1000 KM
7 Nights 8 Days
Leh
RE Himalayan
90% Tarmac,
10 % off roads
Beginner
Recommended
INR 1,40,000 USD 1750
INR 14,000 USD 175
The ultimate Ladakh tour that covers the highlights of Ladakh in the shortest possible time, yet taking into account the need for proper acclimatization.
Arrive at Leh airport and spend the first couple for days acclimatising and taking in the sights of this ancient “Silk Route ” city. Traverse Khardung La, once the highest road In the world to enter the magical Nubra valley. Proceed onwards to the iconic Pangong lake and finish the tour with the Umling La traverse, the undisputed “highest motorable road in the world”.
This tour has it all – but within a time frame that gives you the best bang for your buck.
This is also a couple friendly circuit since most of the route is excellent tarmac. It’s also easily combined with our Zanskar and/or Spiti circuit for those looking for a more extended adventure.
Today we get on the bikes for the first time and head out on a short 60 KM exploratory road trip.
We get accustomed to our bikes, the traffic in the mountains , the dogs & cows and the ever changing road conditions.
We break for lunch at one of the popular cafes in or near town.
Based on the level of fatigue and the mood of the group, we can head out for a short evening ride or we could take a car tour of the popular sights and monasteries around Leh town.
Alternatively you could just relax. We have a great deal of riding ahead of us.
We are chasing the silk route today, this being the main road connection that took goods (on Yaks, Mules and Camels) from the Indian sub-continent to join with the main silk route at Yarkand in central Asia.
We enter serious high altitude territory, crossing Khardung La at 5348 M (one of the highest motorable passes in the world). We descend more than 2000 M into Nubra valley, one of the most dramatic landscapes on the trip. We ride on fairly good but narrow mountain roads with sharp drops and chances of snow near the pass. Only a small patch (about 30 KM) is of poor road quality due to the constantly melting and freezing of snow and water.
Dramatically changing landscapes are our companions for the day. On a combination of on/off road, you will ride on river beds, on high passes, through mountain gorges and open flat plains. Our prize for the day is the lake of Pangong . Partly in India and partly in China, this politically strangled lake is a natural wonder of the world.
We camp close to the shore, relax and take in the changing colours as the sun sets. The night skies are surreal as we are camping at 4300M with clear views of the milky way and several constellations. Based on the wind the nights can be cold and chances of AMS (headaches & insomnia) are possible .
Today’s route is a relatively new (open only to the army in the past) that’s only recently opened to tourists. It was a closely guarded secret and its easy to see why. Two high altitude lakes in a setting so surreal, endless twisties, wildflower covered slopes, panoramic views, very little traffic and a single track road with a mind of its own.
We leave some bits to the imagination but it’s a long and high day in the saddle.
***Please note that, due to the politically sensitive nature of this region, we could be refused permission at the last moment. We will alter our itinerary if this is the case but we hope that the gods of motorcycling are smiling on us.
The journey back to Leh is fairly straightforward, though a little long. The roads are beautiful tarmac and the valley floor undulates gently following the course of the river towards the town of Upshi.
It’s a play of light and shadows as you speed across this multi colored valley, the increase in oxygen levels as you descend, playing some interesting mind games. Your body fights the fatigue of the past days but the mind is elated with the oxygen surplus.
A taxi will drop you to the airport at the designated time of your flight.
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