Itinerary

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

Pick up at the airport and transfer to a hotel in the heart of New Delhi. Your room is available from 12pm. Night at the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi – Naggar (1850 m)

Free morning in New Delhi and a group meeting with all the participants at the hotel at 3pm. Transfer to the bus station and departure by a night bus to Naggar at 6pm. We spend the night on a comfortable bus, although the journey is long (17-19 hours).

Day 3: Naggar (1850 m)

Arrival in Naggar early in the morning and free day to acclimatize. We get our first glimpse of the Royal Enfield 500cc. On bikes, we visit the Kulluvalley, then the fort and the Naggar temple that were built in the 10th century. On the way back, we ride through rustic villages with an exotic view. Night at a comfortable and welcoming guest-house.

Formerly known as Kulanthapitha, “the end of the liveable world”, Kullu valley is not only mythically known for its deities living amongst the mortals, but also for its welcoming nature, its natural beauty, gardens and orchards and its famous

Hashish. Presently, Kullu is known as “Land of the Gods” as the valley is interspersed with numerous temples.

Day 4: Naggar – Jispa (3200 m) [190 kms – 8 hours of riding]

Day of departure. We go up to the Kullu valley riding on a series of endless zigzag tracks. Finally through the Rothang La (3980 m), we pass the frontier between two worlds: we leave the Indian Sub continent behind, and get ready to enter the divine Buddhist world on a spectacular slope leading to Lahaul, a Diaspora of Buddhism and Hinduism. Crossing the Pattan valley, we reach the very impressive Chandra valley. Visit to Triloknath temples. Overnight stay in a guest house.

Day 5: Jispa – Sarchu (4290 m) [90kms – 6 hours of riding]

We get back to the main valley and move north to visit some breathtaking gorges. We visit some old monasteries locally known as “Gompas”. We go on to discover barren, almost unpopulated landscapes. The road leads upwards in the direction of the Baracha La pass (4890 m), before entering a desolate valley. Camping in the mountainous pastures of Sarchu.

Day 6: Sarchu – Rumtse (4100 m) [180kms – 7 hours of riding]

The road leads up again to Lachung La (5065 m) and plunges into the deep and impressive gorges and the desert of Pang Moore Plains. We then head towards the Tanglang La pass (5330 m), the world’s second highest motorable pass. We come across a few villages as we approach the Indus valley. We quickly descend and finally reach Rumtse, the first Ladakhi village. Camping in the surroundings of the village in a meadow surrounded by fields of barley.

Day 7: Rumtse - Leh (3500 m) [80kms – 3 hours of riding]

The road winds along an impressive gorge before flowing into the Indus Valley. We follow the Indus for about 50 km and finally reach Leh, the capital of Ladakh. On the way, we visit the Hemis’ monasteries, the largest monastery of Ladakh, and Tiksi, built on top of a rocky peak overlooking the village. Afternoon in Leh. Night in a guest house.

Dominated by the majestic royal palace, Leh was a rich commercial centre. Traders with their caravans from Tibet and central Asia stopped there, before continuing their journey to Kashmir. The bazaar in the old district is abuzz with beautiful women with rosy, high cheekbones dressed in black robes, tied at the waist with bright pastel belts. Old gentry with wrinkled skin like withered apples, lovely children ...farmers from the Nubra valley, Tibetan and Kashmiri traders, monks from Zanskar... A lively and colourful world.

Day8: Leh – Khardung la (5600 m) – Leh (3500 m) [110 kms – 4/5 hours of riding]

We go up to Khardung La pass on another labyrinthine route... The Khardung La is the highest motorable pass of the world: 5600 m! The panorama of the Zanskar chain in the south and the great Karakoram range in the north is magical. We retrace our routes to go back to Leh. This is for the true and adventurous rider; the incomparable visit to Stock village, located on the other side of the Indus, at the bottom of the Stock Kangri with a height of more than 6000 m. Night in a guest house.

Day 9: Leh – TsoMoriri Lake (4500 m) [210 kms – 8 hours of riding]

We ride up the Indus valley towards the Tibetan border. After Upshi, we continue along the Indus to the bridge of Mahe, often crossing gorges. Picnic on the white sand “beaches” of the Indus bank. We then leave the valley to enter the heart of Rupshu, the most isolated part of Ladakh. Taking a sandy track, we reach the famous TsoMoriri Lake, gleaming in its turquoise glory. Camping on the shores of the sacred lake.

We call Rupshu (or Changtang), the Indian half of the huge Tibetan plateau that extends from East to West on more than 2000 Km. The average altitude of the Rupshu is 4500 m, too high for regular life. Only nomads live here, with their yaks and goats.

Day10: Tso Moriri Lake – Tso Kar Lake (4500 m) [100kms – 4 hours of riding]

Visit to Korzok village, one of the rare settlements of Rupshu, and its small monastery. A ride or walk along the lake. A peek into the life of the Champa nomads. Departure in the direction of TsoKar on a sandy and rocky track. The TsoKar is a salt water lake surrounded by unbelievable lunar scenery. Camping next to the Thukje village.

The Champas (nomads) live under their waterproof black tents made of yak wool. They live on their yaks, goats and sheep and mostly earn their living by selling their wool. They go down to the valleys to trade for cereals, materials, spices, sugar... In exchange, they bring salt, butter, cheese, meat, and their daily necessities. They raise sheep and the worldfamous wool from their goats called pashmina, which is then brought down to the Kashmir valley, where it is woven and then sold across the world.

Day 11: TsoKar Lake – Jispa (3200 m) [210 kms – 8 hours of riding]

We take a rugged but safe track to reach the Leh-Manali road, next to Pang. We head Southwards until Sarchu where we will lunch. The afternoon we will drive down to Drache or even Jispa. Overnight in a simple Guest House, but at 3500 m altitude, where a hard bed and a shower are items of luxury!

The region is the refuge of many animal species that we can see while trekking: wild hares, marmots with thick fur, white partridges, ibex, wild donkeys from Tibet (Kyangs), wolves and if we are lucky, some very rare snow leopards.

Day 12: Jispa – Naggar (1850 m) [190 kms – 8 hours of riding]

Last stage of the rally, which is one of the longest but definitely worth experiencing! Early departure southwards to Naggar. Night spent in a comfortable guest house.

Day 13: Naggar – Delhi

Day in Naggar. Possibility to visit Manali. Night on a comfortable bus to Delhi.

Day 14: Delhi

An early morning arrival in Delhi. Transfer to the hotel. Free day in Delhi. Night in a hotel.

The capital of India, founded on the site of seven historical cities, is now composed of the old town and the new - two halves of an exciting and chaotic unit. The fortified citadel and the Red Fort remind one of the strength and elegance of the great Mughal Empire. The lively Chandni Chowk, known for its dealers in gold and silver, the Jama Masjid mosque, the largest in India, and the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, are truly interesting. 

New Delhi is a vibrant city, with multi-storied buildings, boulevards, fountains and large parks. You can visit the minaret of Qutub Minar, the mausoleum of Humayun, and Connaught Place where the mix of vendors, displays of silk, cinemas and restaurants perfectly reflects the essence of the national capital.

Day 15: Delhi – International airport

Transfer to the international airport in the evening. End of the trip.

NB: Schedules of the stages are given as a rough guide. The itinerary is subject to change depending on the natural state of the roads.

Gallery

Cost

This expedition costs $4450, twin share ex Delhi.

COST INCLUDES:

• A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle and full mechanical assistance and all spare parts

• Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle

• Transfers Delhi – Naggar – Delhi by bus

• An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 3 to day 13)

• Fuel expenses

• An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles

• A support vehicle with driver

• Lodging in standard hotels and camps, in double bed rooms on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration.

• Meals: Full board meals during days of riding (except during days of transfer: day 1, day2, day 14 and day 15)

• Third party motorcycle insurance

COST EXCLUDES:

• Travel Insurance (compolsory) - must cover accidents on motorcycles of 500cc

• International Flights and airport taxes

• Visa fees

• A refundable security deposit of $600 for every motorcycle.

• Dinners and meals during days of transfers (days 1, 2, 14, and 15)

• Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc.

• Souvenirs and personal expenses

• Drinks

• Tips

Extras

Note the below items can be added at the time of booking.

Dates