TRANS HIMALAYAN MOTOR BIKE SAFARI-19 NIGHTS 20 DAYS
TRANS HIMALAYAN MOTOR BIKE SAFARI A motorbike tour to dream destination Ladakh via another dreamy place in India, Himachal is indeed the best idea of exploring a country that is extremely beautiful. On the Trans Himalayan Motorbike Safari expedition, one has the opportunity to witness some delightful North Indian destinations that are not only scenic but quite the factors that can offer a lot of thrill to the adventure buffs. If you are one of those outlaw bikers, the Trans Himalayan safari can be your idea of an incredible trip. Beginning from the lovely city of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, the motorbike expedition starts to roll as soon as one reaches Sarahan, the abode of Bheemkali. On this expedition get the chance to witness the charisma of River Sutlej that becomes a companion in the expedition a number of times. Also, be a part of history by travelling of Old Hindustan Tibet Road (the silk route of India). Pass through the last Indian village, Chitkul and take blessings of Chandika Devi in Kothi. Witness thousand years old group of monasteries in Tabo and traverse through the gorgeous Pin Valley. Pass high mountain passes like Baralacha La and Lachalung and cross high altitude meadows Changthang that nomads call their home to reach to the beautiful alpine lakes like Tsokar and Tsomoriri. Conclude your epic journey with sightseeing in Leh and get a good sleep before returning back home with memories that will last forever. Here is the detailed itinerary for you.
Activities
ITINERARY
Day1 ARRIVE DELHI Arrive Delhi and meet our representative who shall assist you to your hotel from the airport for the overnight stay.
Day2 DELHI FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING Today, we shall visit major attractions of Delhi like Qutab Minar, India Gate (War Memorial) Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, which is the cremations sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru. We shall also visit Jama Masjid, Red Fort and Chandni Chowk and will drive past President's House, Parliament House and Secretariat buildings. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day3 DELHI TO CHANDIGARH BY TRAIN AND DRIVE TO SHIMLA Today in the morning, we shall leave for Shimla via Chandigarh. We will travel to Chandigarh by Shatabdi Express, which will take 3 hours. We will spend few hours in Chandigarh visiting the government buildings, lake and rock garden and then post lunch will drive to Shimla. In about 4hours we will reach Shimla. Upon arrival, check into a hotel for a night stay.
Day4 FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING IN SHIMLA In the morning, we will Jakhu Temple, which is famous for its 119 feet statue of Lord Hanuman. After this, we shall drive to Indian Institute of Advanced Studies which was once the residence of British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Later, we shall visit the museum which offers an insight on the culture and heritage of Himachal Pradesh. Post lunch, we will take a walk to the Kennedy House, Gorton Castle, railway board building, State Bank and the telegraph office. The walk will be concluding at the Scandal Point, where we shall visit Gaiety Theatre. Overnight stay in the hotel in Shimla.
Day5 SHIMLA TO SARAHAN- 151 KMS AND 07 HOURS Today, our Trans Himalayan Motor Biking expedition will begin. In the morning, we will drive to Sarahan via Kufri and Narkanda. Situated at an altitude of 2708 Meters, Narkanda is an ideal skiing destination in Himachal Pradesh. The place also offers a stunning panorama of the plains below and of the surrounding snow ranges. After having tea in Narkanda, we shall drive to Rampur, which is located at the bank of River Sutlej on Old Hindustan Tibet Road. From Rampur, it is an hour drive to Sarahan, which is famous for its Goddess Bhimakali Temple. Overnight stay in Sarahan.
Day6 SARAHAN TO SANGLA- 116 KMS AND 5 HOURS In the morning today, we shall visit the Goddess Bhimakali Temple. After the visit, we will ride to the beautiful valley of Sangla in Kinnaur. The drive is along the bank of Sutlej River and through the power projects on this river. We shall cross small villages like Chora and Nigulsari and take deep cut at Tranda. Leaving the highway at Karcham, we will drive towards Baspa valley where Sangla is situated at a distance of about 17kms. On arrival, we will check into the hotel, evening is free to explore the valley with a short walk to Kamru Fort, which is a magnificent five storey structure. Overnight stay at Sangla.
Dat7 SANGLA TO KALPA (57 KMS AND 2 HOURS) From Sangla today, we will bike to Chitkul (24 Kms), which is the last village on Indo-China border. En route, we shall visit Rakcham Village and Mastrang that are two scenic areas. We then ride on same road till Karcham, wherefrom Kalpa is 4kms. Overnight stay in Kalpa.
Day8 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.
Day9 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.
Day10 TABO TO PIN VALLEY WITH DANKHAR MONASTERY (50 KMS) 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.
Day11 PIN VALLEY TO KAZA WITH LHALUNG MONASTERY EXCURSION (52 KMS) In the morning, we shall cross the river at Attargu and ride 14kms on a link road to reach Lhalung Monastery in Lingti Valley.The monastery is also known as Golden Temple and is one of the earliest monasteries founded in Spiti by the great Tibetan Buddhist lotswa (translator), Rinchen Zangpo. Post monastery visit, we shall descend to the main road and bike 10 more kilometers more to reach Kaza, which is the headquarter of Spiti Valley. Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day12 EXCURSION OF KEE, KIBBER, LANGZA, HIKKIM & KOMIC AND BACK TO 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 TSOKAR (135 KMS AND 7 HOURS) Our bike ride will be from Sarchu to Tsokar 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, we shall diverge to the salt water lake of Tsokar, which lies 22 km away. Overnight at fixed camps.
Day16 TSOKAR TO TSOMORIRI (4485 M) (70 KMS AND 2 HOURS) Today, we shall visit Tsomoriri, which is situated in the Changthang area that was declared as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003. We will start late morning for Tsomoriri and in about 2 hours will reach our destination. The area around Tsomoriri is the best place to see Ladakh's wildlife which includes kiangs, Tibetan blue sheep, marmots, red foxes and a variety of birds. Overnight at fixed camp.
Day17 TSOMORIRI TO LEH- 280 KMS AND 7 HOURS After the breakfast, we shall bike towards Leh via Sumdo, which is 48kms from Tsomoriri. The highlights along the way are the mountain pass of Namshang La (4800 m) and the village of Puga. Beyond Sumdo, we shall cross from the southern bank of the Indus to the northern bank, across the Mahe Bridge. Another 22kms will lead us to the village of Chumathang, famous for its hot sulphur springs. A ride of 90kms along the River Indus from Chumathang to Upshi via the checkpoint for tolls and permit checks will curves its way between the lofty mountains and gorges of the Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges. From Upshi, a distance of 51kms north along the River Indus will take us to our destination, Leh.
Day18 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.
Day19 PANGONG LAKE EXCURSION Early in the morning, we shall travel to east via Chang La (5,475 M) to Pangong Lake, (4267m) 145 Kms / 5 hours one way. We shall go up to the Pangong Lake shore and the first village, Lukung. The distance is about 134kms and extends from India to Tibet. Pangong is 60% in China. In the evening, turn back to Leh.
Day20 LEH TO DELHI Fly to Delhi (01 hour) and later board your flight back home.
*You can visit Manali on Day 14 and after spending one day there, can reach Delhi on Day 16. If you want to do this, kindly mail us.
End of the trip and services.
