Roller Coaster to Zanskar Valley, 14 Days Motorcycle Tour
DESTINATION: Kargil, Ladakh, India.
2023 ADVENTURE DATES:
Group 1: 09th June – 22nd June
Group 2: 30th June – 13th July
Group 3: 11th August – 24th August
COST (in USD): USD3,400.00pp
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 14-day tour includes 12 days of riding a Royal Enfield into the less travelled Zanskar Valley and into the high Himalayas. On this ride, we cross several high mountain passes, ride across valleys, crossing remote villages & monasteries, stay at beautiful camp locations and take in astounding views of the Himalayas. This tour is easily one of the World’s best and it takes us to a bygone era, making us part of the history and preserved culture of the high Himalayas.
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
Manali, Atal Tunnel, Jispa, Shinku La, Purne, Phuktal Monastery, Padum, Karsha Gompa, Pensi La, Rangdum Monastery, Kargil, Dah Hanu, Leh, Khardung La, Lamayuru, Wanla, Sirsir La, Singe La, Zang La.
HIGHLIGHTS OF TOUR
– Starts and ends in Manali
– Criss-cross several Himalayan mountain ranges
– Climb across several high altitude passes many times, as high as 5,600m
– Visit some of the remotest valleys of the Himalayas in Zanskar
– Stay at Dah village, known as the Aryan Valley of Ladakh region
– View Himalayan glaciers at close proximity, Drang Drung Glaciers
– Chitchat with nomadic people and experience their simple lifestyle
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive Manali – hotel overnight
We will meet you on arrival at Kullu airport and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, we assemble at the hotel for a small tour briefing and meet our Royal friend – The Himalayan. Later, we go on a test ride to Naggar Castle and Roerich Art Gallery. We ride back to the hotel for a relaxed evening.
Day 02: Manali / Atal Tunnel / Jispa (100km) – camp overnight
We start our ride by crossing Sollang Valley and Atal Rohtang Tunnel, which at 3,000m is the longest tunnel in the world above 10,000ft. We enter Lahaul valley and ride to Jispa along the Chandra river to Tandi first, and then crossing Keylong & Gemur villages to reach Jispa, where we check in at our campsite.
Day 03: Jispa / Shinku La / Purne (140km) – camp overnight
Today, we enter the Zanskar valley. First, we cross Shinku La 5,091m and descend to the valley floor that is surrounded by towering mountains. We then ride along the Zanskar river, passing several tiny villages to reach Purne where we stay for the night in a local camp or a homestay.
Day 04: Purne / Phuktal / Padum (70km) – camp overnight
We detour towards Phuktal Monastery, located in Lungnak Valley and believed to have been visited by great sages and monks in the past 2,550 years. The monastery is built around natural caves and is very picturesque. We park our bikes as the road ends and hike to Phuktal Gompa for the visit. Later, we ride back to Purne and take the road further ahead towards Bardan Gompa and then arriving at Padum. The rest of the day is free to explore Padum or we can ride to the Karsha Monastery.
Day 05: Padum / Pensi La / Rangdum (100km) – camp overnight
Today we ride across the Zanskar valley to enter the Suru valley, crossing the beautiful Pensi La Pass (4,800m) and Drang Drung glaciers. We continue riding along the Suru river, down to Rangdum which is our camping ground for the night. We visit the Rangdum Monastery and retire for the night in our tents.
Day 06: Rangdum / Dah Hanu (200km) – camp overnight
We ride to Kargil which is main town on the Leh-Srinagar highway. We have lovely views of the 7,100m Nun-Kun peaks during the ride, best views being from Parkachik village. From Kargil, we ride to Batalik which was the main battleground during the Kargil War, and further into the Aryan Valley to the village of Dah Hanu, an Aryan village. We check-in to camp and later visit the village, walk around and meet the indigenous people who have Greek-like features. They are believed to be the descendants of soldiers from Alexander the Great’s army.
Day 07: Dah Hanu / Leh (160km) – hotel overnight
Today, we ride along the Indus river and enter Ladakh, riding towards Leh. We visit Basgo Palace, view the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers, and experience the magnetic forces of Magnetic Hill. On arrival in Leh, we check-in at our hotel. We are then free to walk around Leh market or visit Leh Palace.
Day 08: In Leh – ride to Khardung La – hotel overnight
We ride to the famed Khardung La. It’s a steep ride and within 40km, we gain 2,100m in altitude to reach Khardung La at 5,600m. Enroute, we get lovely views of the Leh, Ladakh and Karakoram ranges. After some selfie moments, we ride back to Leh to enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 09: Leh / Lamayuru / Wanla (135km) – camp overnight
We take the Srinagar highway, riding to Lamayuru which is one of largest and most important monastery of Ladakh. After this visit, we ride to Wanla where we camp for the night.
Day 10: Wanla / Singe La / Zangla (165km) – camp overnight
We start early from Wanla on the roller-coaster ride to Zangla, crossing Sirsir La 4,800m and Singe La 4,200m. We arrive Zangla by evening and camp here for the night.
Day 11: Zangla / Gonbo Rangjon Mountain Base (140km) – camp overnight
We start early traversing our path passing Padum, Purne tracing back our route towards Manali. We camp tonight at the base of the holy Gonbo Rangjon mountain.
Day 12: Gonbo Rangjon / Manali (180km) – hotel overnight
We start our ascend towards Shingo La and after crossing it, we enter Lahail valley from where we ride across to Jispa, Keylong, Gondla and Sissu to enter the Atal Tunnel, and finally end our ride at Manali.
Day 13: In Manali – hotel overnight
Free day to relax in Manali – engage in some café hoping at old Manali or visit Hidimba Devi temple.
Day 14: Depart Manali
We transfer to Kullu airport to fly back 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