Zanskar

Arrival in New Delhi
Touchdown in the bustling chaos of New Delhi, where your wild adventure with Royal Bikers begins amidst the honking horns and spicy street food aromas. We meet all participant riders at a Hotel in Delhi for a mandatory briefing session where essential information will be shared about the ride. This briefing helps is serious as it shares information on how to return safely on your motorcycle & fun as well as you get to know the crew & fellow riders who will share the adventure with you. Tip: Sleep early & get good sleep as we ride out before sunrise to beat the heat.

New Delhi to Manali (480 km / 11 hrs)
Rev up your engines and hit the road for an epic journey from the sweltering streets of Delhi to the cool mountain air of Manali. Get ready to dodge cows, drink glasses of sugar cane juice & drink enough water (more than you think you can) as you navigate through the highways toward the hills.

Manali to Sarchu (185 km / 7 hrs)
Gear up for an exhilarating ride through the heart of the Himalayas! As you twist and turn through breathtaking landscapes, you’ll feel the rush of adrenaline with every hairpin bend. Don’t forget to capture the moment at the Atal Tunnel, an engineering marvel cutting through the mighty Rohtang Pass. This 9.02 km tunnel is not just a road, it’s an adventure in itself, soaring above 10,000 feet! Along the way, soak in the serene charm of Himachal’s hidden gems like Sissu, Keylong, and Jispa. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive snow leopard, and let your inner mountain goat conquer the rugged terrain with style.

Sarchu to Tso Kar (140 km / 7 hrs)
We bid farewell to Himachal Pradesh and dive headfirst into the mystical realm of Ladakh UT. Our destination today is the enchanting Tso Kar Lake, where the air is as rarefied as the view is breathtaking. Along the way, we’ll conquer the legendary Gata Loops with its 21 exhilarating hairpin bends, ascend the dizzying heights of Naki La and Lachung La Passes, and traverse the awe-inspiring More Plains, where the landscape seems to stretch on forever. Don’t forget to have your camera at the ready – you won’t want to miss the chance for some truly Instagram-worthy shots of this dramatic scenery.

Tso Kar to Hanle via Chilling Tso & Ryul Tso (165 km / 8 hrs)
Prepare to embark on a journey worthy of an adventure film as we leave the tranquil shores of Tso Kar behind and set our sights on the charming village of Hanle. Along the way, we’ll discover hidden treasures at every turn, including the lesser-known wonders of Changthang, where the sparkling lakes of Chilling Tso & Ryul Tso beckon with their pristine beauty. We will be passing through the Puga Hot Springs, Loma & Noma villages where we can expect mobile network connectivity. Keep your senses sharp as we traverse the untamed wilderness – you never know what majestic creatures might cross our path, from graceful horses to majestic yaks. And when night falls, don’t miss the chance to gaze upon the heavens above, whether with your own eyes or through the lens of a telescope, as we rest under the canopy of stars at our homestay.

Hanle (Rest Day) Visit Umling La and Demchok (250 km / 10 hrs)
Take a well-deserved break from the saddle and explore the hidden gems of Hanle, including the jaw-dropping Umling La pass and the mystical Demchok village. Riding at over 19000 ft is not an ordinary feat & you need to follow the ride captain’s guidelines to ensure we return safely. Don’t forget to bring your lucky charm to ward off any wandering spirits. You may want to visit the nomads of the region & live the nomadic life for real. A visit to India’s highest Astronomical Observatory is a must and getting to see the larger than life equipment along with hearing the stories of stars & galaxies is surreal. Later you can visit the Hanle Monastery & local schools where our Headlight Foundation has been contributing to strengthen the schools infrastructure & brighten Ladakh’s future.

Hanle to Tso Pangong (160 km / 7 hrs)
Fuel up on chai and samosas as you ride to the iconic Pangong Tso lake, where the water sparkles like a million diamonds under the bright Himalayan sun. While riding along the China border, we would stop by the Changla War Memorial to pay tribute to the war heroes, have lunch at Chushul & wait for the first sight of the lake as we head north. Keep your eyes peeled for Tibetan foxes and the elusive yeti as you soak in the stunning scenery. Enjoy your hot cuppa while watching the sunset at the banks of the lake which is so calming.

Tso Pangong to Nubra Valley via Agham (170 km / 7 hrs)
Hold onto your handlebars as you set on the treacherous path to Nubra through Tangste, Durbuk where Shyok River will ride along & make us cross it multiple times. If we are fortunate we’ll get a few river crossings (or else countless). Take a break at the Agham share the river crossing stories over Chai & Maggi and soak in the jaw-dropping views of the Ladakh landscape. We’ll visit the majestic Maitreyi Buddha statue at Diskit & you can get some cool pictures clicked on the white sands with double-humped Bactrian Camels & Nubra Valley in the backdrop.

Nubra Valley to Leh (100 km / 5 hrs)
Cruise through the winding roads of the Nubra Valley as you make your way back to Leh, the vibrant capital of Ladakh. Keep an eye out for yaks and marmots as you navigate the switchbacks and hairpin turns of this epic Himalayan highway. Don’t miss to get a photo clicked at the Khardung La top, the erstwhile highest motorable pass at ~18000 ft. Make sure to stop briefly before AMS sets in & you wouldn’t want to miss sipping coffee at the cozy cafes in Leh City. Visiting the Tibetan markets is a must and would surely make you buy more stuff than you can carry.

Leh (Rest Day)
Take a breather and explore the ancient streets and hidden alleyways of Leh at your own pace. Visit Hemis, the oldest monastery of the land, Thiksey, and pay tribute to the holy Indus (Sindhu) river at the dedicated ghat. Do visit the Hall of Fame (war memorial) to learn about the life of a soldier & the battles they fought around the region to keep us safe.  You must try the Ladakhi cuisine at a local restaurant & get lost in the maze-like markets and haggle with the locals for some handmade souvenirs to take back home.

Leh to Wanla (114 km / 4 hrs)
Hit the road again and ride to the quaint village of Wanla, where time seems to stand still amidst the towering mountains and rolling hills. En route to Wanla, visiting Pathar Sahib Gurudwara & knowing about the legend is a must while having langar there followed by experiencing the gravity-defying Magnetic hills. The Zanskar-Indus River confluence is a sight to behold. Enjoy the famous Leh-Kargil highway where many movies have been shot & more pictures were clicked around the everchanging colors of the mountains.

Wanla to Padum (180 km / 8 hrs)
Get ready for another day of epic riding as you journey deeper into the heart of Ladakh. Cruise through winding mountain roads and breathtaking valleys as you make your way to the historic town of Padum the capital of the Zanskar region, known for its ancient monasteries and stunning landscapes & off-road path to test your skills, from hereon. Visit the local cafes for delicious Momos & hot cuppas to soothe your soul.

Padum to Purne (50 km / 3 hrs)
Wake up with the mountains and hit the road early as we head towards the serene village of Purne, surrounded by towering peaks and gushing rivers. It will be a short yet eventful ride to Purne. On reaching Purne, thrill-seekers have the chance to embark on an epic trek to the legendary Phugtal Monastery, hidden amidst rugged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Picture yourself traversing ancient paths, crossing babbling streams, and discovering the secrets of this mystical sanctuary. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you explore every nook and cranny of this Himalayan wonder, soaking in the raw beauty of the landscape. And when the sun begins to dip below the horizon, gather around for a meet-up and share tales of your daring adventure under the starlit sky.

Purne to Gonbo Ranjon (35 km / 2 hrs)
Get ready for one last adventure as you ride to the remote camping site right next to the holy Gonbo Ranjon mountain, where the air is crisp and the views are unbeatable. This should be the most picturesque stay location so far. Swap stories with fellow riders around the campfire and savor the final moments of your epic journey through the Himalayas.

Gonbo Ranjon to Mandi (260 km / 11 hrs)
As your journey comes to an end, take one last look at the majestic mountains and winding roads that have been your home for the past two weeks. Pat your back after crossing the last treacherous pass of Shinku La before you head towards the tarmac roads. Cruise through the valleys and villages of Himachal Pradesh as you make your way back to civilization passing  Manali & city traffic.

Mandi to New Delhi (375 km / 10 hrs)
Reluctantly say goodbye to your fellow riders as you ride back to New Delhi, where your adventure with Royal Bikers comes to an end. Swap contact information with newfound friends and start planning your next epic journey through the Himalayas.