The Big Himalayan Adventure

DAY 1, 05 Aug  |  ARRIVE IN LEH 

Arrive in Leh, transfer to our hotel. Meet the group and attend expedition briefing in the evening.

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DAY 2, 06 Aug  |  LEH 

A second day in Leh is required to acclimatise to the altitude. Collect your Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and prepare for the trip ahead.

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DAY 3, 07 Aug  |  LEH  | 30 miles

Ride out to visit the prominent monasteries - Hemis & Thiskey located on the outskirts of Leh town. A chance to get familiar with your bike before we hit the remote back roads.

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DAY 4, 08 Aug  |  LEH - HANLE  | 160 miles

Hanle is a place of ethereal beauty - a vast, high-altitude basin that serves as India’s first and most prestigious Dark Night Reserve. As we ride through this "Land of the Nomads," the scenery is unmatched. You will likely be
accompanied by Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass), wild horses, and yaks grazing in the marshes. We also visit the Hanle Monastery and the local school supported by
the Headlight Foundation. 

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DAY 5, 09 Aug  |  HANLE - UMLING LA PASS & BACK  |

112 miles

A bucket-list achievement. We summit Umling La, standing higher than Everest Base Camp.​

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​DAY 6, 10 Aug |  HANLE - PANGONG TSO  | 93 miles

We ride along the "Line of Actual Control" (the border with China) to reach the turquoise waters of Pangong Tso.​

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DAY 7, 11 Aug  |  PANGONG TSO - NUBRA VALLEY  |

125 miles

We descend into the Nubra Valley, riding alongside the Shyok River and exploring the high-altitude sand dunes of Hunder. Riding alongside the Shyok River. Terrain includes rocky riverbeds, broken tarmac, sandy and potential landslide-cleared debris paths.

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​DAY 8, 12 Aug  |  NUBRA VALLEY - TURTUK & BACK |

112 miles

We ride to the northernmost tip of India, visiting the Baltic village of Turtuk, famous for its apricot orchards and unique history.

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​DAY 9, 13 Aug  |  NUBRA VALLEY - ALCHI  | 118 miles

We cross Khardung La (17,582 ft) and head toward the Indus Valley. Visit the Alchi Monastery. Known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas," Alchi is a 1,000-year-old UNESCO-style treasure. It is unique because it was built on flat ground rather than a hilltop and houses world-renowned Indo-Tibetan wall
paintings and giant clay statues that have survived a millennium.

​DAY 10, 14 Aug  |  ALCHI - PADUM (ZANSKAR VALLEY | 112 miles

We enter the raw and rugged Zanskar Valley. Expect challenging terrain and "broken" tarmac as we venture into this isolated mountain kingdom.​

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DAY 11, 15 Aug  |  PADUM - PURNE | 30 miles

Today is about the spirit of the Zanskar River. We ride to the road-head and then begin a memorable trek to Phugtal Monastery. The trek takes you alongside the turquoise Lungnak River, crossing ancient, swaying wooden suspension bridges that offer a true sense of adventure. Phugtal Monastery is a 2,500-year-old architectural wonder
built into a massive limestone cave like a honeycomb. Historically, it was a retreat for sages and scholars; today, it remains one of the most isolated and majestic monastic sites on Earth.

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DAY 12, 16 Aug  |  PURNE - SARCHU | 110 miles

We pass the holy mountain Gombo Rangjon and cross the Shinku La (16,580 ft) to enter the plains of Sarchu. A dramatic transition from Zanskar's dirt trails to the steep, snow-walled ascent of Shinku La. Includes water crossings and high-altitude mud.​

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DAY 13, 17 Aug  |  SARCHU - LEH | 156 miles

This is the ultimate "High Pass Day." We tackle the legendary Gata Loops (21 hairpins) and cross three massive passes:
1. Nakee La (15,547 ft / 4,739 m)
2. Lachung La (16,616 ft / 5,065 m)
3. Tanglang La (17,480 ft / 5,328 m)
To savour the journey, we will stop at rustic roadside dhabas
(local restaurants) nestled in the mountains. There is no greater Himalayan pleasure than wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of Honey-Lemon-Ginger tea while swapping stories with fellow riders before the final push to Leh.

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DAY 14 18 Aug  |  LEH

A final farewell, transfers to Leh Airport for your journey home.​