1100 KM
10 Nights 11 Days
Leh/Chandigarh
RE Himalayan
70% Tarmac,
30 % off roads
Intermediate
NR
INR 2,00,000 USD 2450
INR 20,000 USD 245
An epic road-trip starting in Ladakh and covering the mystical regions of Spiti.
Back by popular demand the Spiti region has all the trapping of an epic Himalayan motorcycle adventure on the iconic Royal Enfield.
While Ladakh had taken the limelight when it comes to touring the Indian Himalayas, Spiti still remains relatively untouched and the ability to explore smaller villages and lesser marked trails make it an adventure that is reminiscent of the early years of Himalayan touring.
Starting with Leh, we cross the legendary Leh- Manali highway, cross Kunzum La, the gateway to Spiti and enter a landscape of mesmerising visuals. We continue onwards and descend towards the alpine regions of Sangla and Narkanda before we descend to the Indian plains in Chandigarh.
Best suited for those who have already explored Ladakh, this itinerary takes you through a magical slice of the Spiti, the “middle land” between India and Tibet.
Arrive at Leh ( No Riding)
Fly in from Delhi to Leh and be received by our team member at the airport.
Transfer to Hotel. Unpack, Unwind.
We recommend that you relax and take it easy and focus on monitoring your body and the effects of high altitude. Communicate with your team and don’t ignore any signs of discomfort.
The usual symptoms of AMS could be headache, lack of appetite, insomnia and difficulty in breathing.
Only mild activity is advised as you are in high altitude territory.
Based on how you are feeling you can visit the Leh city and market place in the evening.
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.
The longest leg of our journey so far, but one that is necessary in order to escape the high altitude and the remoteness of the region we are passing through.
The 5000m+ Tanglang La, the Tibetan plateau (More Plains), several high altitude passes ( Laclung La, Nakee La, Baralaca La), The ghost of gata Loops (22 switchbacks)- There is so much drama on today’s ride that it feels like the last two weeks thrown into 1 day. However the roads are amazing the pace quite fast. We spend a long day on the road but the visual delight of the surroundings leave the mind elated and the body is (by now) prepared for everything.
Its tough to imagine that after more than 2 weeks of riding the Himalayan highs that a landscape will still surprise you, the views take your breath away- anew.
The crossing of Kunzum La does just that and the dramatic gateway to Spiti is visually stunning and the roads still challenging .
Spiti, also called mini Leh is just that and barring the new spate of construction, it still looks like a land locked in time. The landscape is remote and the valley floor with the braided Spiti river catches the dying light in a bright reflection of sparkling gold, giving the land an aura of divinity- a celestial halo embracing the entire landscape.
We spend the night in a charming guesthouse in the village of Chicam- a legendary village in the motorcycle stories of yesteryears.
Today is short day on the road but we traverse some high roads leading to remote villages, monasteries and post offices. Its one of the most enjoyable riding day, since the roads are traffic free, the landscape vast and the general vibe and pace of this region just conducive to easy riding that allows you to take in the energy.
There are many monasteries to cover, remote villages that are habited through the harsh winters, the highest post office in the Himalayas, and the trails connecting them, traverse a high path in the mountains that allows splendid views of the valley below.
Kaza is the capital city of the region and has some trappings of modernity. Enjoy a coffee or a Pizza and exchange stories with other travelers that use Kaza as a base to discover Spiti valley.
A relaxed start savoring the last bits of Spiti valley and the transhimalayas. We travel slow and we stop often because Spiti is a treasure trove of antiquity. The Frescos at Tabo , and the Mummified Lama at ue monastery continue to showcase why Spiti as captured the imagination of travelers from time immemorial.
We spend the night at the stunning village of Nako, its prayer flags fluttering in the evening light, lending a surreal ambience to this quaint village with its man-made lake.
From the stark treeless landscape of the high Himalayas to the lush alpine greens of the lower Himalayas- the transitions of today’s ride are reminiscent of the start of our adventure in Kashmir.
We ride through the windy funnel of the Spiti ore, crossing villages that are distinctly more populated and busier. There is a lot more traffic on the roads and the air takes on a different, thicker consistency and while the replenished Oxygen in the air is quite noticeable, the proximity to the fossil fuel burning civilization is also clearly discernible.
Its our final rest day and we spend it in the lap of lush, embracing nature. Fresh water streams, pine covered forests and emerald green meadows invite you to take a walk, a swim or just find a nook to lie down and soak in the mountains.
We take a short ride to the village of Chitkul and if we feel like, trek to the border with Tibet (China). Drink chai, chat with the locals and just hang out with your fellow travelers- reliving the memories of the last few weeks.
We are traveling through apple country and as far as the eyes can see, the mountains have been denuded of their natural cover and now a monoculture of apple dominates the landscape.
Our final days ride is a stark reminder of the reality we are returning to. Descending the Himalayas towards the gangetic plains, the population and traffic rows exponentially and it’s a rude reminder that you are travelling through the most populated country in the world and while the previous 3 weeks were spend in the same country, the region you have travelled through is a world within this world.
It’s a straightforward journey to Delhi either by train or by road. Its takes anything between 3-5 ours and we are happy to help organize a taxi or train tickets based on your preference.
