TOP OF THE WORLD TOUR
Extraordinary ride through three Valleys via four Lakes and over 5 high motorable Passes
Ladakh region, beyond the Great Himalayan range on the western edge of the Tibetan plateau, is a barren, bleak, and cold desert region- the stark topography of bare rock and ice, surreal colours glinting off rocks from shades of brown to rust, gold, pink and yellow, and aquamarine blue waters of swift rivers and the turquoise blue of placid lakes. Here, as one traverses the roof of the world, one notices the pervasive Buddhist influence on the inhabitants that tries to soften the rough existence they lead for mere survival.
The best way to explore this magnificent region is in a saddle of a Royal Enfield. This tour offers comfort and freedom to explore the whole region by motorbike. Starting off in Leh, the capital of Ladakh at an altitude of 3,500 metres, we gradually follow the Indus River south at a lower altitude and will follow an extremely off-beat trail with interesting nooks and villages with stories of the Silk Road, iconic monasteries, and the world’s highest passes, including the world’s highest motor able road, over the Khardung La Pass at 5.600 metres.
Along with cold and rocks, you will also experience comfortable and lavish stays with all the creature comforts (like the Ladakhi cuisine). Join us soon and we promise it’s going to be an experience of a lifetime!
RIDING SKILL :
Best for experienced riders
HIGHEST ALTITUDE :
5600 metres
RIDE LENGTH & TIME :
Approx. 1400 kms over 14 days
ROAD SURFACE :
80% tarmac, 20% narrow roads, lots of hairpin bends
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Visits to the Nubra, Indus, Sham and Rupshu valleys
Deluxe night camping along the Pangong, Tsokar and Tsomoriri Lakes with stunning night sky views
Rides on the two humped camels of the Nubra Valley and exploring the unique culture of Gelug monks in the pit stop of the ancient Silk Road
Visits to the beautiful monasteries of Lamayuru, Alchi, Himis, Thiksey and many more.
Motoring through the highest motorable roads in the world and venturing through the passes of Fotu La and Polo Gonka
Shopping and stays at Leh, the administrative capital of Ladakh
The complete Buddhist culture of the Himalayas and the lifestyle of changpas or nomads.
UPCOMING TOURS :
10th Aug 2024 to 24th Aug 2024: Bookings Open*
9th August 2025 to 23rd Aug 2025: Bookings Open*
*We need a minimum of 7 participants for the tour to take place ; and a maximum of 14 participants.
MOTORCYCLES AVAILABLE :
Royal Enfield: 2.795 € per Biker
Pillion: 2.295 € per Pillion
ACCOMODATION :
435 € Single Room surcharge on tour price
Overnight stays at handpicked hotels ;
double accommodation, with en - suite showers / WC
MEALS :
All meals (breakfast, lunches and dinner) from Leh to Leh and non-alcoholic beverages with the meals, except lunches and dinners in Leh
VEHICLE DETAILS :
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Enfield Bullet 500 cc motorcycle with comprehensive insurance.
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Support jeep for baggage and reserve seats for pillions.
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Touring gear, fuel, oil and all replacement parts.
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 :
ARRIVE IN LEH
After arrival at the Delhi airport, you will have to catch a connecting flight to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. After a breathtaking one-hour early-morning flight over the Greater Himalayas, you will be picked up from the airport and dropped to the hotel. A welcome lunch followed by short walks around Leh set the tone for the trip. Introduction and briefing about the tour at dinner time.
DAY 2 :
LEH - STOK PALACE - LEH (100 KMS)
We will get familiar with our trusted motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Bullet through a nice warm up ride to the Stok Palace. We will also visit the famous Hemis and Thiksey monasteries before returning to our hotel.
DAY 3 :
LEH - LIKIR - SHAM VALLEY - TINGMOSGANG (120KM)
Today, we will head for the beautiful heritage village of Tingmosgang via Likir and onto the hidden Sham valley, a paradise hidden from regular tourists. We will crisscross the narrow mountain roads with a stopover for pictures in a few remote villages. The roads are going to be entirely ours with the traffic being barely present and stunning views accompanying us throughout. We will pass through the village of Hemis Shukpachan, which is also a trekking base. Today’s main attraction is the Likir Monastery, which was founded in 1065 and houses the Snake-Head Buddha statue. In the evening, we walk around the heritage village of Tingmosgang, the erstwhile capital of the ancient Ladakh kingdom, and visit the ruins of its ancient fort and majestic monastery. We will spend the night in a cosy hotel.
DAY 4 :
TINGMOSGANG - FOTU LA PASS - LAMAYURU - TINGMOSGANG (200 KM)
Today, we will ride to the lower Indus Valley – the perfect direction to adjust and acclimatise to this amazing high altitude moon landscape with a rewarding visit to the Lamayuru Monastery, one of the oldest and most prestigious monasteries in Ladakh. We will also ascend the Fotula pass, one of the highest on the Leh – Srinagar highway. After a day of thrilling ride, we head back to Tingmosgang and spend the night back in the Hotel.
DAY 5 :
TINGMOSGANG - ALCHI - LEH (120 KM)
Riding upstream along the Indus Valley towards Leh, We will pass through Alchi, which is famous for its apricot trees and its lush greenery, unlike other parts of Ladakh. Another attraction not to be missed is the Alchi Monastery- “monastic jewel of Ladakh” and an important Buddhist centre of learning. It is also famous for the statue of ‘Golden Maitreya’, a sacred copper-gilt image of the Maitreya Buddha and one storey in height
DAY 6 :
LEH - KHARDUNG LA - SUMUR (120 KMS)
Our today’s stretch is every biker’s biggest dream and the zenith of our riding experience ! Today, we will be crossing the world’s highest motorable road, the famous Khardung La Pass. It’s a challenging but rewarding 39 km ride to the top of Khardung La but the views are simply dazzling - Sheltered on the other side is the beautiful and fertile Nubra Valley with the Karakoram mountains ahead. From Khardung La, we descend into the Nubra Valley to the village of Sumur, a quaint village on the banks of the Nubra River known as the village of wildflower. We will spend the night in Sumur.
DAY 7 :
SUMUR - DISKIT MONASTERY - HUNDUR (100 KMS)
Today, we will explore the Nubra Valley to our heart’s content. After breakfast, we’ll ride from Sumur to Hundur. On the way, we will visit Diskit Monastery, the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery of the Nubra Valley that belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelug) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We will return to Hunder for lunch where we can enjoy a free afternoon. For those amongst us looking for more adventure, a short ride on the two-humped camels over the sand dunes of the river is just the thing to do. For those of us looking for more ease, we can ride further to Panamik, where we enjoy a bath in hot sulphur springs, like the Silk Road traders of yore.
DAY 8 :
HUNDUR - PANGONG TSO LAKE (165 KMS)
Today, we will be exiting the Nubra Valley. As we ride beside the Shyok River, the road will be almost empty but quite challenging with many streams to cross. After an arduous ride, we will be rewarded with the ethereal sight of the Pangong Tso Lake with its turquoise blue waters that extends all the way to Tibet. The lake is situated at a height of 4350 metres and is 134 kilometres long. We will spend the night in a deluxe camp at the lake, an experience you will carry in your heart forever !
DAY 9 :
PANGONG TSO - CHANG LA PASS - SHAKTI VALLEY (120 KMS)
After a breathtaking sunrise followed by breakfast by the lake, we will ‘saddle up’ for the ride over the Chang La Pass, the world’s 3rd highest pass at 5360 metres. The climb is very steep and requires careful riding. After taking our time to reach safely, we spend a well deserved night in a comfortable Guest House in the beautiful Shakti valley.
DAY 10 :
SHAKTI VALLEY - TSOMORIRI LAKE (200 KMS)
Today, as we follow the Indus River upstream, we will have to tackle on and off road conditions and a rather long stretch before reaching the high altitude Tsomoriri lake which lies in the Wetland Conservation Reserve. The reserve is home to 34 species of birds including 14 species of water birds of which the black necked cranes are an endangered species and the bar-headed geese having their breeding ground only in India. We will stay in a comfortable guest house.
DAY 11 :
TSO MORIRI - TSO KAR (100 KMS)
After breakfast, following a rocky and sometimes sandy track, we enter the heart of the Rupshu Valley, the most isolated region of Ladakh. On the way, we’ll meet the Changpas (nomads) who camp around in their yak skin tents and graze their yaks and Pashmina goats in the rich pastures. We’ll also visit the hot water springs of Puga and will then start our climb over the Polo Gonka Pass to then descend towards Tsokar Lake (4500 m). The lake offers a picturesque sight with the reflections of the distant mountains and once was the only source of salt for the whole of Ladakh. It also offers excellent opportunities for sighting the wild ass, the "Kiangs". We stay at a comfortable guest house by the salt water lake.
DAY 12 :
TSOKAR - LEH (170 KMS)
This is our last day in the Enfield’s saddle so we’d better make the most of it; we leave Tsokar early after breakfast for a 6 to 7 hour ride back to Leh which will take us over the world’s 2nd highest Pass, Tanglang La (5328 m). Across Tanglang La, we head through the endless hairpin bends as we cross the picturesque oasis of Rumtse village. The ride offers wonderful landscape, especially with the view of the colourful mountains around Gya Village.
DAY 13 :
LEH
Today will be a free day in Leh to rest and recuperate and let the impressions and memories of this truly unforgettable trip sink in. You may also do some souvenir shopping for your trip back home. After almost 2 weeks of comradeship, we will enjoy our last dinner under the stars.
DAY 14 :
LEH - DELHI
Your last views of Ladakh today as you catch your morning flight to Delhi. Stay glued to the windows and cherish memories of a lifetime as you travel back home, no longer the same person.
