Day 1: New Delhi - Leh (By Air)

You shall be joining the tour at the New Delhi Airport or another convenient location informed to you (if you haven’t purchased a Meet & Greet Add-on) where you’ll be met by an ABoriginal Tours rep.  An early morning flight will bring you into the lap of the Himalayas to Leh, in Ladakh, at an altitude of 3500 M.  You’ll be transferred to your hotel where you’re advised to take it easy till you’re more acclimatized to the conditions.  If you feel up to it, you can take short walks around town or if you’re not feeling any symptoms of AMS you can even visit the Leh Palace or Shanti Stupa and enjoy splendid views of the Leh city.  Today’s lunch is not inclusive in the tour price.

Day 2: Leh (short familiarisation ride – 50 Km)

Today you’ll meet your Royal Enfield Motorcycle, your ride for the next several days.  After an exhaustive briefing by your ride leader you’ll be taking a short ride in an effort to know your bike better & to get familiar with its controls and riding conditions in India.  The rest of the day is free for leisure or sightseeing.  We will also be arranging your permits required by all non-Ladakhis to visit the areas ahead on this tour.  Today’s lunch is not inclusive in the tour price.

Day 3: Leh - Khardung La - Leh (80 Km)

After breakfast it’s time to kickoff your motorcycle tour.  Today’s ride will take you to Khardung La (5359 M).  “La” means “Pass” in Tibetan and Khardung La, if not “the” highest, is at least considered to be one of the highest motor-able passes in the world.  Remaining day is free for leisure or exploration.  Today’s lunch is also not inclusive in the tour price.

Day 4: Leh - Chang La - Pangong Tso (160 Km)

Once you leave Leh it becomes evident that you’re going deeper into the Himalayas and any sights of human settlement will become few & far between from here on, barring some temporary “tent restaurants”, truck stops & Indian Army barracks.  Making an early start, today you’ll cross another high pass (Chang La, 5289 M) and a crazy stream of glacier melts (Paagal Nala) to reach the banks of Pangong Tso, the first of the many High Altitude Lakes visited by you on this tour.  Accommodation is in comfortable tented camps inclusive of all meals.

Day 5: Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso, a 134 km (83 mi) long endorheic lake, is one of the largest brackish lakes in Asia situated at a height of about 4350 M in the Changthang region of Ladakh.  You can just laze around the camps, enjoy spectacular views of the lake changing its colours or take short hikes up the hills behind you for even better vantage points to watch the sunset as village folk return from the pastures with their herds of sheep.

Day 6: Pangong Tso - Leh (160 Km)

Backtracking over the “Paagal Nala” & Chang La you’ll be returning to Leh.  If you want to shop for souvenirs in Leh’s bazaar or just take a stroll through its many streets you should do it today since it will be your last day here, on this tour.  Once out of Leh, you’ll be spending many days in a region devoid of certain amenities (& cell phone networks & provision stores, among other things) so it’ll also be your last chance to make phone calls & stack up on toiletries & whatnot.  Today’s lunch is not inclusive in the tour price.

Day 7: Leh - Chumathang - Tso Moriri (210 Km)

Today you’ll leave Leh, to visit the second high altitude lake on this tour, following the Leh-Manali highway till Upshi (Check-point).  Turning left from here the road will take you along the banks of river Indus to Mahe (Bridge & Check-point).  Turning south from here the road goes past the village Sumdo and over Namshang La (4739 M) after which its down hill to another small but beautiful lake called Tso Kiagar.  The road here turns into just a sandy dusty track sprinkled with loose gravel all the way to Tso Moriri (4541 M) and the village of Korzok.  Accommodation is in comfortable tented camps inclusive of all meals.

Day 8: Tso Moriri

The area around the lake is also known as the Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve and is the breeding ground of the rare & migratory Black-necked Crane.  You have a full day at your disposal to explore the area around the lake & the village and soak-in the spectacular views of the lake & snow clad mountains behind it.

Day 9: Tso Moriri - Tso Kar (80 Km)

The journey from Tso Moriri to Tso Tso is a beautiful blend of stark mountain landscape, occasional sightings of the nomadic people (Changpas) and their herds of yaks & goats.  Backtracking to the village of Sumdo, you’ll turn left crossing another high pass (Polokongka La, 4940 M ) over over some sandy stretch of mostly gravel roads to reach the beautiful brackish lake called Tso Kar (4524 M), the third high altitude lake on this tour.  Surrounded by a wild life sanctuary, Tso Kar is a salt lake and breeding ground of many rare migratory birds.  Accommodation is in comfortable tented camps inclusive of all meals.

Day 10: Tso Kar - Sarchu (145 Km)

Today will be your last day in Ladakh.  Joining the Leh-Manali highway once again, crossing the vast expanse of  flat area called “the morey plains” (at an average height above 4000 M) which stretches for almost 35 km's and another two high passes (Lachlung La 5095M & Nakee La 4905M )you’ll reach Sarchu, the first settlement (& check-point) in Himachal Pradesh.  Accommodation is in comfortable tented camps inclusive of all meals.

Day 11: Sarchu - Jispa (90 Km)

90 km from Sarchu, Jispa (3142 M) is your next stop.  You reach here after crossing over Baralacha La (4830 M), one of the many high passes on this tour & considered to get the maximum snowfall during the winters.  Going past Suraj Taal, another of the high altitude lakes in the region, you’ll ride along the Bhaga river all the way down to Jispa and to a beautiful guest house right on its banks.  

Day 12: Jispa - Chandra Taal (135 Km)

Continuing along the Bhaga and going past Keylong you’ll reach Tandi (first fuel station after Leh), where the Bhaga meets the Chandra, another river originating from a glacier near Baralacha La.  Its a relatively smooth ride till Gramphu, where you’ll leave the Leh-Manali highway yet again, turning left towards the Spiti Valley.  Running along the Chandra river, the road (or the lack of it) from Gramphu all the way to Chandra Taal offers some of the most thrilling riding experience you’ll have on this tour.  This stretch of the journey has several big & small water crossings challenging enough to test your grit & determination.  Leaving this road at Batal and following 13 km of gravel road you’ll arrive at the beautiful & desolate lake of Chandra Taal (4270 M), yet another High Altitude Lake on your tour (enjoying a packed lunch, en route).  The support staff will set up our own camp here and cook the evenings dinner.  Accommodation will be 2 persons in one 4-men tent. Nature’s call will have to be answered in a small toilet tent with a portable camping toilet.  A “chilling” yet “intriguing” experience, nevertheless.

Day 13: Chandra Taal - Kaza (100 Km)

After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to the “Moon Lake”, climb up to Kunzum La (4551 M) and  head down into the Spiti Valley riding along the Spiti river all the way to Kaza.

Day 14: Kaza

Kaza is the head-quarters of the Spiti sub-division and you’ll be staying here for two consecutive nights.  You’ll be able to use facilities like Internet & long distance phone calls again, “luxuries” you left behind at Leh.  You’ll also be visiting the Key Gompa and Komic village (4275 M), considered to be one of the highest villages in Asia, on your motorcycle.  We will also be arranging your Inner-line permits (which are required by “foreign visitors” for visiting the areas ahead) and giving the motorcycles another thorough check-up for the journey ahead.

Day 15: Kaza - Nako Lake (115 Km)

Today’s ride will take you further down the Spiti Valley.  Your first destination is Tabo where you visit the historic monastery.  After having lunch at a restaurant nearby you’ll embark on the days second leg, a 68 km journey leaving the Spiti Valley and into Kinnaur district, to Nako, a village situated near the small but beautiful Nako lake (3660 M).  This is the last of the high altitude lakes visited by you on this tour.  The location of this village is remote & infrastructure is basic.  Accommodation here, is in comfortable tented camps inclusive of all meals.

Day 16: Nako Lake - Kalpa (115 Km)

You’ll be heading further down the Hindustan-Tibet road and soon the mountain landscape starts to change from rocky & barren to green.  The Spiti meets Sutlej river at Khab, which flows in from Tibet on the east.  From here on, you ride along the Sutlej, flowing angrily in the gorges below, till you reach Recong Peo, nestled 7 km above which is the village of Kalpa.

Day 17: Kalpa

You’ll most likely be spending this day absorbing the stunning views of the “Kinner Kailash” and reminiscing the past few days after you left Leh.  Or perhaps, taking walks around this lovely village & its apple orchards.  Today’s lunch is not inclusive in the tour price.

Day 18: Kalpa - Chitkul - Sangla (100 Km)

Riding on the NH-22 along the Sutlej, you’ll reach Karchham.  At this turning point, a road continues towards Shimla and another turns towards the Baspa Valley and on to the beautifull village of Sangla.  This is another 18 km stretch of narrow winding road with hair-raising gorges & cliffs high above the Baspa river gushing below.  Continuing past Sangla, you’ll continue to Chitkul, another quaint village in the Baspa Valley.  It is the last village on this road towards border with Tibet (China) and offers great views of snow clad peaks of the Kinnaur region.  After spending a little time here you’ll return to Sangla to stay at comfortable tented camps in a beautiful setting besides the Baspa river.

Day 19: Sangla - Sarahan (95 Km)

Backtracking to Karchham you’ll take the NH-22 going west, once again along the Sutlej, towards Rampur.  We leave the NH-22 at Jeori, from where an 18 Km road winds up the mountain to Sarahan, home to the legendary Bhimakali temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of former Bushahr State.

Day 20: Sarahan - Shimla (175 Km)

You’ll saddle-up yet again and for the last time on this tour for your journey to Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh &  the erstwhile “summer capital” of India.  The evening can be spent taking a stroll on The Mall, soaking-in the charm of “the queen of hills” & its surrounds and visiting the Christ Church on the Ridge.

Day 21: Shimla

Another day for relaxation, exploration or contemplation depending on your inclination.  Your last day on this tour, you can shop for souvenirs or just explore the historic city of Shimla at your own pace.  Today’s lunch is not inclusive in the tour price.

Day 22: Shimla - New Delhi (By Car/Train)

It’s time to say your good-bye’s to fellow travelers & the Himalayas.  You’ll be taking a 3 hour Car/MUV ride down the Shivalik range to its footsteps at Kalka (lunch en route, not inclusive in the tour price) from where an Express Train will take you to New Delhi (in about another 4 hours).  Dinner is served in the train & is inclusive in the fare.  At the New Delhi Railway Station you’ll be met by an ABoriginal Tours rep who’ll transfer you to a convenient location (like Connaught Place) which shall be the “end” of your tour.  If you’ve purchased a “Farewell” add-on you’ll be transferred to the hotel where your accommodation has been arranged.