If you are looking for the ultimate motorbike adventure, this expedition is for you. The Manali to Leh Highway combines the joy of riding some of the toughest terrains in the world, surrounded by impossibly beautiful landscapes - Ladakh is truly the playground of the gods.
This expedition is as riveting as it is challenging. The locations offer sceneries bound to stay tattooed in your memory. Throughout the expedition, you’ll ride through different landscapes, from snow-kissed mountain passes and Mars-like plateaus to lush, rolling hills and pristine lakes. Plus, we’ll ride up and over the highest motorable road in the world – the Umling-La Pass at over 5800m above sea level. It’s wild, remote and beautiful.
Best Life Adventures will provide you with all the logistical, technical and cultural support to undertake this journey and ensure you have the best ride of your life! I won’t say much more…this road must be seen to be believed and fully appreciated.
We've built this adventure for a small exclusive group of up to 14 riders, and all places will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the seats are paid for, they're gone, so get in super quick.
You must have a motorcycle license for insurance purposes, but do not have to be a super-seasoned rider. We've got your back, and we also have a comprehensive support crew.
Location: Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, Aerocity, New Delhi, Delhi, India
All riders need to arrive in Dehli by 16th August 2027. Please make your way from the airport to the hotel. Hotel transfers are available; please organise this by liaising with the hotel directly.
Unwind in your twin-share, well-appointed 4-star hotel room at the Novotel New Delhi Aerocity in the airport complex. This initial period provides the perfect opportunity to acclimatise to the time zone, manage any jetlag, and embrace your first impressions of India and Delhi.
As people will be arriving throughout the day we haven't organised a group meeting for drinks or dinner, but as we get closer to our arrival date, people will no doubt chat using the WhatsApp group to make arrangements.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
It's time to start our adventure and leave the chaos of Delhi behind.
We transfer you to Delhi airport and catch a flight to Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. From here it’s a 30-minute coach ride to the luxurious 5* Himalayan hotel where you can relax by the pool, marvel at the surrounding mountains and catch your breath before our group briefing that'll introduce you to the plan for the next few days.
We've organised a relaxing, hour-long massage to help you get over the international flight. The rest of the afternoon is free time to explore the town. We head out to dinner as a group to meet a few locals who'll be joining us as your support team and spend time with your fellow riders.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
Distance: 30km approx. Elevation: 2050m
Following a morning meet and greet with our team, we brief you about the journey ahead, the safety tips to be observed while riding and answer any last-minute questions you might have.
You’re then introduced to the bikes you will be riding before taking a spin around the scenic locales of Solang Valley and Naggar Castle. This allows you to get comfortable with the bike as well as take in some of the natural splendours of Manali. The expected ride is around 30 km and offers first-timers to the Himalayas a chance to get familiar with the sharp turns and hills, as a group, under an experienced expedition leader.
We will spend another night at The Himalayan Hotel.
Location: Jispa, Himachal Pradesh, India
Manali > Rohtang Pass > Jispa
Distance: 98km Elevation: 3350m
We begin our journey from Manali to Leh by riding through the Pir Panjal Ranges of the Himalayas with a steady ascent lasting around 50 km to Rohtang La Pass, situated at an altitude of 3980m.
We then cross over to Lahaul Spiti district, where we descend to Gramphu followed by Khoksar. This is followed by another steady climb to Sissu and onto the district headquarters in Keylong, and then onto Jispa where we will spend the night.
We are likely to encounter traffic jams at Rani Nallah and tough riding conditions throughout. We spend the night camping in tents.
Location: Tso Kar
Jispa > Gata Loops > Lachulung La > Sarchu > Tsokar
Distance: 192km Elevation: 4500m
Today is all about high passes and we continue from Keylong to Baralachala Pass (5030m). It’s a steady 67km journey with a steep ascent to the pass, especially the last 18 km from ZingZingBar.
We must take extra precautions on these roads as the winds are often chilly and the roads can be dangerous.
Our onward journey to Ladakh will lead us around 21 hairpin turns through the Gata Loops to Nakee La (4738m) and Lachulung La (4881m) passes and onto Sarchu, where we will register at the police check post.
We will continue for another 40km before stopping to camp under a blanket of stars.
Location: Leh, Himachal Pradesh, India
Tsokar > Pang > More Plains > Tanglang La > Leh
Distance: 144km Elevation: 3500m
Up early and ready for our ride up and over the Tanglang La Pass (5359m). It’s the second highest motorable mountain pass in the world after Khardung La and is supremely impressive with big drops and thin air. You'll need to keep your wits about you up here! On the way, we stop to visit the Hemis Monastery.
By sundown, we’ll be checked into another very comfortable 5* hotel either the Grand Dragon Hotel or Saboo Resort. There’s time to shop, walk the streets, and feast on dinner, before relaxing with a good night's sleep.
Location: Leh, Himachal Pradesh, India
Leh Palace > Shanti Stupa > Gurudware Pathir Sahib > Magnetic Hill
Today we will fix our inner line permit for the Nubra Valley, and you have the opportunity to relax and explore the town of Leh at your own pace. A short ride away are Magnetic Hill, Pathir Sahiband, the Leh Palace, and Shanti Stupa. The town is a hive of activity with many good restaurants on Changspa Road.
We will spend another night in Leh.
Location: Nubra Valley, Hunder
Leh > Khardung la > Khalsar > Nubra Valley/Hunder
Distance: 115km Elevation: 5606m
Today we take a day to ride over the highest motorable ‘pass’ in the world - Khardung La at a whopping 5540 metres above sea level higher than Everest Base Camp.
It's a momentous part of the adventure so we'll spend enough time here to take photos, but not so long that our bodies submit to impending altitude sickness. It's then a stunning descent into the vast Nubra Valley.
On the way, there are magnificent views of Saser Kangri mountain, towering above at 7672m. In the wide, expansive Nubra valley we visit the famous Deskit Monastery and then to our camp. Overnight will be spent under canvas.
Location: Pangong Lake, Leh
Nubra Valley > Pangong Lake
Distance: 180km Elevation: 4300m
We have breakfast early and ride to Shoyk on the way to this vast salt lake. Only around 45km of the lake is under Indian control, the rest is in Tibet. It's a potential hot spot of activity with the disputed border 'somewhere' close by, There are always plenty of Indian military vehicles stuffed full of smiley-faced soldiers happy to see westerners.
On the way to our overnight stop-off, we swap bikes for camels and take a ride across the moon-like landscape. Tonight, we camp on the edge of the lake under a blanket of stars.
Location: Hanle, Hanle
Pangong Lake > Hanle
Distance: 170km
Today we ride through Pangong Lake until Merak / Kakstet Village and then towards Chushul Village and the obligatory police checkpoint.
From here it’s onto the Rezangla war memorial sandwiched on the border between China and India, and then ride across the huge Hindus River and onwards to Hanle Village. There’s a chance to visit the Hanle observatory for unrivalled clear sky views of the heavens. We stay overnight in another comfortable hotel or homestay.
Location: Umling La
Hanle > Umling La > Hanle
Distance: 170km Altitude: 5883m
It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for - a chance to ride up the ‘Highest Motorable Road in the World’ Umling La - at just under 5900 metres above sea level. The road only opened in 2021 after the military grated permission permits to foreigners. It’s all down hill from here - well kind of.
Location: Leh, Himachal Pradesh, India
Hanle > Leh
Distance: 254km
We ride the reverse route back to Nayoma and the continue to Mahe Bridge check point before returning to Leh. Overnight stay in hotel.
Location: Sarchu, Dhar Chharp Samba, Himachal Pradesh, India
Leh > Sarchu
Distance: 252km
Today after breakfast at your hotel, the ride heads back to Sarchu passing through beautiful landscapes & mountains over NakiLa (4800 m) and Lachlung La pass (5019 m). After a big day in the saddle, we check into camp.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
Sarchu > Manali
Distance: 180km
It’s our final day on the road and after another early breakfast we ride through Bharatpur, Baralacha-La, Darcha to Keylong and towards Manali, crossing the Tandi River - the confluence of Chandra & Bhaga Rivers and climb over the Rohtang Pass (3980 m) to Manali.
On arrival in Manali we check back into the Himalayan Hotel for a farewell feast.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
Morning flight from Kullu to Delhi - arrangements TBC.
Your Best Life Adventure ends here.
INCLUDES
A mind-blowing 14-day motorbike adventure through the Himalayas
A Royal Enfield Bullet (500cc) or Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 Motorbike and all fuel costs
Best Life Adventures Lead Guide and Mentor – Ben Southall
Complete support team – local guide, driver, cook, experienced mechanic and helpers
Domestic flight from Delhi to Kullu (return)
Pick-up and drop-off at Kullu Airport by private minibus
Back up vehicle to carry spare parts, luggage, extra petrol, etc.
Accommodation: twin-share rooms or Swiss camping tents.
5* hotel accommodation in Manali (The Himalayan), and Leh (Grand Dragon)
All main meals, snacks and filtered water throughout the expedition
Kitchen tent, dining tent, sleeping bags, and charging facilities during the expedition
Inner line permits and entry fees
Expedition t-shirt
High-quality photos
EXCLUDES
International flights
Travel Insurance and Indian visa
Personal expenses/souvenirs/shopping/tips for the staff
Fines, medical or legal costs incurred during the event
Additional meals in restaurants, cafes, etc., and entrance to museums and sights
Motorbike rental if you choose to ride on extra days
Any cost to repair damages done to your motorbike, apart from basic wear and tear
-
HOW TO REGISTER & PAY:
Click the BOOK NOW button to book and register for this expedition.
We require the total balance of the expedition to be paid at the time of booking, or within 7 days of registering, or your place will be forfeited.
-
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: We can cater for some food allergies or vegetarians and vegans, but please understand it's not always possible in remote areas. You can list any dietary requirements in the Participant Information Form that you must complete as one of your tasks in preparation for the expedition.
FLIGHTS: Best Life Adventures does NOT include flights into and out of India. You will need to book these; details will be provided after you register. We recommend looking at Skyscanner for an idea of times and prices.
Our full terms and conditions are published here.