Himalaya, India The Trans-Himalayan
TRAVEL DESIGNER Stephane Gautronneau ALEXANDRE ZURCHER More than 10 years ago, Alex Zurcher, a young French student came to New Delhi for a simple University exchange. Fast forward to today, he has set up Vintage Rides and has now expanded its presence in nine countries. An explorer by heart, he's always looking to discover new adventures around the world. An intense Himalayan motorcycle trip on challenging trails that lead to Ladakh, perched at several thousand metres altitude amid stunning, unspoilt scenery. 2
MAP A TRIP WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS The Leh-Manali Highway, aka the Trans-Himalayan, is definitely the most beautiful motorbike raid in India. Your target: Khardung La, the world s highest motorable pass (5,602m/18,379ft). Prepare for an extreme expedition on the edge of beyond. Riding your Royal Enfield, you ll cross a first unforgettable pass, Rohtang La (3900m/12,795ft), a passageway between two worlds: from verdant, mainly Hindu valleys to desert-like high plateaux where the Tibetan Buddhist culture is in clear evidence. In this land of mountain passes, you will cross bewitching lunar landscapes, only encountering nomadic goat and yak herders. A physical challenge for explorers seeking the ultimate, who will join the club of Himalayan motorbiking devotees. 3
AT A GLANCE 6-8h riding a day Unexpected events on the road Remote regions Period June to September Duration 15 days including 9 days riding Level Demanding English-speaking tour leader Accommodation Standard From 2560 4
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES STAGE 1 Arrival in Delhi Pick up at the airport and transfer to a hotel in the heart of New Delhi. Your room is available from 12 pm. Night at the hotel. Delhi - Manali Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 2 Free morning in New Delhi and a group meeting with all the participants at the hotel at 3 pm. Transfer to the bus station and departure by a night bus to Manali at 6 pm. Night in a comfortable bus, although the journey is long (17-19 hours). 5
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Manali [30 km 1h riding] Arrival in Manali early in the morning and free day to acclimatize. We get our first glimpse of the Royal Enfield 500cc. On bikes, we visit the Kulluvalley, then the fort and the Manali temple which were built in the 10 th century. On the way back, we ride through rustic villages with an exotic view. Night at the hotel. Formerly known as Kulanthapitha, the end of the liveable world, Kullu valley is not only mythically known for its deities living amongst the mortals, but also for its welcoming nature, its natural beauty, gardens and orchards and its famous Hashish. Presently, Kullu is known as Land of the Gods as the valley is interspersed with numerous temples. STAGE 3 Manali - Jispa (3350m) [140 km 5h riding] STAGE 4 Day of departure. We go up to the Kullu valley riding on a series of endless zigzag tracks. Finally through the Rothang La (3980m), we pass the frontier between two worlds: we leave the Indian Sub continent behind, and get ready to enter the divine Buddhist world on a spectacular slope leading to Lahaul, a Diaspora of Buddhism and Hinduism. Crossing the Pattan valley, we reach the very impressive Chandra valley. Visit to Triloknath temples. Overnight stay in a guest house. 6
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Jispa - Sarchu (4300m) [75 km 4h riding] STAGE 5 We get back to the main valley and move north to visit some breathtaking gorges. We visit some old monasteries locally known as Gompas. We go on to discover barren, almost unpopulated landscapes. The road leads upwards in the direction of the Baracha La pass (4890m), before entering a desolate valley. Camping in the mountainous pastures of Sarchu. STAGE 6 Sarchu - Leh (3500m) [260 km 7h riding] The road leads up again to Lachung La (5065m) and plunges into the deep and impressive gorges and the desert of Pang Moore Plains. We then head towards the Tanglang La pass (5330m), the world s second highest motorable pass. We come across a few villages as we approach the Indus valley. We quickly descend and finally reach Rumtse, the first Ladakhi village. Camping in the surroundings of the village in a meadow surrounded by fields of barley. 7
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Leh - Round the monasteries [115 km 3h riding] The road winds along an impressive gorge before flowing into the Indus Valley. We follow the Indus for about 50 km and finally reach Leh, the capital of Ladakh. On the way, we visit the Hemis monasteries, the largest monastery of Ladakh, and Tiksi, built on top of a rocky peak overlooking the village. Afternoon in Leh. Night in a guest house. STAGE 8 STAGE 7 Dominated by the majestic royal palace, Leh was a rich commercial centre. Traders with their caravans from Tibet and central Asia stopped there, before continuing their journey to Kashmir. The bazaar in the old district is abuzz with beautiful women with rosy, high cheekbones dressed in black robes, tied at the waist with bright pastel belts. Old gentry with wrinkled skin like withered apples, lovely children, farmers from the Nubra valley, Tibetan and Kashmiri traders, monks from Zanskar... A lively and colourful world. Leh - Khardung La (5370m) - Leh [80 km 4h riding] We go up to Khardung La pass on another labyrinthine route... The Khardung La is the highest motorable pass of the world: 5600m! The panorama of the Zanskar chain in the south and the great Karakoram range in the north is magical. We retrace our routes to go back to Leh. This is for the true and adventurous rider; the incomparable visit to Stock village, located on the other side of the Indus, at the bottom of the Stock Kangri with a height of more than 6000m. Night in a guest house. 8
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Leh - Tso Moriri Lake (4500m) [210 km 8h riding] We ride up the Indus valley towards the Tibetan border. After Upshi, we continue along the Indus to the bridge of Mahe, often crossing gorges. Picnic on the white sand beaches of the Indus bank. We then leave the valley to enter the heart of Rupshu, the most isolated part of Ladakh. Taking a sandy track, we reach the famous TsoMoriri Lake, gleaming in its turquoise glory. Camping on the shores of the sacred lake. We call Rupshu (or Changtang), the Indian half of the huge Tibetan plateau that extends from East to West on more than 2000Km. The average altitude of the Rupshu is 4500m, too high for regular life. Only nomads live here, with their yaks and goats. STAGE 9 Tso Moriri lake - Tso Khar Lake (4500m) [100 km 4/5h riding] Visit to Korzok village, one of the rare settlements of Rupshu, and its small monastery. A ride or walk along the lake. A peek into the life of the Champa nomads. Departure in the direction of Tso Kar on a sandy and rocky track. The Tso Kar is a salt water lake surrounded by unbelievable lunar scenery. Camping next to the Thukje village. STAGE 10 The Champas (nomads) live under their waterproof black tents made of yak wool. They live on their yaks, goats and sheep and mostly earn their living by selling their wool. They go down to the valleys to trade for cereals, materials, spices, sugar... In exchange, they bring salt, butter, cheese, meat, and their daily necessities. They raise sheep and the world-famous wool from their goats called pashmina, which is then brought down to the Kashmir valley, where it is woven and then sold across the world. 9
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Tso Khar Lake - Jispa [210 km 7h riding] We take a rugged but safe track to reach the Leh-Manali road, next to Pang. We head Southwards until Sarchu where we will lunch. The afternoon we will drive down to Drache or even Jispa. Overnight in a simple Guest House, but at 3500m altitude, where a hard bed and a shower are items of luxury! STAGE 11 The region is the refuge of many animal species that we can see while trekking: wild hares, marmots with thick fur, white partridges, ibex, wild donkeys from Tibet (Kyangs), wolves and if we are lucky, some very rare snow leopards. STAGE 12 Jispa - Manali (2000m) [140 km 5h riding] Last stage of the rally, which is one of the longest but definitely worth experiencing! Early departure southwards to Manali. Night at the hotel. 10
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Manali Day in Manali. Possibility to visit and do some shopping. Night in a comfortable bus to Delhi. STAGE 13 STAGE 14 Delhi An early morning arrival in Delhi. Transfer to the hotel. Free day in Delhi. 11
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Delhi - International airport: Your room is booked until 10H. Transfer to Delhi international airport for your scheduled flight. End of our services. STAGE 15 *Riding distances are indicative. 12
YOUR FORMULA Join a fixed departure 2690 / pilot* Book at 4 and more: 2560 / pilot* To know the dates of our upcoming fixed departures. go to www.vintagerides.com - tab "Our Trips", or contact one of our travel advisors at: contact@vintagerides.com. *These rates are indicative, please refer to our General Terms & Conditions. Want to leave in a closed group? Ask us for a quote for a private tour. And enjoy 5% off your second trip 10% off your third trip and more Always in the limit of 300 13
MORE INFO PRICE INCLUDES A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle Transfers Delhi Manali Delhi by bus An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 3 to day 13) Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants Lodging in standard hotels and camps, in double bed rooms or on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: Full board meals during riding days (except during days of transfer: day 1, day 2, day 14 and day 15) Third party motorcycle insurance PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, including repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India and legal assistance International flights and airport taxes Visa fees A refundable security deposit of 400 for every motorcycle Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1, day 2, day 14, and day 15) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Souvenirs and personal expenses Drinks Tips 14
MY CHECKLIST Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to. Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India. A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion, etc. SLEEPING BAG: For people sensitive to the cold: a warmer sleeping bag, e.g., suitable for -10 ºC, or an extra duvet. Sleeping bag liner (recommended). To know: beds, mattresses and duvets will be provided on the site. Other sleeping material is optional and depends on the individual needs of every traveller. SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT: CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Warm motorbike jacket (synthetic preferred) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet Bandana PERSONAL MEDICINE: Sunscreen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhoea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage 2 light pants 4 shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) 2 warm sweaters or jackets Sunglasses Hat Sport shoes or trekking shoes 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the battery) Some sweets and cereal bars 15
CONTACT US Copyrights photos: Geraldine Shandilya - Christian Heiniger - Hichem Azzouz - Adomas Baltagalvis - Johann Rousselot VINTAGE RIDES INDIA C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi - 110020 Tel: +339 70 44 01 30 VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE 98 Rue Baudin - 92300 Levallois-Perret By appointment only Tel: +337 68 13 89 07 CONTACT@VINTAGERIDES.COM www.vintagerides.travel 16