Motorcycle trip

Himalaya

Vintage Rides offers Himalayan motorcycle road trips starting at $3,490 and up to $6,290 per rider for guaranteed departures, depending on the duration and intensity of the tour: from 13 days for our classic motorcycle trips to 24 days for our most comprehensive expedition.

Pillion pricing is available upon request.

What is included in the price:

• The rental of a Royal Enfield motorcycle and spare parts
• Gasoline, parking and any applicable tolls
• Third-party motorcycle insurance
• Airport–hotel–airport transfers in Delhi
• Round-trip Delhi–Leh flights (20 kg checked baggage) on tours in Ladakh
• An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader
• A local team (mechanic and support vehicle driver), with accommodation and meals included
• A support and luggage transport vehicle
• Accommodation in twin or double rooms
• Full board on motorcycle days (water, tea and coffee included)
• The Inner Line Permit (ILP) for protected areas of Ladakh
• An oxygen bottle in the support vehicle for altitude safety
• 24/7 telephone assistance from France, with English-speaking staff

What is not included in the price:

• International flights
• Visa fees and International Driving Permit
• Medical and repatriation insurance (mandatory)
• Cancellation and legal insurance (strongly recommended)
• A $708 motorcycle deposit
• Some meals at the beginning and end of the trip (Delhi days) and all drinks
• Tips, souvenirs and personal expenses
• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned in the itinerary
• A $41 registration fee

Good to know: as with all our tours, these prices are based on a fixed-date small-group departure, with a maximum of 10 riders. A private or tailor-made trip is also possible upon request, with the price adjusted according to the number of participants and the preferred level of accommodation.

The Himalayas require a little more preparation than other destinations because of the altitude, but they remain accessible if you choose the right itinerary. All our tours share the same safety framework: an English-speaking motorcycle tour leader, a mechanic, a support vehicle with an oxygen bottle, and 24/7 assistance from France.

For a first trip, we recommend Oases and Himalayan Passes, classified as a Motorcycle Ramble. This 14-day tour starts in Delhi before heading to Leh, allowing time to acclimatize to the altitude upon arrival. It then explores the Indus Valley, Zanskar and Nubra at a more relaxed pace than our Adventure Tours, while still including the legendary crossing of Khardung La (5,370 m / 17,618 ft), a highlight of any Himalayan motorcycle trip.

Conversely, we recommend avoiding The Trans-Himalayan and Himalayan Expedition for your first trip. Both are classified as Adventure Tours and are intended for experienced riders.

Vintage Rides has chosen Royal Enfield, a mid-size motorcycle that is simple, robust and full of character, equally suited to paved roads and off-road sections. This versatility allows us to offer a variety of itineraries, from the most accessible to the most demanding, while maintaining a consistent riding experience for the group.

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

Starting in 2027, all our Himalayan motorcycle trips will be ridden on the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. This choice is not accidental: it is the result of more than 20 years of Vintage Rides experience in this region, where conditions such as altitude, temperatures and road conditions require a reliable motorcycle that can be easily repaired locally. Our local mechanic also carries a stock of spare parts in the support vehicle throughout the trip.

Vintage Rides offers three very distinct Himalayan itineraries, all departing from Delhi:

Oases and Himalayan Passes

• Motorcycle Ramble
• 14 days
• From $3,490 per rider
• 56 reviews

This is the most accessible Himalayan motorcycle trip: the Indus Valley, Zanskar, the monasteries of Lamayuru, Likir and Phyang, the crossing of Khardung La and the Nubra Valley. Time is allowed for acclimatization upon arrival in Leh.

The Trans-Himalayan

• Adventure Tour
• 13 days
• From $3,590 per rider
• 123 reviews

This is undoubtedly one of the most demanding Himalayan motorcycle itineraries: crossing Zanskar, several passes above 5,000 m (Singi La at 4,955 m / 16,257 ft, Shinku La at 5,050 m / 16,568 ft), and long stages at high altitude (3,500 to 5,400 m / 11,483 to 17,717 ft), sometimes on off-road tracks or roads under construction.

It is reserved for experienced riders with strong and regular motorcycle riding skills. Previous off-road experience is a real advantage.

Himalayan Expedition

• Adventure Tour
• 24 days
• From $6,290 per rider
• 13 reviews

Our longest and most comprehensive Himalayan motorcycle trip, designed for riders who want to combine several different facets of the Himalayas in a single journey rather than having to choose.

In summary:

• Oases and Himalayan Passes to discover the Himalayas at a gentler pace
• The Trans-Himalayan for a genuine sporting challenge over a classic tour duration
• Himalayan Expedition for a complete immersion lasting almost a month

The basic prerequisite is the same for all our tours: you must hold a valid motorcycle license and be a regular rider, comfortable riding on paved roads. Beyond this common foundation, the level required varies according to the itinerary you choose. Our Himalayan motorcycle tours fall into two levels:

• Motorcycle Ramble: being a regular rider is sufficient. The pace is more measured and time is allowed for acclimatization to the altitude upon arrival in Leh. This is the case for Oases and Himalayan Passes.
• Adventure Tour: these tours are reserved for experienced riders*. Good physical fitness and regular motorcycle riding experience are required to handle long stages between 3,500 and 5,400 m / 11,483 and 17,717 ft, with sometimes technical off-road sections and changing weather conditions. Previous off-road experience is essential. This applies to itineraries such as* The Trans-Himalayan and Himalayan Expedition*.*

Not sure whether your riding level is right for this trip? We recommend taking part in an off-road motorcycle training course before your departure: it is the ideal opportunity to refresh your off-road riding skills, become familiar with the size and handling of a Royal Enfield, and set off with confidence on your next adventure.

Our Ladakh departures run from June to September, during the Himalayan summer. The Himalayan Expedition, which also crosses Spiti and Zanskar, leaves in September.

On Oases and Himalayan Passes, you fly from Delhi to Leh, at about 11,500 feet, and the first two days are used to acclimatize: the arrival day in Leh, then a day of riding in the Indus valley at the same altitude, before the high passes. The Himalayan Expedition climbs gradually by road, through Shimla, Kinnaur and Spiti, before reaching Ladakh.