Leh, set high in the Himalayas amid some of the world’s most dramatic mountain passes, is one of India’s most extraordinary riding destinations. This 8-day expedition takes you across Ladakh’s iconic landscapes and on to Srinagar, the “Venice of the East,” known for its houseboats, Shikara rides on Dal Lake, and Mughal-era gardens framed by snow-capped peaks.
On arrival, transfer to your pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest and acclimatize to the altitude — essential before the adventures ahead. Overnight in Leh.
After breakfast and a safety briefing, collect your motorcycle and head out to Sham Valley. Visit the Hall of Fame, a memorial to soldiers of the Indo-Pak wars, and Spituk Monastery. Enjoy langar (a community meal) at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, then ride past Magnetic Hill and the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. Visit SECMOL, the real-life school featured in 3 Idiots. Return to Leh for the night.
Check out and ride over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world at around 18,000 ft. Continue to Nubra Valley, with an optional visit to Diskit Monastery and a Bactrian camel ride on the sand dunes. Overnight at a campsite in Nubra Valley.
Ride to Pangong Tso, a high-altitude saltwater lake on the Indo-China border, passing scenic views of the Shyok River along the way. Made famous by films like 3 Idiots, the lake is one of the most photographed spots in Ladakh. Overnight at a campsite by Pangong Lake.
Ride back to Leh via Chang La Pass, stopping at the Changla Baba Temple and Druk Padma School. Time permitting, visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. Overnight in Leh.
Visit Alchi Monastery and pass through Lamayuru, known for its striking, moon-like landscape. Stop at Basgo Palace and, if time allows, Mulbek. Arrive in Kargil by evening for an overnight stay.
Ride through Drass village, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth, with views of Tiger Hill and the surrounding peaks. Pay respects at the Kargil War Memorial before crossing Zoji La Pass into Srinagar. Hand back your motorcycle and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Srinagar.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Srinagar airport for your onward flight.
Board an overnight AC Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali, a journey of approximately 12 hours.
Check in to your city hotel and collect your bike, with time for a short test ride. Meet your tour captain over dinner for a full briefing on the route ahead. Overnight in Guwahati.
Arrive in Manali and transfer to your hotel, with a welcome drink on check-in. Optionally, visit Solang Valley for adventure activities like paragliding, skiing, or the cable car ropeway. In the evening, collect your motorcycle, then explore Mall Road, Hadimba Temple, and Old Manali. Overnight in Manali.
Ride over the scenic Rohtang Pass, a favourite filming location for Bollywood films, before continuing through Keylong and the lush Bhaga Valley to Jispa, set beside the Chandra River. Overnight at a camp in Jispa.
Ride past Zingzing Bar, one of the highest roadside dhabas in the world, before reaching Baralacha La at around 16,000 ft, where three valleys converge. Lunch at Bharatpur, then continue to Sarchu for the evening. Overnight at a camp in Sarchu.
The longest ride of the journey, passing the salt lake of Tso Kar en route to the high-altitude Tso Moriri — a serene, sacred lake where sightings of snow leopards or Tibetan wolves are possible. Overnight at a campsite near Tso Moriri.
Ride to Hanle, a remote settlement home to fewer than 200 families and one of the world’s highest astronomical observatories. Visit Puga’s hot springs along the way, and spend the evening stargazing under some of the darkest skies in India. Overnight at a camp in Hanle.
An off-road stretch through Maan, Merak, and Chushul leads to the Rezang La War Memorial, honouring soldiers of the 1962 Indo-China War. Continue to Pangong Tso, one of the highest saline lakes in the world, known for its shifting blue-green hues. Overnight at a campsite near Pangong Lake.
Take the lesser-travelled Shyok village route, known for its waterfalls and dramatic scenery. Visit Diskit Monastery and the cold-desert sand dunes, where you can ride the region’s famous double-humped Bactrian camels. Overnight at a campsite in Nubra Valley.
Ride over Khardung La, at roughly 18,380 ft one of the highest motorable roads in the world, stopping for the classic Maggi noodles at Khardung La Café. Arrive in Leh with time to explore the local market. Overnight in Leh.
Visit the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers, a renowned river-rafting point, and the Hall of Fame war memorial. See Magnetic Hill’s famous optical illusion, enjoy langar at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and visit Basgo Palace. Continue along the Ladakh–Srinagar highway to Kargil, stopping at the Giant Buddha statue in Mulbek village. Overnight in Kargil.
Ride through Drass village, the second-coldest inhabited place in the world, with views of Tiger Hill and the Kargil War peaks. Cross the dramatic Zoji La Pass into Srinagar. In the evening, enjoy a Shikara ride on Dal Lake. Overnight in Srinagar.
After breakfast, transfer to Srinagar airport for your onward journey.
This circuit reverses the classic Ladakh route, beginning on the shimmering waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar and ending amid the green valleys of Manali. Along the way, ride through Kargil, Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and the legendary Gata Loops — a complete cultural and scenic crossing of the Land of High Passes.
Arrive in Srinagar and transfer to your hotel or houseboat, with a welcome drink on check-in. Enjoy a relaxing Shikara ride on Dal Lake, with the rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in Srinagar.
Ride through Drass village, the second-coldest inhabited place on earth, with views of Tiger Hill and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. Arrive in Kargil by evening. Overnight in Kargil.
Visit Basgo Palace and Lamayuru Monastery, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, along with the Giant Buddha statue at Mulbek. Visit the river confluence at Sangam, the Hall of Fame war memorial, and Magnetic Hill, before stopping for langar at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. Visit SECMOL, the real-life “3 Idiots” school. Overnight in Leh.
A relaxed day exploring Leh, starting with sunset views from Shanti Stupa, followed by a visit to Leh Palace and time to shop in Leh Bazaar. Overnight in Leh.
Ride over Khardung La, the world’s highest all-season motorable pass, with a stop for Maggi noodles at Khardung La Café. Descend into Nubra Valley to see its striking white sand dunes and ride the region’s famous double-humped camels. Overnight at a campsite in Nubra Valley.
Ride to Pangong Tso along the Shyok River, taking in one of the highest saline lakes in the world, known for its shifting blue, green, and red hues and its appearances in Bollywood films. Overnight at a campsite near Pangong Lake.
Return to Leh via Chang La Pass, at 17,590 ft. Visit the Druk White Lotus School, made famous by 3 Idiots, and Thiksey Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Ladakh. Overnight in Leh.
Ride through the Gata Loops, a series of 21 hairpin bends, en route to Jispa. Pass Zingzing Bar, one of the highest roadside dhabas in the world, and Baralacha La, where three valleys meet. Overnight at a campsite in Jispa.
Cross Rohtang Pass, famed for its dramatic scenery and frequent appearances in Bollywood films, before descending into Manali by afternoon. Overnight in Manali.
After breakfast, check out. Optionally, visit Solang Valley for adventure activities like paragliding or skiing before concluding your Ladakh journey.
This is the definitive Ladakh riding circuit, taking in Solang Valley, the Gata Loops, Zoji La, Kargil, Magnetic Hill, the Indus-Zanskar confluence, and Dal Lake. With its high-altitude lakes, dramatic mountain passes, and star-filled night skies, this route has become one of India’s most sought-after motorcycle journeys.
Meet your representative in Delhi and board an overnight AC Volvo bus to Manali, arriving the next morning to the green valleys of Himachal Pradesh.
Transfer to your hotel with a welcome drink on arrival. Explore Mall Road, Hadimba Temple, and Old Manali, with an optional visit to Solang Valley for adventure sports. In the evening, attend a safety and riding briefing, collect your motorcycle, and take a short test ride before dinner with the group. Overnight in Manali.
Ride over Rohtang Pass, a favourite Bollywood filming location, then continue through Keylong and the lush Bhaga Valley to Jispa, beside the Chandra River. Overnight at a camp in Jispa.
Ride past Zingzing Bar to Baralacha La, at roughly 16,000 ft, where three valleys converge. Lunch at Bharatpur, then continue to Sarchu for the evening. Overnight at a camp in Sarchu.
Ride through the Gata Loops — 21 hairpin bends — en route to Nakee La, one of the highest passes in the region. Lunch near Pang before arriving in Leh by evening. Overnight in Leh.
Visit Shanti Stupa for sweeping sunset views, followed by Leh Palace and the Hall of Fame war memorial. Spend the afternoon exploring Leh Bazaar. Overnight in Leh.
Ride over Khardung La, the world’s highest all-season motorable pass, with a stop for Maggi at Khardung La Café. Descend into Nubra Valley to see the white sand dunes and ride a double-humped Bactrian camel. Overnight at a campsite in Nubra Valley.
Ride to Pangong Tso along the Shyok River, taking in one of the world’s highest saline lakes, famous for its shifting colours and Bollywood appearances. Overnight at a campsite near Pangong Lake.
Return to Leh via Chang La Pass (17,590 ft). Visit the Druk White Lotus School and Thiksey Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Ladakh. Overnight in Leh.
Visit the Indus-Zanskar confluence, Magnetic Hill, and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. Stop at SECMOL and Basgo Palace before continuing along the Ladakh–Srinagar highway to Kargil, visiting the Giant Buddha statue at Mulbek en route. Overnight in Kargil.
Ride through Drass village, the second-coldest inhabited place in the world, with views of Tiger Hill and the Kargil War peaks. Cross Zoji La Pass into Srinagar. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Srinagar.
After breakfast, transfer to Srinagar airport for your onward journey.
