14 Days
Duration
Leh, India
Start Location
June, July, Aug, Sept
Tour Months

No other Himalayan adventure packs so much into 14 days. We head into the challenging and very remote regions of the Spiti Valley into disputed territory, close to the Chinese border. We pass the Pin Valley National Park where you might spot the ever-elusive and increasingly endangered Snow Leopard and maybe even a yeti, who knows!

We visit a 550-year-old natural mummy, the highest village in the world, the iconic 11th century Key Monastery, a 70m statue of Shiva, and a precariously situated gompa in Dhankar

That is the first week, the second is completely different!

As we cross Kunzum pass at 4590m, we head north into the arid regions and onto the More Plains in a cloud of ancient dust before heading through valleys of unimaginable scale. As we head towards Leh, we take a detour along a road with valley walls towering on either side of us, towards the largest lake in the Himalayas – Pangong.

Leaving the lake, we follow the Shyok River into the Nubra Valley to get to our penultimate destination. We’ve been building up to the climax of the adventure – the ascent of the recently deposed highest motorable road in the world. After the obligatory “I conquered Khardungla” photo in front of the sign, we turn our engines off and freewheel all the way down to the oasis that is Leh where the 17th century, 9-story Royal Palace watches over us.

Your mind will be swirling, trying to remember everything you’ve seen and experienced in the past 14 days as you head home via Delhi. The Himalayas have weaved their magic and will be a part of you for the rest of your life.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Leh, India
TOUR DATES 2024 dates are available upon request. Get in touch and let’s make it happen!
PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE This tour is also available as a private adventure for solo adventurers, a couple, a club, or even just a group of mates. This can be any combination of riders, pillions, sidecar passengers, or even family in one of our expedition support vehicles. The tour can be shortened or lengthened to suit your desires. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

The best months are from June to September

PRICES Rider: US$4,190 per person
Pillion: US$3,390 per person
WHAT’S INCLUDED Transfers to/from Leh Airport and Hotel
All internal transfers and other travel for the duration of the adventure
A well-maintained Royal Enfield Motorcycle (Classic 500 or Himalayan)
All Fuel
Quality Accommodation on a twin share basis (Comfort hotels/guest houses/Camps/tents)
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for the entire tour
English speaking guides
First Aid kit available including Oxygen
Mechanics with all necessary spare parts
Support vehicles to carry all luggage (riders are welcome to take a break in the vehicle if feeling unwell)
Unlimited bottled mineral water throughout the adventure
Tea/Chai & snacks en-route
Permits for restricted areas
All entrance fees en-route
NOT INCLUDED  International flights
 Domestic flights
 VISA
 Travel Insurance (compulsory)
 Personal Expenses
 Tipping (US$100 suggested)
 Alcohol, Soda & espresso coffees

NOTE: The prices above are based on a twin share basis. If you’d like a private room, then there is a US$650 supplement.

Payment terms: A US$500 deposit must be made at the time of booking. Balance payment must be paid 8 weeks before the tour start date. Payment plans are available upon request.

Terms & Conditions What To Bring Price Guarantee

Additional information

Rider or PillionRider, Pillion
1
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN NEW DELHI
CHECK-IN DAY

Most of the flights land at midnight at New Delhi IGIA. Please ensure you arrive with plenty of time to transfer to the domestic airport for your early morning connecting flight to Chandigarh. Alternatively, if you would like to arrive a day early and relax or sight-see let us know and we can arrange accommodation.

2
DAY 2: TAKE ME TO MANALI

We catch a domestic flight (15kg weight limit so pack light) early in the morning to Chandigarh and then jump in private vehicles for a long but interesting drive north towards the Himalayas. There’ll be plenty of stops for food and toilet breaks along the way. We arrive at our very comfortable hotel where you can have a hot shower, meet your trusty two-wheeled companions and have a pre-ride dinner and drinks.

3
DAY 3: LETS ACCLIMATISE
ACCLIMATISATION RIDE IN MANALI (60 km – 2 hrs)

After breakfast, we’ll have a rider briefing with our adventure leader, check personal equipment and cover safety precautions before being properly introduced to the Royal Enfield motorcycles. We’ll take the bikes out on the adjacent narrow roads of the surrounding villages and through the mountains. This is your chance to familiarise yourselves with the motorcycles and get to know the roads. In the evening we get back to the hotel for dinner and rest before the tour starts proper.

4
DAY 4: GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
MANALI TO BANJAR/GUSHANI (100 km / 5 hours)

After breakfast, we will ride to the unexplored area of Kullu District. The Banjar Valley is a lush green valley & the border area of the “Great Himalayan National Park”, home to many birds, fish & animals. Lunch will be in a local restaurant and we’ll explore the valley after lunch too. Overnight at Raju Guesthouse/ similar.

5
DAY 5: FORESTS AND TEMPLES
BANJAR/GUSHANI TO SARAHAN (190 km / 6-7 hrs)

A scenic road goes up 2500m through a pine forest to Narkanda which has great skiing in the winter months. A gentle descent through villages to join the main road from Shimla that leads to Kinnaur in the Spiti Valley. We continue to Sarahan, the summer capital of the Rampur Busheher. We visit a 1500-year-old temple of goddess Bhimakali and we have an amazing view of the Shirkhand peaks. Overnight in Hotel/ Guesthouse.

6
DAY 6: PANORAMIC VIEWS
SARAHAN TO KALPA (150 km / 6 – 8 hours)

One of the prime attractions of Kalpa is the Kinnaur Kailash mountain as it is considered to be sacred by the locals of the region. A Shiva Lingam measuring 70m in height sits on top of the peak which attracts a large number of devotees and tourists all year round. We will ride through Sangla Valley which is another prominent attraction after which we visit the Kamru Fort, the Naga Temple and Sapni, which are renowned for their architectural excellence and the city of Reckong Peo which offers a panoramic view of the Kinner Kailash Mountain. Overnight in A Hotel or Guesthouse.

7
DAY 7: 1000-YEAR-OLD MONASTERY
KALPA TO TABO (180 km / 7-8 hours)

We leave Reckong Peo and enter a restricted area after getting our passports checked at Jangi. The route to Khab where Sutlej river enters India and merges into the Spiti river is simply amazing. It is uphill along a cliff, high over the Spiti River until Nako, where a magnificent view awaits us. To the north of the village is the monastic complex belonging to the Drugpa order. We continue along the cliff roads, driving through several villages until Tabo Monastery which was founded in 996 A.D. We’ll explore the village by foot and in the evening join the Puja ceremony in the Monastery. Overnight in Hotel/ Guesthouse.

8
DAY 8: DHANKAR STOMPA
TABO TO KAZA via Dhankar, Lalung, Pin Valley (110 km / 4-5 hours)

We head from Tabo via Dhankar, the ancient capital of the Spiti king and home to the most incredibly situated gompa, perched high on a barren rocky mountain. Continuing to Lallung and in the afternoon reaching Pin Valley, known for its national park which is home to snow leopards and ibex. We stay overnight in Kaza.

9
DAY 9: VALLEY TO VALLEY
KAZA TO JISPA (210 km / 6-7 hours)

Today is a long, physically, challenging day as we ride some of the roughest roads of the adventure. We cross streams and dirt tracks with frozen puddles to navigate up and over the Kunzum Pass. We’ll take our chai and lunch break at Batal before continuing along the Chandra Valley. We head through Tandi and enter the Ghar Valley along Bhaga river through the town of Keylong. Another quick chai break and then finally head to the village of Jispa through the Tod Valley, where we will spend the night in a Hotel.

10
DAY 10: CROSS COUNTRY 
JISPA TO TSO KAR (220 km / 6 – 7 hours)

Another big day is ahead of us but the riding in the morning is easy and spectacular. After stopping at the police checkpoint, we follow the winding road and cross the Baralacha pass which demands your concentration but rewards you with stunning views. We then descend to Bharatpur for a well-deserved chai break and hot lunch. After lunch, we ride some fantastic roads along the valley floor, past the semi-permanent campsites in Sarchu, before leaving the road to take a cross-country shortcut to our evening destination next to Tso Kar lake. 

11
DAY 11: THE LONGEST DAY (or INTO DISPUTED TERRITORY!)
TSO KAR TO PANGONG TSO (240 km / 6 – 7 hours)

After a hearty breakfast, we climb aboard our steeds and head to the second highest motorable road in the world – Taglang La. We cruise into Upshi and turn right at Hemis into the narrowest valley of the adventure. Riding towards the 134km saline Pangong lake, one is blissfully unaware that 60% is in Chinese controlled area but that it’s claimed by India. We snake along the river, past farms on the left, up and over snow-capped mountains before we find our way to our campsite at the lake which is larger than Singapore at 699km2 and is 4250m above sea level.

12
DAY 12: A CHOICE OF ROUTES
PANGONG TSO TO DISKIT (160 km – 225 km / 6 -7 hours)

There is nothing better than an early morning swim in a freezing lake. If you don’t die, you’ll never feel more alive! We head back out the same way we came for about 50km until we get to Durbuk where we make the decision to turn right and take the shorter route and follow the Shyok River into Diskit or choose to do the far more challenging, twisty route over the mountains to the left before pulling into Diskit for the night? Either way, a massive colourful statue of Buddha will be there to welcome you. We’ll stay in a guest house for the night before tackling the highest motorable road in the world the following day.

13
DAY 13: THE HIGHEST ROAD IN THE WORLD
DISKIT TO LEH (120kms / 4 hours)

A short day but not easy by any stretch of the imagination as we tackle the highest motorable road in the world at 5350m. After enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime scenery and taking the obligatory picture in front of the sign, we usually have some noodles or walk higher up the mountain for a celebratory shot of whiskey. For those who are game, we highly recommend switching your engines off and rolling all the way from the top to the hotel 43kms below in Leh. Rolling silently at speeds of up to 70km/h is a surreal experience and is a great way to reflect on the phenomenal adventure you’ve just been on. You will arrive in Leh in the afternoon with plenty of time to explore the many sights it has to offer. We have dinner and stay overnight at a hotel in Leh.

14
DAY 14: HOMEWARD BOUND
FLY LEH TO DELHI ( 1.5 hours)

That’s it, folks, you’ve just completed one of the most extreme motorcycle expeditions in the world. You’ve crossed three of the world’s highest motorable passes, seen huge hanging glaciers, ridden by high-altitude lakes and immersed yourself in the colourful cultures of Ladakh.

Time to board the flight back to Delhi and onward home. On arrival in New Delhi, we’ll transfer you to the hotel where you can relax before catching your flight home. If you are staying for a day or two, then explore some of the many interesting sightseeing options, for example: seeing old Delhi by bicycle rickshaw, exploring the spice market, India Gate, the houses of parliament, the legendary Red Fort, walk-in Lodi Gardens and much more. Back on home turf, you won’t be able to explain the scale of this journey; photographs and videos will fail to do justice to your adventure. Your memories of this epic adventure will stay with you forever.

INSURANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

(INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, TIBET, MONGOLIA, MYANMAR and SRI LANKA)

In the countries we conduct adventures, commercial insurance on motor vehicles is either not available, or is of questionable value. 3rd party insurance will usually not cover foreigners and even if it does, it is generally worthless if one needs to make a claim. In the event of an accident in these countries, the situation is usually settled on the spot without the “assistance” of insurance companies. If insurance companies are involved, it can take days, weeks and even months before there is a resolution.

Damage Cap Option “DCO”

Himalayan Heroes offers its riders the option of capping the cost of your damage bill on the motorcycle you are riding. The cost of this damage cap option “DCO” is US$195, paid as a lump sum before the tour starts. In the event you damage the motorcycle, the DCO will cap your damage bill at US$200. 

3 Scenarios

  1. If, like most of our riders, you do not damage the motorcycle then the total cost to you is only the cost of the DCO = US$195.
  2. If, like some of our riders, you put the bike down at slow speed and damage mirrors, levers, foot pegs etc and the damage bill is say, US$120 then you pay the US$120. The total cost to you is US$315 (US$195 DCO + US$120 damage bill)
  3. If you have a big off and damage the tank, forks etc and the damage bill is say US$750 then your damage bill is capped at US$200. The total cost to you is US$395 (US$195 DCO + US$200 damage bill).

The DCO is optional, so if you would like to carry the risk yourself, you are welcome to. At the completion of the tour, you will be presented with an itemised bill of the damage to the bike. Approximately 50% of our riders do not damage the bikes and of the 50% that do receive a damage bill, the majority of the bills are less than $300. Please send us an email if you’ve got any questions about the DCO.

The DCO is not an insurance policy and therefore any costs related to it cannot be claimed on a travel insurance claim.