Accommodation

Check-in Time:

08:00

Check-out Time:

20:00

You will stay for nine nights in various accommodations including hotels and tents. The start of the trip sets the tone for the rest of the journey and the end of the trip is an intimate moment to reflect, relish, and basically have one big party. The properties Karma Yatri uses at various locations, that serve as start and end points of the itinerary, are unique and carefully selected.

The properties combine the best in hospitality that the region has to offer, great food, and the ability for you all to behave like a group. Please note that although Karma Yatri provides blankets and duvets, it is recommended that you carry a sleeping bag for added comfort.

Nights 1 and 2: Stok Palace Heritage or similar in Leh
Night 3: Lchang Nang Retreat or similar in Nubra
Night 4: Stok Palace Heritage or similar in Leh
Night 5: Ladakh Sarai or similar in Pangong
Night 6: Stok Palace Heritage or similar in Leh
Night 7: Stok Palace Heritage or similar in Leh
Night 8: Swiss tent accomodation or similar in Tso Moriri
Night 9: Stok Palace Heritage or similar in Leh

Program

Day 1: Arrival in Leh

Transfer to the hotel and ensure that you spend the day relaxing and indulging only in mild physical activity. Keep vigilant for signs of AMS (acute mountain sickness). You will then have a meet and greet with the team.

Day 2: Around Leh

You will get on your bike and do an exploratory circuit of the sights around Leh. You will cover easy terrain and encounter some traffic, but the ride is fairly relaxed and filled with stops.

Day 3: Leh - Hundar

Today's ride takes you across Khardung La at the elevation of 5,348 meters (18,400 feet). You will cross into the stunning Nubra Valley and ride to the sand dunes of Hunder after a stopover at Diskit Gompa.

Day 4: Nubra Valley - Leh

You will ride through the Shyok Valley (if Wari La is open) and cross back into Leh via another spectacular road in these regions. This is a relatively unexplored part of Ladakh and thereby more special.

Day 5: Leh - Pangong Lake

The ride to the iconic Pangong Lake takes you across Chang La (another 5,000 meters pass). The surreal beauty of this region and the colors of the lake from its first view to the ride along its shores will leave you amazed.

Day 6: Pangong Lake - Leh

You will return to Leh on the same roads as the previous day. You will break the journey at a special spot and have a picnic lunch. Today is an interesting ride because of the ability to see it all again but from a different perspective.

Day 7: Rest day

You only have one planned activity which takes you on a rafting expedition on the Zanskar. The rest of the day is yours to spend in your own style and at your convenience.

Day 8: Leh - Tso Moriri

You will return along now familiar roads, before leaving the highway and divert towards Tso Moriri. Another remote region of Ladakh, the transition in colors and texture and the extreme remoteness of the region redefine 'remote'.

Day 9: Tso Moriri - Tso Kar - Leh

You will wake up for an early breakfast overlooking the deep blue Tso Moriri Lake. You will ride along empty spaces to break for lunch at Tso Kar and cross over Tanglang La and the home stretch to Leh. Tour officially ends on this last night.

Day 10: Departure Day

Today is at your leisure or you can depart from Leh.

Skill level(s) required for this tour:

Intermediate:

can ride for 3-4 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 5-6 hours
extensive riding experience
assistance on demand (if required)
experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Notes

Through the trips leading into and out of Leh, please note that the approach both from Manali and from Srinagar takes quite a toll on the rider as well as consuming several days.
The road can be your best friend or your worst enemy, so it is advised that you to always ride by keeping in mind your safety, and that of other people travelling with you. Riding in a group is a great joy but requires elements of discipline.

Included excursions

A visit to Alchi Monastery
A visit to Basgo Fort
Rafting expedition on the Zanskar

Guides

Hashim Qayoom

Two decades of motorcycling and the opportunity to live in many parts of India and Europe. A passion that keeps growing with every riding season. New roads to discover, more friends to ride with is his mantra. He speaks Hindi, Kashmiri, Tamil, English, German, French and a smattering of other Indian dialects. A native of Kashmir means that a vast network that can be called upon in case of any emergency or contingencies.

Location

This version of the ride focuses on the high altitude lakes found in the Ladakh Region, India. Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Tso Kar are all located at an altitude of 4,000 meters. This trip is one of the more extreme circuits in the Himalayas. However, it's one of the most rewarding circuits.

Tso Moriri will enchant you in its remoteness, while the mineral lake of Tso Kar is a paradise for bird watchers. This circuit also allows you to ride in the More plains and approach Leh from the classic Leh-Manali Highway.

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Food

Chai or the omnipresent Indian tea is a very important part of your trip. From early morning starts to your numerous stops by the road, this (often) milky and sweet beverage is like a road trip elixir, warming you on those high altitude passes or providing a much-needed break for the bum sore you will inevitably experience on these roads. Food is a mix of local and continental, allowing you to experience the local cuisine but ensuring that your taste buds are not overpowered by the spicy Indian fare.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

7 days of riding
Rafting expedition on the Zanskar
Visits to Alchi Monastery and Basgo Fort
Motorcycle rental (inclusive of fuel)
Service of multilingual guide
Backup vehicle
Support team (4 members)
First aid with oxygen back-up
9 nights' accommodations
Meals for 9 days
Beverages
Internal transfers
Entries and permits
Taxes

What's not included

International air travel
Personal shopping
Personal equipment
Camera equipment
Medical insurance
Emergency evacuation
Alcohol and cigarettes
Tips (recommended amount: 10%)

How to get there

Recommended Airports

IXL

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

3 km

Transfer not provided

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL).

Cancellation Policy

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.

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