Trans Himalayan Motor Biking Expedition

The Trans-Himalayan Biking expedition is one of the rarest of the world's biking trails, passing through the lush green valleys of Kullu & Lahaul, you drive for rugged high-altitude crossing of the great chain, from South to Central Asia, through the rarely visited old kingdom of Zanskar, tucked into the fabled mountains of the same name. As you drive into the heart of this rugged region of Zanskar & Ladakh. The landscapes become ever more Tibetan: vast, sere highlands punctuated by ever-higher passes (the highest is 5602 Meters), placid blue mountain lakes. Along the way we visit Buddhist temples perched on crags, prayer flags rippling silently in the fresh wind, and bike through small green valleys and over highest motor able passes in world, greeted by cheery Zanskaris and Ladakhis. Tsomo Riri & Tso Kar,  these high altitude lakes are situated in the Rupshu region of eastern Ladakh. Tsomo Riri is surrounded by mountains and is formed by a tributary of the Spiti river. This rare habitat attracts the Barehead Goose, which breeds around the inlets of the lake during the summer months.

DAY 01: ARRIVAL DELHI
Arrive at Delhi’s international airport our representative will be waiting for you in the arrival terminal. Met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay. Accommodation will be held for you from the previous night. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 02: DELHI- CHANDIGARH-(by shatabdi express dep 0730 hrs, arr 1030 hrs)
Early in the moring in time transfer to the New Delhi railway station to board your train for Chandigarh. On arrival you are met to our representative and transferred to hotel. Afternoon half day city tour visit Rock Garden, Rose Garden & Museum overnight at hotel.

DAY 03: CHANDIGARH-MANALI 315 km, 8-9 hrs:
After breakfast drive to Mandi, through the Shivalik rang mountain. which is 1896 m above sea level and situated at the northern end of the Kullu valley. A picturesque little town bustling with activity, Manali is the most popular place in Himachal Pradesh during the summer season. Around Manali, nature has lavished the region with forests, waterfalls, green slopes, rivulets and soaring snow covered mountain peaks. Manali also boasts of a Mountaineering Institute, which imparts training in mountaineering, skiing and other adventure activities. Drive and explore the beauty of nature. Overnight stay in hotel. On arrival chek in hotel for overnight.

DAY 04 : MANALI:
Aftrer breakfast intro to your bikes and crew members of your expedition. Later visit Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Galley, Jagatsukh Temple and Hadimba Temple. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05: MANALI - ROHATANG PASS - JISPA 2850M (147 km) – 6-7 hours
After an early breakfast drive to Jispa a small village in the Lahaul region. En route cross Rohtang Pass (3980 M) and visit Keylong village. The lofty Shingri Glacier is seen in all its grandeur, it’s high passes standing between them and the civilized world. The people of these valleys have an intense love for their home culture; their songs and dances are as chaste and pure as the snow that clods the mountains around. Spiti Valley is famous for Yaks and Choru. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 06: JISPA - SARCHU 4230M– 96 Kms, 5-6 hrs:
Beyond Jespa, the regions main town, the road follows the Bhaga River up towards its source. We ascend to a height of 4800M to Suraj Tal (Lake). One has to safeguard against Skidding, especially where the water of the hill streams flows on to the Road. We will ascend Baralacha La 4830M and cross into the Zanskar range, one of the remotest region of the world. Overnight in camp at Sarchu.

DAY 07: SARCHU-POLOKANGLA-TSOKAR 3750M, 200 Kms.- 7-8 hrs.:
The road will be testing the Bullet and nerves today. After crossing Brandy Nallah, 21 hair pin bends of the Gata loops shall bring us to the Double humped Pass Lachulung La (5060M) and then Pang (4630m). After Pang start zipping along More Plains - a flat stretch of 48 Kms, at an average height of 4200m. At Debring Mor we will steer in the NE direction to reach Tsokar (Salt Lake). We will drive through the harsh unpaved terrain of Rupshu region, ahead lies a wide plain the salt lined Tso Kar shimmered in the heat. We drive through bank and a spring recommended by the Changpas, the nomads Crossing the spongy salt plain the heat shall be intense, Kyang, the wild ass, like stripe less zebras galloped the plains, keeping their distance but always curious, moving as we moved but always turning to stare. We shall stop to watch the abundant bird life and passing nomads. Overnight in tents near the lake.

DAY 08: TSOKAR - TSOMORIRI 4480M, 125 Kms 4-5 hrs:
We shall stop for a while at Pologonka La, we shall then descend into the valley, passing through the land abundant with hot sulphur springs to reach the village of Sumdo at a junction from where one road leads to Leh and another turns right to Tsomoriri. Drive through the mountainous terrain to reach the pass at Namshang La, we then descend to reach the lake of Tso Kiager, another small lake en-route, this stretch is very sandy and picturesque, we shall continue our drive to reach the village of Korzok on the banks of Tsomoriri.

Tsomoriri, at a height of 4485m is a lake of fantastic beauty, lying between two mountain ranges of an average height of about 6000m, on the east and west. With a depth of 76m, the lake is about 27 km long and 5-8km wide. It is on the banks of this lake that the black necked cranes, bar-headed goose, ducks and several water birds breed. The bar-headed goose, one of the most endangered species of birds in India, come to the shore of this lake to hatch their eggs between June, to mid-August. The environment at Tsomoriri is so clean, pure with its unspoiled natural beauty.

Korzok village, one of the three permanent settlements of the nomads in Rupshu and the only one in the Tsomoriri Valley, is situated on the northwestern shore of the lake. The village has around 100 houses. Korzok monastery built on place of an ancient temple of 9th centaury, was built around 1850. Overnight in Camps at Tsomoriri.

DAY 09:  TSOMORIRI – LEH 3650 M, 240 Kms 8-9 hrs. :
Take the same road back till Sumdo, turn right from Sumdo, we shall take a brief halt at Mahe Bridge, to complete the formalities with local police. Continue driving through Chumatang, another hot sulphur spring, keep driving and pass through the Monasteries of Chemrey, Shey and Thiksey. Also visit Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Monastery is situated in the South of Leh, at a distance of 43 Kms, on the south bank of the Indus River. Hemis Monastery is famous for its annual festival in the month of June/ July. The tenth day (Tse-Chu), of the Tibetan lunar month is celebrated as the birthday of the Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The Hemis monastery celebrates this event in the form of a 2-day festival. Its resident Lamas perform the sacred masked dances leading to the destruction of the evil forces, & sacrificial offerings. Continue driving to reach the Leh, overnight in Hotel

DAY 10 : LEH-SHANIT STUPA-SANKAR GOMPA-SPTITUK GOMPA :
After breakfast full day monasteries visit as Shanti Stupa, Sankar Gompa, Spituk Monastery and local market. Overnight in Hotel

DAY 11: LEH-KHARDUNG-LA (5606 M) - NUBRA VALLY 125 Kms.:
After break fast drive to Hunder village 125 kms, over Khardong La pass (5606 mt), the highest motorable road pass in the world. The view from the top of this pass is amazing. One can see all the way south over the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. After crossing the pass, drive another 80 kms; (2-3 hrs) across the river Shyok to reach Hunder village. Overnight at fix camp at Hunder.

DAY 12: HUNDER-DISKIT-PANAMIK-HUNDER :
Bacterian camel safari subjects to availability. Drive to Panamic, en route visit Disket. See the Disket monastery perched on a rock overhanging a stream, which is the source of energy, used by the mills of the monastery. The monastery is full of Tangkas (silk paintings), magnificent giant statues of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences. Visit the Hot springs at Panamic and drive back to your camp at Hunder.

DAY 13: HUNDER-LEH
After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung la. Afternoon rest & relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at Guest House/hotel.

DAY 14: LEH-LAMAYURU-RIZONG-ALICH :
After breakfast visit Alchi, Rizong and Lamayuru monasteries. Overnight at Alchi.

DAY 15: ALCHI-LIKIR-PHYANG:
After breakfast visit the 11th centuary monastery Alchi, later drive to Leh on the way visit Likir and Phyang monasteries. On arrival at Leh check in hotel.

DAY 16: LEH-DELHI (FLIGHT)
Early in the morning take flight to Delhi, upon arrival meet to our representative drive to hotel, rest of the time visit Old Delhi. After dinner in time departure transfer to International airport take onward flight.

The Cost Includes:
*Hotel accommodation in Delhi, Chandigarh & Manali on twin sharing room plus breakfast basis and at rest of the places on twin sharing full board basis.
* Arrival / departure transfers using air-conditioned car or coach.
* 350 CC Royal Enfield bikes during the tour from Manali to Leh.
* Insurance of bikes.
* Support vehicle to carry the luggage, spare parts, baggage of clients and one stand by bike.
* Accompanied road guide and mechanic to repair and service the bikes.
* All necessary spare parts.
* Departure transfer in Leh using non ac jeeps from hotel to airport.
* Transshipment of bikes at the end of the tour from Leh to Delhi.
* Train fare Delhi to Chandigarh by ac chair car Shatabdi Express.
* Farewell dinner in Delhi at the end of the tour on fix menu basis.
* Permit process fee for Tsomorari and Nubra Valley.
* Light refreshments during the tour.
* Assistance on arrival and departure.
* All applicable taxes including 4.08% service tax as implemented by Govt of India.

The Price Does not Includes:
* Any personal clothing such as sleeping bags, warm cloths etc.
* Any airfare and airport tax.
* Any kind of personal, medical and evacuation insurance.
*Any insurance or claim due to natural calamities such as land slide, road blockage etc.
* Cost of fuel. To be paid by the riders directly at the time of refueling the bikes.
* Any kind of personal expenses like table drinks, phone calls, tips, laundry etc.
* Personal gear including helmets, guards and clothing.

Price Valid June 2010 to Sep. 2010 Only.