Ladakh is one of the most iconic motorbiking destinations not only in India but also the world. Every year, thousands of bikers arrive here to attempt the famous Leh Ladakh bike trip routes. While riding here, you ride through the stark landscape, seeing high-altitude deserts and some of the highest motorable roads like Khardung La and Rohtang La, all in the company of the snow-capped Himalayan Peaks.
On your Leh Ladakh bike trip, you also visit many historic monasteries, alpine lakes that change colour as the day progresses, quaint little villages bustling with rich culture and heritage, and cross many wooden bridges over gushing streams and rivers.
Riding in Ladakh is on every biker’s bucket list and rightfully so - it offers the experience of riding powerful bikes through one of the most surreal landscapes of India. Due to this, the routes of Ladakh have almost become sacred, and the Ladakh bike tour - a pilgrimage for bikers in the world.
There are a few routes when it comes to Leh Ladakh bike tour that you can choose from, depending on the number of days you have or the distance you want to cover. Here are some of the most common routes listed on our website:
Leh to Leh Bike Tour (6-8 days)
These short itineraries begin and end in Leh, and are perfect for those who don’t have too much time. You’ll see the best that Ladakh has to offer, and we can guarantee, you’ll want to book a longer trip for next season.
These itineraries typically start in the small centre of Leh, and you'll have a day or two to acclimatize, so you'll get a chance to see the charming life of Leh locals. The operator usually conducts a short briefing session and some even let you test out the bikes before embarking on the trip. After that, you'll set off to into the horizon with your team of bikers, exploring the moon-like landscape of Lamayuru, seeing the craggy peaks around Nubra, and witnessing the stunning beauty of Pangong Lake.
You’ll cross rivulets created by melting glaciers, navigate rocky patches, visit silent monasteries, and explore some of the most spectacular parts of India. From Rohtang Pass to Khardung La, and from the picturesque Pangong Lake to the scenic Nubra Valley, these short Leh biking trips give you the chance to see the most iconic landmarks of the Trans-Himalayan route.
And while you conquer the desolate landscape and the wild rivers of Ladakh, you'll also have plenty of quiet moments - a shared cup of tea with a shepherd or a local villager, a campfire and song session under the stars, or a moment of awestruck solitude somewhere in the middle of the Nubra desert. When you return, you'll always have Ladakh embedded in your heart.
Manali to Leh Bike Tour (10-13 days) (return to Manali)
The Manali-Leh route is a pilgrimage for bikers, and this Leh Ladakh bike trip itinerary gives you a chance to experience it in two ways. On your way up from Manali to Leh, you’ll start in the green valleys of Manali, with blooming flowers and apple orchards.
As you ride, the lush greenery gives way to the weather-bleached landscape of Ladakh. This itinerary gives you enough time to truly soak in the majesty of the Himalayas and experience the wonderful diversity of this route. You'll also have a couple of rest days, and most itineraries allow you to spend a night at Pangong. This gives you the chance to wake up on the banks of arguably the most stunning lake in India, and to watch as the sun sets over it.
On your return to Delhi or Manali, you’ll have a chance to take in the changing scenery again, enjoying your favourite parts and marking them in your memory for all time.
Srinagar-Leh-Srinagar Bike Tour (9-12 days)
Riding through the dramatic landscape of Kargil and into the lush green paradise of Srinagar and Sonmarg is every biker’s dream, and these Srinagar motorbiking trips combine the best of it all. You’ll ride through some of the most extreme terrains that this land has to offer, from the deserts of Nubra to the moonscape of Lamayuru.
Some itineraries offer you a chance to ride past Pangong and all the way into Turtuk, the last Indian village before the Line of Control. As you cross into Kargil, and head to Srinagar via Sonmarg, you'll feel like you've stepped into a movie set. The last few days of riding are quite long because you have to cover a lot of distance, but by this time, you're used to your bike and enjoying the experience of being on the road.
Most Srinagar biking trips include a visit to Dal lake, and maybe even a night in a houseboat. Every day on this trip is unforgettable, and after all, a Leh Ladakh bike trip should be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
Delhi-Leh-Delhi Bike Tour (13-15 days)
For the truly bike-crazy, these ex-Delhi itineraries give you up to 15 days on the road. You’ll ride out from Delhi itself, leaving the city behind as you head up into the gorgeous land of Ladakh. These Leh Ladakh bike trip schedules can include some long days of driving, but that’s the fun of it.
With 15 days to explore the gorgeous landscape, you'll get plenty of time to witness how it changes. After the city highways of Delhi and Chandigarh, you enter the greenery and fruit orchards of Manali. From here, you'll ride upwards to Jispa and Sarchu Plains, where you'll spend a day to acclimatise.
After that, you enter Leh and see all the wonders it has to offer, before moving on to the paradise that is Kashmir. You’ll spend days in the company of like-minded bikers, riding through a desolate landscape, stopping at gem-like lakes, and seeing mountains that will be imprinted in your mind forever.
Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Difficulty
Considering that the Ladakh bike trip takes place at a high altitude with roads that are often damaged or rough, these itineraries can be classified as one of the harder ones out there. Beginners may not be able to endure the long hours and difficult conditions.
You should know how to ride a motorcycle well in mountainous areas and rugged roads, be comfortable with riding about 8 hours a day, and ensure that you’re physically fit and ready for the epic trip.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), fatigue, back and shoulder pain, and nausea are common on a Leh Ladakh road trip if you don’t acclimatise well, take frequent breaks, and keep yourself well-hydrated. Though it is an adventure of a lifetime, it is also the ultimate test for bikers, so be prepared physically and mentally.
Best time to go to Leh Ladakh
The best season for Ladakh motorbiking trips is the months of late June to September. This is when the weather is best, with clear, sunny days and chilly nights. The high-altitude passes are usually clear of snow towards August and September, and the lakes and rivers are full and sparkling.
Starting October and going all the way to April, Ladakh grows extremely cold. Winters might be unbearable for most people with minimum temperatures falling below the zero mark. Many roads become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and biking trips are not held during this time.
Places to visit Leh Ladakh
Depending on which route you pick, you will visit various iconic sights on your Leh Ladakh road trip. For most trips, you’ll have ample time to acclimatise at and explore the city of Leh, visit the cold deserts of Nubra Valley, ride on some of the highest passes in the world like Khardung La, Chang La, Lachulung La, etc, visit the infamous Pangong Lake and other high-altitude lakes like Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal, visit legendary monasteries, and lots more.
You may even ride through parts of the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, visit the Dal Lake in Kashmir, and spend a night in the historic town of Kargil, among other unique things you can do on your Ladakh bike trip.
How safe is the Leh Ladakh bike trip?
All Ladakh bike trips are planned with a full crew and support vehicles. Even shorter itineraries are difficult and can put you through some physically challenging days. There are rules to be followed and all decisions are taken at the discretion of your road captain.
In case of minor emergencies while on the Leh Ladakh bike trip, your road captain and support team will be available to assist you. A basic first aid kit will be available, but please ensure that you carry your personal medication for the trip. The support team will also be fully equipped to do instant repairs on your bike, if needed.
In case you are feeling unwell or seem unfit to carry on with the trip, you may be asked to stay at the base location. This is a decision made to ensure your safety while on the trip. Consumption of alcohol, tobacco products, vape pens, or any other intoxicants is strictly prohibited to ensure your own safety and the safety of those around you.
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