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| Quick Facts | |
| Means of travel: | Motorbiking |
| Country: | India |
| Grade of expedition: | Moderate |
| Group size: | 4-10 motorbikers |
| Next departure: | 6 July 2010 – 19 July 2010 |
| Days: | 14 |
| FAQ: | View |
| Terms & Conditions: | Download |
| Introduction | Are you up for the challenge? |
| The LEF Factor | The price |
| Itinerary | Next departure dates |
| Our guides | Photo Gallery |
Introduction
This motorbike expedition takes you to the highest roads of the world; the Indian Himalayas. The only time you can ride this route is during the three months of summer when the melting snow reveals the amazing roads, which are only then opened up to traffic. Few petrol stations can be found in this remote area of the world and spare tanks of additional petrol are carried along.
The Himalayas are an inspiring place with their steep mountain ranges, high altitude plains and the dry winds blowing through the open valleys. You will ride through this amazing scenery passing small settlements, monasteries and the occasional herd of sheep on the road. You will share this road with large, brightly coloured trucks and you will become an expert in riding a classic vintage motorbike, the Royal Enfield, in challenging road conditions.
Riding a Royal Enfield on this particular route is very special. You will ride the motorbike as the locals do and experience Indian motorbike riding in it truest sense. The best way to be part of the local culture is to ride this iconic motorbike with local people. Therefore LEF works with local guides who know the roads like the back of their hands, truly love their Enfields and are eager to show you their unique world of motorbike travel.
LEF Factor
LEF expedition has the LEF Factor consisting of three characteristics: Firstly, the expedition is challenging. You have to be brave crossing the Himalayas on a motorbike, riding over the highest roads in the world. Secondly, each expedition is a route of travel so we venture from one place to another. Thirdly, top location! We choose the finest routes for riding a motorbike in the world. This particular route is one where the local culture breathes motorbike riding and the roads are if they were made for it. Riding this specific motor bike through the Himalayas is being part of the local Indian motorbike culture. All these characteristics together make this expedition a true LEF expedition.
Day 1 Manali The first day of the expedition starts. We will get the motorbikes ready and introduce you to your fellow travellers and guides, with whom you will ride over the coming two weeks. This day is all about getting used to riding an unfamiliar bike on Indian roads. For many people this will be the first encounter with Enfields and Himalayan roads and we want to make sure that you feel confident about your riding abilities before we take off to Leh.
Day 2 Keylong On the second day we will ride from Manali to Keylong. We will start riding the motorbikes early in the morning to beat the main traffic on the Rohtang pass to Keylong. The Rohtang pass will give us a spectacular view with its altitude of 3978 metres high (13051 ft).
Day 3 Serchu Today we will experience wide open valleys surrounded by high mountains as we ride to Serchu. We will pass the last petrol station on our way to Leh. Here we will fill up our motorbikes and spare tanks to have sufficient petrol for our journey. In Serchu we will make use of tents to stay the night. This could be a parachute tent or separate tents depending on preference and availability.
Day 4 Pang This day we will bring you further into the Himalayas while crossing roads through open valleys and in-between steep mountains. This is a beautiful part of the route where you will be amazed by rock formations and the reddish colour of the mountains.
Day 5 Leh Today you will be challenged by riding over the second highest pass for motor vehicles in the world. The Taglang La Pas, which at 5359 metres (17,582 ft) high will give you a spectacular view. We will also visit the magical Shey Monastery on our expedition to Leh.
Day 6 & 7 Leh and Hemis After the extensive ride of the past few days we will have a relaxing day where you can discover the city of Leh. Leh was the capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh, now part of Jammu and Kashmir. On your free day you can visit the famous Shanti Stupa built above the city so providing you with a good climb as well a great view. Or you can walk around town, visit the local market and have your sore muscles massaged. The second day we will visit the local Buddish festival at the Hemish Monastery.
Day 8 Khardongla - Aalchi Today you will ride over the highest pass in the world, namely the Kardongla Pass reaching 5600 metres (18,360 ft). If you bring prayer flags with you, which you can buy at the local market in Leh, then you can climb to the top of the mountain and hang your own prayer flags between the thousands of other flags waving in the wind. You can write prayers on your flags and the wind will carry them through the valleys to be heard. We will continue our way to Aalchi where we will stay the night.
Day 9 Lamayuru - Leh We will visit the inspiring local monastery of Lamayuru and ride back to Leh
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Day 10 Pangon Tso Today you can choose between a day of relaxation in Leh, or making a rough motorbike ride to the beautiful lake Pangon Tso. Riding to Pangon Tso is a long day, leaving early in the morning and arriving back late in Leh. However, you will be rewarded with the sight of an impressive salt lake and cross the third highest pass in the world, the Changla pass.
Day 11 Tso Morriri Early in the morning we will ride from Leh to Tso Morriri, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in this region. It is a long day so sleep well and be prepared for many hours of riding enjoyment.
Day 12-13 Serchu - Keylong We join the road travelled before and ride back via Serchu and Keylong.
Day 14 Manali Congratulations! You have accomplished riding approximately 1800 kilometres of challenging roads through the Indian Himalayas and conquered the highest road passes in the world. You are now an expert riding the Royal Enfield and can easily get through herds of sheep, overtake trucks on narrow roads and greet people on the road with a Namaste-gesture while riding. You have mastered the Indian roads, experienced local Buddhist culture and made friends on your heroic journey. Now it is time for a celebration and fare well dinner in Vashishat.
Anu is your man! He is the guide who leads the expedition and making sure you will have a great time riding your motorbike through the Himalayas. He has lived his whole life in Ladakh and has been riding a Royal Enfield since his early teenage years. He is a local legend, and well known in the motorbike scene of Ladakh. He is a committed guide who will make sure you will have a good time riding a motorbike, an expert in fixing
Are you up for the Challenge?
The expedition is challenging. The road conditions vary a lot; some parts are reasonably straight and easy to ride whereas other parts of the road are flooded by debris and mountain water. The road can change without warning leaving you to negotiate metres of deep sand ahead. As we are riding through the mountains the roads can be narrow with a steep drop. Dealing with traffic in such road conditions becomes challenging, sometimes you have to overtake slow traffic like trucks and buses, manoeuvre around cows on the road or quickly find a good spot alongside the road for allowing upcoming traffic to pass you. Traffic in villages like Manali and Leh can be dense and confusing and will require a fast response and good motor biking skills to stay safe on the road.
You are up for the challenge if you are physically fit, feel comfortable riding a motorbike and have the right attitude. Although the numbers of kilometres may seem few on a day, you will still ride continuously for many hours continuously due to different road conditions. Being physically fit allows you to enjoy riding the motorbike for many hours a day, and constantly over a two week period. Furthermore, it is important that you are confident riding a motorbike in technically challenging road conditions and that you are able to assess, anticipate and respond quickly to changing traffic situations. But probably most important of all is having the right attitude. If you are positive, enjoy challenging yourself and are determined to make it a great journey, then you will ride as a king or queen the road. However, if you are not determined, give up easily and take that attitude with you on the bike, the journey will be a very long one.
The price
The price for the Royal Himalayas expedition is 1900 Euro per customer. If you would like to join as a pillion passenger the price is 1600 Euro. As a pillion passenger you can either sit at the back of your companion’s motorbike or travel behind the motorbikes in the support vehicle. Places for pillion passengers are limited. Prices include taxes.
The price includes
• 500cc Royal Enfield Motorbike for the duration of the expedition
• Mid-range accommodation on twin share basis
• All meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) including coffee or chai (tea)
• Experienced guide and mechanic 
• Support vehicle for luggage transport and limited place for pillions
• Fuel costs, maintenance and repair
• Spare parts, tools and first aid kits.
• Fare well dinner in Vahishat
The price excludes
• International Flights to Dehli and local transport to Manali
• Travel Insurance Policy, Tourist Visa India and Vaccinations
• Personal Expenses like laundry, souvenirs and (alcoholic) drinks
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Next departure dates
6 July 2010 – 19 July 2010
The group visits Hemis Festival.
