Ladakh - On the roof of the world: Leh and Zanskar valleys
We guide you across the highest plateaus and passes in the world, over 5,600 m above sea level. From the torrid Gangetic plains and the chaotic capital of Delhi, we arrive in a completely different world: the region of Ladakh. We enter the high plateau that crosses the Himalayan range along a road full of surprises. We ride up to Umling La, the highest motorable pass in the world at 5,800 m. This journey is accessible only to riders with experience in off-road and dirt-track riding. Possibly the most thrilling motorcycle adventure in all of Asia.
Day 1 Delhi. Arrival of the group’s various international flights in Delhi. Your international flight must arrive and depart from Delhi. Your transfer will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel in central Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi – Leh, domestic flight. Early morning departure at 8:00 to arrive around 10:30 at our hotel in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. This flight is one of the most impressive in India, flying over the Himalayan range with breathtaking views over the highest mountains on Earth. A day for altitude acclimatization, as Leh lies at 3500 m. Meeting with the group at the hotel and introductory briefing on riding in India, an overview of the country and the trip program. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Leh.
Day 3 Leh – Lamayuru. After breakfast, first contact with the motorcycles and our assistance team. Departure westward through the first spectacular landscapes on a perfectly paved road. Visit of Alchi Monastery with its impressive Buddha statue crowning the mountain and its museum filled with Ladakhi art relics, some over 400 years old. Lunch at the restaurant next to the stupas of Alchi Gompa. Arrival in Lamayuru, the oldest monastery in Ladakh. After visiting the gompa, relaxing afternoon in the hotel garden. Overnight in Lamayuru.
Day 4 Lamayuru – Padum. First day in the remote and little-visited region of Zanskar. The scenery becomes ever more spectacular, with three passes above 4500 m. Overnight in Padum, capital of the Zanskar Valley.
Day 5 Padum – Jispa. Off-road stage of 120 km, including river crossings and sandy sections. Probably the most demanding day of the entire trip, with the new Shingu La pass above 5000 m. We later join the legendary Manali–Leh highway in the village of Jispa, where we stay overnight. Night in Jispa.
Day 6 Jispa – Sarchu – Tso Kar. We begin our return towards Leh, crossing the Baralacha La pass. Before reaching the impressive Sarchu Valley, we stop for a chai in front of the incredible Bharatpur mountain. We continue up to the Moori plateau and reach Pang Valley, one of the most magical spots of the day. In the distance, the Himalayan range and a vast glacial valley at over 5000 m. Overnight at Tso Kar, beside its salt lake.
Day 7 Tso Kar – Hanle. After breakfast, we resume our ride northeast, leaving the white plains of the lake behind to enter one of the most remote regions of Ladakh. The road alternates between asphalt and long stretches of track across wide plains where yaks and wild kiangs graze, with ochre and reddish mountains all around. We pass the small settlement of Nyoma and continue along a military road near the Tibetan border. A constant sense of riding on the roof of the world. Overnight in Hanle.
Day 8 Hanle – Umling La – Hanle. Today we face the most epic challenge of the trip: the ascent to Umling La, considered the highest motorable road in the world at over 5,800 meters, surpassing the famous Khardung La. A day of pure adventure, emotion, and lunar landscapes. As we climb, the sense of isolation is total: no villages, no traffic, no noise—only the sound of the bikes and the vastness of the Himalayas. Reaching Umling La is unforgettable, the summit of the journey in every sense. Photos, short breath, and descent back to Hanle. Overnight in Hanle.
Day 9 Hanle – Thiksey. After breakfast, descent toward the Indus Valley where villages, green fields and everyday Ladakhi life reappear. Arrival in Thiksey, whose monastery is one of the region’s most spectacular, built like a stepped citadel on the mountainside. Several famous films were shot here, including *Seven Years in Tibet*. Our hotel is located opposite the monastery, reminiscent of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Overnight in Thiksey.
Day 10 Thiksey – Leh – Delhi. Flight to Delhi. Arrival around 10:00 and transfer to central Delhi. Rest of the day free. Optional guided tour of Delhi, full of monuments such as the Great Mosque or the Red Fort. Also a paradise for all kinds of shopping. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 11 International departures, transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of the trip and our services.
Trip duration:
11 days / 10 hotel nights (from day 1 to day 10 inclusive).
Arrival and meeting in Delhi.
Please note: limited places – small groups.
Companions may join either on a motorcycle or in the support vehicle.
The price includes:
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Motorcycle rental for the whole trip (modèle Royal Enfield Himalayan 452cc).
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Accommodation in clean hotels, nights from day 1 to day 10 inclusive. À Sarchu, comfortable tents with beds and private toilets
- Double rooms (supplement extra pour chambre individuelle).
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Breakfast, eau et thé pendant les trajets.
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French-speaking guide expérimenté sur l’itinéraire, et mechanic spécialisé Enfield.
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Deux vols intérieurs Delhi – Leh / Leh – Delhi.
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Van with a driver to carry luggage and provide roadside assistance (from 4 participants).
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Pièces de rechange, outils, kit de premiers secours, oxygène portable et oxymètre.
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Essence, maintenance, réparations, assurance au tiers pour les motos.
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Tous les permis nécessaires pour les régions du Ladakh et du Zanskar.
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Transferts entre l’aéroport et l’hotel à Delhi et à Leh, on arrival and on departure.
The price does not include:
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Le vol international jusqu’à Delhi.
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L’assurance assistance voyage (obligatoire)*.
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The visa for India.
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Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, alcoholic drinks, etc.).
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Les entrées dans les monastères (gompas) or other monuments.
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Tips for the tour staff, hotels or restaurants.
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Dinners, lunches and tout autre service non mentionné dans "The price includes" (comptez en moyenne 3 € pour un repas en bord de route).
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Travel libres à Leh ou Delhi.
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Une caution de 500 € pour la location de la moto (intégralement remboursée en fin de voyage si la moto n’a subi aucun dégât).
Climate and clothing recommandés
En juillet et août, Delhi dépasse les 35°C. En montagne, dès Manali, les températures sont plus agréables (20–25°C, temps ensoleillé).
Pendant la traversée de Manali à Leh, le climat est généralement sec et ensoleillé, mais il peut changer brusquement : froid, pluie, chaleur, parfois tout cela dans la même journée.
Au-delà de 4000 m, le soleil est intense et il y a peu d’ombre.
À prévoir :
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Crème solaire haute protection, lunettes de soleil, gants.
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Équipement moto complet : casque (idéalement modulable), veste, gants, bottes, combinaison de pluie (2 pièces recommandées).
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Vêtements chauds pour les étapes en altitude.
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Sacoche aimantée sur le réservoir pour accessoires utiles (gants, appareil photo, etc.).
Conditions de route et conduite en Inde
This journey is one of the most spectacular by motorcycle, mais ce n’est pas une promenade de santé.
La conduite en Inde est particulière : circulation dense, chaotique et sans les règles habituelles – mais on s’y adapte vite.
Heureusement, le trafic en montagne est limité et les vitesses sont faibles.
L’état de la route entre Manali et Leh change chaque année. Elle reste fermée 8 mois par an à cause de la neige.
On alterne entre bitume, pistes de terre, pierres, boue, et sometimes flooded sections.
Landslides or obstacles may cause delays.
This trip is not suitable for motards sans expérience.
Même pour un pilote confirmé, un stage de perfectionnement off-road de 2–3 days est fortement conseillé : on y apprend toudays quelque chose, even after 20 years of riding !
Good to know before de partir
L’Inde est un pays fascinant, mais aussi imprévisible. Il faut faire preuve de patience, de souplesse et d’un bon état d’esprit face aux aléas.
Ce voyage implique un certain niveau de risque inhérent à l’aventure moto. En vous inscrivant, vous en êtes conscient et l’acceptez.
Une bonne disposition et une dose d’humour sont essentielles pour profiter pleinement de ce périple inoubliable.
La Royal Enfield Bullet
Notre flotte de motos Royal Enfield pour ce voyage est composée de motos de 450cc, modèle off-road Himalaya, avec boîte de vitesses à 5 rapports, frein à disque et démarrage électrique.
Remarques importantes
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Les inscriptions se font par ordre de réservation. Réserver à la dernière minute peut entraîner un supplement pour chambre individuelle s’il n’y a personne avec qui la partager.
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Une assurance voyage avec couverture moto est obligatoire. Vérifiez si votre carte bancaire, votre assurance auto/moto ou une assurance spécialisée la propose. Elle doit inclure frais médicaux et rapatriement.
