Himalayas Motorcycle Adventure

Riding across the breathtaking Himalayas on a motorcycle seems to be one of those bucket list adventures for everyone, including myself, it has been on my list for years. And I can finally tick it off, after an incredible eight days of epic but largely intense riding I completed the ultimate Himalayan adventure across India on the new 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 350cc motorcycle.

Day 1

Following 2 days of altitude acclimatization in Leh (12,500 feet / 3,810m) we set off into the Himalaya mountains. Leaving the hustle of Leh it was apparent within minutes that we were in for some spectacular scenery on this adventure. The expanses of rugged mountains, the rock formations, raging rivers and aggressive canyons. The road quality was an immediate expectation exceeder, with such high military activities close to the Chinese border the roads are better than most in Europe. We left the tarmac on some small windy canyon roads with dramatic rock faces and minimal traffic. With just 28km to go we turned a corner to face a huge landside, thankfully the Himalayan is made for all roads or no roads…

Day one landslide haults bucket list trip in Himalayas India

Day 1: Leh to Zangla

Total time: 11hr 10min
Riding time: 7hr 52min
Distance: 176miles (283km)
Max altitude reached: 16,257ft (4,955m)
Mountain passes/Road/Highway Names: Indus Valley, Yapola River, Sir-Sir La Pass, Sing La Pass, Zanskar Valley (landslide/diggers)

Day 2

The second day in India was by far the scariest & most intense day on a motorbike I’ve had outside of extreme desert racing! In the Himalayas you have to plan for the unexpected!

After an awesome day with some beautiful scenery, we arrived to the Shinkula Pass military check point at 15.30… which was less than ideal as the friendly soldier told us we were too late. The weather was pulling in and strong winds and snow would make it dangerous and impassable. The 2-hour ascent would mean a 17.30pm summit in the worst of the blizzard… But after showing him and explaining what gear we had and that we were equipped he happily let us pass. Well the 2 hour accent quickly turned into 3 and then into 4… The terrain was quickly becoming more slippery, the wind, snow and ice were increasing rapidly, and temperatures were dropping even quicker, the desicion to ride the 16,580ft mountain pass became questionable.

Caught in a snowstorm at 16580 feet in India – brutal day

Day 2: Zangla – Darcha

Total time: 9hr 43min
Riding time: 5hr 12min
Distance: 113miles / 181km
Max altitude reached: 16,532ft
Mountain passes/Road/Highway Names: Shinkula Top Pass (Blizzard Mountain pass)

The Himalayas as definitely living up to expectations! A trip of a lifetime! Next up we will be facing the infamous Manali Highway on motorcycles

Day 3

The day of three peaks, riding the Himalayas in India but on a magnitude like nothing before – the Manali Highway, notoriously known as one of the most dangerous roads in the world. And after facing numerous near head on collisions, suicidal chicken buses, plus herds of shaggy goats, pedestrians and stray dogs…and then a 4 hour traffic jam…I can see why!

Riding the Manali highway we faced a mega traffic jam at over 16,000 feet. And at 16k ft on a motorcycle we’re vulnerable. A weather front could be life changing without a car for protection. Politely but forcefully we got vehicles to move slightly and allow bikes through. Soon, 50+ bikes were moving. I stopped to kick snow away to make a gap & quickly realised how little oxygen was available for my increased heart rate. Thankfully we had oxygen tanks and a few puffs later I was back hustling with the goal… Get off this mountain!

4 hour traffic jam on world’s most dangerous road – the Manali highway

Day 3: Darcha – Tso Kar

Total time: 10hr 28min
Riding time: 7hr 03min
Distance: 170miles/ 275km
Max altitude reached: 16,643ft
Mountain passes/Road/Highway Names: Baralacha La 16168 ft, Nakee La 16158 ft, Lachalung La 16634 ft

Day 4

As the ultimate Himalayas motorcycle adventure continues we get a scary reality check… altitude sickness. It’s a very serious, real and dangerous things. Starting the day at Tso Kar lake, a considerable altitude, our energy was grounded with the news that a fellow UK traveller had been taken ill with altitude sickness. His oxygen levels down to 52% instead of the desired +80% leaving him no option other than an ambulance ride to Leh hospital. The reminder kept us sharp on our own acclimatisation activities and encouraged us to get checked.

The views that followed across the Tso Kar salt flats as we headed on made from frequent wows with wild horses and wild asses roaming freely. Stepping into another Indian Army run cafe stop in Nyoma it was ideal timing as a sandstorm blew through. We could feel the rattles of the roof panels fluttering and totally lost sight of the bikes parked just outside with the clouds of dust.

Altitude sickness hospitalises biker – the brutal reality of the Himalayas

Tso Kar – Nyoma

Total time: 5hr 22min
Riding time: 2hr 12min
Distance: 57 miles / 92km Max altitude reached: 16,263ft

Day 5 is our marathon loop tackling a world record awarded road!

Day 5

It’s time to take on one of the riskiest roads in the world on a motorcycle! Umling La Pass in India.

Having to cover a large distance in one day of 386km and like all routes across the Himalayas, there is very little certainty on the road conditions you’re going to face. We’ve been using multiple data points to triangulate the best route plan, but the conditions change so quickly on the ground that you have to plan for the unexpected.

The girl on a bike Finding accommodation in the Himalayas

Umling La is the highest motorised road in the world, reaching 19,024 feet /5,798m – sailing higher than Everest base camp and only 12m lower than the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. The air density at the top is sub 50% of sea level oxygen levels. Having spent multiple days gradually increasing our altitude and progressively enhancing our exposure to the risk of altitude sickness we were still unsure if the three of us would make it to the top.

Riskiest roads in the world – Umling La Pass, Himalayas – the world’s highest!

Day 5: Nyoma – Day trip to Umling La via Henle

Total time: 11hr 19min
Riding time: 7hr 31min
Distance: 240miles / 387km
Max altitude reached: 19,009ft
Mountain passes/Road/Highway Names: Photi La (number of hairpins = 84) Umling La

Day 6

A roadside repair, a wrong turn, nose picking, snacking and some epic Himalayan mountain passes make this a fun day in India riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Today we take close proximity to the Chinese border at Pangong Lake after leaving the Diskit Eco lodge homestay in Nyoma. With enthusiasm for the 123km shorter day ahead, we may have got a little ahead of ourselves, and of course as we have learnt during this motorcycle adventure – not everything goes smoothly when in the mountains and when relishing in the off road “shortcuts” things are bound to happen, expect the unexpected.

Drama braving the Indian Himalayas on a motorcycle

Day 6: Nyoma – Pangong

Total time: 7hr 21min
Riding time: 3hr 56min
Distance: 105 miles / 170km
Max altitude reached: 17,800 feet
Mountain passes/Road/Highway Names: Kaksang La, Satatho La

The girl on a bike Himalayan motorcycle (33)

Day 7

The Himalayas never give a dull moment especially on a motorcycle. Day 7 sees us leaving the Pangong Tso lake at Rangjon Resort and heading north west back towards Leh. But as always it’s not a smooth sailing adventure riding, I’ll give you some good tips about riding the Himalayas…including showing you that the holy cows are best not hit!

Our ride took us north hugging the lakes sandy banks running along the twisty single track road boasting breathtaking views of the Caribbean like crystal clear waters. Leaving the proximity of the Chinese/Tibetan border behind, our worries for being around an unexpected military conflict eased and the winding roads continued. The tarmac quality lulled us into a false sense of peace. With 60km left the tarmac ended and super rocky dusty adventure trails begin. A sporty final 15km for the day as we overtook and undertook between trucks, cars and 30+ motorcycles using our horns in the Indian way. Boop boop.

It was an adrenaline rush with our new Royal Enfield Himalayans absolutely sucking up the terrain. When you’re on capable off road adv bikes why wouldn’t you overtake and keep pace?

Close encounter with a cow while adv motorcycle riding Indians Himalayas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM-PlcQ6xko

Day 7: Pangong – Nubra

Total time: 7hr 20min
Riding time: 4hr 22min
Distance: 116miles / 187km
Max altitude reached: 14,400

Day 8

The final push back to Leh was a strange feeling but it felt like the Himalayas didn’t want us to leave… landslide after landslide! As a team we were certainly starting to feel weary of the long 11+ hour days riding, basic sleeping and minimal washing so in some senses we felt ready to reach the end of the trip but with such incredible scenery, mind blowing views, epic roads/lack of roads and such reliable bikes…we also didn’t want the trip to end!

The girl on a bike Himalayan motorcycle (32)

The girl on a bike Himalayan motorcycle (35)

The final day saw us heading south conquering our final pass Khardung at 17,982ft. It’s mad to think that 10 days ago making 12,600ft in Leh had us breathless, and now we’ve been to 19,024ft on the worlds highest motorised road!

With 118km of terrain it was a day of tarmac. However the Himalayas were not going to let us have it easy on our last day! We must have encountered 5+ road blocks from landslides. At one in particular they were drilling into the towering rock face… quickly followed by stuffing some form of dynamite equivalent deep into the holes. We stood by our bikes watching and wondering if our life choices of being on this mountain side at this time was a wise one. Was there another way around?

The Himalayas didn’t want us to leave…landslide after landslide

Day 8: Nubra – Leh

Total time: 7hr 32min
Riding time: 3hr 26min
Distance: 73miles / 118km

Route Planning

If you would like to see the full route we took whilst riding through the Himalaya mountains in India, or use our route as a basis to plan your next adventure you can find the map files in the links below

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