Riding the Himalayas is the Jewel in the Crown for adventure motorcyclists. The combination

of the world’s highest mountainscapes, the spiritual masterpieces of endless cliff-top

monasteries, the earthy kindness of the Ladakhi people and some the most challenging terrain

to be found anywhere on earth makes this the expedition that serves as a benchmark to all

others. The superlative majesty of the Ladakh region, its 22,000+ foot glaciated peaks visible on

every horizon, communicates a true sense of the scale of our planet and how humbling our own

small place within it actually is.

Part of our '8 Day Adventure' series designed for those wanting the core the experience in a

shorter timeframe, the ride covers up to 400 miles over 8 days. We start and in Delhi and

include your flight up to Leh, the 11,000ft capital of Ladakh. From Leh we will explore the

awe-inspiring monasteries of the Buddhist faith, navigate countless switchbacks over some of

the highest road-going passes in the world and negotiate terrain as challenging and diverse as

you are willing to endure.

Arrive by check in time (2pm) and we will have our on-site briefing in the evening. We head out for our first group dinner that will allow us to develop the bonds that will become stronger with every mile.

A flight from Delhi to Leh at the crack of dawn places us in this picturesque mountain town by late morning.  At 14,500 ft, our brains may be eager to ride out but our bodies need a day to acclimatise and get used to the thin air. 

Today we snake our way on the Leh - Srinagar highway towards Lamayuru. Along the way, we visit a couple of ancient monasteries, try out local dishes and take in the stunning beauty of Ladakh’s lunar landscape. After a fulfilling day of riding, we settle into our guesthouse and continue acclimatising at 3500m, the same altitude as Leh.

Our first hour is spent on the switchback climbing up to our first pass Fotu La, at 4100m (13,478 ft). After the photos we return to Leh via lesser-known back roads and past ancient villages.

Riding out of Leh early, we head for the mother of all passes, Khardung-La. At an

elevation of 17,582 ft, altitude sickness is a real danger so we will only remain long

enough to drink in the awe-inspiring reality that you are over a half-mile higher

than the highest summit in the contiguous United States. The ride down into Nubra Valley is pure motorcycling bliss. The gravel has been replaced in most places with a smooth ribbon of tarmac and the sweepers have no end as we descend to a more manageable 10,000 ft. and our rest stop for the night, the tiny village of Hunder.

Our final day of riding will include all that you have experienced so far, from another 5000+ m high pass to panoramic views and one last monastery visit before reaching Leh.

A morning flight puts us back in Delhi by late afternoon. The day is yours to finalize shopping, sightseeing or just getting used to air laden with oxygen. With one final dinner together we bid each other goodbye as we begin to part ways

With an 11am checkout, today we say farewell and set off for whatever happens next. Your airport car will be arranged at a time of your choosing and, should you decide to remain in Delhi for a bit more sightseeing, our hotel will be happy to oblige.