He has set up Vintage Rides and has now expanded its presence in thirteen countries. An explorer by heart, he's always looking to discover new adventures around the world.
Welcome to the TransHimalayan: hands down, one of our most extraordinary adventure motorcycle tours ever! From lush green valleys to arid high-altitude plateaux through to fascinating landscapes which are so isolated, you won't find more than the occasional nomadic goat and yak herders en route. With your trusty Royal Enfield Himalayan, this ride will see you climbing several passes towering above 5,000 m altitude, then delving deep into the unspoilt Zanskar Valley where you’ll be quite the trailblazer. Are you an adventurer on the quest for the ultimate challenge? THIS is the adventure you have been looking for!
Namaste! Welcome to Delhi. A private vehicle will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your 5-star hotel upon arrival. You can then rest at the hotel if you wish or take the opportunity to discover the bustling capital of India.
In the morning, you’ll be taken to Delhi airport for your flight to Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. You’ll then be picked up by a private vehicle which will take you to Bir-Billing where you will spend the night.
Having tested out your Royal Enfield for the first time yesterday, you start your Himalayan motorbike adventure today! You will get better acquainted with your Royal Enfield while riding through the lush foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh at around 2,000 m altitude. Here, you will be navigating through mountain roads that wind up and down the green valleys of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
We begin the day riding up the valley to Kullu, with its beautiful cedar forests and bountiful orchards. We will arrive at Lahaul where we start exploring the impressive mountains of the region of Ladakh. Here, Buddhism and Hinduism thrive side by side.
This is where the “real” adventure starts. You'll ride out early today to the intersection of glacial meltwater streams, where the water level is at its lowest. You'll then head over to Zanskar Valley, having crossed Shinku La (5,050 m) and Kurgiak Chu Valley. To this day, its only the most daring of bikers that ride around in this part of the Himalayas.
Next up, one of the most intense and spectacular riding days of this tour. You'll ride on lots of tracks during this part of the ride in the heart of Ladakh. The landscapes are breathtaking, as are the altitudes, with three passes at around 5,000 m.
You will continue to ride through Ladakh towards its capital city of Leh. Our path mirrors that of the Indus River, which lent its name to the very first civilisation of India - the Indus Valley civilisation. You'll encounter varying road types and conditions in this part of the tour. You will alternate between good roads, tracks and winding tarmacked stretches that are more or less well-maintained.
Today calls for a rest and a nice stroll around the charming city of Leh. If you wish, you could ride up to the Khardung La pass (5,370 m), considered by many as the world’s highest motorable road even though it actually isn't. Its popularity however continues to remain as high as ever attracting hordes and hordes of bikers each year.
Today you'll continue your tour and ride towards the India–China border. Straddling this frontier is the famous and beautiful Pangong Tso Lake which stretches out over 80 miles long. Half of the length of the lake lies within Tibet, China, 40% in Ladakh, India and the remaining 10% is disputed and serves as a de-facto buffer zone between India and China.
Today’s route will once again take you on tracks where you’ll come across very few bikers. We’ll follow an unconventional route and see several mountain lakes, as well as another pass which is higher than the Khardung La, at over 5,400 m in altitude.
Another big day awaits, where there is to plenty to see: the Moore plains, the Pang Gorges, another 5,000 m high pass and much more. Enjoy riding this section of India's National Highway No. 3 (NH3), the legendary route which stretches from Leh via Manali all the way to the India-Pakistan border out in the West.
Its now time to leave Ladakh’s mountain peaks behind to head back towards the forested hills of Kullu Valley via the brand-new Atal Tunnel (5.5 miles). Today's destination is Manali, Himachal’s legendary hippie hill station, which you are free to explore upon our arrival in the afternoon.
Today is a buffer day, included to provide a bit of breathing room in our adventures. You are free spend the day in Manali as you wish; perhaps enjoy a stroll around the town and shop for some souvenirs before taking the air-conditioned overnight bus back to New Delhi.
Your bus will arrive in New Delhi in the morning. You will then be picked up and dropped off at your 5-star hotel where can spend your last day and night in India at your leisure.
You are transferred from your hotel to New Delhi International Airport, for your return flight, where our services end.
You will be transported from New Delhi to Agra in a private vehicle with driver. You have the option of a 2 or 3 day extension, allowing ample time to visit the fabulous Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and the Red Fort of Agra.
Two days to discover the sacred town of Varanasi. An English-speaking guide shows you around the Buddhist city of Sarnath, one of the four holy Buddhist cities. As the sun sets, you'll have the opportunity to stroll along the Varanasi ghats and attend Aarti, a daily worship ritual. On the second day, you will enjoy a sunrise boat tour, visit the University, Bharat Mata Mandir and the rest of the city.
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