Himalayas: 15 Days Motorbike Tour To North India

The big draw here is simple: you ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan through some of India’s highest motorable passes, from green valleys near Manali to the bare, high-altitude deserts of Spiti and Ladakh. The route includes Umling La at 19,024 feet, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and the famous Manali to Leh corridor.

I like the variety of scenery and the strong support setup. You get a mechanic, a luggage vehicle, a first-aid kit, oxygen, permits, meals, and a small maximum group of 12. I also like the gradual shift from forest roads to thin-air passes, which gives you time to get used to the motorcycle and the altitude.

The catch is that this is a serious riding trip, not a gentle sightseeing holiday. Roads can be rough, days can run seven to eight hours, and several parts of the published schedule contain mixed day numbers or route details that you should confirm before paying. The £140 motorcycle security deposit, insurance, GST, riding gear, and some transport costs are also extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Umling La reaches 19,024 feet: This is the highest and most demanding section, with a backup vehicle available if you feel unwell.
• A Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc is included: The bike suits rough mountain roads, but you still need solid motorcycle control.
• Spiti comes before Ladakh: Nako, Dhankar, Kaza, Hikkim, Komic, and Ki Monastery make the early riding days culturally and visually rewarding.
• Support is built into the price: A mechanic, luggage vehicle, oxygen cylinder, first-aid kit, permits, parking, helmet, and many meals are included.
• The route is physically demanding: Expect narrow roads, poor surfaces, cold conditions, altitude, and long days in the saddle.
• The published schedule needs clarification: Some day numbers and transport details do not line up neatly, so confirm the final route and inclusions with Motorbike Expeditions Ltd.

Why this Himalayan ride is different

Most mountain tours give you a few high viewpoints and a lot of time in vehicles. This one puts the motorcycle at the center of the trip. You ride through Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, and Ladakh, crossing a chain of passes rather than visiting one scenic location and returning to a base.

The route is especially appealing because the scenery changes so sharply. Around Tirthan Valley and Jalori Pass, expect trees, river valleys, and narrow paved roads. Later, the Sutlej corridor becomes drier and more severe. By the time you reach Spiti and Ladakh, the vegetation has thinned to almost nothing, and the road cuts through cliffs, gravel, and high desert.

The group limit of 12 matters. A large motorcycle convoy can become slow and unwieldy on single-track roads, while a smaller group is easier for a guide and mechanic to manage. The support vehicle carries luggage, so you do not need to load every personal item onto the bike.

The tour begins at Majnu-ka-Tilla in New Delhi. From there, you take an overnight Volvo bus to Manali. The price is listed at $4,132.33 per person, but GST, insurance, airfare or rail travel not specifically included, personal spending, riding gear, and the refundable bike deposit are outside that headline figure.

Days 1 and 2: Delhi to Manali and the first motorcycle day

Your first night is spent on an overnight Volvo bus from Delhi or Chandigarh to Manali. This is practical, though not luxurious. Pack water, a light layer, and anything you need during the night where you can reach it easily.

In Manali, the guide meets you at the bus stand and takes you to the hotel. After some rest, you receive the Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc motorcycles and spend the day riding locally.

This first riding day is useful, not filler. You can get used to the weight, throttle, brakes, seating position, and the rhythm of Indian mountain traffic before the road becomes more remote. Local riding also helps you learn how the motorcycle behaves on climbs, bends, and uneven surfaces.

A traditional dinner and bonfire follow. Do not expect this opening day to be a major mileage day. Its value is preparation, bike familiarization, and meeting the support team.

Days 3 and 4: Tirthan Valley, Shoja, and Jalori Pass

After breakfast near Bhuntar, you ride toward Tirthan Valley. The route takes around five to six hours and follows narrow but generally paved roads. The Tirthan River runs beside much of the route, giving you a cool, green contrast to the high desert still ahead.

A riverside lunch breaks up the ride. This is one of the more relaxed parts of the tour, with forested slopes and a slower pace. You then climb toward Shoja, a small mountain village used as the night stop.

The next day is longer, around seven to eight hours, as you ride from Shoja to Kalpa. Jalori Pass is the main feature. At about 10,236 feet, it is lower and greener than the great Ladakh passes, with thick forest rather than bare rock.

Road conditions vary. About half the route is described as narrow, while the rest is smoother. This is a good early test of your concentration because the road may be paved but still twist sharply and leave little room for error.

Descending toward Kalpa brings warmer air and broad views toward the Kinnaur Kailash range. The ride is tiring, but the change in scenery makes it worthwhile. If you are new to long motorcycle tours, this is where you start to learn the difference between time on the road and distance on a map.

Days 5 to 7: The rougher road into Spiti

The ride along the Hindustan-Tibet Highway is one of the defining sections. You follow the Sutlej River through a route that changes from green to dry to rocky. At Spello, police check riding permits, so keep the relevant documents accessible.

At Khab, the Sutlej and Spiti rivers meet. It is a natural pause before the climb toward Nako, a quiet village at about 3,660 meters. Spending the night in Nako helps your body begin adjusting before even higher roads.

The following route takes you toward Dhankar and Kaza. Dhankar is known for its Buddhist monastery and the remains of a 12th-century fort. The setting is striking, but the approach is not a quick sightseeing stop. You are moving through high country, and the road itself demands attention.

Kaza sits at about 3,600 meters beside the Spiti River. You visit Sakya Tangyud Monastery and have time for local food in town. Spiti is described as a cold desert, and the lack of rain helps explain the stark, open appearance of the region.

Another day includes Hikkim, Komic, and Ki Monastery. Hikkim is known for its high post office, and the tour includes the memorable option of sending a postcard home. Komic is one of the final villages on the route for the day, while Ki Monastery is the largest monastery in Spiti Valley.

These stops add more than photo opportunities. They give the ride a human side, with villages, monasteries, local food, and a small personal ritual at the post office. Still, altitude is the main concern. At this stage, take headaches, nausea, unusual tiredness, or breathlessness seriously and tell the guide immediately.

Days 8 and 9: Rohtang, Jispa, Baralacha La, and Sarchu

The route then shifts toward Ladakh through the Manali to Leh corridor. The schedule describes a ride from Manali over Rohtang Pass, past Tandi and Keylong, and onward to Jispa.

Rohtang brings a sudden visual change. Trees thin out as you climb, and snow walls can reach around 12 feet on both sides of the road in suitable conditions. At Tandi, the Chandra and Bhaga rivers meet, and Keylong provides another important point along the route.

Jispa is the overnight stop. The next day takes you toward Sarchu, with rough roads and water crossings around Zingzing Bar and Pagal Nala. The approach to Baralacha La is among the more difficult parts of the tour, especially if weather changes or the road surface deteriorates.

Baralacha La reaches about 16,040 feet. From there, you continue to Sarchu, where hot showers and a meal are provided. That shower may sound minor, but after a long day on cold, dusty roads, it becomes one of the comforts you will value most.

These are not polished tourist roads. The support team includes a motorcycle mechanic and a backup vehicle, which is important here. Even so, support does not remove the need for patience, careful braking, and basic off-road balance.

Days 10 to 12: Nubra, Leh, and Pangong Lake

The Ladakh section includes Nubra Valley, Leh, and Pangong Lake, though the supplied day numbering is inconsistent. Confirm the exact order and number of nights before departure.

Nubra is about 120 kilometers from Khardung La and is known for its double-humped Bactrian camels. You check into accommodation, take a camel ride, and visit Diskit Monastery. The combination of desert valley, monastery, and unusual camels gives this stop a different feel from Spiti.

Leh is used as an acclimatization and sightseeing base. The scheduled stops include Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, Shanti Stupa, and Leh Palace. You also have time for the local market and souvenirs.

This rest and sightseeing day has real practical value. After several hard riding days, your body needs time to settle at altitude. You are still high above sea level, so do not treat Leh as a normal city break. Keep your pace easy and report any symptoms to the guide.

Pangong Lake is reached by SUV or traveler vehicle rather than motorcycle according to the schedule. The lake is associated with the film 3 Idiots and is one of Ladakh’s best-known scenic stops. The vehicle transfer gives you a break from riding, though it also means the motorcycle is not used for every part of the itinerary.

Day 13: Umling La and the limits of altitude

The trip’s highest point is Umling La at about 5,883 meters, or 19,024 feet. The day begins early with a push toward Hanle, with only a short tea stop expected before lunch.

After lunch, the group heads toward the pass. The guide assesses if you are fit enough to ride. If you feel unwell, you can leave the motorcycle and use the backup vehicle, still reaching the pass for photographs and returning to Hanle later.

This is exactly the right approach to a high-altitude ride. The achievement is not worth risking serious illness. At this height, cold, wind, thin air, and fatigue can turn a fun challenge into a dangerous one quickly.

Do not judge this day only by the number on the pass sign. The route is remote, services are limited, and there may be no comfortable place to wait. Bring suitable layers, follow the guide’s instructions, and accept that conditions may change.

Day 14 and Day 15: The ride back to Leh and Delhi flight

The final riding day is described as a freer day on well-maintained roads, with a target of reaching Leh as soon as possible. The warning about Indian traffic is worth taking seriously. Stay alert, keep a safe distance, and do not let the excitement of finishing the expedition make you careless.

The evening in Leh is intended for rest, a beer, and a chance to think back over the route. Your return flight from Leh to Delhi is arranged for the final day, and a Delhi hotel is included at the end.

There is a wording conflict in the logistical details: the meeting-point section says the activity ends back at the Delhi meeting point, while the final day describes a flight from Leh to Delhi and a Delhi hotel. Ask Motorbike Expeditions Ltd to confirm precisely what is included after the flight and where the trip officially ends.

What the $4,132.33 price really covers

The cost is high, but it includes more than a motorcycle rental. You receive:

• Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc motorcycle
• Helmet
• Motorcycle mechanic
• Backup vehicle for luggage
• First-aid box and oxygen cylinder
• Environmental and permit fees
• Parking fees
• 14 dinners
• 10 lunches
• 13 breakfasts

That package can offer fair value if you want a supported, multi-region expedition rather than arranging transport, permits, hotels, meals, and mechanical help yourself. The mechanic and luggage vehicle are especially important on rough, remote roads.

Budget separately for GST, insurance, personal expenses, tips, laundry, telephone use, table drinks, riding gear rental, and any extra hotel or food costs caused by delays. The refundable security deposit is £140 per motorcycle. Medical, accidental, and theft insurance are not included, so arranging suitable cover is essential.

Who should book this ride?

This tour suits an experienced motorcyclist who wants a demanding route, dramatic scenery, and the convenience of a support crew. It also suits someone comfortable with simple conditions, long days, changing weather, and a schedule that may need to bend around road or weather problems.

You should be cautious if you have no experience riding a heavy motorcycle, dislike rough roads, or want a predictable holiday with plenty of free time. The local Manali practice day helps, but it does not replace prior riding ability.

The strongest part of the operation is its practical support. The Thakur brothers and the wider Motorbike Expeditions team are praised for keeping bikes in good condition, handling problems quickly, and maintaining a professional but relaxed approach. The overall published rating is 5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience.

Should you book it?

Book this Himalayan motorcycle tour if you want the full mountain challenge, including Spiti, Ladakh, Pangong Lake, Nubra, and Umling La, and you value having a mechanic, backup vehicle, permits, meals, and oxygen arranged.

Do not book it simply because the photographs look spectacular. You need to be ready for altitude, rough roads, long riding days, extra costs, and possible schedule changes. Before committing, get the final day-by-day route, inclusions, insurance expectations, transport arrangements, and Delhi end point confirmed in writing. If those details are clear and you have the riding experience, this is a powerful way to see the high Himalayas from the seat of a motorcycle.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Majnu-ka-Tilla in New Aruna Nagar, Delhi, India.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 15 days.

What motorcycle is provided?

The included motorcycle is a Royal Enfield Himalayan with a 411cc engine.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. A helmet is included, but riding gear for the rider is not included. Riding gear can be hired separately.

Is a support vehicle provided?

Yes. One backup vehicle carries luggage during the tour.

Is a mechanic included?

Yes. One motorcycle mechanic is included.

Are meals included?

The package includes 14 dinners, 10 lunches, and 13 breakfasts.

Is insurance included?

No. Medical, accidental, and theft insurance are not included.

What is the motorcycle security deposit?

The refundable security deposit is £140 per motorcycle.

Can I continue to Umling La if I feel unwell?

The guide assesses your condition. If you do not feel well, you can leave the motorcycle, use the backup vehicle, visit Umling La, take photographs, and return to Hanle.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.