High Himalayas: Through the Clouds

Sixteen days from Shimla to Leh on a Royal Enfield, through Spiti and over Khardung La and Chang La, at altitudes up to 5,600 metres.

Stradora Partner

From£3,510pp

Duration15 days

StyleAdventure

Best suited toExperienced riders

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15 nights through India

Sixteen days, guided, on a Royal Enfield, from the Himalayan foothills near Shimla to Leh, the capital of Ladakh.

The operator calls this one of the most iconic motorcycle rides anywhere in the world. It rates the difficulty as extreme, with a maximum altitude of 5,600 metres, so it expects experience and good health. The route runs about 1,530 km, with four to eight hours of riding a day, on a Royal Enfield 500cc Classic or 410cc Himalayan, and finishes with one of the highest motorable passes in the world, Khardung La at 18,380 feet, and Chang La.

The first day is in New Delhi at the Aeroplaza hotel. On day two, weather permitting, the group flies to Chandigarh, drives to the outskirts of Shimla and gets on the bikes for the ride to Narkanda, in chalet-style accommodation at 2,760 metres. Day three descends beside the Sutlej river to Reckong Peo and climbs through apple orchards to Kalpa, where the group has a day around the village and a ride to the Tibetan border at Chitkul. The road then crosses Malling Nullah near Nako Lake, enters the Spiti Valley proper at Sumdo and follows the Spiti river to Tabo. Beyond that the operator’s route map shows Kaza, Sissu, Sarchu and Leh, with the Nubra and Sham valleys. Along the way are remote lakes, desert valleys and some of the world’s oldest monasteries, and the operator mentions nomadic herdsmen.

The price is per rider and the pillion price is on application, with a single supplement of US$500. It covers the motorcycle, fuel and spares, a range of hotels and tented camps, all meals, local and international guides, a support vehicle, crew and mechanic, airport transfers and entrance fees. Flights, visa, insurance and alcohol are extra. An International Driving Permit is required.

Style

Adventure, Expedition, Guided

Duration

A fortnight (11-15 nights)

Region

Asia

Vehicle provision

Vehicle provided

Group size

8 - 10

Departures

June - July