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Motorcycle trip Himalaya

The Himalayan Expedition

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Adventure Tour
Duration
24 D
Tour Type
Tour Leader
Accomodation
Basic
Level
Sustained
Meal Plan
Full-Board
Vintage Rides → Destinations → India → Himalaya → The Himalayan Expedition
Alex
Your motorcycle expert
Alex
In 2006, after travelling 20,000 km by motorbike in India, Alex founded Vintage Rides. Since then, he has been developing our concept in more than 20 countries.
On the agenda

Take on a new challenge and join this extraordinary expedition across the Himalayas on your Royal Enfield. From the lush Kinnaur Valley to the untamed Zanskar River, from the majestic Spiti Valley to the town of Leh, through the Nubra Valley, the Tibetan Changtang plateaus, and Lahaul, you embark on a 24-day motorcycle adventure like no other. High-altitude mountains and deserts, rocky trails, lakes, forests, rivers, and some of the world’s highest passes await. Cover 2,500 km on the most spectacular Himalayan roads in one of our most iconic Himalayan motorcycle tours!

The Himalayan Expedition

Motorcycle Tour in the Himalayas

24 steps - 2450 km
1/24 • Arrival in Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to Delhi, the bustling Indian capital. We greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The day is free for you to explore the city and its treasures: the Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar… This is the perfect introduction to your unforgettable adventure with our India motorcycle tours.
2/24 • Delhi - Nalagarh
Early in the morning, you board the express train to Chandigarh. Arriving at the station, we transfer you to Nalagarh where you stay in the former royal palace. This is where the Royal Enfields await you. The afternoon will be devoted to relaxing and preparing for the next day, in the green and charming setting of Himachal Pradesh.
Train + 34 miles by taxi
3/24 • Nalagarh - Shimla
It’s D-Day! Taking charge of your Royal Enfield marks the start of our Himalayan adventure. Direction Shimla, capital of the region, which during the colonial era housed the summer residence of the British government in search of cooler climates. We gain altitude and follow a pretty little asphalt road which winds up to Shimla. Night at 2200m altitude.
59 miles
4/24 • Shimla - Sarahan
Today, we are progressing in the Himalayan foothills which are still densely populated and inhabited. We follow the Sutlej river, crossing the small town of Rampur, known for its royal palace, before reaching the village of Sarahan which marks the entrance to Kinnaur. In this green region, Buddhism and Hinduism coexist. Sarahan is home to the superb Bhimakali temple with traditional wooden architecture. Night at 2300m altitude.
96 miles
5/24 • Sarahan - Sangla
This morning, we continue our exploration towards the east along the rushing Sutlej River. Dominated by the imposing Kinnaur Kailash (6050 m), the villages clinging to the slopes of the green Kinnaur valley are of rare beauty. We leave the main road to take a narrow track which plunges into a rocky gorge. The dizzying track takes us to Chitkul, the last village in the valley, perched at an altitude of 3450 m. We then retrace our steps to spend the night in Sangla, dominated by its old fort typical of the region. Night at 2700m altitude.
80 miles
6/24 • Sangla - Nako
We continue our rout northeast, towards the Tibetan plateau. The green landscapes gradually give way to a mineral and desert world. The last part of this day propels us into the magical landscapes of Spiti, this majestic valley clinging to the edge of the immense Tibetan plateau. Night in Nako located at 3600 m altitude.
93 miles
7/24 • Nako - Kaza
Today, our route is dotted with wonders: the Tabo monastery, one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist sites, classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. In the afternoon we continue in a lunar landscape, progressing north along the Spiti River. An essential stop at the splendid Dhankar monastery, perched on its rocky spur at an altitude of 3900m, before arriving in Kaza, the capital of Spiti where we stay two nights. Night at 3650m altitude.
68 miles
8/24 • Kaza and surroundings
Quieter day today. We go to visit the impressive gompa (monastery) of Dhankhar, perched on a ridge, before continuing towards the tiny village of Lallung. In the afternoon, rest and soak up the atmosphere of Spiti. Stroll through the pedestrian streets of the old town. This is an opportunity to recharge the batteries before continuing the adventure. Night at 3650m altitude.
46 or 62 miles
9/24 • Kaza - Chandra Tal
Today, we continue our crossing of Spiti towards the northwest. We visit the monastery of Kye, then the village of Kibber, before crossing the legendary pass of the region, the Kunzum (4590 m). The last kilometers of track take us to the shores of Chandra Tal, “Lake of the Moon”. Night in camp at 4300m.
62 miles
10/24 • Chandra Tal - Jispa
We depart Spiti to join the greener region of Lahaul. The first thirty kilometers to Koksar will put the drivers and machines to the test, as the track is rocky and brittle. Relieved to find the asphalt again, we soon find the traffic coming from Manali at the exit of the famous Atal tunnel, located at the foot of the Rohtang pass. We drive on the main road leading to Leh before reaching Jispa for the night. Night at 3200m altitude.
87 miles
11/24 • Jispa - Purne
Today is an exceptional day and the start of our crossing of Zanskar, open to vehicles thanks to the recent construction of a new road. The first kilometers are on a good asphalt road to the summit of the Shingo La pass (5050m), before returning to the track for the descent into the Kurgiak Chu valley, dominated by the impressive summit of Gumbok Rangan, a mountain the most sacred of Zanskar. We reach our camp in Purne at 3900m altitude.
56 miles
12/24 • Purne - Padum
Early in the morning we leave for a walk to the sublime Phuktal monastery, spectacularly set in the rock. Back on the handlebars we reach Padum, the small capital of the region. In the afternoon, we take the time to visit the Karsha monastery, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Zanskar plain from its terrace. Night at 3670m altitude.
34 miles
13/24 • Padum - Lamayuru
Still driving due north to reach Ladakh, we will experience an intense and spectacular day. We first go up the Zanskar River, hoping that the watercourse will let us cross its gorges at certain points. After this challenge, it will only be the track with three passes approaching 5000 m altitude. Ki, Ki So, So Larghyalo! “the gods are victorious, the demons are defeated”. We arrive at the end of the day in Ladakh, in the enchanting landscapes of Lamayuru. Night at 3570m altitude.
118 miles
14/24 • Lamayuru - Leh
Today, we are driving through the heart of the Indus Valley, a raw and magical setting dotted with a few green oases, to reach the capital of Ladakh, Leh. On the way, alternating sections of track, good roads and rustic villages and monasteries clinging to the mountainside. This evening, we celebrate this great adventure we have all been sharing together for two weeks around the table in the Himalayan mountains. Night at 3500m altitude.
99 miles
15/24 • Leh
Relaxing day in Leh. Walking tour in this very special city, whose city center has been nicely redeveloped. Numerous shopping opportunities, cozy little cafés and excellent restaurants. Night at 3500m altitude.
16/24 • Leh - Hunder
Head north for an incursion into the spectacular Nubra valley, crossing the legendary Kardung La pass (5,370m), wrongly considered the highest pass for vehicles in the world. We wonder at the magical panorama of the Zanskar range to the south and the great Karakoram range to the north. Night at 3100m altitude.
74 miles
17/24 • Nubra Valley
A return trip to another world, that is the Balti region, where Shiah Muslims form the majority, and a part of Pakistan until the war of 1971. Faces, clothing, food, it’s all different from the Buddhist Ladakh you’ve seen so far. We ride between the Ladakh and the Karakoram ranges; we feel small. A long distance but the road is rather in a rather good condition. Leisure stops on the way like the Shyok Memorial, and a Balti cuisine lunch before we walk around then head back to the Nubra Valley, a ride equally captivating in the opposite direction.
106 miles
18/24 • Hunder - Pangong
Today, depending on the weather and the state of the roads, we have the choice of taking two different routes, each with a spectacular pass to cross at an altitude of more than 5000m. The last kilometers to reach Pangong Lake are magical. 130km long, Pangong Tso is located astride the Indo-Chinese border. Night at 4250m altitude.
118 miles
19/24 • Pangong - Tso Kar
This morning, we continue our journey to reach the Tibetan highlands of Changtang (or Rupshu). We follow an unconventional route, adding several mountain lakes to the experience, as well as another pass higher than Khardung La, above 5400 meters. This area is populated by a few pashmina goat breeders, from which the softest and most refined wool on the planet comes. Night at 4600m altitude.
121 miles
20/24 • Tso Kar - Jispa
Another magnificent day awaits us, where we only drop below the 4000m mark at the end of the stage. More Plains, Pang gorges, a pass above 5000m, two other passes just below… Welcome to the NH3, a legendary road, the oldest route between Leh and Manali. You will be amazed by this last day at high altitude. We are not alone ; a considerable number of Indian bikers have made this axis their Holy Grail. “Bike Fest” atmosphere at the tchai stops, it’s a good atmosphere. Night at 3200m altitude.
136 miles
21/24 • Jispa - Naggar
We leave the mineral desert behind us and gradually find the greenery, the forests, the humidity as we reach the Kullu valley via the brand new Atal tunnel (9 km). We take a break in Manali, the legendary hippie resort of Himachal, today mainly frequented by Indian tourists fleeing the unbearable heat of the plains at this season. We then reach a quiet village, Naggar, surrounded by beautiful cedar forests and rich orchards. Night at 2100m altitude.
71 miles
22/24 • Naggar - Bir
The great crossing is slowly coming to an end, with a final day of motorcycling in the Himalayan foothills. We alternate asphalt roads and pretty forest trails in the Barot valley to reach Bir, a national paragliding hotspot. Last evening with your local team before returning to Delhi the next day by plane.
87 miles
23/24 • Bir - Dharamsala - Delhi
Transfer this morning by private vehicle to Dharamsala for your domestic flight to New Delhi. Transfer to your hotel. Free day.
2-hour drive + flight
24/24 • New Delhi - International Airport
Transfer to New Delhi International Airport according to your flight schedule. End of our services.
Price
From $6290,00 / rider
The price includes The price does not include

  • A Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle, recent model and mechanical parts

  • Third-party motorcycle insurance

  • Gasoline

  • Compulsory insurance: insurance covering on-site medical expenses and repatriation (which covers you in the event of accidents involving 2 large-wheeled vehicles)

  • Legal assistance and cancellation insurance

  • Visa fees

Important
Documents requested :
International motorcycle license if necessary
Motorcycle Driving License
Currently valid passport for the Motorcycle Trip
Valid Visa, if required
This raid is reserved for experienced pilots. It includes long stages at high altitude (passes > 4500 m), far from first aid. Primary assistance to reach the nearest medical center is mainly provided by our assistance vehicle, means such as helicopters or ambulances being very rare. Limited telephone networks and a ban on satellite phones can make contact with emergency services difficult. As with any mountain itinerary, the quality of the roads and the difficulty of the route depend on the weather conditions during and before the trip.
Reviews on this trip
4.6/5 · 13 review
J’ai découvert l’Inde au fil des…

J’ai découvert l’Inde au fil des ans grâce à vos voyages. Ce dernier fut un...

Gallo
26 Oct. 2025

The Himalayan Expedition
The Himalayan Expedition

Lucinda
17 Oct. 2025

The Himalayan Expedition
An unforgettable experience to share with…

An unforgettable experience to share with my parents, this is a real adventure at the...

Jack
17 Oct. 2025

The Himalayan Expedition
The Himalayan Expedition with VR This…

The Himalayan Expedition with VR This was a truly epic, magnificent, exciting adventure, an adventure...

Phil
30 Sep. 2025

The Himalayan Expedition
If you want a full review…

If you want a full review I’ll send you the te te of my travel...

Bruno
10 Oct. 2024

The Himalayan Expedition
A great concept but I would…

A great concept but I would have liked to have ridden faster at times 40kph...

Murray
05 Oct. 2024

The Himalayan Expedition
Himalayan Expedition

Philippe
05 Oct. 2024

The Himalayan Expedition
I dreamed of seeing Ladakh again…

I’d dreamed of seeing Ladakh again, after having done it in a 4WD a few...

Faisant
04 Oct. 2024

The Himalayan Expedition
An exceptional trip with a…

An exceptional trip with exceptional organization Thank you for this adventure

Benini
04 Oct. 2024

The Himalayan Expedition
Himalayan Expedition

Teulé
03 Oct. 2024

The Himalayan Expedition
See all reviews (13)
Himalaya
The Himalayan Expedition
2 upcoming departures
From $6290 / rider
$5290 / pillion
From 04 Sep. 2026 to 27 Sep. 2026
0 registered • 10 motorcycles available
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From 05 Sep. 2027 to 28 Sep. 2027
0 registered • 10 motorcycles available
OPTION
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Cancellation and postponement with conditions
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