or
Register
or
Register
Discover our selected tours
  • 9 | See All
First Gallery Image
Gallery Image 2
Gallery Image 3
Gallery Image 4
Gallery Image 5

17-Day Motorcycle Tour | India: The Route of Buddhism

Asia
| South Asia |
India
Overview

This epic 17-day motorcycle expedition takes you deep into the heart of the Trans-Himalayan region, crossing through the legendary landscapes of Ladakh, Zanskar, and Spiti Valley. Ride some of the highest motorable passes in the world, explore ancient Buddhist monasteries, and experience the untamed beauty of India’s most remote mountain roads.

From the barren high-altitude deserts of Ladakh to the rugged trails of Spiti Valley, this tour is a true test of endurance and adventure, blending thrilling off-road riding with breathtaking Himalayan vistas. Cross the world’s highest motorable pass, Umling La (5882m), explore frozen rivers, remote monasteries, and cold desert valleys, and immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist heritage of the region.

With full support crew, expert guides, and backup vehicles, this is the ultimate ride for experienced motorcyclists seeking the real essence of Himalayan adventure.

Key information

Total Distance

2450 KM

Comfort Rating

5/10
Duration
17 Days

Tour Availability

August, September

Min. Group Size

2 Riders
Max. Group size
10 Riders
Bike Type
Adventure Bike
Difficulty Level
Advanced, Extreme

Pillion Friendly?

Yes

Terrain

25% unpaved, Mountain Trails, Forest Trails, Mountain Passes

Special Feature

includes-guide, mechanic-support
Support level
Local Guide, Mechanic Support, Medical Support
Highlights
Ride Umling La Pass (5882m), the highest motorable road in the world
Explore Ladakh, Zanskar, and Spiti Valley, three of India’s most rugged regions
Cross six high-altitude passes, including Khardung La (5602m) and Kunzum La (4590m)
Experience the cold desert landscapes of Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake
Ride through remote Himalayan villages and ancient monasteries
Visit Dhankar Gompa, Key Monastery, and Tabo Monastery
Camp under the stars at Pangong Lake and Hanle
Witness the Indus-Zanskar confluence and Magnetic Hill
Ride the twisting roads of Kalpa and Spiti Valley’s cliff-hugging trails
End the adventure in Shimla, the British summer capital
  • Program/Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Leh (3500m)
  • Welcome to Ladakh! Transfer from the airport to your hotel
  • Acclimatization & bike introduction
  • Evening free to explore Leh market
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 2: Acclimatization Ride in Leh (80 km)
  • Short ride to Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries
  • Explore Leh’s historical sites and Tibetan markets
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 3: Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (130 km)
  • Ride across Khardung La (5602m), one of the highest motorable passes
  • Descend into Nubra Valley, home of double-humped camels
  • Sunset at the cold desert dunes
  • Accommodation: Swiss camp
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 4: Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake (180 km)
  • Visit Diskit Monastery & Buddha Statue
  • Ride off-road along the Shyok River
  • Sunset at Pangong Lake (4360m)
  • Accommodation: Cottage stay
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 5: Pangong Lake – Hanle (180 km)
  • Ride towards Hanle, one of the most remote Himalayan settlements
  • Visit Chushul War Memorial and Tsaga La Pass
  • Stargazing at Hanle’s world-famous observatory
  • Accommodation: Cottage stay
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 6: Hanle – Umling La Pass – Hanle (135 km)
  • Ride to Umling La (5882m), the highest motorable pass on Earth!
  • Capture stunning views of the Trans-Himalayan ranges
  • Return to Hanle via Photi La Pass (5530m)
  • Accommodation: Cottage stay
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 7: Hanle – Leh (245 km)
  • Ride through Chumathang Valley & Mahe Bridge
  • Stop for traditional Ladakhi lunch at Upshi
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 8: Leh – Lamayuru (115 km)
  • Visit the magnetic hill & Indus-Zanskar confluence
  • Ride through moonland-like landscapes to Lamayuru Monastery
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 9: Lamayuru – Padum (215 km)
  • Extreme off-road ride through Zanskar Valley
  • Ride along the cliff-hugging road beside the Zanskar River
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 10: Padum – Keylong (180 km)
  • Cross Shinku La Pass (5100m)
  • Ride through Jispa & Darcha, surrounded by glaciers
  • Accommodation: Swiss camp
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 11: Keylong – Kaza (190 km)
  • Ride through Spiti Valley’s extreme mountain roads
  • Visit Kunzum La Pass (4590m) & Chicham Bridge
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 12: Explore Kaza & Key Monastery (80 km)
  • Visit Key Monastery & the Buddha Statue at Langza
  • Ride to Komic, the world’s highest motorable village (4585m)
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 13: Kaza – Tabo (70 km)
  • Visit Dhankar Gompa & Tabo Monastery (1028 years old)
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 14: Tabo – Kalpa (160 km)
  • Ride through Sumdho & Pooh, small villages on the Spiti River
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 15: Kalpa – Shimla (200 km)
  • Ride through apple orchards & the winding roads of Kinnaur Valley
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 16: Explore Shimla
  • Visit Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple, and Christ Church
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 17: Shimla – Delhi (340 km)
  • Private transfer to Delhi for your international departure
  • Accommodation: N/A
  • Meals: Breakfast
Program/Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Leh (3500m)
  • Welcome to Ladakh! Transfer from the airport to your hotel
  • Acclimatization & bike introduction
  • Evening free to explore Leh market
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 2: Acclimatization Ride in Leh (80 km)
  • Short ride to Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries
  • Explore Leh’s historical sites and Tibetan markets
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 3: Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (130 km)
  • Ride across Khardung La (5602m), one of the highest motorable passes
  • Descend into Nubra Valley, home of double-humped camels
  • Sunset at the cold desert dunes
  • Accommodation: Swiss camp
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 4: Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake (180 km)
  • Visit Diskit Monastery & Buddha Statue
  • Ride off-road along the Shyok River
  • Sunset at Pangong Lake (4360m)
  • Accommodation: Cottage stay
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 5: Pangong Lake – Hanle (180 km)
  • Ride towards Hanle, one of the most remote Himalayan settlements
  • Visit Chushul War Memorial and Tsaga La Pass
  • Stargazing at Hanle’s world-famous observatory
  • Accommodation: Cottage stay
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 6: Hanle – Umling La Pass – Hanle (135 km)
  • Ride to Umling La (5882m), the highest motorable pass on Earth!
  • Capture stunning views of the Trans-Himalayan ranges
  • Return to Hanle via Photi La Pass (5530m)
  • Accommodation: Cottage stay
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 7: Hanle – Leh (245 km)
  • Ride through Chumathang Valley & Mahe Bridge
  • Stop for traditional Ladakhi lunch at Upshi
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 8: Leh – Lamayuru (115 km)
  • Visit the magnetic hill & Indus-Zanskar confluence
  • Ride through moonland-like landscapes to Lamayuru Monastery
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 9: Lamayuru – Padum (215 km)
  • Extreme off-road ride through Zanskar Valley
  • Ride along the cliff-hugging road beside the Zanskar River
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 10: Padum – Keylong (180 km)
  • Cross Shinku La Pass (5100m)
  • Ride through Jispa & Darcha, surrounded by glaciers
  • Accommodation: Swiss camp
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 11: Keylong – Kaza (190 km)
  • Ride through Spiti Valley’s extreme mountain roads
  • Visit Kunzum La Pass (4590m) & Chicham Bridge
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 12: Explore Kaza & Key Monastery (80 km)
  • Visit Key Monastery & the Buddha Statue at Langza
  • Ride to Komic, the world’s highest motorable village (4585m)
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 13: Kaza – Tabo (70 km)
  • Visit Dhankar Gompa & Tabo Monastery (1028 years old)
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 14: Tabo – Kalpa (160 km)
  • Ride through Sumdho & Pooh, small villages on the Spiti River
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 15: Kalpa – Shimla (200 km)
  • Ride through apple orchards & the winding roads of Kinnaur Valley
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 16: Explore Shimla
  • Visit Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple, and Christ Church
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 17: Shimla – Delhi (340 km)
  • Private transfer to Delhi for your international departure
  • Accommodation: N/A
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Hotels, Swiss camps, and heritage cottages across Ladakh, Zanskar, and Spiti
  • Twin-sharing basis (single room upgrades available)
  • Camping at scenic locations like Pangong Lake & Hanle
  • Hotels, Swiss camps, and heritage cottages across Ladakh, Zanskar, and Spiti
  • Twin-sharing basis (single room upgrades available)
  • Camping at scenic locations like Pangong Lake & Hanle
  • What's (not) Included
Premium accommodation for 16 nights
Breakfast and dinner at all stays (except Delhi stays)
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450cc EFI (BS6-2.0) motorcycle rental
Fuel for the entire trip
First aid kit & oxygen cylinder for high-altitude riding
Experienced ride marshal & support crew
Backup support vehicle for luggage and spare fuel
Airport transfers in Leh & Shimla to Delhi transfer
All permits, entry fees & environmental fees
Non-alcoholic welcome drinks at stays
Buffet breakfast & dinner daily
International flights & visa fees
Lunch and soft/hard beverages (except as specified)
Monument entrance fees and camera charges
Personal expenses, laundry, tips, and souvenirs
Motorcycle damage (optional damage protection available for $140)
Security deposit ($130 per motorcycle, refundable)
Riding gear (helmets, jackets, gloves – bring your own)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Any unexpected costs due to road closures, landslides, or political issues
Premium accommodation for 16 nights
Breakfast and dinner at all stays (except Delhi stays)
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450cc EFI (BS6-2.0) motorcycle rental
Fuel for the entire trip
First aid kit & oxygen cylinder for high-altitude riding
Experienced ride marshal & support crew
Backup support vehicle for luggage and spare fuel
Airport transfers in Leh & Shimla to Delhi transfer
All permits, entry fees & environmental fees
Non-alcoholic welcome drinks at stays
Buffet breakfast & dinner daily
International flights & visa fees
Lunch and soft/hard beverages (except as specified)
Monument entrance fees and camera charges
Personal expenses, laundry, tips, and souvenirs
Motorcycle damage (optional damage protection available for $140)
Security deposit ($130 per motorcycle, refundable)
Riding gear (helmets, jackets, gloves – bring your own)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Any unexpected costs due to road closures, landslides, or political issues
  • Location
Start your adventure in Leh and follow the exciting itinerary that is listed above!
Start your adventure in Leh and follow the exciting itinerary that is listed above!
  • Extra info
Motorcycle Responsibility
  • Riders must inspect their motorcycle before departure and report any existing issues.
  • Any damage caused by reckless handling, accidents, or theft must be covered by the rider.
Travel & Insurance Requirements
  • Riders must have valid motorcycle travel insurance covering medical emergencies and riding.
  • A valid motorcycle license is required for all participants.
Unexpected Costs
  • Riders are responsible for additional expenses due to unforeseen events such as landslides, political unrest, extreme weather conditions, or road closures.

Weather & Terrain: Expect hot desert climates, mountain roads, and urban traffic

Motorcycle Responsibility
  • Riders must inspect their motorcycle before departure and report any existing issues.
  • Any damage caused by reckless handling, accidents, or theft must be covered by the rider.
Travel & Insurance Requirements
  • Riders must have valid motorcycle travel insurance covering medical emergencies and riding.
  • A valid motorcycle license is required for all participants.
Unexpected Costs
  • Riders are responsible for additional expenses due to unforeseen events such as landslides, political unrest, extreme weather conditions, or road closures.

Weather & Terrain: Expect hot desert climates, mountain roads, and urban traffic

  • About the operator
India Motorbike Tours is a locally rooted operator offering genuine Indian motorcycling adventures. Strong focus on Himalayan circuits and cultural experiences; small-group tours with personal guidance and regional expertise.
India Motorbike Tours is a locally rooted operator offering genuine Indian motorcycling adventures. Strong focus on Himalayan circuits and cultural experiences; small-group tours with personal guidance and regional expertise.

Tour Information & Request

17-Day Motorcycle Tour | India: The Route of Buddhism

Starting Point

Leh

Motorcycle

Royal Enfield Himalayan 411

Starting From

USD 2000
Request This Tour
Request This Tour

Share this tour

Why Choose us

  • Best Prices Guaranteed
  • Designed by riders, for riders
  • Handpicked Operators
  • Verified Tours

Traveler Insights & Reviews

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Similar Tours

See All
  • See All Images
Intermediate
Motorcycle Day Tour | Thailand – Pattaya Jungle Enduro Adventure
Tour Duration:
1 Days
Country: Thailand
Bike type: Enduro
  • From: USD 186
More Info
  • See All Images
Intermediate
6-Day Enduro Motorcycle Tour | Thailand – Wild West Jungle Trails & WWII Landmarks
Tour Duration:
6 Days
Country: Thailand
Bike type: Enduro
  • From: USD 1390
More Info
  • See All Images
Intermediate
10-Day Motorcycle Tour | Thailand – Northern Thailand Loop from Chiang Mai
Tour Duration:
10 Days
Country: Thailand
Bike type: Enduro
  • From: USD 2322
More Info

Please Login

To use the feature you have to login

Login

Please Login

To use the feature you have to login

Login

17-Day Motorcycle Tour | India: The Route of Buddhism