Ride the Royal Enfield Bullet along the world's highest motorable roads to Leh, located high on the Tibetan Plateau. This "Roof of the World" region, known as Ladakh, provides a rich variety of experiences, stunning scenery, remote monasteries and a wonderful variety of people - Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese, local ethnic tribes and nomadic leaders.
The ride begins on the "Plains of India" before winding its way up through the Himalayan foothills, which has many picturesque valleys, lakes, villages, rice paddies and orchards.
Manali is the last village before ascending up to the plateau and continuing through some amazing scenery to Leh. Also included is an overnight side trip to Agra to see the incomparable Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the abandoned Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri.
MOTOR BIKES- The motor bikes provided are Royal Enfield Bullets. The Enfields were originally produced in Britain. After WW2, the factory was transferred to India ( Chennai - formerly Madras ), where they are still in production today. An experienced motor bike mechanic will accompany the tour. All fuel, maintenance and repairs are included.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi.
Met at airport and transferred to hotel.
Day 2: Delhi.
Sightseeing tour in an air-con bus to visit the sights in one of India's biggest cities. Delhi is the capital of India and a mixture of Hindu, Muslim and British architecture. The city consists of two parts - Old Delhi which was the capital of Muslim India, between the 12th and 19th centuries and New Delhi, the imperial city created by the British. After the tour, collect the motor bikes and have a practice.
Day 3: Delhi - Chandigarh (250 km)
Ride through the "Plains of India" on a 4 lane highway (nice easy introduction to riding in India!) Chandigarh is the capital of the Punjab, and purposely built in the 1950's by the French architect, Le Corbusier. Afternoon sightseeing tour.
Day 4: Chandigarh - Bilaspur (200 km)
Leave the "Plains of India" and begin the ascent into the Himalayas. Bilaspur is a picturesque town overlooking a beautiful lake, with boating and swimming. Sightseeing tour and lake boat ride in the afternoon.
Day 5: Bilaspur - Manali (190 km)
This day’s ride will enter the Kulu Valley. Remaining isolated for centuries, until a road was built, it contains a colorful mixture of local ethnic tribes, Nepalese, Tibetans and Indians. The rich soil, plentiful water supply and ideal climate provide perfect conditions for beautiful terraced rice paddies and a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
Day 6: Manali
Sightseeing tour. Manali (4600ft/1400m) is the last town before the road winds its way up to Ladakh and the Tibetan plateau. A beautiful and vibrant town with spectactular scenery, temples and a wide variety of people.
Day 7: Manali - Jispa (145 km)
Day 8: Jispa - Sarchu (85 km)
Day 9: Sarchu - Leh (275 km)
Days 7-9 are riding through the region known as Ladakh. This region of India marks the boundary between the peaks of the western Himalayas and the vast Tibetan Plateau. The culture is Buddhism, with close cultural and trading ties with Tibet.
The scenery provides an ever changing experience - from the many lush river valleys connected by high altitude passes, to the stark, barren plateau with nomadic villages and herders, all complimented with the high Himalayan peaks in the background. The region has many whitewashed gompas (monasteries) and forts perched on rocky outcrops.
High Himalayan Passes - There are several high altitude passes en route to Leh - Rohtang La (13050ft/3978m), Baralacha La (16050ft/4890m), Lachalung La (16600ft/5065m) and Taglang La (17480ft/5328m).
Day 10: Leh
Sightseeing tour. Leh (11500ft/3500m) is located close to the Indus Valley and with a wide variety of only 30,000 people; this ancient town is a labyrinth of alleyways and houses, dominated by the Leh Palace, fort and many fine gompas.
Day 11: Leh
World's Highest Motorable Road - A side trip from Leh to the Khardung La pass, which is the world's highest motorable road at 18380ft/5600m.
Day 12: Leh.
Free day to explore, shop and enjoy this town located in one of the world's most remote places.
Day 13: Leh - Sarchu (275 km)
Day 14: Sarchu - Keylong (105 km)
Keylong is a picturesque village set in a scenic valley. It's a market town where the local and ethnic tribes come to sell their wares.
Day 15: Keylong - Kulu (250 km)
Kulu (3940ft/1200m) is the biggest town and gateway to the Kulu Valley. Its people are a colourful mixture of Nepalese, Tibetan and Indians.
Day 16: Kulu - Chandigarh (210 km)
Leave the Himalayas and returning to the "Plains of India".
Day 17: Chandigarh - Delhi (250 km)
Finish with the motor bikes, well done on achieving one of the most challenging rides in India! Say good bye to the Enfields, mechanic and drivers.
Day 18: Delhi - Agra (200 km)
Relax in an air-con bus for the side trip to Agra to visit one of the world's wonders - the Taj Mahal. The Taj was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, between 1632 and 1653. Although the Taj is amazingly graceful from almost any angle, its the close up detail which is really astounding. Semi precious stones are inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns and with superb craftsmanship.
Day 19: Agra - Delhi
Sightseeing tour to Fatehpur Sikri before continuing directly to the airport for departure. If you have the time and inclination, our Rajasthan Motor Bike Tour commences immediately after the Leh tour.
Combining both the Leh and Rajasthan tours will provide an amazing array of scenery from the top of the world down to sea level in Rajasthan and also a great variety of people, customs, religions, architecture, plus provide a substantial savings by combining the tours.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- Tour leader
- Experienced guide
- Twin share hotel accommodation
- Motor bikes (we use our own fleet of Royal Enfield Bullets)
- All motor bike fuel, maintenance and repairs
- Motor bike insurance
- Motor bike mechanic
- Support vehicles to carry your luggage & shopping, mechanic & motor bike spares and also used for sightseeing tours
- All sightseeing tours
- Agra side trip in air-con coach
- Airport/hotel transfers
- Permits
Price does not include:
- Personal expenses
- Meals (very inexpensive - approx US$15/day)
- Visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Motorcycle Tours
Cultural Journey
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