Himalayan Expedition

It is our longest raid: 24 days from Delhi back to Delhi, through Kinnaur, Spiti, Zanskar, Ladakh and the Changtang plateau, then back down through Lahaul to Bir. You gain altitude by road, one stage after another. The Trans-Himalayan covers Ladakh and Zanskar in 13 days, with a flight to Leh. Oases and Himalayan Passes, in 14 days, is a Motorcycle Ramble rated Intermediate, open to passengers.

The tour is rated Sustained: the expedition is for experienced riders in good physical shape. About half of the route is on dirt: rocky ground after Chandra Tal, water crossings and gorges in Zanskar, and some vertiginous sections. What wears you down is mostly the succession of days, the altitude and the weather. If you have not yet ridden a raid with us, start with The Trans-Himalayan; our off-road training courses help you prepare.

More than 1,490 miles in all, from 34 to 137 miles per stage. On dirt and at altitude, even a short stage fills the day. Two breathers break up the effort: a quieter day around Kaza, with the afternoon at rest, and a free day in Leh, off the bike. The route adapts to the weather and the state of the dirt roads, as between the Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

The climb is gradual: nights at 7,200 ft in Shimla, 8,900 ft in Sangla, 11,800 ft in Nako, then two nights in Kaza. Further on, several passes are above 16,400 ft, the highest at 17,700 ft, and the highest night is at Tso Kar, at 15,100 ft. The support vehicle carries an oxygen bottle; in case of altitude sickness, you go back down. See your doctor before you leave: our health tips for India.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, which awaits you in Nalagarh, at the foot of the mountains, and which our mechanic looks after throughout the tour. If your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor. Riding two-up is strongly discouraged: the length, the altitude and the dirt roads make the expedition too hard for a passenger.

From Nalagarh to Bir, an English-speaking motorcycle tour leader leads the group. With them come an experienced mechanic and the driver of the support vehicle, which carries your luggage, the spare parts and the oxygen, and is the first line of help on remote stages. The group is limited to 10 motorcycles, and there are only one or two departures a year.

$6,290 per rider. The price includes the motorcycle, gas, the team, the train to Chandigarh, the flight from Dharamsala to Delhi, the Ladakh permit, lodging, all meals on riding days and transfers. You pay for your international flights, the Indian visa, the International Driving Permit, lunches and dinners on non-riding days, drinks, entrance fees for visits, tips and a $708 deposit per motorcycle. The $41 registration fee applies only to your first trip with us.

You arrive in Delhi on day 1, where our team meets you at the airport. Early the next morning, an express train takes you to Chandigarh, then a transfer to Nalagarh, where you stay in the old royal palace. On day 23, a flight takes you from Dharamsala to Delhi, the afternoon is free, and the transfer to the airport on day 24 fits your international flight. To arrive earlier, talk to your travel advisor.

The season is short: September, when the high passes of Zanskar and Ladakh are open. Next departures: September 5 to 28, 2027 and September 3 to 26, 2028. Other dates are possible on request to your travel advisor. At altitude, mornings and evenings are cold and the weather turns fast: bring warm layers, rain gear and two pairs of gloves.

In standard or basic hotels and guesthouses, and two nights in camp, at Chandra Tal and Purne. Hot water is scarce there: served by the bucket at Chandra Tal, none at Purne. Several nights have no wifi, including Pangong and Tso Kar. The support vehicle carries your luggage: a soft duffel bag loads more easily than a hard suitcase.