13 Day Delhi Loop Trans-Himalayan Cultural Guided Motorcycle Tour via Khardung-La Pass

About the tour

You are crossing through the world`s highest passes, camping at high-altitude remote village, visiting enchanting monasteries in Ladakh, being the part of Buddhist culture, walking and talking in Leh streets, visiting Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace (the Kingdom of Ladakh), enjoying the Tibetan-Ladakhi cuisine in a nice restaurant, meditating in a monastery which have seen generations (1,000 years old Alchi monastery), and summiting K-Top (world highest motorable pass).

Another highlight of the tour will be crossing five Himalayan passes (high altitude route). Among them, two Himalayan passes are world’s highest. After all the fun, you are flying back home with fond memories of unforgettable Ladakhi hospitality and warmness.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

You will meet Himalayan Saga on arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and transfer to your hotel in the center of Delhi for overnight.

Day 2: Delhi - Manali

In the morning after breakfast, you are free to explore Delhi city at your own pace. At 16:00, you will be transferred to the Volvo stand to board a Volvo coach for an overnight journey to Manali.

Day 3: Arrival in Manali - introduction with bikes

You will arrive at the Manali bus station and transfer to the hotel. In this mid-summer afternoon, there will be a bike session where you will be briefed about various aspects of the motorcycle tour like the Himalayas, climatic conditions, road safety, high altitude, and at last, bike handover to you. You will be free to test your bike and have a short ride to be friendly with your biker friends who will be going to be with you for the next eight days.

Day 4: Manali - Jispa (138 kilometers / 86 miles)

You wake up early in the morning to start your adventure on one of the world's highest road, the Manali-Leh highway. As soon as you leave Manali, the climb for the 13,051-foot high Rohtang Pass starts. After Rohtang, the road descends into the Chandra Valley, passing through Khoksar and on to Tandi and reaching Jispa. Your night stay is at a campsite in Jispa. You can enjoy the bonfire and dinner in a beautiful settlement on the bank of the Bhaga River.

• Riding time: 6 hours

Day 5: Jispa - Tso Kar Lake (225 kilometers / 140 miles)

Today, you ride from the lush green landscape to the stark moonscape which Ladakh is famous for. Undoubtedly the best stretch on the Manali-Leh highway, this section of the Manali-Leh highway will feel as if you are on a roller coaster ride climbing up and down from one Himalayan pass to another. It is a very scenic ride passing through small lakes, waterfalls, and streams. You also cross your second high-altitude pass, Baralach La, at 16,500 feet then Naki La and Taglang La, the other highest motorable passes.

You will cross Pang ground, a 40-kilometer flat ground to arrive in Tsokar Lake for an overnight stay on the banks of the lake. The evening is free for you to walk around the lake to enjoy its exquisite beauty and to get a chance upon the sighting of endangered black-necked cranes or Tibetan asses. You can also visit the Tsokhar village to view local houses and local life.

• Riding time: 8 hours

Day 6: Tsokar - Leh (135 kilometers / 84 miles)

Today, you start your ride in the morning towards Leh town. You start the climb to scale the second highest motorable pass in the world, Taglang La, at 17,480 feet and enter into the Indus Valley, on the banks of which many ancient civilizations have thrived. Once you climb down Taglang La into the Indus Valley, it is a flat valley flanked by high mountains on its snow-capped edge and towards one end where Leh city is located.

You will ride to Leh passing across various villages, settlements, and army camps. You will reach Leh by the afternoon. The evening is at your leisure to explore the town or walk around the various streets and try some Ladakhi or Tibetan cuisine like momos, thupka, etc. Your overnight stay is at a hotel.

• Riding time: 4 - 5 hours

Day 7: Leh - Likir - Alchi (75 kilometers / 47 miles)

Today, you start your ride exploring the Sham Valley or lower Ladakh regions. You start the ride from Leh heading towards Likir village and monastery, en-route riding through some enchanting scenic views, visiting Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, viewing the confluence of Indus River and Zanskar at Nimu.

You will continue riding towards Likir Monastery which is also known as Klu-Kkji (water spirits), and after the visit, you continue your ride to Alchi village. On arrival, you will check in at the hotel and later walk around the village and cultural Buddhist heritage site - a 1,000 years old, living, enchanting, and inspiring Alchi monastery.

Day 8: Alchi - Khardung La Pass - Leh

In the morning, you start your ride back towards Leh and then start your climb to summit the highest motorable pass in the world, the Khardung La, at 18,480 meters. You ride back to Leh town for a relaxed evening and stay overnight at a hotel.

Day 9: Leh - free

Today is a free day in Leh (bike is not included). If you wish, you may walk down Leh streets, visit Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace in the town, shop around, and enjoy the fine dining, or you may hire a local taxi to visit Leh Army Museum, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis, and Shey Monastery. Overnight will be at the same hotel.

Day 10: Leh - Sarchu - riding back (250 kilometers / 155 miles)

You will enjoy bike ride experiences today through Leh / Taglang La / Sarchu following the same route. Your overnight stay is at tents in Sarchu.

• Riding time: 9 hours

Day 11: Sarchu - Manali - riding back (233 kilometers / 145 miles)

You will enjoy bike ride experiences today at Sarchu / Manali. It will be a long ride and you will start this day quite early. Reaching Manali, you will do bike handover and check-in at the hotel. In the evening, there will be a certificate distribution for successfully completing this journey. Your overnight stay is at a Manali hotel.

• Riding time: 8 hours

Day 12: Manali - Delhi overnight in Volvo

In the morning after breakfast, the day is free to relax. You are free to walk around Old Manali trying its numerous cafes, walk around the village, visit Hadima Devi Temple, or go for a relaxing dip in the sulphur spring water bath at Vashisht. In the evening, you will transfer to Manali bus station to board on Volvo for Delhi. Your overnight is on board.

Day 13: Reaching back Delhi in the morning

You will arrive in Delhi at around 07:00 - 08:00 depending on the traffic condition. You would be picked up from Volvo stand to your hotel in Delhi for a wash and change and later dropped back at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for your flight back home with fond memories of the adventure and the Himalayas. This is the end of the services.

Bike Rental Deposit Policy

Himalayan Saga requires a refundable bike renal deposit of 10,000 INR per bike.

Skill level

Intermediate

• can ride for three to four hours
• average riding experience
• little assistance required
• comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• average experience with unsurfaced roads
• steep ascents and descents

Advanced

• can ride for five to six hours
• extensive riding experience
• assistance on demand (if required)
• experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
• comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

This tour will take place in India. Himalayan Saga designed this motorcycle tour combining the adventure and cultural parts of Trans Himalayas. The highest altitude gained is Khardungla La at 5,600 meters. Major places covered in this tour include Manali, Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Deepak Tal, Baralacha La, Suraj Tal, Sarchu, Naki La, Lachlung La, Tsokhar Lake, Taglang La, Leh, Likir Monastery, Alchi village and monastery, and Khardung La.

+−

You will only get breakfast during your stay in Delhi. Meanwhile, you will be served breakfasts and dinners at the other places of stay during your motorcycle ride.

Note:

Please note that on all fixed group departures, the meals are vegetarian.

• Enjoy sighting of endangered black-necked cranes or Tibetan asses
• Explore Delhi and Leh on your own
• Go for a relaxing dip in the sulphur spring water bath at Vashist
• See Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace
• Try some Ladakhi or Tibetan cuisine
• View local houses and local life in the Tsokhar village
• Visit Leh Army Museum, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis, and Shey Monastery

• Use of Enfield motorcycle 500 cc per rider from Day 3 to Day 11
• Fuel for the bike covering places and destinations visited
• General spare change like spark plugs / brake wire / accelerator wire / brake shoes, engine oil, etc. for the bike
• One standard helmet per rider and pillion (used helmet, not new)
• Service of one motorcycle mechanic for the entire tour carrying basic spares
• Service of a tour leader from Day 3 to Day 11
• Backup jeep to carry baggage and mechanic for more than six riders
• Inner line permit for Khardung La
• First aid kit and oxygen cylinder
• Participation certificate
• Environment fees for Ladakh
• Presently applicable taxes
• Travel from Delhi to Manali and back by Volvo coach (seat in coach basis)
• Transfer in Delhi to the hotel and vice versa in tempo / coach / Innova / car depending on group size
• Transfer by jeeps from Manali bus stand to the hotel and back
• 12 nights' accommodation
• Breakfasts only in Delhi
• Meals on a half-board basis at places of stay during motorcycle ride (breakfasts and dinners)

• Use of bike on Day 9
• Meals other than the mentioned ones

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.