Exploring
Zanskar Valley Motorcycle Tour - Contact
us
Route:
Leh - Alchi - Lamayuru - Dha Hanu - Kargil - Rangdum - Karsha -
Padum - Tsomoriri - Khardung La Top - Nubra Valley - Leh ; Grade:
Moderate to Tough ; Best Time: June End - Sep ;
Dates:
-
2006
-1 GP .15 July -28/ II GP.July29 July 11 Gp III.Aug12 Aug - 25 Aug
2007
- IGP. 14 July - 27 July II GP 28 July - 10 Aug III- 11 Aug - 31
Aug
Cost
- € 1.850 € per person + internal air fares- 10
%Less for Pillion rider
Picture
Gallery for Ladakh Motorbike Tours
South
East of Rangdum Stands the Pazila watershed across which lies Zanskar
Valley nestling along the main range of the greater Himalayas, the
valley most isolated of all the Himalayan ranges is cut of from
the World for almost 6 months in a year due to High passes covered
with snow. Ladakh sector is an arid landscape with high altitude
deserts, snow covered peaks and high mountain passes - we will cross
the Khardung La - the highest motorable pass in the world on this
Royal Enfield Motorcycle Tour. In spite of the high passes this
Motorcycle Tour is not simply about burning out energies but also
relaxing. The ride is mainly in valleys - it is only when we cross
the High Mountain passes that we will take on the challenges. Of
course the road conditions on this route can be challenging as they
are not always metalled or in the best state of repairs.
Between
the Great Himalayan Range and the jagged mountains of the Zanskar
Range is the 300-km long, remote valley of Zanskar. It is to be
noted that this area is not accessible by road for the maximum part
of the year. With an average valley bottom altitude of 13000-ft/4000
m it is one of the highest inhabited regions in the world. The two
major rivers are Stod and Tsarap, which join to form the mighty
Zanskar River. This eventually merges with the Indus River at Nimu
having cut an impressive gorge through the Zanskar Mountains. This
gorge is famous for the winter expedition (Chaddar).
This
area is still insulated from the effects of modernisation and from
the pollution of city life. The inhabitants are simple in their
lifestyle and religion plays a very important role in their day
to day life. In this bleak, inhospitable land the people are warm
and friendly. They live an unsophisticated life subsisting on barley
and peas the only two items that the unyielding weather allows them
to grow. For a living they make woollen goods from the wool yielded
by sheep and Yak, and butter. Shepherds move in camps with their
sheep, fighting the harsh weather. The wealth of the people lies
in their flocks and ponies.
Day
01: Delhi - Leh
Arrive Delhi ex International Flight & take connecting flight
to Leh early morning. Day at Leisure to acclimatise.
Day
02: In Leh
Today is again a "leisure" day because is essential at
this altitude to acclimatise properely. We will explore the delights
of Leh in the morning and in afternoon get introduced to the "Bullet",
your close companion for the next few days as you start your motorbike
holiday into Zanskar.
Day
03: Leh - Alchi - Lamayuru
Drive to Alchi & Lamayuru Monasteries. Enroute visit - Nimu,
the confluence point of Zanskar & Indus rivers. See Basgo –
A Ruined fortress which houses a statue of Maitreya enroute.
O/Nt Camp.
Day
04: Ride to Dha - Hanu (Indo Aryan Village)
Spend the day exploring the villages and interacting with the local
people known as the Dards or Brokpas. O/Nt Camp.
Day
05: Ride to Kargil.
In the town around Drass and Kargil live the people of the Dard
origin whose homeland was originally in Gilghit, in present day
Pakistan. O/Nt Hotel.
Day
06: Ride into the Zanskar Valley.
Drive to Rangdum. Visit Gompa perched on a steep sugar loaf hilltop.
The walls more Ornate than in Ladakh valley. Buddha reliefs carved
in stone with Chortens and Mandalas in the background. Over night,
Camp
Day
07: Ride to Karsha & Padum
Drive to Padum - the head quarter of the Zanskar region. The township
clings to hillock. At leisure to explore the area including a visit
to the Karsha Gompa, the largest and most important Gompa in the
Zanskar Valley. Overnight Camp.
Day
08: Drive to Karu.
Day
09: Ride to Tso Moriri.
Drive to Upshi and along the Indus riverbank to Chumathang. The
region is sparsely populated but rich in wildlife. Red fox, Wild
ass and the highly endangered snow leopard inhabit the area. Cross
Mahe Bridge to Tsomoriri. Overnight Safari camp near the lake.
Day
10: Tso Moriri and Around
Explore the lake. Reflections of the snow-covered peaks further
enhances the beauty of the region. We will also ride up to Tso Kar,
a smaller brackish lake near Tso Moriri and make an excursion to
Korzok Gompa in the evening.
Day
11: Ride back to Leh
Have a welcome break overnight in the hotel in Leh. Nothing like
a hot Shower after the last few days of camping!
Day
12: Leh - Khardung La (5602 M) - Nubra Valley
Today we are heading further north. Our objective is the head of
the Nubra Valley, the Khardung La, at 5,602 meters the highest motorable
pass in the world!
After
a short break we will have to move on to reach the Nubra Valley.
This is a stretch where we can drive on much faster but you will
be compelled to stop many times to capture the Shyok River and the
beautiful scenery on camera. We will drive to Deluxe tentage accommodation
for Overnight stay.
Day
13: Nubra Valley - Leh
After an early breakfast we will head out to explore the beautiful
Nubra Valley. After some great riding experience in this remote
area we will head back for Leh. We will cross over Khardung La a
second time, in the afternoon and drive down to Leh. Over night
at Hotel in Leh.
Day
14: Fly Leh /Delhi & connecting flight Home.
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