa’s views are unmatched, blending greenery, rocky cliffs, and snowy peaks. From here, the tour winds past the border with Tibet to Nako, a village perched high up on a mountainside just five km from the Chinese border. The road to the Spiti Valley passes the ancient Dankar Monastery, precariously built on a cliff that offers spectacular views of the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers.
Zunzum Pass and Bara Shigri Glacier
One of the most thrilling sections in this Himalayan adventure is riding over the Zunzum Pass, an exhilarating route that leads past the awe-inspiring Bara Shigri Glacier, the largest glacier in India. After crossing Zunzum Pass, the main road descends into the lush Lahaul Valley, passing enormous, jagged peaks near Sissu.
Remote Terrain: Zanskar Valley
Continuing the tour north, motorcycle riders cross into the remote Zanskar Valley, a remote gem in the Himalayas that contains towering peaks, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and remote villages. The journey takes in the Shinklu Pass, the Gonbo Rangjon Mountain – a stunning, pyramid-shaped peak, the Penzi La Pass, and the enormous Drang Drung Glacier.
Kargil and the Final Leg to Leh
Eventually, the Himalayas motorbike tour reaches Kargil, a town rich in history, before heading up the Hambuting La Pass and down to the Indus River close to Pakistan. We spend a night near the Lamayuru Monastery, one of the oldest in Ladakh, which offers stunning scenery of the surrounding lunar-like terrain called “Moonland.” The final leg of the journey leads to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Known for its vibrant markets and ancient palaces, Leh is the perfect place to explore the city, take some photos and conclude your epic Himalayan motorcycle adventure.
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By Digby Greenhalgh
Digby Greenhalgh is the founder of Explore Indochina, and a recognized expert on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. All motorcycle tours are designed and guided by Digby.