Mother of All Ladakh Road Trips: Ladakh Bike Tour 2019

This road-trip takes one across some of the highest-altitude mountain passes and lakes in Manali, Leh and nearby regions. Spanning a distance of over 2000 km in 14 days, this road trip is best for audacious travellers desiring a thrilling experience; and, is consequently recommended for riders with a certain amount experience.

• Explore 15 high-altitude mountain passes like Khardung La and Tang La.
• Ride by 6 high-altitude lakes, including Pangong Tso and Thatsangkaru lake.
• The culture in the mountains can be experienced through villages like Tandi and Darcha.
• Camp alongside the Pangong Tso Lake.
• Witness picturesque views, fascinating cultural sights, villages, monasteries and many more places.

Why Choose This?

• No Hidden Costs: All inclusive price with no hassle of paying on multiple occasions during the trip.
• Fixed Departures: All available dates on the calendar are bookable.
• Ultra Comfortable Accommodation: All accommodations during the ride in comfortable hotels and camps. 
• Bike Rent and Fuel: For rented bike options, bike rent, as well as fuel, is included in the price
• All Permits and Fees: No hassle of paying permit fees, entry fees or wildlife fees during your ride. It's all included in the price.

Detailed Overview

This road-trip is a confluence of wild adventures and peaceful experiences. It includes passing some of the highest-altitude mountain passes of the world: Khardung La (5615 m), Tanglang La (5390m) and Chang La (5360 m), amongst others; additionally, it also involves travelling by high-altitude lakes like Pangong Tso Lake (4350 m) and Tso Moriri Lake (4595 m). And, all these thrilling travel routes offer aesthetically pleasurable and serene views.

A plethora of famous travel sights will be covered, like Leh Fort, Deeptal Lake, Shey, the Shanti Stupa, Distik monastery, Karzok – and many more. The trip also has some unconventional stops, for instance, a visit to Sarchu- a military base, located at an altitude of 14000 ft. Many villages will be crossed throughout the trip. One of which is Turtuk, a place which was under Pakistan's Control till 1971 of which India got control later.

For convenience in travel, the trip will be facilitated by experienced road captains. Given the large distance covered and the roughness of the travel experiences, this trip is recommended for those who have some experience with riding bikes and good fitness levels.

Brief Itinerary 

• Day 1: Arrival in Manali – Test ride bikes.
• Day 2: Manali to Sarchu over Rohtang Pass - Tandi - Jispa - Baralacha La (4890 m), Nakee La, Lachulung La - Deepaktaal - Surajtaal (226 km | 8 hrs).
• Day 3: Sarchu – Moore plains – Tanglang La – Karu – Hemis – Leh (267 km| 7-8 hrs).
• Day 4: Leh - Rest Day and sightseeing in and around Leh.
• Day 5: Leh – Diskit - Turtuk (205 km) 6-7 hrs – Hunder (90 km | 3 hrs).
• Day 6: Turtuk – Hunder - Warshi – Panamik (228 km | 7-8 hrs).
• Day 7: Panamik – Shyok – Durbuk – Tangste – Lukung – Spangmik (Pangong Tso) (187 km | 6 hrs).
• Day 8: Rest day along Pangong Tso.
• Day 9: Pangong – Chushul – Hanle (314 km | 7-8 hrs).
• Day 10: Hanle – Photi La – Umling La- Hanle(depending on permits)

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• Day 10: Hanle local sightseeing
• Day 11: Hanle – Salsal La - Karzok (Tso Moriri) (150 kms | 5-6 hrs).
• Day 12: Tsomoriri Tso – Sarchu (228 km | 6-7 hrs).
• Day 13: Sarchu  - Jispa - Manali  (223 km | 6-8 hrs).
• Day 14: Explore Manali, Paraglide and Zip ling – Departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Manali – Test Ride Bikes

Arrive at Manali, then our support staff will receive you at the bus stop and drive you to our base. After refreshments, debriefing and the required paperwork, bikes will be allocated to you. Get used to your bikes while we go for a drive to Old Manali for an early dinner. Ride back to the base in Sarchu for the overnight stay. Last-minute shopping can be done in Manali.

Day 2: Manali - Rohtang Pass - Tandi - Jispa - Sarchu - Baralacha La (4890 m), Nakee La, Lachulung La - Deepak Tal – Surajtaal | 226 km - 8 hrs

We start our journey from Manali at 7:00 am and we ride a distance of 60 km to the top Rohtang La (3978 m). Rohtang La is a mountain pass which acts as a gateway to Lahaul (pronounced “Lho-Yul”). Lahaul abounds with monasteries or gompas, the homes of Lamas (Buddhist monks). In Lahaul, we move to Tandi, a village which is situated above the confluence of the rivers Chandra and Bhaga in the Patton Valley. At Tandi, we top up our fuel tanks. After that, we go to Keylong (7 km from Tandi). Keylong is the last place where the mobile phone would work and where one could get a mechanic before Leh- so, get possible problems checked here. A beautiful village, named Jispa comes next. Roads become much smoother as we approach there. Jispa has a very large dry river-bed, a rarity in Lahaul. 

Day 3: Sarchu - Moore plains - Tanglang La - Karu - Hemis - Leh | 267 km - 7/8 hrs

We stop briefly for a photography session at Lake Deeptaal and Lake Suraj Taal. Then, we cross Baralacha La (4890 m). Roads are mostly in bad shape and as the altitude increases, one might start noticing the first effects of Acute Mountain Sickness. It is advisable to take it easy and not over stress oneself, especially at the summit of Baralacha La, 16500 ft.  From Baralacha La, it is a downhill and a rough ride till Bharatpur, after which the road condition starts improving gradually as we approach Sarchu. Next up is the third pass on the Manali Leh route, Nakee La. The descent from Lachulung La will take us to Pang which is a temporary tent settlement and has a check post where travellers need to register themselves. 

The road from Pang to Leh is excellent and will take us over a plateau (42 km long), Skyangchu Thang (the biggest and highest plateau on earth), also called the Moore Plains.

Day 4: Leh - Rest Day and Leh sightseeing 

This day will be for some rest and checkup of the vehicles. Then we’ll go for some sightseeing. In the early afternoon, we’ll drive to the 17th-century Leh Fort, the most famous landmark in town. From the Fort, there's short trail up to Tsemo Palace. At the top is the sweeping 360-degree view of Leh, the valley and its surrounding mountains, which includes the well-known Stok Kangri peak, towering in the distance at a height of 6137 m. We head to Leh’s other great panorama point, the Shanti Stupa, late in the afternoon. In the night when the Stupa is lit, the view is spectacular. We then move to Thiksey, a 40 minutes drive from Leh. And, wander through the beautiful monastery complex. We also go a few minutes north to Shey, a palace and a monastery that also tumbles splendidly down a hillock. Once the home of the Namgyal royalty - it now houses the largest metal-and-gold statue of Buddha in Ladakh. Overnight stay in Leh.

Day 5: Leh - Diskit - Turtuk | 210 km - 6/7 hrs 

Turtuk is a village 205 km from Leh on the banks of Shyok River. Turtuk gram panchayat is the northernmost village of India. It is the last outpost in India from where the Pakistan- controlled Northern Areas begin. Turtuk is one of the gateways to the Siachen Glacier. Diskit Monastery also known as Diskit Gompa is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery (gompa) in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, northern India. The village of Turtuk which was unseen by tourists till 2010 is a virgin destination for people who seek peace and an interaction with a tribal community of Ladakh. Enjoy the scenic drive. Stay in homestay/camp.

Day 6: Turtuk - Hunder - Warshi – Panamik | 228 km - 7/8 hrs

Today we drive 105 km to Warshi and then to the other bank of River Shyok to Panamik. The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form a large valley that separates the Ladakh and Karakoram Ranges. The average altitude of the valley is about 10000 ft. i.e. 3048 m above the sea level. The common way to access this valley is to travel over the Khardung La pass from Leh town. On the Shyok River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Monastery. The beautiful village of Baigdandu is located in this area. Drive along the banks of the Shyok river, where we might capture red fox, partridge, hare, weasel and migratory ducks resting in river pools. 

Day 7: Panamik – Shyok – Durbuk – Tangste – Lukung – Spangmik (Pangong Tso) | 187 km - 6 hrs

We will visit at the Pangong Tso, which is 604 km long-lake which extends from India to Tibet. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake. We camp by the lake.

Day 8: Rest day at Pangong Tso

Rest day and camping around Pangong. Replenish yourself and enjoy the emerald lake.

Day 9: Pangong – Chushul – Hanle | 160 km - 7/8 hrs

Today we ride beside the lake. After that, it will be a cruise as we ride on the Tibetan Plateau. Next is Chusul, where our permits would be checked. After crossing Chusul, the road approaches to a 14500 ft pass Tsaga la with China on our left side and we would find lots of army outposts at your left on top of mountains. Then we move to Nyoma – Loma and up to Hanle. Hanle in Changthang region of Ladakh is one of the most beautiful, enchanting, calm and soul losing places in India. Hanle houses an Indian Astronomical Observatory which is the world’s highest observatory in the world at a staggering height of 4500 m. Stay in guesthouse/homestay in Hanle.

Day 10: Hanle – Photi La – Umling La- Hanle(depending on permits)

Umling la pass is actually the world's highest motorable pass at 19,300 feet. 

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Day 10: Hanle sightseeing

Incase the pass is closed or not accessible, we will spend the day exploring Hanle and around. Hanle observatory is one such place to visit. It is also that world's highest observatory.

Day 11:  Hanle - Salsal La - Karzok (Tso Moriri) | 150 km | 5/6 hrs

Another day of riding exciting tracks to reach Karzok, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage. We will also ride by the banks of Tsomoriri Tso. We are bound to encounter some wildlife today, Kiangs and some migratory birds for sure. There exist two routes to reach Tso Moriri from Hanle, one via Mahe bridge and other via Chumur. One route goes via Chumur whose permits are hard to come by but if you are able to get them then nothing gets better and adventurous on your Ladakh journey. And we plan to take this route adding another pass to our trip. Just in case we don’t get permits for Chumur, then we’ll take the other route.

Day 12: Tsomoriri Tso - Sarchu | 228 km - 6/7 hrs

After Tsomoriri Tso, we ride to another lake on the Changthang plains, Tsokar Tso.  Sightings of Kiangs, Marmots, Bar-headed geese, Brahmini ducks etc. can be made. The road leads to Debring on the Leh-Manali from where either you can go to Ladakh or you can exit towards Manali via Manali Leh Highway.

Day 13: Sarchu -  Jispa - Manali  | 223 km - 7/8 hrs

Post Breakfast at Sarchu start ride to Manali via Jispa. Enjoy the grand views of the land of glaciers, Lahaul Valley. Pass by Kokhsar, Tandi, Cross Rohtang Pass (13050 ft), Evening Tea Break at Marhi, We’ll be reaching Manali in the afternoon. Celebratory dinner in old Manali restaurant. Stay at basecamp in Haripur.

Day 14: Trip ends today

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll drop you to Manali. You are free to explore Manali at leisure before taking the evening Volvo to Delhi/Chandigarh.