Highlands of Ladakh, 10 Days Motorcycle Tour
DESTINATION: Highlands of Ladakh, India
2023 ADVENTURE DATES:
Group 1: 23rd July – 02nd July
Group 2: 21st July – 30th July
Group 3: 04th August – 13th August
Group 4: 08th August – 19th September
COST (in USD): USD2,170.00pp
Price is twin-share basis. Additional charges applicable for single rooms.
GUIDED: Yes
DIFFICULTY: Challenging – a few long riding days at altitude.
TEAM SIZE: 6 – 15 riders
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel & Camping
MININIMUM AGE: 21 Years
High-altitude activities in mountainous regions calls for flexibility and adaptability to many conditions. In the wilderness, nature has the final say. For us to survive, we need flexibility and adaptability to circumstances as they unfold. While we endeavour to follow the itinerary below, we may need to change it to suit conditions. The end point will always be returning safely to our families. It is imperative to commit to pre-acclimatization training beforehand to cope with the low oxygen environment that we will be visiting. During the trip, our blood oxygen will be monitored and we will advise you how to handle any issues that will inevitably crop up. With this in mind, we will have the best time on a trip that has unparalleled mountain views.
ABOUT THE TOUR
This 10-day tour includes eight days of riding a Royal Enfield to view some incredibly magical sights of the Ladakh highlands. It is a captivating and engaging tour which presents you with the varied colours of Ladakh mountains, the villages, high mountain passes and azure lakes. Situated in Kashmir in the north of India, this area has a notoriously colourful political background as it is situated between India, Pakistan, Tibet and China. We ride to centuries-old monasteries and villages, across vast Tibetan plateau-tops, remote valleys and beautiful lakes. Every year sees more and more riders in the Himalayas as it rates as one of the most exhilarating in the world. This is every rider’s bucket-list dream-run and we will make it happen for you.
Come prepared for every possible weather imaginable, from scorching sunshine to freezing blizzards. This trip involves back-to-back days riding at high altitudes so we expect everyone to have some level of fitness to cope better with the low oxygen environment. Our itinerary is tried and tested with acclimatization days along the way, however, we can’t predict how each member will react to altitude.
At The Altitude Gym in Gosford, we can offer a 13-week membership for the price of 12 weeks (i.e., AUD300.00). Here, we pre-acclimatize at around 4,000m asl. The highest attitude gained is 5,600m at Khardung La. For reference, Everest Base Camp is 5,364m and the summit of Mt Kosciuszko is 2,228m.
PLACES COVERED
Leh, Hemis Monastery, Shey Palace, Thiksey, Likir Gompa, Alchi Monastery, Lamayuru, Khardung La Pass, Nubra Valley, Deskit, Hundur, Pangong Lake, Tsokhar Lake, Tsomoriri Lake.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive Leh – hotel overnight
Meet on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel. Today is a free for acclimatization. In the evening, we can enjoy a walk around Leh market, visit the Leh Palace or enjoy the sunset from Shanti Stupa.
Day 02: Leh (30km) – hotel overnight
After breakfast, we start our ride to visit Shey Palace, Thiksey monastery and Hemis monastery. We return back to Leh, visiting Stok Palace & Museum enroute. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Leh / Lamayuru / Alchi (160km) – hotel overnight
We ride to the Sham valley to witness the confluence of Zanskar & Indus valley at Nimmu, and continue on to Likir monastery. After that, we ride over the highlands of Sham valley to Temisgang from where we descend to the main highway and visit Lamayuru monastery, one of largest and important monastery of Ladakh. Next, we ride to Alchi and check in at our hotel for a brief rest. In the evening, we visit the thousand-year-old Alchi monastery before returning to our hotel.
Day 04: Alchi / Leh (70km) – hotel overnight
After a free morning, we ride back to Leh, visiting Phyang and Spituk monasteries enroute.
Day 05: Leh / Nubra via Khardung La (130km) – camp overnight
Today, we ride to the Nubra valley via the famed Khardung La (5,600 m), once the highest motorable pass in the world, where we can take plenty of stunning photos enroute. This is the natural home of the double-humped Bactrian camel and the famous old Silk Route. We have the option to enjoy a camel ride at the sand dunes here. On arrival at Hunder, we check-in at our campsite. In the evening, we explore the village before returning to our camp for the night.
Day 06 Nubra / Shyok / Pangong Lake (140km) – camp overnight
Another mesmerizing ride today along the Shyok River to the beautiful Pangong Lake (4,250 m). This lake is the highest salt water lake in the world and shared by India and China.
Day 07: Pangong Lake / Tsokhar Lake (200km) – camp overnight
We ride to Tsokhar Lake, crossing over Chang La (5,160m), to reach Upshi. From here, we ascend to Tanglang La (5,328m) and then onwards to Tsokhar Lake. At 4,520m, this is one of the most amazing high-altitude lakes in the Ruspshu Nomadic belt. The crystal-clear lake is a protected bird sanctuary and home to thousands of migratory birds, including the endangered black-necked crane. We will walk around the lake and explore Tsokhar village.
Day 08: Tsokhar / Tsomoriri Lake (122km) – camp overnight
Today’s destination, Tsomoriri Lake, sits at 4,522m and is in the Changthang Plateau, beautifully lined with mountain ranges. The lake and surrounding areas are protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. After checking in at our campsite, we visit Karzok village and monastery.
Day 09: Tsomoriri / Leh (240km) – hotel overnight
We start our ride back to Leh. The highway crosses the Indus River at Mahe and from here, we ride along the river down the valley to Upshi and onwards to our hotel in Leh.
Day 10: Depart Leh
We transfer to Leh airport for flight to Delhi.
INCLUSIONS
– Airport – Hotel – Airport transfers.
– Accommodation on twin sharing basis in ‘A category’ hotels / guests houses / camps.
– Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during the tour (during ride in remote areas, lunch may be at a local stall, restaurant or a packed box.
– Royal Enfield Himalayan or Standard 500.
– Fuel for the ride.
– English speaking guide.
– First Aid kit and emergency supplemental oxygen.
– Mechanics with all necessary spares where needed including spark plugs, brake wire, accelerator wire, brake shoes, engine oil etc for the bike (damages due to riding to be paid by rider).
– One standard helmet per rider / pillion (used helmet, not new)
– Support vehicles to carry luggage and spare fuel.
– Bottled mineral water throughout.
– Tea / Chai & snacks enroute.
– Permits & environment fees for restricted areas.
– All entrance fees to places of visit.
EXCLUSIONS
– International or domestic flights.
– Personal Travel Insurance.
– Personal and unexpected expenses e.g. lunches (AUD$2 – AUD$10), drinks, laundry, repairs etc. We recommend bringing about INR16,000 (AUD$300.00) for this.
– Tips.
– Alcoholic drinks.
– Anything not mentioned.
– Indian Visa fees.
– Additional accommodation for early arrival, late departure or early return due to any reason other than the scheduled itinerary.
– Personal riding / travel gear.
BOOKING
– Booking deposit: 25% of trip cost to confirm your seat.
– Balance of payment: 8 weeks before trip starts.
– Cancellations:
• >8 weeks before trip starts: Full refund, less USD200.00
• 8 to 2 weeks before trip starts: Full refund, less USD500.00
• <2 weeks before trip starts: No refunds will be given
• If we cancel the trip due to unforeseen circumstances, we will refund all payments made to us.
Travel Insurance
We recommend cancellation insurance to protect your investment. We require participants to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation. Please ensure that your chosen policy provides cover for riding at elevations up to 5,600m and travel within India. Evidence of insurance will be required. Emergency evacuation cost is not included in your trip costs.
Please take up travel insurance as soon as your booking is made.
Thank you for training and travelling with The Altitude Gym / Adventure Central Travel.
Contact us for more information