The Trans-Himalayan (India)

Twelve nights across Ladakh on a Royal Enfield Himalayan, crossing a string of passes above 5,000 metres and camping on the shore of a lake that straddles the Chinese border. This is a high altitude expedition rather than a tour.

New Delhi opens it, then a flight to Leh at around 3,500 metres and time to acclimatise, which is not optional: the air there holds roughly two thirds of the oxygen available at sea level. A loop of the Indus valley takes in the monasteries at Mato and Thiksey, then Temisgam among oasis villages with the old monastery at Alchi.

Lamayuru follows over the Kuksho and Fotu passes through the Shiite Balti valley of Chiktan, with the oldest Tibetan monastery in Ladakh at the end of it. Padum comes next over the Singi La at 4,955 metres and down the Zanskar gorge, then Jispa over the Shinku La at 5,050 metres into Lahaul.

Tso Kar follows on the classic Trans-Himalayan road, three passes in a day with one at 5,080 metres, the Pang gorges and the Morey plain, to a salt lake at 4,600 metres. Tso Moriri comes next in Changpa nomad country, where yak and pashmina goats are herded, with camp at 4,500 metres. Pangong Tso follows over a pass at 5,437 metres, higher than the celebrated Khardung La, with kyang on the plains and a camp at 4,300 metres on the border itself. Chang La at 5,340 metres carries the route back to Leh. Bike rental is included and the price is quoted per person. Twelve nights allows the altitude to be gained gradually, which matters more here than any amount of riding ability.