The Srinagar to Manali Bike Tour via Ladakh takes a rider through three different Himalayan regions; Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. Each of these regions offers landscapes that are both incomparable and indescribable. We start the expedition from Srinagar (the biggest city in Kashmir Valley) and make our way to Leh (the biggest city in Ladakh) via the Indo-Pak war battlefield of Kargil. The first couple of days of riding offers some of the most stunning views but the landscape changes drastically after reaching Leh. From lush green mountains in Kashmir, it changes to barren brown mountains in Ladakh. 

During the 11 day Ladakh bike trip we are going to ride through popular places such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and at the same time explore a remote border village known as Turtuk. The journey is going to be organised in the form of a group with riders coming in from all over Indian and some other parts of the world. A group of trained and experienced people from Adventure Nation is going to lead the travelers throughout this Srinagar to Manali Bike Trip via Ladakh. After exploring all what Ladakh has to offer, we are going to ride on some of the most treacherous passes and make our way to the bustling and booming town of Manali.

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Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Srinagar(1535m)

Highlights - Orientation, Srinagar Exploration

Arrive in the heart of Kashmir Valley on your own and meet the Adventure Nation team at the pre booked accommodation. Get acquainted with your fellow riders during the orientation session. Later, you can go out on your own and explore a few sightseeing places in the town and possibly catch the sunset at the Dal Lake. Overnight stay in a houseboat/hotel. 

Day 02: Srinagar to Kargil(2676m) | 202km

Grade/Duration - Difficult/Approx. 7 Hours
Altitude Gain- 1141m
Highlights - Sonamarg, Zoji La, Dras War Memorial

This epic Himalayan adventure starts today from Srinagar. After an early breakfast, start riding on National Highway 1 towards Kargil. After riding for a couple of hours, we are going to cross one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, Sonamarg. The valley offers views that can only be described as if you’re witnessing a wallpaper play out in front of your eyes. Soon after passing through the valley, we start climbing Zoji La(3528) and from the top of the pass, the entire valley is visible. After riding for a couple of more hours we’re going to pass the second coldest place on earth, Dras. We stop for a short while at the Dras War Memorial and then continue riding towards Kargil. After arriving, stay overnight.

Day 03: Kargil to Leh(3500m) | 220km

Grade/Duration - ModerateApprox. 6 Hours
Altitude Gain- 824m
Highlights - Namika La, Fotu La, Lamayuru Monastery,

Today’s ride is going to be comparatively more comfortable as the roads between Kargil and Leh are relatively decent. We again start early in the morning from the hotel and soon after riding for a couple hours, we are going to cross two high passes known as Namika La(3700m) and Fotu La(4108m). Both of these passes are located in the Zanskar region. Another two hours of riding takes us to Lamayuru, which is home to the highest located monastery in the region. Not that the journey until Lamayuru is boring, but the landscape after crossing the village is extraordinary. We continue to ride towards Leh through a spectacular moonscape and reach our destination in the evening. After arriving in the biggest city in Ladakh, check into the hotel and rest for a while. Later, if time permits, you may go out and take a stroll in the Leh market. Stay overnight.

Day 04: Leh to Nubra (3048m) | 160km

Grade/Duration - Difficult/Approx. 7 Hours
Altitude Loss - 452m
Highlights - Khardung La, Diskit Monastery

After a rather relaxed day in Leh, we continue our expedition and start riding towards Nubra Valley through what’s considered the highest motorable road in the world i.e. Khardung La(5359m). The road towards the pass is well paved and tarred till the checkpoint near South Pullu and after crossing the checkpoint, the road starts to get slushy with loose rocks on one side. Get yourself clicked after reaching Khardung La and hit the road quickly as it is not safe to spend much time on top of the pass due to the high altitude and thin air. We stop for a quick lunch after climbing down from the pass and then continue our journey. After riding for another couple of hours, we make a brief stop to visit the 32m high Maitreya Buddha statue in Diskit Monastery. Our arrival in the valley will be welcomed by the white sand dunes and the sightings of the double-hump Bactrian camels grazing. Stay overnight at the hotel/campsite.

Day 05: Excursion to Turtuk

Today is going to be a rather relaxed day as we are going to stay the night at the same place. After breakfast, we are going to ride to an astonishingly beautiful place called Turtuk. Claimed by Pakistan after the end of British rule in 1947, Turtuk was annexed in India after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Due to its proximity to the border, the village was kept isolated for many decades and was only open for tourists after 2010. Since then, the village , cradled by the Karakoram mountains, has been hosting a lot of adventure travelers. Unlike the dry landscape of the region, Turtuk is quite green and is situated on the banks of Shyok River. After exploring the surroundings, we are going to ride back to our accommodation in Hunder and stay another night.

Day 06: Nubra to Pangong(4250m) | 260km

Grade/Duration - Difficult/Approx. 8 Hours
Altitude Gain -1202m
Highlights - Riding along Shyok River, Water Crossings 

After having breakfast, we start riding towards the most photographed destination in Ladakh, Pangong Lake. Despite the fact that we are not going to cross any high pass today, the ride should be quite interesting as we ride on the much less travelled road via Shyok. Most of our ride is going to be along the beautiful Shyok River and through the villages like Agham, Shyok, Durbuk and Tangste. The road remains slushy along with some exciting water crossings and rocky terrain so being cautious is important. After crossing Durbuk, the last stretch of the ride is going to be along the lake. From the very first glimpse, the lake leaves an everlasting impression on the visitors. Get yourself photographed and just admire the wonder that is this shimmering blue lake. Overnight stay in tents. 

Day 07: Pangong to Leh(3500m) | 150km

Grade/Duration - Moderate/Approx. 5 Hours
Altitude Loss - 750m
Highlights - Chang La, Druk White Lotus School

Wake up to an enchanting sunrise over Pangong Tso and recommence your Ladakh expedition. Today we are going to ride the same route that we rode yesterday and after crossing Durbuk, we will start climbing the third highest motorable pass in the world, Chang La(5360m). After crossing Chang La, we halt for Lunch. After eating, we start our journey to Lah via Karu from where we start riding on the Manali-Leh Highway. Just before reaching Leh, we are going to pass through the Thiksey monastery and the popular Druk White Lotus School. There will be a short halt to explore the monastery and take some pictures. After riding for approximately an hour, we will arrive in Leh for the second time during the expedition. Stay Overnight.

Day 08: Leh to Sarchu(4290m) | 250km

Grade/Duration - Moderate/Approx. 6 Hours
Altitude Gain- 790m
Highlights - Tanglang La, Morey Plains, Lachung La, Nakee La, Gata Loops

After witnessing all the wonderful things that Ladakh had to offer, it’s time to head to another Himalayan wonder; Himachal Pradesh. We are going to ride on the widely popular Leh-Manali Highway throughout the day and ride through some of the highest motorable roads in the region. Riding along the Indus river, we’re going to cross the highest pass on the highway; Tanglang La(5328m). Just after crossing the pass, the road starts to get much better as we ride through the Morey Plains toward Pang. After having lunch at Pang, we continue our journey to Manali and cross a couple of more high passes; Lachung La(5059m) and Nakee La(4769m). The adventure doesn’t end after crossing all these high passes as we ride through a series of 21 hairpin bends, known as the Gata Loops. Another thirty minute ride brings us to Sarchu. Get some rest and have dinner at the campsite. Stay overnight.

Day 09: Sarchu to Manali  | 200km

Grade/Duration - Moderate/Approx. 6 Hours
Highlights - Atal tunnel, keylong.

This is going to be the last day of riding on this expedition so try to make the most of it. We start from our hotel/campsite after having breakfast and continue to ride on the Leh-Manali Highway. Kick Start The Bike And Pass Through The Iconic Route Of Atal Tunnel and Some Of The Most Scenic Villages Of Lahaul Valley. After arriving in Manali, check in to the hotel and return the bike. Later go out with your recently made friends and explore Manali on your own. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Departure from Manali

Wake up nice and easy and have breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have half a day to explore Manali and later catch the overnight bus to Delhi.

Trip Ends.