Shimla – Kinnaur – Leh Motorbike Tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Delhi
Up on arrival at Delhi airport met our representative and transfer to a hotel, Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay will be in the hotel at Delhi .
Day 02: Delhi - Shimla (340 Km / 7 - 8 hrs)
Start early in the morning to avoid city traffic on your drive to Shimla. En-route, stop for lunch at picturesque Parwanoo. Continue your drive to Shimla, on arrival check in at hotel, overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03: Shimla - Sarahan (185 Kms/7-8 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Sarahan. The former Capital of Bushahar Empire, Sarahan is a wonderful little village located amidst lush green and beautiful surroundings of Deodar forests. Visit the historical Bhimakali temple, having an unusual architecture and wealth of carvings, a fine example of Hindu-Buddhist architecture. Deep down in the alley flows the river Sutlej and across lies the scenic snow-clad Shrikhand Peak , overnight stay at Sarahan.
Day 04: Sarahan - Sangla - Kalpa (149 Kms/ 7 - 8 hrs)
After breakfast, we move on from Sarahan, delving deeper into the breathtaking, secret world of the Kinnaur and Spiti Valleys . Ride on to Wangtu and further to Kar Cham and move down to right to Sangla, a picturesque little village with a small population, famous for its trout fishing possibilities. Situated on the slope with houses rising one above the other, and the Kinner-Kailash Peak towering behind, Sangla is also known for the impressive and historical Kamru Fort, which has now been dedicated to the Kamakshi Temple . Continue Motor Bike safari to Kalpa. En-route cross Powari and proceed to Recong Peo (7 Km). Both places have the most stupendous settings in all of Himachal Pradesh. Enjoy a spectacular view of the mighty Kinnaur Kailash Mountain Ranges from anywhere up the road. Located at an altitude of 2,670m, Kalpa is also famous for good quality Chilgoza, Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 05: Kalpa - Tabo (163 Kms/ 7 - 8 hrs)
After an early morning breakfast, start riding on Sutlej Bed and in the surrounding lush green forest. Drive 18 km from Powari to Ribba. This region is also known for the famous Kinnaur apples, grapes and the alcohol distilled from grapes. There are a number of bridges you will cross en-route. Then drive to Ribba to Puh (40Km) while riding on the paved road on the Bank of the Sutlej River , known as the Indo-Tibetan road. In northwest direction one can distinctly see some snow-covered peaks in the Pin Valley Range (subject to clear weather). After crossing the cantonment of the Puh, come out of the Gorge of Khab (another 11 Km). Khab is the point where two rivers, Tabo and Sutlej merge, producing the resounding sound. Navigate the hairpin bends and ride ahead for 24 km on paved road till Yangthang. Descend to Yangthang, considered as the ideal entry point in the Land of Lamas . From Yangthang the road condition also deteriorates to unpaved in between some loose mud and mountain river crossing till Chango (3,658 m). From Chango drive another 8 Km in arid landscape till Sumdo, Another 9 Km drive in the plateau area, takes you to Hoorling and from here 24 Km ride ends up in Tabo. Visit Tabo Gompa (temple). Founded in 996 AD, the Gompa has some of the best-preserved examples of Indo-Tibetan art remaining in the world, Dinner and overnight in the tent.
Day 06: Tabo - Kaza (102 Km, 4-5 hrs)
In the morning, leave for Kaza (3,600 meters), at about 47 Km from Tabo and then to Kibber, 18Km up, Visit the scenic Kibber Village (4,025m) and the famous Ki-Monastery (4,116m). enroute visit Dhankar and lahlung Monastery.Though the distance to Ki is not much, but you have to ascend a height of more than 1,000 M on a difficult road. Ki is the oldest and largest Gompa in Spiti having a spectacular location. Later, ride down to Rangrik and then into the barren landscape in a gorge for next 30 Km to Hanse (3,950m) clinging to the road cliffs and the unpaved stretch of roads with not many villages falling en-route. Then, ride further 20Km to arrive at Losar (4,079m), Dinner and overnight at Hotel Spiti Sarai.
Day 07: Kaza - Tandi (185 Km, 6-7 hrs)
Enjoy an early morning ride up to Kunzum Pass (4,551 m) & then proceed to visit the picturesquely beautiful Chandratal Lake (4,270m), about 12 Km from the Pass. Spend some time and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the surroundings around the lake, Thereafter, drive to Batal- Chatru - Gramphoo and then to Tandi. Have your lunch en-route. Later, proceed to Tandi, Dinner and overnight in the hotel at Tupchiling Drilbu Retreat.
Day 08: Tandi - Sarchu (110 Km, 5-6 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Jispa-Darcha and proceed through the hairpin bends entering into the Higher Himalayan Range . After reaching the top of the gorge, drive straight to Himmatnagar Cantonment. It is again an unpaved stretch of the Patseo & ZinZing Bar hairpins bends, as you get closer to Suraj Tal. Then, proceed to Baralacha La (4,883m). Later, descend down to arrive at Bharatpur. Enjoy your packed lunch and enter to the gorge of Sarchu. Come out of the gorge after crossing the bridge and enter the Sarchu Plateau (4,100m). Here you can enjoy a cool and refreshing breeze, soothing your body and nerves, Dinner and overnight in tents at Sarchu.
Day 09: Sarchu - Leh (246 Km, 7-8 hrs)
Today, you will enjoy a long but pleasurable ride. Ride in the plateau area for next 30 Km with a good speed but be cautious of the bad patches en-route. Ascend the road bends of Gata Loops early in the morning to beat the uphill traffic and scale the height of Takh (3,950m) and then it is a downhill. Cross over the low-lying road in the stream and ascend uphill again to the height of Lachung La Pass (5,060m) about 54 km from Sarchu. Then, drive downhill for 25 km till you hit the base of bridge before Pang (4,630m). Ensure to cross over Pang before 12.00 noon as traffic is not allowed in afternoon. Later, cross Tanglang La (75km from Pang) and another 30 km to Rumtse. Thereafter, proceed further to Leh, the saddle of Buddhist Culture, Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Leh.
Day 10: Leh
Day at leisure for own personal activities, Bike Maintenance, Leave the bike with the mechanic and explore the delights of Leh on your own. Visit the 16th Leh Century Palace (once the seat of power), the splendid World Peace Pagoda and the busy marketplace.
Day 11: Leh - Nubra (125 km)
Early Morning drive to Nubra Valley. (05 Hrs Drive from Leh about 125 Km). By crossing Khardongla18300 Ft/5602 m. The highest motorable road in the world ,Nubra Valley (Altitude: 3,150 mtr) ; Formarly known as Lyumra means ‘A Valley of flora’ with numerous high altitude yellow roses, apple and apricot orchards dotting its landscape. Lying approximately 1,300 ft/400m lower than Leh, Nubra sports a much milder climate, which enables its inhabitants to cultivate more extensively, as compared to their counterparts in the main Indus Valley.Overnight in Hotel.
Day 12: Nubra - Diskit - Hunder – Sumur - Nubra
Morning after breakfast, visit to Diskit. Visit the village and monastery, proceed to Hunder to visit the village and Hunder Gompa. Later drive to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can enjoy the camel ride here (On Own) or just chillout at the dunes
Deskit Village: Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular view of the valley can be seen form the monastery.
Deskit Gompa: Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar.
Hundar Village: Hundar is a beautiful village to stay with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump bacterian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two hours is wonderful.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13: Nubra – Pangong Lake ( 175km, 6-7 hrs)
Breakfast at the Hotel, procced to Pangong Lake directly via Khalsar village, Deeger village, Chang La , Wari La. Pangong Lake is located on the high altitude plains of Changtang in the restricted area close to Tibet. This area is inhabited by nomads who make their living from pashmina goats. The lake is located on the border to Tibet with half belonging to China and half to India. On arrival Overnight stay at the Fixed Camp.
Day 14: Pangong lake – Leh ( 150 km 4-5 hrs)
Post breakfast ride to Leh. On arrival check in at hotel and in the evening free to explore market place.
Day 15: Leh - Delhi
Board an early morning flight from Leh airport for Delhi . On arrival at Delhi , transfer to international airport to catch onwards flight.