Mystical Highlands

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14 Days

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Delhi

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Ladakh

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Delhi

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India

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1732 km

Overview

This 14-day motorcycle tour is a newly-interpreted classic through the most spectacular Highlands in the World! With brand-new passes and recently opened routings, we cover all of the scenic and cultural highlights of the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Ladakh.

Our journey starts in the regional capital of Leh, Ladakh, from where we ride via Kargil to Zanskar, one of the most remote regions of the Himalayas. On the route we visit the charming oasis of Alchi and the most spectacularly situated monastery of Lamayuru. From Padum in Zanskar to Darcha in Lahaul we ride via the newly opened Shingo La Pass, taking us to a dizzying altitude of 5.091 meters.

Our journey continues on the vast and breathtaking Moore Plains to the Salt Lake of Tso Kar - a nature reserve and home to some rare and reclusive birds and mammals. We cross Tanglang La Pass - at 5.340 meters - and eventually make our way to undoubtedly the most beautiful lake at the frontier to Tibet. This journey is not complete without a stop at the far-reaching deserts of Nubra Valley and a ride over Khardung La - one of the highest motorable passes in the world at 5615 meters - back to Leh.

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At A Glance

Category	Details
Best travel-time	June, July, August
Start/Finish	Delhi / Delhi
Duration	14 travel days, 12 riding days
Distance covered	870 mi / 1.400 km
Day rides	50 - 180 mi / 80 - 290 km
Roads	Mainly tarmac; around 400 km / 280 mi some stretches with gravel
Motorcycles	Royal Enfield Bullet or RE Himalayan, 500cc, left side gear shift, front disk break
Rider's requirements	A comfortable ride on tarmac and gravel. Steady nerves for the traffic needed!
Group size	Min. 4 and max. 10 riders - space for pillion rider in our follow up car.
Accommodation	Middle-class hotels and Guest houses
What's included	Domestic flights, All meals, all non-alcoholic beverages, all entry fees, petrol for the bikes
Highlights	Some of the highest passes in the world: Khardung La (5,604 m), Tanglang La (5,390 m), Shingo la (5100 m) Undoubtedly, some of the the most beautiful lakes situated at over 4,500 meters Picturesque Buddhist monasteries Spectacular new routing and majestic mountain landscape Sand dunes at 3,600 meters Captivating cultural and historical insights in German and English
Important	VISA needed! For many nationalities "Visa on arrival" possible now. You need to apply online!

ITinerary

Day	Description
Day 1	Arrival in Delhi, onward flight to Leh. Acclimatization and rest day.
Day 2	Today we cover the first kilometers on our Royal Enfield motorcycles. We visit beautiful monasteries and ride along the Indus River. Brief insights into Buddhist culture are of course included! Approximately 90 km.
Day 3	A ride up the mountain along small roads brings us closer to the rugged yet majestic mountain landscape. The first passes of our journey are conquered today. We spend the night in the oasis of Alchi. Approximately 130 km.
Day 4	After visiting its famous monastery, we leave Alchi in the morning. On the way to Kargil we stop in Lamayuru to see what is probably the most spectacularly located monastery in the “Moon Valley.” The ride continues over the Futo La at 4,108 m (13,477 ft). Overnight in Kargil. Approximately 160 km.
Day 5	We set off early today, as 231 km of an impressive route lie ahead. The ride into the Zanskar Valley, along a well-built gravel road and the towering Nun Kun massif (7,000 m / 22,965 ft), is unforgettable. A long but rewarding riding day. Two nights in Padum. Approximately 230 km.
Day 6	A leisurely day to recover from the exertions of the previous day. Optionally, a small exploration ride in and around the Zanskar Valley (approx. 100 km). In the evening, we visit a local family – Norbu, a long-time friend, offers us an entertaining and personal insight into local life.
Day 7	A long and very special riding day awaits us: the recently opened road into the Lahaul Valley reconnects us with the Manali–Leh Highway. We cross the Shingo La Pass at 5,100 m (16,732 ft). Overnight in a beautiful resort in Jispa. Approximately 140 km.
Day 8	Motorcycling on the “highest level”: two passes over 5,000 m (16,400 ft) await us. A glorious day of riding! The landscapes on the way to and around Tso Kar Lake are simply stunning. We spend the night in an Eco Lodge at the lake. Approximately 225 km.
Day 9	Back on the highway, we descend from the Tanglang La Pass and ride through the surreal red rock landscapes of the Rhumtse Valley. Our destination is the village of Shakti. Approximately 134 km.
Day 10	We ride to Pangong Tso, undoubtedly the most beautiful lake in Ladakh. Approximately 180 km.
Day 11	Even though we may feel we have already seen every facet of this landscape, the Nubra Valley will surprise us once more. We explore the picturesque Nubra Valley and its sand dunes at 3,500 m (11,500 ft). Approximately 228 km.
Day 12	Today we explore some rarely visited valleys of the majestic Nubra Valley. Depending on the group’s mood, we may ride to the last village before the Pakistani border or to the hot springs. Alternatively, those who wish to relax can simply enjoy the scenery in peace.
Day 13	To round off our adventure, we ride over the Khardung La Pass, until recently advertised as the “highest motorable pass in the world.” Back in Leh, we bring the journey to a relaxed close. Approximately 115 km.
Day 14	Early morning flight to Delhi and late-night return flight to Europe. Optional extension with a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra or shopping in Delhi!