Royal enfield motorbike tour across the himalayas

Open only for 4 months out of a year, snowbound, prone to rough winds and in perpetual reconstruction, the trans-himalayan tour is a mythical route. We ride through the surreal lunar landscape on your 500cc motorbikes in this odyssey into one of the most isolated places on the planet. After riding kilometers on the uneven winding roads on your motorbike, we reach the end of the inhabited world across the immensity of the high Himalayan plateau in Buddhist territory. The eternally white mountains of Ladakh have opalescent reflections in the mountain lakes. Only meant for experienced motorcyclists, this guided trip offers you the thrill of riding on the roads of the highest passes in the world...

A breathtaking journey, surprising and colorful. Without moderation! Emmanuel and Audrey Discovery of India, its peasants, its people and a Royal Enfield motorcycle, frankly we want more! Thank you for this wonderful adventure. Jean Marc M.

Recent Articles

• Battle of Tigers in Sariska reserve

  Sariska National Park, located in the region of Rajasthan in Jaipur 100k, is an integrated Project Tiger Reserve, whose purpose is the protection of tigers. It covers 800 square kilometers. An excursion organized at dusk you will probably have a chance to cross one of these fat cats … See you this fall for the journey on Earth Maharajas of [...]
  

  read more

• Great wishful news for fans of Side and Bullet

    The creators of Royal Enfield our aspiring to offer a range of side-cars to look decidedly “vintage”. Four models adaptable for Bullet :   Electra (model 2007 to 2011) are available, available in different colors: The Black Pearl, simple and elegant, the Orient Express and Aiglon, elegant in style, aviation, tourism and the model, divinely retro fitted with a [...]
  

  read more

(Subject to change depending on circumstances)

Day 1 : Arrival in Delhi

Pick up at the airport and transfer to a hotel in the heart of the city. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2 : Delhi – Manali (2000 m)

Departure early morning by car to Manali. Arrival in Manali at night. Overnight stay in a comfortable family guest house.

Day 3 : Manali (2000 m)

IWe get our first glimpse of the Royal Enfield 500cc. On bikes, we visit the Kullu valley. Visit to the 10th century fort and Naggar temple. On the way back, we ride through rustic villages with an exotic view. 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.

Day4: Manali – Jispa (3350 m)

[7 H – 105 miles - 170 Km] Day of departure. We go up to the Kullu valley riding on a series of endless zigzag tracks. Finally through the Rothang La (3900 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 (4000 m)

[6 H – 65 miles - 100 Km] 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 (4800 m), before entering a desolate valley. Camping in the mountainous pastures of Sarchu.

Day 6 : Sarchu – Rumtse (4150 m)

[7H – 110 miles - 180 Km] The road leads up again to Lachung La (5050 m) and plunges into the deep and impressive gorges and the desert of Pang Moore Plains. We then head towards the Tanglang La pass (5300 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)

[3h – 40 miles -70 Km] 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.

Day 8: Leh – Free day

Day in Leh. For some, it's an opportunity to rest or go shopping. For others, it's the chance to discover a Buddhist cultural universe. Your guide and his English assistant are available to lead you according to your wishes. Night in 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.

Day 9 : Leh – Khardung la (5600 m) – Leh (3500 m)

[4/5 H – 70 miles - 110 Km] 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 10 : Leh – Lac Tso Moriri (4500 m)

[4 H – 150 Km] 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. After Upshi, we ride along the Indus till Mahe Bridge, and leave the valley to enter the heart of Rupshu, the most isolated part of Ladakh. Taking a sandy track, we reach the famous Tso Moriri 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 their goats

Day 11: Tso moriri lake – Lac Tso Kar (4300 m)

[4 H – 60 miles - 100 Km] 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 Tso Kar on a sandy and rocky track. The Tso Kar 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 world-famous 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 12 : Tso Kar lake – Darcha (4000 m)

[ 8 H – 120 miles - 190 Km] 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 13 : Darcha – Manali (2000 m)

[7 H – 105 miles - 170 Km] Last stage of the rally, which is one of the longest but definitely worth experiencing! Early departure southwards to Manali. Night spent in a comfortable guest house.

Day 14 : Manali – Delhi

Day in Manali. Night deluxe bus to Delhi.

Day 15 : Delhi – international airport

An early morning arrival in Delhi. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon in Delhi. In the afternoon, we will book only one or two rooms at the hotel to store the luggage and take a shower before we move to the international airport in the evening. End of trip. NB: Schedules of the stages are given as a rough guide. The itinerary is subject to change from one year to the next depending on the natural state of the roads.

Standard class

The peaceful homes of hosts from Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh will enchant you with their special welcome. These homes are simple in comfort and for the most part provide a magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges. Homely and convivial atmosphere guaranteed!

Superior class

You will appreciate the bright, beautifully decorated, comfortable rooms in these homes. Pre-planned halts after long stages of traveling across the Himalayan landscape for recharging batteries.

CAMPING GROUND

At the banks of a lake, in a meadow surrounded by barley fields, in the heart of a lush valley... these are the exceptional surroundings in which your tents will be pitched. In nature's lap, there are no restaurants there but a team of chefs dedicated to your service will cook local dishes and make the traditional "chai" (local tea) at any time.

Click below to download the detailed program

Prices include :

• A Royal Enfield 500 (2009 model depending on availability) with full mechanical assistance and spare parts.
• Ground transfers as planned in the private vehicle program.
• An English-speaking tour leader and an expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorbikes.
• Fuel.
• Assistance from a local team: mechanic, cook, truck driver, support vehicle driver, English speaking local guide, assistants…
• A support vehiclefor groups of more than 6. Lateral luggage racks for groups of smaller than 6.
• Lodging: in standard hotels, guest houses or camping, in double bed rooms on a twin-sharing basis.
• If you wish to stay in a single room (extra charges apply), please inform your travel advisor before you register for the programme.
• Meals: Full board meals, except for main meals in Delhi.

 

Prices do not include :

• Compulsory insurances, such as repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India – legal assistance.
• Visa fees
• International Flights. Contact your travel advisor for cheaper rates.
• Other insurances (not compulsory)for flight delays, baggage claim, cancellation of trip.
• A reimbursable security deposit of $500 for the motorbike. In case the bike is damaged, the amount required to fix the damages shall be deducted at the end of the journey.
• International Airport Taxes.
• Tips.
• Drinks and personal expenses.
• Entry fee for various monuments, temples etc. (at your convenience, these excursions are not compulsory at all). Entry charges range from $40 to $60 per person for the whole journey