Motorcycle trip

Himalaya

Vintage Rides offers motorbike road trips in the Himalayas from £2,690 up to £4,890 per rider, with guaranteed departures, depending on the duration and intensity of the tour: from 13 days for our classic motorbike trips up to 24 days for our most comprehensive expedition. The price for a passenger starts at £2,290.

What’s included in the price:

• Hire of a Royal Enfield and spare parts
• Petrol, car park charges and any tolls
• Third-party motorbike insurance
• Airport–hotel–airport transfers in Delhi
• Return flight from Delhi to Leh (maximum checked-in luggage 20 kg) on Ladakh tours
• An English-speaking motorbike guide
• A local team (mechanic, support vehicle driver) with accommodation and meals included
• A support and luggage transport vehicle
• Accommodation in a twin or double room
• Full board on motorbike days (water, tea and coffee included)
• The In-Ladakh Permit (ILP) for Ladakh’s protected areas
• An oxygen cylinder in the support vehicle (altitude safety)
• 24/7 telephone assistance from France

What is not included in the price:

• International flights
• Visa fees and an international driving permit
• Medical expenses insurance and repatriation assistance (compulsory)
• Cancellation insurance and legal expenses insurance (strongly recommended)
• A deposit of €600 per motorbike
• Some meals at the start and end of the trip (days in Delhi) and all drinks
• Tips, souvenirs and personal expenses
• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned in the itinerary

Good to know: as with all our tours, these prices are for a small group departure on a fixed date (maximum 10 riders). A private or bespoke trip is also available on request, with a price adjusted according to the number of participants and the desired standard of accommodation.

The Himalayas are a destination that requires a little more preparation than others, due to the altitude, but they remain accessible if you choose the right itinerary. All our tours share the same safety framework: an english-speaking guide, a mechanic, a support vehicle equipped with an oxygen cylinder, and 24-hour assistance from France.

For a first-time trip, we recommend Oases and Peaks at World’s End, classified as a ‘motorcycle ramble’. This 14-day tour departs from Delhi and then Leh, allowing time to acclimatise to the altitude upon arrival, and explores the Indus Valley, Zanskar and Nubra at a gentler pace than our adventure treks, whilst still including the crossing of the legendary Khardung La Pass (5,370 m), the highlight of any trip to the Himalayas.

Conversely, for a first trip, avoid the Trans-Himalayan or Himalayan Expedition, which are classified as ‘Adventure Tours’ and are reserved for experienced riders.

Vintage Rides has chosen the Royal Enfield, a mid-capacity motorbike that is simple, robust and endearing, equally suited to both road and off-road riding. It is this versatility that allows us to offer a variety of routes, from the most accessible to the most challenging, whilst ensuring a consistent riding experience for the group.

In the Himalayas, we have two fleets of 11 Royal Enfield Himalayan 410s – the model best suited to this high-altitude terrain: off-road sections, winding climbs and sudden changes in road surface. Its versatility and comfort make it the benchmark for tackling both major roads and the more technical sections of Ladakh and Zanskar.

From 2027 onwards, all our motorbike tours in the Himalayas will be ridden on the Himalayan 450. The choice of this model is no coincidence: it is the result of Vintage Rides’ more than 20 years’ experience in this region, where conditions (altitude, temperatures, road conditions) demand a reliable motorbike that is easy to repair on site. Our local mechanic also carries a stock of spare parts in the support vehicle throughout the entire journey.

Vintage Rides offers three distinct itineraries in the Himalayas, all starting from Delhi:

Oases and Peaks at World’s End

• Motorcycle Ramble
• 14 days
• From £2,690 per rider
• Rated 4.6/5 (142 reviews).

This is the most accessible motorbike tour in the Himalayas: the Indus Valley, Zanskar, the monasteries of Lamayuru, Likir and Phyang, the Khardung La pass, and the Nubra Valley. A period of acclimatisation is planned upon arrival in Leh.

The Trans-Himalayan

• Adventure Tour
• 13 days
• From £2,690 per rider
• Rated 4.6/5 (199 reviews)

This is undoubtedly the most demanding motorbike route in the Himalayas: crossing the Zanskar, several passes over 5,000 m (Singi La at 4,955 m, Shinku La at 5,050 m), long stages at high altitude (3,500 to 5,400 m), sometimes on tracks or roads under construction. Suitable only for experienced riders who ride regularly; off-road experience is a real bonus.

Himalayan Expedition

• Adventure tour
• 24 days
• From €4,890 per rider
• Rated 4.6/5 (18 reviews)

Our longest and most comprehensive motorbike tour in the Himalayas, for riders who want to combine several facets of the Himalayas in a single trip rather than having to choose.

In summary:

• Oases and Peaks at World’s End: discover the Himalayas at a leisurely pace

• The Trans-Himalayan: a real sporting challenge over a standard duration

• The Himalayan Expedition: total immersion for nearly a month.

The basic requirement is the same for all our tours: you must hold a motorbike licence and be a regular rider, comfortable riding on the road. Beyond this common foundation, the level required then varies depending on the chosen route. Our motorbike tours in the Himalayas are divided into two levels:

• Motorcycle ramble: being a regular rider is sufficient. The pace is more measured and time is set aside for acclimatisation to the altitude upon arrival in Leh. This applies to our Oases and Peaks at World’s End

• Adventure Tour: these tours are reserved for experienced riders. You’ll need to be in good physical shape and ride regularly to cope with long stages at altitudes between 3,500 and 5,400 metres, with sometimes technical off-road sections and changeable weather conditions. Off-road experience is essential. This applies to itineraries such as The Trans-Himalayan and the Himalayan Expedition.

Not sure about your skill level? We recommend taking part in a motorbike training course before you set off: the perfect opportunity to brush up on the basics of off-road riding, get to grips with the size of a Royal Enfield and set off with complete confidence on your next adventure.