Ladakh & Spiti Valley Motorcycle Tour on Royal Enfield

The Ladakh motorcycle tour begins with the flight to Delhi. After weeks of anticipation and careful preparation, the adventure through the Spiti Valley and Himalaya can begin once the group has landed in India.

After the first short night in India, a taxi or minibus brings you to Chandigarh in around eight hours. Here the Royal Enfield Classic or Himalayan are already waiting for the Himalaya motorcycle tour.

First kilometres on the motorcycle: soon this India motorcycle tour leaves the plains and climbs swiftly into the Himalayan foothills. Shimla, once the summer residence of the British colonial government, still recalls that era today.

Now it gets serious: this stage of the Royal Enfield motorcycle tour heads towards the Spiti Valley, the roads become noticeably rougher, and by the turn-off to Sarahan the Enfield's tyres are riding on gravel.

Along the Sutlej River the guided India motorcycle tour reaches the Tibetan-Buddhist town of Kalpa at over 2,700 metres, with traditional wooden houses and views of the sacred Kinner Kailash.

Asphalt gives way to rock, scree and dust: this Himalaya motorcycle adventure reaches the high desert of Spiti, accompanied by the roaring Spiti River far below in the valley.

The Spiti Valley motorcycle tour continues into the cold desert between Ladakh and Tibet. Kaza, the largest town and trading centre of the region at 3,650 metres, is known among travellers for its relaxed atmosphere.

This India Enfield tour climbs to Kibber at 4,270 metres, once the world's highest road-connected village, as well as to Key Monastery and further to Komic Gompa, one of the highest monasteries in India on this journey.

The most demanding day approaches the Manali–Leh Highway: narrow tracks, steep drops and the Kunzum Pass at 4,551 metres separate Spiti from Lahaul before the descent to Sissu.

For the first time the route crosses the 5,000-metre mark at the Baralacha La, heading towards Leh. Rock and scree on all sides – the moonscape of Ladakh is reached, with overnight stay in a tent camp at 4,250 metres.

The longest stretch of the Leh motorcycle tour crosses three more passes on tight hairpin bends. About 60 kilometres from the destination the road improves, vegetation returns, and in the evening you reach your hotel in Leh.

A rest day before the second part of the Nubra Valley motorcycle tour: Leh invites you to stroll through the old town, visit a café or simply relax, while the calm atmosphere of the Buddhist population is infectious.

This Dha Hanu Valley motorcycle tour leads to the villages of the Brokpa people, descendants of migrant peoples with light skin and blue eyes. With no hotels available, the group stays in a stationary tent camp at 3,240 metres.

Heading further west, the Kargil motorcycle tour passes through spectacular, barely touristified landscapes. In Kargil the Buddhist part of Ladakh ends; bearded men and veiled women now define the street scene.

Back in Buddhist Ladakh, this Himalaya motorcycle adventure reaches Lamayuro monastery, perched high on a rock above the so-called Moonland – a bizarre landscape shaped by water long ago.

In Alchi an ancient Buddhist monastery with famous murals awaits. The relaxed atmosphere of the small village invites you to linger before continuing towards Leh on this Himalaya motorcycle adventure stage.

This Khardung La motorcycle tour crosses the world's highest motorable pass. On a clear day a view opens over Leh and the Stok mountain range before descending to Diskit in the Nubra Valley.

Time for free choice: visiting Diskit Monastery, camel riding in Hundur or a ride along the Nubra River into the Valley of Flowers are among the options on this Nubra Valley motorcycle tour, before meeting for dinner.

This Pangong Lake motorcycle tour leads directly to Spangmik, in part over rough tracks and through river crossings. The landscape at the lake, whose far shore lies in China, makes every effort worthwhile.

On the return leg of the Leh motorcycle tour, the Chang La at 5,391 metres is one of Ladakh's highest passes. The monasteries of Thikse and Hemis and the former royal palace in Stok follow before the return to Leh.

Before the long flight home, a relaxed day on this Ladakh motorcycle tour: a shopping stroll through the old town or the climb to the palace and monastery with its view over the city of Leh are freely available today.

Early in the morning the journey returns to Delhi. A few hours remain for sightseeing before a shared dinner rounds off this India motorcycle tour through the Himalaya, ahead of the homeward flight or a side trip to the Taj Mahal the next day.

To close the Himalaya motorcycle tour you head home. Those who have booked the Taj Mahal visit it early in the morning in Agra before that group too boards the flight home, and memories of Spiti Valley and Ladakh travel with you.