Rakatanga Tour - India - Ladakh - On the roof of the world: Leh and Nubra valleys

This motorbike trip offers you the essentials and the very best of the Ladakh region. Nestled between Tibet and the Himalayas, this area boasts the best-preserved Tibetan culture in the world. Get ready for breathtaking landscapes, mountain passes over 5000m, Tibetan temples, and the world's highest saltwater lake, Tso Kar—where, if conditions allow, we’ll enjoy an incredible dirt road route—and the stunning Nubra Valley. But there will be plenty more surprises along the way!

The road conditions will be quite varied—generally in good condition—but there are always unexpected moments.

This journey takes place in a region that likely features some of the most spectacular Himalayan landscapes you can experience on a motorbike.

Approx. 1000 km route
75% paved roads
Ride on a Royal Enfield Himalayan 452cc

Day 1 Arrival of the group’s different flights to Delhi. Your international flight must arrive in India’s capital, Delhi. Our transfer will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign to take you to the hotel in the center of Delhi, where you will meet our guide and the rest of the group. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in central Delhi. Night in Delhi.

Day 2 Early morning departure by plane from Delhi to Leh. This flight is one of the most impressive you can take in India. We fly over the Himalayan range with spectacular views of the highest mountains on the planet. Transfer to the hotel. Leh is located at 3000m altitude, and today is a day to acclimatize. Rest at the hotel with views of the Himalayan range, followed by an afternoon meeting with the group at the hotel and an introductory talk about driving in India, an introduction to the country, and the travel program. The old part of the city is a labyrinth of narrow streets with adobe and wooden houses, with the imposing Leh Palace overlooking the city from above. The city is full of markets and shops selling Tibetan relics and antiques. Overnight stay in Leh.

Day 3 Motorcycle tour around Leh Valley surroundings. Thiksey. Today we will meet the team that will assist us during the trip and have our first contact with the motorbikes. We will head out through the Leh Valley, visiting the Hemis and Stakna gompas perched on a mountain with views of the entire valley and the Indus River, reaching the Thiksey gompa in the afternoon—one of the most impressive in the region, featured in several famous movies, including Seven Years in Tibet. Our hotel is located in front of the Thiksey monastery, very similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, managed by monks and offering views of the gompa. Overnight stay in Thiksey.

Day 4 Thiksey - Khardung La - Nubra Valley. For the early risers, an impressive ceremony awaits at the gompa at 6:30 AM—trumpets, mantras, gongs, and many Buddhist monks in the gompa’s ceremony hall. After breakfast, we ascend to Khardung-La, the highest motorable pass in the world at 5602 m! A few years ago, there was a sign that said, "From here, you can speak directly to God." Special permits are needed as this is a military zone bordering Tibet and a sensitive area of China. After taking the customary group photo, we descend into the incredible Nubra Valley. Overnight stay in Hunder.

Day 5 Nubra Valley - Sakti. We start early for what will possibly be the most challenging day of the tour, again with breathtaking views. We cross the Wari La pass at 5300m—one of the highest in the region—where we will ride a few kilometers on a dirt track before reaching our hotel in Sakti. Overnight stay in Sakti.

Day 6 Sakti - Pangong Lake. To reach Pangong Lake, we cross the Chang La pass, the third-highest in the world, with stunning views of snow-capped peaks and rugged terrain. Pangong Lake forms the natural border between Tibet and India, with its crystal-clear blue waters surrounded by towering mountains and untouched nature. Overnight stay in Pangong.

Day 7 Pangong Lake - Tso Kar Lake. From the impressive Pangong Lake, our journey to Tso Kar Lake takes us along a route with steep inclines and sharp curves, offering spectacular views of Ladakh’s typical arid landscape. Tso Kar Lake, also known as the "White Lake," is located on the Rupshu plateau, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands. The lake is a paradise for numerous species of migratory birds. Overnight stay in Tso Kar.

Day 8 Tso Kar - Leh. We return to Leh with a few extra surprises along the way before joining the main road along the Indus River. Afternoon arrival in Leh. Upon arrival in the capital, we will visit the Shanti Stupa and the Tsemo gompa, which crowns the city. Overnight stay in Leh.

Day 9 Leh - Delhi. Morning flight around 8 AM, arriving in Delhi at 11 AM. Transfer to our hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free in Delhi, with an optional visit to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Delhi, full of monuments—including the impressive Jama Masjid and the Red Fort—is also a shopping paradise for all kinds of goods. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 10 Departure of international flights. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. End of the trip and our services.

Trip Duration:
10 days, 9 hotel nights (from day 1 to day 9 inclusive). Arrival and meeting in Delhi.

Price:
Local flights included: Delhi to Leh and Leh to Delhi.
Companions who wish to join the trip can do so either on a motorbike or in the support vehicle.

Motorbike Model - Himalayan:
For this trip, we propose the off-road model by Royal Enfield, the Himalayan 452.

The price includes:

Motorbike rental for the entire trip: Royal Enfield Himalayan model.
Mid-range hotels: nights 1 to 9 included.
Double rooms (single room available for an additional cost of €250).
Breakfast, water, and tea during the road trip.
English-speaking guide experienced in the route, and a mechanic specializing in Enfield motorbikes.
Internal flights from Delhi to Leh and Leh to Delhi.
Support van and driver to transport luggage and provide roadside assistance (for groups of 4 or more participants).
Spare parts, tools, first-aid kit, and medicines.
Fuel, maintenance, and repairs as well as third-party insurance for the motorbikes.
All necessary permits for the Ladakh region, including Khardung La pass and Nubra Valley.
Hotel-to-airport transfers for the internal flights (arrival/departure within India).

The price does not include:

International flight to Delhi.
Travel insurance (mandatory).
Indian visa.
Bank fees.
Personal expenses, such as laundry, souvenirs, or alcoholic beverages.
Entrance fees to gompas (monasteries) or monuments.
Tips for tour staff, hotel, or restaurant personnel.
Dinners, lunches, and any services not mentioned in the "price includes" section.
Transport or transfers during free days in Leh or without the motorbike.
€500 deposit for the motorbike rental, refundable at the end of the trip if the motorbike has not been damaged.

Weather and clothing during the trip:

During the tour season, Delhi exceeds 30°C. In the mountains, around Leh and Nubra Valley, the weather is much cooler, with temperatures between 20°C and 25°C and sunny days. While crossing the mountain passes, the generally dry and sunny weather can quickly shift to cold or rain. It is quite normal to experience both extremes multiple times in a single day. Expect hot days, cold moments, and some humidity. At altitudes above 4000m, the sun is strong, and there's little shade along the road.
We recommend high-level sun protection, sunglasses, and gloves.

Motorbike gear:

Helmet (preferably a modular one)
Motorbike jacket (with winter lining)
Gloves
Boots
Waterproof motorbike suit (best option: two-piece suits; a windproof jacket often suffices to keep warm)

While rain is uncommon in Ladakh during the tour period, the weather can be unpredictable. Ensure you have cold-weather gear, especially for crossing Khardung La and Wari La passes.
A magnetic tank bag is handy for carrying essentials like a camera, gloves, etc.

Road conditions and driving in India:

This trip is one of the most spectacular and thrilling motorbike adventures you can experience.
Driving in India may be challenging at first, but you will quickly adapt. Most of the journey takes place on low-traffic roads.
The road conditions in Leh and Nubra valleys are generally good—95% paved roads—but there will be moments with dirt tracks, stones, and mud. Occasionally, you might have to cross waterlogged sections on the motorbike.
We may also face roadblocks due to landslides or other obstacles, which could delay the journey.

This is an intermediate-level trip.

Even for experienced riders, we recommend a two- or three-day refresher course before the trip.
You'd be surprised at what you can learn—even if you've been riding for over 20 years!

Important considerations:

India is an incredible and magical country, but it may not be easy for those who lack patience or are unused to unexpected events and delays.
If you decide to join this adventure, you must be flexible with unforeseen situations and possible delays due to the unique conditions of the country.

As you know, a motorbike adventure of this kind involves a certain level of risk, and by joining this trip, you acknowledge and accept those risks.

A positive attitude and a good sense of humor are essential to fully enjoy this unforgettable experience.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan:

Our Royal Enfield fleet for this trip consists of 452cc Himalayan off-road models, equipped with:

5-speed gearbox
Disc brakes
Electric start

Notes:

Reservations are made strictly in order of booking date. If you book at the last minute, you may have to opt for a single room if there’s no one available to share a double room with. So, the sooner you book, the better your chances of securing a double room.
It is mandatory to have travel insurance that covers motorbike use. If your credit card or car/motorbike insurance doesn’t already provide this, you must arrange suitable coverage.
This type of insurance typically includes medical expenses abroad and emergency repatriation by plane in case of illness or accident.