AMRITSAR MANALI LEH SRINAGAR BIKE TOUR-20 NIGHTS 21 DAYS
AMRITSAR MANALI LEH SRINAGAR MOTOR BIKE SAFARI TOUR Add Punjab and a motorbike to a tour of Himachal, Ladakh and Kashmir, what you get is an unparalleled experience that remains etched in a memory forever. Beginning from taking the blessings from Golden Temple in Amritsar, the motorbike tour takes different forms at different places of visit and finally ends with the blessing of Shankaracharya in Srinagar. The highlight of the expedition is the Manali-Leh Highway, which is every bikers dream to cross. Stopover to explore the home of His Holiness Dalai Lama, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala and check out the authentic Tibetan art at the gallery here. The journey then further continues to the gorgeous Tirthan Valley via Mandi making you witness beautiful tea gardens of Palampur and the holy temple of Lord Shiva, Baijnath. Through Jalori Pass, reach Sarahan, the abode of Bheemkali. The motorbike expedition let you cross several small anc charming villages like Sumdo and Tashigang in Himachal. As soon as Ladakh seem to approach, the greenery starts to decrease and vast stretches of barren lands start to appear. Explore in Ladakha a wide range of monasteries like Hemis, Phyang and Lamayuru and then visit the second coldest place on earth, Drass. Through the famous town of Kargil and Zoji Pass conclude your motorbike expedition at a destination that has been declared as Paradise on Earth, Kashmir.
Activities
ITINERARY
Day1 ARRIVE DELHI On arrival, our office representative will meet and assist you to your hotel from the airport for an overnight stay in Delhi.
Day2 DELHI TO AMRITSAR BY TRAIN Today, we will board train to Amritsar, which is one of the most important pilgrimage centres especially for the people of Sikh religion in the country. On arrival, check-in to a hotel. After check in, visit the famous Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day3 FULL DAY IN AMRITSAR WITH VISIT TO INDO- PAK BORDER AT WAGAH We shall visit the Golden Temple early in the morning. Later we will visit Durgyana Temple, which is another big temple in the city and the Mata Lal Mandir. Post lunch we will precede to Wagah Border, which is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan and it lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar (India) and Lahore (Pakistan). After watching the Retreat Ceremony, we will drive back to the hotel in Amritsar.
Day4 AMRITSAR TO DHARAMSHALA (190 KMS/ 5 HOURS) After the breakfast we will motorbike to Dharamshala. On the way we shall visit the temple near Batala that is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. We will stop for picnic lunch on the way. The drive is scenic. From Dharamshala, we will ride up to 10kms to reach the Mc Leodganj, which is the house of His Holiness Dalai Lama. We shall visit the residence of HH Dalai Lama and the Namgyal Monastery. Overnight stay in a hotel in Dharamshala
Day5 DHARAMSHALA FULL DAY EXCURSION We will spend the day exploring Dharamshala. In the morning, we will visit Tibetan Medical and Astro Centre, Tibetan library, Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Tibetan Handicraft center and Tibetan Children village. Lunch at Norbulinga Institute. This centre is the reflection of Tibetan rich art, craft and culture. A visit to Tibetan kitchen in the evening. We will also visit Lord Elgin's Memorial, the mausoleum of the famous Scottish Eighth Viceroy of India, Lord Elgin.
Day6 DHARAMSALA TO TIRTHAN VALLEY (201 KMS/ 6 HOURS) Today, we shall drive towards Tirthan Valley in Kullu District. We will ride through the beautiful tea gardens of Palampur and shall make a stop at Baijnath, which is a place of ancient Shiva Temple. Further we will bike through the valleys and mountains to Mandi and visit the temples of Trilokinath before reaching the destination. On arrival, check-in to a fishing resort at Ghusheni and explore the valley on foot.
Day7 TIRTHAN VALLEY TO SARAHAN OVER JALORI PASS, 166 KMS/ 7 HOURS Post breakfast we will leave for Jalori Pass (3140 M) via Sojha. We shall motorbike through the forest of Alpine's tree. Jalori Pass is about 35kms from Ghusheni and from here we have to go towards the Sutlej Valley. Just 86kms from the top of Jalori Pass is Rampur, which is a center of silk route trade. From here, we shall drive towards Sarahan, which is famous for its temple of Goddess Bhimakali.
Day8 SARAHAN TO KALPA (127 KMS/ 5 HOURS) In the morning today, we shall visit the Goddess Bhimakali Temple at Sarahan, wherefrom a spectacular view of Shrikhand Mahadev (5227 M) can be obtained. After this memorable visit, we shall continue our journey to the beautiful valley of Kinnaur. The drive will now be along the bank of River Sutlej and through the power projects. En route, we shall witness villages like Chora and Nigulsari . we will then reach Powari and drive up to Kalpa through Rekang Peo. On arrival, check-in to a hotel for overnight stay.
Day9 KALPA TO NAKO (106 KMS AND 4 HOURS) In the morning, we shall visit Kinnaur's most famous Chandika Devi Temple at Kothi, which is situated on the main road for Nako. The temple is popular as Devi Kothi and has beautiful wood carvings and silver plated doors. Through Rekang Peo, Pooh and Khab we shall bike upwards on an adventurous trail to Nako. Situated at an altitude of 3662 Meters, Nako is a cluster of old houses and has a huge lake in between and a monastery dedicated to Lord Padamsambhava. Overnight stay in Nako.
Day10 NAKO TO TABO (63 KMS AND 2 HOURS) Today, we shall visit the monastery in the morning. After the visit, we shall head out for Tabo via Maling Nalla and Sumdo. Some distance from Nako is a village called Tashigang, where it is believe that Guru Padmasambhava meditated and preached to followers. We will further bike to Sumdo where our inner line permits will be checked again. From Sumdo, the Chinese border is just a few kilometers. We shall then proceed to Tabo in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and in the evening explore 1000 years old group of monasteries, known as Ajanta of Himalayas. Overnight stay in Tabo.
Day11 TABO TO KAZA WITH DANKHAR MONASTERY, LHALUNG MONASTERY & PIN VALLEY Early in the morning, we shall take a walk to the caves that are situated in front of Tabo Monastery.The view from the caves is spectacular. Post breakfast, we will leave for Pin Valley. On the way we shall pay visit at Dankhar Monastery, which is situated at an elevation of 3,894 meters (12,774 feet) in the Spiti Valley between Tabo and Kaza. After spending some time at Dankhar Monastery, we will bike to another monastery known as Kungri at Pin Valley. Kungri is Spiti's second oldest monastery that was built around 1330AD and belongs to Niyangma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After visit Kungri, we shall leave for a small bike ride to Mud, which is the last village of Pin Valley and from where trek routes to Kullu and Kinnaur start over the Pin Parvati and Bhaba Pass. Later we come back to our Camp at Pin Valley (Gulling) for an overnight stay.
Day12 EXCURSION OF KEE, KIBBER, LANGZA, HIKKIM & KOMIC AND BACK KAZA- (48 KMS) In the morning, we shall bike to to Kee Gompa, then to Kibber Village and Gompa. From the monastery, we shall take right to Hikkim, Langza and Komic Monasteries and villages. The Kee (4166 M) is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley. Kibber is situated at 4200m and is said to be the gateway to Changthang Valley. Hikkim and Komic are the reckoned to be highest altitude villages of the world. We will bike through the fertile top land of the valley that faces several mountain peaks and ranges. After spending some time here, we will get back to the hotel in Kaza.
Day13 KAZA TO KEYLONG- 185 KMS AND 8 HOURS Post breakfast, we shall head out for Keylong, enroute we will visit small villages like Hansa and Lhosar where we are likely to spot herds of Ibex jumping in the rough mountains across the river. The place Takche offers a panoramic view. We will then start climbing up to the mighty Kunzum Pass (4590 M). The view of distinct mountain ranges from Kunzam Pass is spectacular. After getting a good view from the pass, we will gradually start descending to Batal, a place on the riverbed of Chandra. We need to bike on a rough road from Batal along the river till Chatru (36kms). Then we shall climb Gramphug to join Manali- Leh highway to Keylong. We will also stop at Koksar for the tea and registration of passports and later reach Keylong via various villages of Lahaul Valley and the meeting point of Chandra and Bhaga Rivers at Tandi from where these two rivers become Chenab and flow to Pakistan. Upon arrival in Keylong, check-in to a hotel for night stay.
Day14 KEYLONG TO SARCHU (106 KMS AND 5 HOURS) In the morning, we shall leave bike up to Kardang Monastery, which is believed to have been built in the 12th century and houses a large library of Buddhist literature. After visiting the monastery, we will head out for Sarchu via small villages like Jispa and Darcha. The trail's second pass is Baralacha La (4830m), which lies some 73kms beyond Keylong. Another 33 Kms of a rougher road brings us to a little hamlet of Sarchu which marks the border between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Overnight at fixed camps.
Day15 SARCHU TO LEH Our bike ride will be from Sarchu to LEH today. From Sarchu, the road flattens up to 25km knowns as the Lingti Plains. A gradual climb with hairpin bends thereafter up to 10kms is known as the Gatta Loops (21hairpin bends). The road eventually takes us to Nakee Pass (4800 m). Just downhill from this pass is the Whiskey Nallah, beyond which the road begins to climb to the Lachalung Pass (54 km from Sarchu). Crossing the vast expanse of flat area called the Moray Plains which is a part of the Tibetan Plateau and stretch for almost 40 km. The next high pass is the Tanglang La (5359M), the second highest motorable pass in the world. This is also the last pass on Manali-Leh highway. After the Tanglang La, we shall descend towards small villages, green fields. On arrival in Leh, check-in to a hotel for nightstay.
Day16 FULL DAY IN LEH TO VISIT MONASTERIES Our day will be spent in sightseeing the Indus Valley monasteries. We shall visit Thiksey, Shey and Hemis and other monuments around Leh. We will also pass Sindhu Ghat by the Indus River. In the late afternoon, we will isit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Namgyal Shemo Gompa and then stroll through Leh Bazaar.
Day17 LEH TO ULETOPKO (70 KMS/ 3 HOURS) After the breakfast, we shall motorbike towards Uletopko and visit Phyang Gompa on the way that is located 6kms away from Leh. Further, we shall drive to Likir and visit Likir Gompa and Basgo. After paying visit, we will then cross the River Indus and reach Alchi. After visiting Alchi monastery, we will drive to Uletopko to check-in at the resort for the night.
Day18 ULETOPKO TO KARGIL THROUGH LAMAYURU (193 KMS/ 7 HOURS) Today, post breakfast, we will bike to Kargil. En route, we will visit Rizong Gompa, also known as the paradise for Meditation. We will then reach Lamayuru. And visit the monastery. After it, we will go straight to Kargil over the Fatu-La [3967 M] which is considered the highest pass on Srinagar – Leh road. After driving up the Kangaroo curves, one has the opportunity to get the fascinating view of granite color rocks. Mulbeck and Namika-la (3697M) are other great places on the way to witness. The Chamba statue carved out of a single rock about 144 ft. high at Mulbeck is worth seeing. We shall reach Kargil late in the afternoon and check into the hotel. In the evening, we shall walk out to explore the town.
Day19 KARGIL TO SRINAGAR (202 KMS/ 7 HOURS) Early in the morning, we shall leave for Srinagar via Drass, the second coldest inhabited place on earth. We will also witness Kargil War Memorial and the view of famous Peaks like Tiger Hill and Tololing Peak. We shall cross the Zoji La (3033 M) to enter in Srinagar Valley, which is a different experience. Arrive Srinagar in the evening via the beautiful Sonmarg. Check-in to your houseboat for the night.
Day20 SRINAGAR SIGHTSEEING We shall start our day with an excursion to Shankaracharya Temple and Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) and Shalimar Bagh (Garden of Pleasure). After visiting these places, we shall bike to Gulmarg, which is a world renowned ski resort. In the evening, we will get back to our houseboat and make a small excursion on shikaras (boats) to the floating market in Dal Lake. Dinner in a market restaurant.
Day21 SRINAGAR TO DELHI In the morning, we will leave for the Srinagar airport from where we will board a flight to Delhi. On arrival, our office representative will escort you to the hotel and rest of the day you can independently explore Delhi. After dinner, we shall drive you to the international airport for your flight to home.
End of the trip and services.
