Land of High passes(Ladakh Motorcycle Expedition)

• Meet & Greet: Our representative will receive you at Bhuntar Airport.
• Transfer to Manali (Distance: 50 km / 1.5-2 hours)

• • Scenic drive along the Beas River.
  • Check-in to pre-booked hotel in Manali.

• Light meals recommended.
• Relax and let your body adjust to the mountain air.
• Avoid strenuous activity on Day 1.

• Introduction to your motorbike (RE Himalayan 411cc /450cc).
• Preliminary bike check and minor adjustments if needed.
• Tour orientation:

• • Ride safety protocols
  • Route overview
  • Emergency & backup plans
  • Document verification

• Total Distance: 95 km
• Travel Time: 3 to 4 hours (depending on road and weather conditions)
• Highest Altitude on the route: 3,200 m (Jispa)

Route Overview:

Departure from Jispa:

Midday at Sarchu:

Climb to Gata Loops, Nakee La & Lachung La:

Break at Pang & Cruise Through Morey Plains:

Reach Tso Kar Lake (4,530 m):

• Fixed eco-camps or basic homestays near Thukje Village
• Cold nights: temps drop below freezing, even in summer
• Very remote: no phone network, no fuel stations

Route Overview:

Ascend to Tanglang La (5,328 m):

• One of the world’s highest motorable passes, Tanglang La presents a steep yet well-paved ascent.
• Use caution: oxygen levels are low, and temperatures can drop drastically even in summer.
• Take a short stop for photos, but descend promptly to avoid AMS symptoms.

Descend to Rumtse and Beyond:

• The descent into Rumtse village brings a dramatic shift from barren mountains to green valleys.
• From Rumtse, the road follows the Indus River Valley, passing through Upshi and Karu, with wide roads and stunning river canyon views.

Arrival in Leh (3,500 m):

• End the ride in Leh, the capital of Ladakh.
• Leh offers a range of accommodations, bike garages, cafes, and sightseeing options.
• Perfect for rest, bike servicing, and local exploration.

1. Shanti Stupa

• A stunning white-domed stupa overlooking Leh, built by Japanese Buddhists.
• Offers panoramic views of Leh city and the surrounding mountains.
• Best visited early morning or sunset for photographs.

2. Leh Palace

• 17th-century former royal palace resembling a mini-Potala.
• Explore 9 floors of history and ancient architecture.
• Great views of Leh Old Town from the top floors.

3. Sangam Point – Indus & Zanskar Confluence (35 km from Leh)

• Witness the striking meeting of the muddy Zanskar and blue Indus rivers.
• A top photography spot and often included in rafting tours (optional).

4. Spituk Monastery

• A lesser-visited monastery near Leh Airport.
• Known for its Kali (Mahakali) temple, open only during festivals.

• Shopping in Leh Market (souvenirs, woollens, pashmina, handicrafts)
• Visit Tsemo Gompa above Leh Palace for a bird’s-eye view of the valley

• Begin the day with an early breakfast and gear check.
• Ride out of Leh, gradually ascending toward the mighty Khardung La Pass.
• This section is a mix of tarmac and broken roads, with panoramic views of the Zanskar Range behind you.

• Stop briefly at Khardung La, claimed to be the highest motorable road in the world (official alt. varies).
• Capture group photos with the iconic BRO signage.
• Stay no longer than 15 minutes to avoid altitude sickness.
• Descend carefully to North Pullu, where ID permits are often checked.

• The terrain shifts dramatically after North Pullu — from icy mountain walls to barren gorges and sandy canyons.
• Continue riding past Khalsar village, where the road splits toward Pangong (via Shyok) or Diskit and Hunder.

• Visit the Diskit Monastery, the oldest and largest gompa in the valley.
• Admire the 106-ft Maitreya Buddha statue overlooking the valley.
• Short detour off the main road, highly recommended.

• Reach Hunder, known for its cold desert, sand dunes, and Bactrian (double-humped) camels.
• Check-in to your camp or deluxe cottage accommodation.

Route Overview:

Early Start from Hunder:

• Start your day early (7:00 AM) to avoid afternoon winds and potential river swelling on the Shyok stretch.
• Ride back toward Khalsar, then take the right fork at Agham leading to Shyok village — a lesser-traveled, scenic route connecting Nubra to Pangong without going back to Leh.

The Shyok Route Adventure (90 km):

• This road follows the Shyok River and passes through gravel, narrow ledges, and water crossings.
• Landslide-prone and unpredictable, but highly rewarding in views and adventure.
• Slow, cautious riding is essential — carry extra fuel, food, and water.

Reach Durbuk & Tangtse (40 km from Shyok Village):

• After crossing the toughest terrain, stop at Durbuk or Tangtse for lunch and documents check at the military post.
• Tangtse has basic shops, restrooms, and army camps.

Final Stretch to Pangong (Spangmik Village):

• A smooth 35 km ride from Tangtse to Spangmik, the most popular lakefront village.
• On arrival, settle into your camp and enjoy the jaw-dropping view of Pangong Tso, a 134 km long high-altitude lake (60% of it lies in Tibet).

Accommodation in Pangong:

• Luxury lakefront camps, mid-range tents, or eco-cottages in Spangmik, Man, or Merak villages
• No power grid: Solar electricity, limited charging
• Cold nights year-round (sub-zero even in summer)

Route Summary:

Route Overview:

Itinerary Breakdown:

Chushul (Checkpoint & War Memorial):

• Reach Chushul, a highly sensitive military zone near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Halt for Inner Line Permit verification at the army checkpoint.
• Visit the Chushul War Memorial, commemorating the 1962 India-China war.

Climb to Tsaga La (4,600 m):

• From Chushul, ascend to Tsaga La, a windswept and remote high-altitude pass with stark desert views.
• The descent leads to the Tsaga village, a small military outpost with an informal tea shack.

Loma Checkpost (Final Entry Point to Hanle):

• Submit permits again at Loma Bridge, where civilians need clearance to proceed to Hanle.
• The road bifurcates here — left goes to Nyoma/Karzok (Tso Moriri), right continues to Hanle.

Final Stretch to Hanle:

• A smooth and spectacular 50 km ride through a flat, empty cold desert valley.
• Vast open spaces, grazing Kiangs (wild asses), and a sense of lunar silence.
• Reach Hanle, one of the most isolated settlements in Ladakh.

Stay in Hanle:

• Eco guesthouses and homestays available in Hanle Village
• Basic amenities; limited solar electricity
• Night sky at Hanle is among the clearest in India — ideal for stargazing

Optional Visit: Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO):

• One of the world’s highest observatories (4,500 m)
• Pre-approval may be required to enter, but you can visit the base area

Route Overview:

Depart Hanle Early

·        Full tank fuel + minimum 10L extra, well-rested, and properly acclimatized.

• Carry water, glucose, dry snacks, basic tools, and warm gear.

Climb to Photi La (5,524 m)

• 40 km from Hanle to Photi La, one of India’s highest passes.
• Road is steep but blacktopped with stunning views of Hanle Valley below.
• Short break at the top — do not overstay due to thin oxygen.

Ride to Umling La (5,798 m)

• Continue on BRO-built road to Umling La, the highest motorable road in the world.
• Road is good but oxygen levels are extremely low — riders often feel dizzy or breathless.
• Stop at the Umling La board, take photos, and descend immediately after 15–20 minutes.

Return the Same Way to Hanle

• Descend gradually via Photile and Photi La, reach Hanle by late afternoon.
• Evening rest and stargazing at Hanle – it has some of the clearest skies in India.

Route Overview:

• Ride northwest from Hanle back toward Loma Bridge, submitting your ILP again.
• Continue to Nyoma along the Indus river valley — roads are remote but largely manageable.

Mahe Bridge Checkpoint

• This region is part of the Changthang Plateau, home to nomadic herders (Changpas).

Ascent Toward Tso Moriri via Sumdo

• From Sumdo, ascend gradually through remote, treeless valleys.
• Cross streams and raw terrain with glimpses of Yaye Tso (another alpine lake en route).
• The last 35–40 km toward Tso Moriri offer epic views of high-altitude plains and snow-dusted ridgelines.

Reach Tso Moriri & Karzok Village (4,595 m)

• Arrive at Tso Moriri, one of Ladakh’s most serene and sacred lakes.
• Stay at Karzok, a traditional village with a centuries-old monastery.
• The lake stretches over 28 km, with turquoise waters flanked by the Mentok Kangri Range.

Route Overview:

Depart Early from Korzok

• Ride north from Tso Moriri, retracing toward Sumdo and onward to the Puga hot springs, a unique geothermal region of Ladakh.
• Roads are narrow and broken until Debring, but views are surreal — colored mountains and steaming earth.

Cross Polo Kongka La (4,960 m)

• This lesser-known pass leads you into the More Plains, one of the most iconic stretches on the Manali–Leh Highway.
• Join the main highway at Debring, then continue across the More Plains, a fast, straight, high-altitude road.
• After Pang, begin the Gata Loops — 21 tight hairpin bends climbing to Nakee La.
• Continue over Lachung La, another rugged high-altitude pass.

Arrive at Sarchu (4,290 m)

• Reach the windswept plains of Sarchu, the traditional overnight stop between Leh and Manali.
• Check into a deluxe tented camp with beds and meals included. Temperature drops fast in the evening.

Route Overview:

• Volvo/Taxi: 10–12 hours
• Flight (via Kullu–Bhuntar Airport): 4–5 hrs (including transfers)

or

Route Overview:

Mahe → Debring via Puga Hot Springs & Polo Kongka La

• From Mahe, ride towards Puga Valley, famous for its geothermal hot springs and colorful sulphur-rich terrain.
• Cross Polo Kongka La (4,960 m) — a lesser-known but beautiful pass en route to the Manali–Leh Highway.

Ascend to Tanglang La Pass (5,328 m) and Descent to leh

• Join the Leh–Manali Highway at Debring.
• Begin the climb to Tanglang La, the second-highest motorable pass in India.The road is mostly paved, but altitude is intense — take breaks wisely.
• Descend through Rumtse, entering a greener landscape.
• Ride alongside the Indus River via Upshi and Karu, with smooth roads and pleasant views.

Arrival in Leh (3,500 m)

• Reach Leh by late afternoon or early evening.
• Check in to hotel, freshen up, and optionally explore the market or cafes.