HIMALYAN EPIC
The ultimate in Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle trips. Experience the very best riding, under big skies, in these sublime mountains. Everything is here. Join us for a moto tour you will talk about for years.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
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Epic 17 days of every style or motorcycle riding - from easy on-road smooth bitumen to water crossings, rock, and sand, all surrounded by the spectacular Himalayas
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Start in Manali by riding your Royal Enfield to the local tourist attraction of Naggar Fort. Get used to motorcycling in Indian traffic.
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Ride down through the "Valley of the Gods", through emerald valleys, and up into the conifer forests of the Banjar Valley.
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Head along the old Indo-Tibetan trade route, up twisty roads into the snow-peaked mountains. Visit the 800-year-old Bhimakali Temple
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Ride along roads, etched into the side of rock cliffs, to the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibetan border
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Step back in time to Nako village, and experience Himalayan village life
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Glamp under the stars and enjoy chatting and drinking around the bonfire
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Visit high-altitude lakes, fed by the snow and ice of the mountains in Nako
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Take on some epic adventure riding, across rock, water crossings, sand, gravel, and everything in between. Our guides will help you along the way if you need them.
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Ride along the Manali-Leh highway, infamous among bikers for some of the best moto touring in the world. Motorcycle tour the five high passes (including the second highest in the world Taglang La), camp at high altitude Sarchu and ride the twisty Gata Loops. Blast along the More Plains, under big blue skies surrounded by the vast Himalayan range.
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Rest in the Ladakh capital of Leh, or visit the palace or monastery. Catch up on some souvenir shopping
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Head over the Himalayan range to the highest saltwater lake in the world on the Tibet border, Pangong Tso. Camp lakeside under the stars.
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Glamp in Nubra Valley, ride the famous two-humped Bactrian camels and visit Diskit Monastery.
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Finish by riding the highest motorable road in the world, the legendary Khardung La. Get your photo taken in front of the iconic sign.
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Say goodbye in Leh, and fly out over the spectacular Himalayas that you have just ridden on a Royal Enfield.
DURATION : 17 epic days
DIFFICULTY : Every type of motorcycle riding, on-road and off-road. Sand, gravel, rock, water crossings, and smooth, easy bitumen. This motorcycle trip has it all
GUIDE : Our guides speak excellent English and Hindi (and a smattering of "hello" in other languages)
BACK UP : Back up van complete with tools, spare parts, drinks, snacks, and Bollywood soundtrack. Also, excellent mechanics come on the tour who specialise in Royal Enfields. You are in good hands.
WHEN : Tours run from June until October
ACCOMMODATION : Luxury hotel to glamping tents
THRILLS AND AMAZING TALES TO TAKE HOME : Unlimited
RATE :
Twin Share Accommodation: $4,300 USD per person
Single Accommodation: $5,250 USD per person
Pillion (Twin Share): $3,550 USD per person
2024 Date - 5th September to 22nd Sept
Please email us for upcoming dates.
Or we can custom-make a tour for you and your friends on a date that suits you.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Welcome to the Himalayas - If you fly in over the Himalayas, we will pick you up from Kullu airport for transfer to the hotel. Otherwise, meet at the hotel in Manali. We all gather for dinner to say hello and get to know your fellow riders for the next few weeks.
Day 2 - Manali - Sightseeing
Hear the roar of your Royal Enfield as it is driven up to your hotel for you. Today is your first day of riding, so we head out for some sightseeing at Naggar Castle and other tourist points in the Himalayan township of Manali. You will start to acclimatize to the higher altitude.
Day 3 – Manali to Sojha - Travelling Distance: 110 km
Another easy day riding. We start off along the icy Beas River, past the apple orchards and through the traffic of Kullu, before heading upwards through the conifer forests of the Banjar Valley. Motorcycle riding through this region, you get to understand why it's called the "Valley of the Gods."
Day 4 – Sojha to Sarahan - Travelling Distance: 125 km
We keep heading to more remote regions today. Ride twisty roads, surrounded by snow-wrapped mountain peaks. You travel today near the ancient Indo-Tibetan trade route and finish the day visiting the 800-year-old Bhimkali Temple in Sarahan.
Day 5 – Sarahan to Chitkul - Travelling Distance: 105 km
Today you ride along roads, etched into the sides of cliffs, with spectacular ravines and gorges on one side, and rock-wrapped mountain side on the other. We finish the day in the off-the-beaten-track village of Chitkul on the Baspa River. This is the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibet border.
Day 5 – Chitkul to Kalpa - 60 km
A shorter day riding on the motorcycles, ending up in Kalpa, and spectacular views of the peaks of Kinner Kailash. Rest afternoon to explore.
Day 6 – Kalpa to Nako - Travelling Distance: 100 km
Nako is one of our absolute favourite places to visit when we tour the Himalayas. Remote and perched up on the Tibet border, you feel like you step back hundreds of years in time. Lake Nako is at the centre, formed by the melted snow and ice from the nearby peaks. Today is a mix of motor touring and includes the endless hairpins of the Kah Loops. Tonight is glamping and telling stories around a campfire.
Day 7 – Nako to Kaza - Travelling Distance: 115 km
We continue along this secluded part of the Spiti Valley, through this "world within a world", tucked away high up in the Himalayas. The Royal Enfields are perfect for this sort of motorcycle trip as we travel through desert landscapes dotted with emerald-green villages and split by the roaring Spiti River. Being close to the Tibetan border, there is a large Buddhist influence in this region, and today we visit the oldest, continually operating Buddhist monastery in India, Tabo.
Day 8 – Kaza to Chandratal - Travelling Distance: 100 km
Amazing days riding, this road throws all the best motorcycle adventure riding at us. Lots of water crossings, rock, sand and gravel, picking our way up to the hidden village of Chandratal and its stunningly blue lake. You won't forget today's ride and our guides are there to help you if you need them.
Tour itinerary continued below
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Day 9 - Chandratal to Keylong - Travelling Distance : 115 km
Today is another spectacular day of motorcycle riding. We start off with some more adventure touring along the Chandra River, over rock and water crossings, with our expert guides and mechanics there to help you if you need it. We travel through the desert landscape of Chattru, and then an easier ride through the green valleys to Keylong village.
Day 10 - Keylong to Sarchu - Travelling Distance : 115 km
Today we start on the legendary Manali-Leh Highway, a classic motorcycle touring route travelled by bikers from all over the world. Travel over Baralacha Pass (the world's third-highest pass) before heading down to Indian lunch at our favourite dhaba. We then head to our camp at Sarchu, get settled, and then drinks around the campfire.
Day 11 - Sarchu to Leh - Travelling Distance : 260 km
Another spectacular day of motorcycling under the big skies wrapped with the Himalayan mountain range. We ride the infamous Gata Loops, a series of never-ending hairpin bends and cross three high passes, including the second-highest in the world Tanglang La. Blasting across the More Plains, and dipping down through hairpins into Leh, are also just a handful of the highlights of moto touring today.
Day 12 - Leh - Sightseeing
Today is a welcome rest day in the township of Leh. There are lots of things to do here such as visiting the fort, palace or monastery (the Dalai Lama sometimes is in town and speaks here). Or just relax in one of our favourite restaurants overlooking the square and watch Himalayan life go by.
Day 13 - Leh to Pangong Lake - Travelling Distance : 170 km
We head out again on the Royal Enfields today to the highest saltwater lake in the world. This is an easy day of riding. We head over Changla Pass, before coming down to moto touring beside the crystal clear waters of the lake. This lake is on the Tibet - Indian border, and some bikers have been known to take a dip in its freezing waters that come straight off the snow caps. Spend the night in camp on the lake's edge.
Day 14 - Pangong Lake to Nubra Valley - Travelling Distance : 190 km
Heading out of camp, we come to Nubra Valley, and the option to ride one of the famous, two-humped Bactrian camels and visit the Diskit Monastery. Night glamping in sustainable accommodation.
Day 15- Nubra Valley to Leh - Travelling Distance : 130 km
Just when you thought you had ridden it all on your Enfield, we finish with riding the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La. Join other bikers in the world who have ridden this mountain and get your iconic photo taken at the top. A great way to celebrate the end of your epic Himalayan motorcycle trip.
Day 17 - Goodbye from the Himalayas
After breakfast, if you are flying out, we drop you at Leh airport and say goodbye. The flight is spectacular and gives you a birds-eye view of the majestic Himalayas over which you have just ridden the classic Royal Enfield.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Transfer from Kullu airport to your hotel in Manali at the beginning of your tour, and also transfers to Leh airport at the conclusion
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A Royal Enfield motorbike for the duration of your trip
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Experienced, English-speaking mechanics and guides
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Support vehicles that are carrying spare bike/parts /gas/tools, mineral water, snacks
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Accommodation (best in-area hotels and glamping)
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All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, mineral water, and juices on the way)
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Gas (for the bikes and support vehicles for the trip)
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First-aid kit with all necessary medicines in the mountain region
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All line permits for the controlled area for Kinnaur Valley and around Ladakh
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Unforgettable memories and cool moto touring stories to take home
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
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All flights (international and domestic)
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Travel insurance - you must organize this before you leave home. Make sure it covers you for moto touring on the size bike you will riding and covers medical evacuation, medical bills, repatriation
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International motorcycle license - you may need this for your travel insurance to be valid. Good idea to check the fine print.
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Motorcycle damage - you are liable for all damage to your bike on the trip.
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Alcohol and any extra drinks ordered. We ask that you settle these directly with the accommodation each day.
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Tips
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Riding gear including helmet, boots, gloves, etc (please bring these with you, there are no motorcycle shops in most of the regions we will be travelling)
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Accommodation, meals, and any attractions not included in the tour (including any extra nights you book in Manali at the beginning of the tour, and also at the conclusion in Leh)