Motorcycle – Bike Tours in India
There are bikers who never get tired of riding on their motorcycles, and like taking them to distant places on long journeys. If you are one of them, then motorcycle tours in India will come across as a blessing for you. Such tours are organised by reputed travel agencies, so everything from the destinations to camping are well taken care of. On some tours, you are provided with bikes while on the others, you are required to bring your own. One thing that is common in all these excursions is that they all go through places, which are highly picturesque and replete with rich heritage. Some stretches of the roads will be well-made, allowing for smooth rides; whereas others will be rocky and narrow, making the journey thrilling.
Destinations and Popular Motorcycle Routes in India
Among the most popular motorcycle tours in India are the ones that will take you to Ladakh. Another highly toured route in the country by bikes is through the scenic West Coast.
Ladakh Bike Tour
There are two separate expeditions that you can take through Ladakh. One of them is 12-day long, and the other stretches for over a fortnight.
The 12-day tour starts from Manali, and its first phase takes you 115 km along the Beas River to Jispa in the Lahaul and Spiti district. On the next morning, you cross Baralacha La as you travel for roughly 116 km to reach the amazing valley of Sarchu. The ensuing section of the trip makes you drive through three more high mountain passes to reach Leh, which is the administrative centre of the Ladakh region. Here you have an entire day to sightsee and acclimatise before going any higher in the mountains.
After resting and sightseeing, you journey through Khardung La, claimed to be the highest drivable road in the world, to the valley of the Nubra River. From the valley, you drive back to Leh, and from the latter, make for the breathtaking lake named Pangong Tso. Further on the expedition, you make your way back to Manali through Leh, Sarchu and Keylong.
Most of the itinerary for the 15-day trip is the same, with the only difference being in the order of some places that you pass through. There are some destinations here that are not covered in the shorter trip. When you arrive in Leh from Manali via Sarchu, you will not travel over Khardung La, but to Pangong Tso first.
You will visit Nubra Valley after you return from the lake to Leh, and then come back here from the valley. Post reaching Leh and resting here at night, you will travel deeper into Ladakh and arrive in the town Kargil. You will then continue driving further into the region and make for Dras, the coldest place in the country. From Dras, you will come down to Srinagar, the state capital of Jammu and Kashmir, where you have one day to explore the city. After sightseeing in Srinagar, you will drive down the Himalayas and arrive in Jammu, which lies in the Northern Plains, and from here you will make for Delhi.
• Spiti Bike Tour
There are 2 different expeditions that you can take through Lahaul and Spiti Valley. One is from The Hindustan Tibet Road, crossing beautiful places like Shimla, Reckong Peo and Kalpa! The other one is via Manali, crossing Rohtang Pass and the Kunzum Pass.
Delhi to Spiti Motorbike Expedition via Manali
Manali route starts from New Delhi and takes you all the way to Manali, the enchanting Chandratal Lake, and then to the distinct Spiti Valley. Start your tour from New Delhi and then stop at Manali. The next day you will head to the beautiful Chandratal Lake and camp there overnight. Next stop will be Kaza, the largest settlement in the Spiti Valley. Explore Kaza, Tabo and Nako for the next 3 days. The next will be the alluring Kinnaur Valley, where you can admire the Kinnaur Kailash Range from the valley of Kalpa. Crossing the last village in Himachal Pradesh, Chitkul, head to Sangla to stay overnight in camps. Ride through the Jalori Jot Pass and reach Shoja. Reach Manali again crossing Tirthan Valley and then return to New Delhi.
Delhi Spiti Motorbike Expedition
This routes takes you through the National Highway – 22, which is one of the most scenic and adventures routes in Himachal Pradesh. Travel to one of the most remote Valleys in India through Shimla, Reckong Peo, Kaza, Chandratal and then return to New Delhi Via Manali. Enter the gateway to Kinnaur Valley, Reckong Peo, and then through Nako enter the beautiful Spiti Valley. Explore Kaza and the wonderful places around it. Visit Key Monastery which is located near the Spiti River and get an amazing view of the valley from the monastery. Next day, cross the mighty Kunzum Pass to reach the ever-changing Chandratal Lake. The lake is known for changing its color from dusk to dawn. Spend a day at Manali and then return to New Delhi.
Ganga Motorbike Expedition
Over the course of 7 days the route takes you through unexplored villages and towns of Uttarakhand along the River Ganga. The adventure starts from Dehradun in Uttarakhand and takes you to Mori on the first day. Enjoy the views of Dayara Bugyal and Himalayan Ranges on on the way to Harsil on the second day. Stay at Harsil for 2 days and ride to the Gangotri Temple. Explore the town and head to Rishikesh stopping for a day at New Tehri for a night.
The best part about Ganga Motorbike Expedition is that you end the trip on a very adventurous note! Rafting on Ganges before heading back will be awesome!
West Coast Bike Tour
This is a 12-day trip, taking you through some of the most beautiful places in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and also touching the states of Karnataka and Goa. You will start driving from Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, and travel roughly 425 km to the temple town of Madurai.
On arriving here, you visit the famous Meenakshi Amman Shrine, and the next morning drive to Kovalam. While riding for around 330 km to Kovalam, you will pass Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India. In Kovalam, you can relax on seafronts or enjoy water sports at your own expense. The coming phase of the trip takes you to Alleppey, with the sea and green fields lining the highway on opposite sides. From Alleppey, you will cut across the enthralling Western Ghats to arrive in the famous hill station of Munnar.
Your next stop will be Ooty, another popular hill town, where you will spend the whole day. You will make for Gokarna from Ooty as the former has beautiful and secluded beaches for you to relax on. After staying here an entire day, you will drive to Goa, where your trip will end.
Best Time to Go for Motorcycle Tours in India
The best time for undertaking motorcycle tours in India depends on the route you want to follow. For Ladakh and Spiti Valley tours, the summer season between May and September is perfect as the weather will be pleasant and you will not encounter loads of snow. On the other hand, the winter season or months of February and March are ideal for the West Coast tour due to cool weather and less humidity.
If travelling is your passion, then joining the Manali Leh cycling expedition can be a great idea. It involves days of gruelling and exciting biking along National Highway 3, also known as Leh Manali Highway. The journey is among the most scenic in the world as it goes through some of the most amazing landscapes.
On the first day, board a Volvo bus from Delhi and travel to the beautiful hill station of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Explore the town, take tours to nearby attractions and shop for memorabilia. Travelling further along the Himalayas, you will cross two moderately high mountain passes.
Gata Loops, a series of bends and curves, will be your ultimate prize if you have a stout heart. The next stage of this Manali Leh cycling expedition will lead you past the expansive, flat and picturesque Morey Plains. Your journey will end in the small village of Lhato where you will board your coach to Leh and also get an excellent chance to shop for souvenirs at the town market.
After resting in the town for the night, wake up at the break of dawn to the sounds of the cockerels announcing the advent of morning. Complete your thrilling excursion through the Himalayas with a cycling journey to Khardung La situated more than 18000 feet above sea level. Capture the wonderful vistas and boast back home that you literally touched the sky!
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive in Manali / Day at leisure
Reach the hill town of Manali, which is situated at an altitude of about 6726 feet and is a haven for tourists. A lush forest cover of Deodars greets you and in the distance, snow-covered peaks elevate its charm. Check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, relish a scrumptious dinner and stay overnight at guest house or camps.
Day02: Manali
Trial riding, post breakfast your cycle will be provided to you so you can inspect and ride your cycles. You will be assisted and guided by our expedition leader. We will then head out for a ride through the pine forests and along the Beas river. Post a short ride of 20 kms we will head back to our hotel and rest up for the expedition beginning the next day. Reshuffle the luggage and get prepared for the actual ride starting tomorrow. Dinner and overnight stay in Manali.
Day 03: Manali – Marhi (10,892 feet | 39 KM)
After a scrumptious breakfast, start your biking expedition! Start riding uphill and ride along the curved road. You will pass through few quaint villages and lush forest. Reach Marhi and rest for the day!
Day 04: Marhi – Rohtang Pass – Sissu (12959 feet | 43 KM)
Post a delicious breakfast leave from Marhi and ride 13 KM uphill until you reach Rohtang Pass. The zero point will offer you the best views of snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas! Rohtang Pass is situated more than 13000 feet above sea level and is known worldwide for its mesmerising beauty. You will descend to Gramphu and cross Khoskar, first village of the Lahaul and Spiti district. The trails get easy after Khoskar. Reach Gondla and stay overnight at the camps.
Day 05: Sissu – Jispa (11154 feet | 52 KM)
Start your ride after breakfast and visit Keylong on the way to Jispa. The quaint village offers amazing views of the lush valleys around. The remote Himalayan village will be a good experience away from the noisy and polluted cities. Most of the terrain will be flat and scenic. Reach Jispa and stay overnight at the camps.
Day 06: Jispa – Baralacha La – Zing Zing Bar (15748 feet | 50KM)
Ride uphill for at least 32 KM and reach Baralacha La, a high mountain pass in the Zanskar Range which connects Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. Rest of the journey will be downhill to reach your campsite. Stay overnight at Bharatpur.
Day 07 Bharatpur – Sarchu (11778 feet| 54KM)
Today we ride towards Sarchu, a vast plateau that offers dramatic mountain views. We will ride along the Tserap River until we reach the campsite.
Day 08: Sarchu – Namik La – Lachang La – Pang (15190 feet | 70KM)
We start the day by riding uphill on the curved roads and reach Namik La followed by a short descend of 3 KM. Next, we will ride uphill for 3 KM to reach the second pass of the day, Lachang La followed by a long descend to Pang. We will camp by a stream at Pang.
Day 09: Pang – Base of Tanglang La (Debring) (14763 feet | 54 KM)
Ride uphill for 5-7 KM and enjoy the beauty of Zara Chu stream, with the canyon erected on both sides in different shapes, and mirages on the large Qyangchuthang (Wild Donkey ground). The ride will be on a flat road along the Pang plateau after crossing Zara Chu. Reach your camps and stay overnight at Debring.
Day 10: Tanglang La (Debring) – Rumste (17,493 feet | 48 KM)
Gradually ride uphill for 23 KM to the world’s second highest motorable road, Tanglang La. Descend to Indus Valley later and see the series of Chortens that will lead you to Rumtse, the first village of Ladakh. Stay overnight beside a stream on a lush meadow.
Day 11: Rumtse – Leh (11154 feet| 90 KM)
Ride through Ladakhi villages and visit Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery on the way! Reach Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, by afternoon. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Leh – Khardungla (18175 feet| 45 + 45 KM)
This is without doubt the crowning glory and literally the crest of your amazing Manali Leh cycling expedition. Mount your bikes and ride on a steep road which will take about 39 KM from Leh to reach Khardung La. It is situated at a mind-boggling altitude of above 18000 feet. Click photographs here of the surroundings and also of the altitude sign to boast to your pals back home that you literally touched the sky. Return to Leh and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Departure
Have a lavish breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Leh Airport for your onward journey to Delhi as you come to the end of your wonderful cycling expedition. Upon reaching Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay in Delhi.
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Package Details
Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition
Price (Per Person): ` 36,000
Duration: 13 Days
Cancellation Policy Payment Policy
Departure Dates:
July 2018 – 17
August 2018 – 10
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Location: Leh Ladakh
Average KM/Day: 40 – 90
Maximum Altitude: 18,380 feet at Khardung La
Best Time to go: July to September
Things to carry:
- A bike helmet
- Small day sack to carry trail clothing,
- Good quality waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Balaclava (thick fleece)
- Sun hat
- Cycle mitts
- Warm gloves – mountaineering gloves (waterproof outer, fleece inner) are good
- Mid-weight fleece top
- Cycling tights (“trackster” fit rather skin-tight lycra)
- Shorts
- Long sleeved shirt
- Travel trousers
- 2 wicking t-shirts (synthetic or merino wool)
- Cotton tee-shirt for around town
- Long sleeved thermal top
- Thermal long johns
- 2-3 pairs underwear
- 2-3 pairs of standard socks
- 1 pair warm socks
- Cycling shoes, e.g. SPD’s, if applicable (bring spare cleats)
- Shoes, Flip-flops, Crocs or Sandals to wear around camp
Other suggested items are:
1.Dark glasses (the sun is very strong)
2.Camera
3.A couple of spare passport photos photocopies of key documents. e.g. passport (data and visa pages)
4.Personal medicine kit covering minor issues – head ache, stomach ache, sprain, band aid, cold & cough, fever
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
- Bicycle Rent
- Meals during the expedition
- Entry Fee,if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Camping Charges,if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- 2 Night Hotel/Guest House/Camp Stay in Manali on sharing basis
- 2 Nights Hotel/Guest House Stays in Leh on sharing basis
- Separate Camping Vehicle
- One support vehicle
- Services of a certified expedition leader
- Services of support team
- First aid support
- GST @5%
- Lunch during Hotel Stays
- Any Kind of Insurance
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
- Permit fee for Khardungla
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.