With our motorcycle tour in India we combine the legendary Spiti valley with the highest passes in the world - up to 5,608m in Ladakh. Spiti in northern India is one of the most remote regions of the Himalayas. The people here are still firmly integrated in their old Buddhist traditions in the middle of a magnificent high mountain landscape.
"Explore the breathtaking desert-like landscape of the region, where fertile oases are framed by snow-capped peaks soaring over 6,000 meters. The emerald green Spiti River and its tributaries carve through this stunning terrain. However, reaching this remote area demands some flexibility due to its challenging accessibility and unpredictable climate. Our journey follows the Indus Valley, allowing you to experience the enchanting Buddhist hospitality, which is another highlight of this incredible trip. From Leh, you'll conquer the world's highest motorable road, the Khardung La, standing at 5,600 meters. After this exhilarating ride, you'll fly from Leh to Delhi, where a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra can be arranged!
This motorbike adventure has been carefully designed for a gradual ascent, giving you ample time to acclimatize to the altitude. Join us for the ultimate motorcycle journey on the roof of the world!
Everything you need to know about this tour. Do you have any further questions? Please contact us!
You arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and get a transfer to the hotel.
We go by train from Delhi to Chandigarh, a unique experience. Your motorcycle, the Royal Enfield, awaits you there. The city at the foot of the Himalayas is the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana, and is particularly well suited as a gateway to the discovery of the Himalayas.
After breakfast we take over the motorbikes and start our first tour. The ride to Shimla, one of the most famous hill stations in India, gives us a first impression of what we can expect in the next few days. Curve after curve we keep swinging up to about 2.200m. In the afternoon we reach our hotel and you can relax after the first motorcycle ride in India. In the afternoon you may be able to visit the colonial part of Shimla. This part of the city is car-free and you can walk around quietly and undisturbed.
Today one of the most impressive tours through the Himalayas from our program begins. We travel through a landscape that is breathtaking almost every kilometer and that leads us on and on. On the way to Sarahan we first visit Rampur (1.000m), where we can see the imposing Padam Palace. Then we enter the Spiti valley. The southern part of the Spiti loop is already paved. We turn to Sarahan and experience the first unpaved part of the trip today. Sarahan is at 1.920m, slightly lower than Shimla and therefore perfect for acclimatization. From the village we already have a wonderful view of the Himalayan peaks. The Bhimakali temple is located in Sahara. This mostly wooden temple is beautifully set against a backdrop of white snow-capped peaks. What is special about the temple is above all the striking mixture of Hindu and Buddhist influences and local gods. This is characteristic of this region where these two religions meet and easily merge.
We continue to follow the Sutlej River into the Kinnaur area. We ride about 4 hours to the city of Sangla (2.680 meters).After lunch in the village we continue down into the valley until we reach the village of Chitkul. This is quite an ascent because Chitkul is almost a kilometer higher than Sangla. It is beautifully surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Overnight in Sangla in a simple guest house.
This is one of the most impressive parts of Kinaur with a wonderful view of peaks over 6,000 meters high. The route follows the border with Tibet and in the middle of the border is the Leo Pagral summit of 6,727 meters. A pass of 4,550 meters forms a small border crossing here. The Sutlej River, which we have been following for a few days, crosses the border with Tibet as we continue along the Spiti River. Nako is one of the most beautiful villages on this trip. The inhabitants are Tibetans and the architectural styles in the village are authentic Tibetan. Of course there is also a monastery in the village and the area is littered with stupas and prayerflags. From here, the road gets worse and the surroundings become even harsher.
From today we are riding through the Spiti valley. The name Spiti means House of Mani, the Buddhist mantra Om-Mani-Padme-Hum. The erosion has given the landscape a moon-like appearance. We ride far beyond the tree line and it is probably one of the roughest areas on earth. Because of its centuries-old, isolated location, the population of Spiti is on its own. As a result, many monasteries are much more authentic than in their country of origin, Tibet. We pass two of these monasteries on the way today, and we will certainly visit one of them. We take a lunch break in Tabo and arrive at the end of the day after an impressive ride in the city of Kaza, where we stay two nights.
Kaza is a small village where we can rest today. We can also take a day trip to the village of Kibber, until recently the highest village in the world with road and electricity connections (4270 meters). On the way is the Kee Monastery (Kye), here you can also admire the room in which the 14th Dalai Lama usually spends the night when he is in the region. It is a beautiful village with Tibetan style houses. The harsh climate that prevails here outside of the summer months has clearly drawn the residents' faces. On an adventurous route we ride to one of India's highest monasteries, the Komic-Gompa.
Today we have one of the most beautiful but also the longest routes on the programme, so we start early. The track is usually so narrow that there is just enough room for a bus. On one side it goes steeply downhill, on the other steeply uphill. Fortunately, the road builders in the Himalayas have paved parts of the road with good tarmac. Nevertheless, this day is not for thefaint-hearted. We cross the Kunzum Pass at an altitude of 4,551 metres. The top of the pass is littered with prayer flags. The Kunzum Pass separates Spiti fromLahaul and is only open during the summer months. On the other side of the pass, we follow the valley of the Chandra River. It is greener here than in the Spiti valley: it is lower and it rains considerably more. The inhabitants are no longer ethnically Tibetan. We turn off in the direction of Manali, where we spend two nights in a very nice and cosy guesthouse.
Manali, nestled in the breathtaking landscape of the Kullu Valley, is a true Himalayan paradise surrounded by apple orchards and dense coniferous forests. Overlooking the snow-capped fields of Solang Nala,this enchanting region offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today we can take a motorbike tour through the Kullu Valley. Often referred to as the 'Valley of the Gods', the Kullu Valley is known for its vibrant festivals, traditional temples and warm hospitality.
"The trip was great and very exciting. Northern India is breathtaking (in every aspect ;-), the people are great and the landscape is incredibly beautiful. The motorbikes (Royal Enfield Himalaya) were also a lot of fun! The highlights of the trip were the landscape, people, the food, the motorcycles, the weather, the heights, the temples and all of that with my friends! Lidwien organized everything very well and took care of everything, the Indian team on site was also great. "
Today's route takes us along pleasant tarred roads into the Lahaul Valley,towards Udaipur (Himachal Pradesh) and on to Keylong. Udaipur lies on the banksof the Chandrabhaga River. This picturesque hill village was once known as Markul, named after the famous Markula Devi temple. In 1695 AD, it was renamed Udaipur in honour of King Udai Singh, the ruler of Chamba. Udaipur is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Buddhists and Hindus, mainly because of the Triloknath Temple. This temple is unique in the world, as both Hindus and Buddhists are worshipped here. We spend the night in Keylong, a quiet Indian village, before travelling in high altitute again tomorrow.
Keylong lies at the foot of the highest sections of the Indian Himalayas. From here, the route continues steadily uphill. While Keylong is still surrounded by green valleys, the landscape soon changes into a high-altitude desert above the tree line. We ride on the Manali–Leh Highway, also known as the “Highway to Heaven”. The road is mostly paved and offers constantly changing views. We cross the Baralacha La Pass at 4,890 meters, an eight-kilometre-long pass forming part of the Zanskar mountain range. We spend the night in a tented camp in Sarchu. At 4,250 meters, this is the highest overnight stay of the journey.
Shortly after leaving Sarchu, the view opens over a dry riverbed framed by sandcastle-like formations. The road winds through rocky terrain up onto the high plateau. We reach the Rupshu Plateau, often referred to as “Little Tibet”. Today we cross three more mountain passes: Nakee La (4,740 m) with its 21 hairpin bends, Lachulung La (5,060 m), and finally Tanglang La. At 5,328 meters, Tanglang La is one of the highest motorable passes in the world and marks the gateway to Ladakh. Via Upshi, we continue through changing landscapes toward Leh. The road conditions are very good, vegetation gradually returns, and the climate becomes noticeably milder. Before reaching Leh, we catch a glimpse of two of Ladakh’s most important monasteries: Hemis and Thiksey. In the evening, we arrive at our hotel in Leh at an altitude of around 3,500 meters.
Leh has an almost medieval feel when walking through the narrow alleys of the old town, with views of the fortress above. The multi-storey royal palace at the foot of Tsenmo Hill is reached by a staircase at the end of the main street. Built in the 16th century, its architecture recalls the Potala Palace in Lhasa and reflects Ladakh’s strong cultural and religious ties to Tibet. Along the way, several temples can be visited. It is also possible to climb Tsenmo Hill to the summit and the Gonkhang, the temple of the protective deities. Other worthwhile visits include the Changspa Stupa, the Maitreya Temple (Dschampa Lhakhang), and Sankar Monastery, located about four kilometres from Leh.
We leave Leh and deliberately follow the old route, winding through the valleys of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The ride is varied, partly unpaved, with curves and constantly changing perspectives. At times, it feels like riding on another planet — barren, wide, and almost lunar. Rugged ridges alternate with deep valleys, and the landscape shifts continuously: bare slopes, unusual rock formations, and open areas that gave Lamayuru Moonland its name. Along the way, we visit Alchi Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, known for its wall paintings and quiet location away from the main roads.
Some roads are so good that riding them twice is a pleasure — this is one of them. We return to Leh on the same route, yet the landscape appears completely different. Light, colours, and perspectives constantly change. We once again pass through the lunar scenery around Lamayuru, follow the course of the Indus River, and enjoy the flowing curves and open sections. As we approach Leh, the surroundings gradually become greener. We reach Leh again in the afternoon.
Today brings another highlight of the tour: Khardung La, often referred to as the second highest motorable pass in the world, at around 5,606 meters. A special permit is required, which we apply for immediately upon arrival in Leh.After crossing the pass, we descend into the Nubra Valley and continue to Diskit, the main settlement of the region.
We leave the Nubra Valley and choose one of the most remote routes back to Leh: the road over Wari La. This route is rarely used and offers a very direct riding experience away from the main highways. The road conditions are basic. Paved sections alternate with gravel, and several streams cross the route. Wari La lies at around 5,300 meters and offers wide views across the high-mountain landscape of Ladakh. As the pass is not regularly maintained, it may be closed at short notice due to weather or road conditions. If necessary, we will adapt the route and use a safe alternative.After the descent into the Indus Valley, the landscape becomes greener and the climate milder. We reach Leh again in the afternoon.
Early in the morning, we say goodbye to Ladakh and fly from Leh to Delhi. This flight is considered one of the most scenic in the world. Shortly after take-off, weather permitting, we enjoy views of the Himalayan peaks from above. After days of riding across high passes, seeing the mountains from the air offers a calm and fitting conclusion to our time in the high mountains, before landing in the plains around Delhi.
An optional excursion leads to one of India’s most famous landmarks: the Taj Mahal in Agra. Built from white marble, the mausoleum was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Alternatively, the day can be spent exploring Delhi independently. Palaces, forts, temples of different religions, and lively neighbourhoods shape the cityscape. The day can also be used for last-minute shopping in local markets and stores.
Depending on flight times, transfer to Delhi Airport. With memories of high mountain passes, remote valleys, and cultural highlights of northern India, this journey comes to an end.
During this trip we use the Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle. This is a 'European' type engine with the gear shift on the left side of the engine and an electric starter.
The unpaved roads and the altitude can make the trip challenging for the participants. Without exception,everyone will experience complaints from the altitude. For some it is shortness of breath and small complaints, others will experience headaches and nausea.These are all normal body reactions and most of the symptoms go away after a few days, this process is called acclimatization. In order to make this process as smooth as possible,it is important to climb slowly. We have taken this into account in our tour.We ride about 20% of the route on unpaved roads. Most of these are easily accessible gravel roads, but a few days in the Spiti valley you can expect more rocky parts. Due to the rain the dirt roads can also be difficult to ride on. Of course you should always be careful in the curves because there around the corner a truck can take up whole the road. The high passes in the area are only open in summer, otherwise there is too much snow. This also means that a lot of meltwater flows over the roads in summer. This can be an innocent stream, but it can also cause a significant landslide. In such cases, a solution must be found. This can be a short detour but also e.g. mean that we cross the river on a motorcycle. So flexibility and motorcycle experience is an important quality that you need on this trip.
We ride through two different climates. In the lowlands in the first part of the trip it is the rainy season. This does not mean that it always rains, but a heavy downpour can be a recurring fact, although we may be lucky and not notice it. It is different in the high mountains because this rainy season in the lowlands is the only time when the roads to the mountains are accessible. It doesn't rain here either. Due to the altitude, the temperature fluctuates extremely, it can be very warm during the day, but after sunset it will cool down and get cold very quickly.
A helmet, warm motorcycle jacket with protectors, gloves (summer &winter) and good solid motorcycle pants with protectors and stable high(mountain) shoes or boots are required. Because of the large temperature differences, a jacket with removable lining is best suited. In the colder parts of the mountains, additional clothing can be worn under the jacket if necessary. Good sunglasses are important and a helmet with a visor against the dust. If your motorcycle clothing is not waterproof, it is advisable to bring a separate rain suit.
You should have an valid national- & international driving license with you. For India you need a passport that is valid for at least one year and 15 days when applying for a visa and still has at least two free pages. Most travellers must have a valid Indian visa prior to the start of their tour. Please note that the visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from. To obtain a visa for India, you may either apply for an e-Visa using the link below, or alternately visit the Indian embassy or consulate nearest you to apply for a physical visa on your passport. As of 2017, India is now offering e-Visas for most nationalities. Please visit this link for further information and to apply: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html As there are many fake websites, please only use the link to apply for your e-Visa and for any additional information. You can use the start hotel of your tour as a reference for your visa application. Contact us if you need further information.
Rider : €3650, -
Pillion: €2950, -
Single room supplement: €490, -
Pocket money: €500, -*
Minimum number of participants: 6
Maximum number of participants: 12
Maximum number of passengers: 2
Visa (exclusive): A visa is required for many western countries.
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