Himalaya, India Oases and Peaks at World s End
TRAVEL DESIGNER Stephane Gautronneau GEORGIA An intrepid all-rounder, she has cruised India s roads with many groups, and knows the country like the back of her leather-gloved hand. A complete motorbike tour in the Himalaya to soak up the wild beauty of Ladakh, embracing an exceptional array of natural spaces and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. 2
MAP A TRIP WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS Free as a bird, climb aboard your Royal Enfield for an adventure by yourself, in a pair or with friends packed with variety and other-worldly experiences. In the heart of the Indus Valley, admire Buddhist monasteries clinging to mountainsides. Head north for a descent into the spectacular Nubra Valley through its gateway, the mythical Kardhung La (5602m/18,379ft). Your final loop takes you to Changtang Plateau, and the infinite beauty of Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes. Stretch your limits and fill your lungs with pure air, on an exceptional Himalayan motorbike trip! 3
AT A GLANCE 4-6h riding a day Routes blending culture and discovery Period June to September Duration 15 days including 10 days riding Level Intermediate English-speaking tour leader Accommodation Standard From 2960 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 the city. Your room is available at noon.. Overnight stay at the hotel. Delhi - Leh: (3500m) Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 2 Early morning transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Leh. Day to acclimatize in the capital of Ladakh. Today you get your first glimpse of the Royal Enfield 500cc & are also introduced to the tour leader. Possible walk around town in the afternoon for a first introduction to the Ladakhi culture. Overnight stay at the hotel. 5
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Leh - Lamayuru [130 km* 5H riding]: We start from Leh in the morning, leaving for the valleys of the Indus to the west. We take the road towards Khargil, Kashmir. Along the way, we visit the monastery of Alchi, known for its architecture and Kashmiri style murals. STAGE 3 Lamayuru - Temisgam [190 km* 4H riding]: STAGE 4 We pursue our way towards the east in the Zanskar region, going through Fotu La pass. Spectacular and arid landscapes scroll in front of us until the town of Kangral. We leave the nice paved road behind us for tracks and cross the mountainous chain by a small valley joining the Indus one. Then we go up the course of the sacred river which has given its name to India, going through little villages completely immersed in tibeto-buddhist culture. We finally reach the village of Temisgam. Overnight stay at the hotel. 6
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Temisgam - Leh [90 km* 4H riding]: STAGE 5 Today we ride a short distance of 90 kms. On our way we get to admire and visit several remarkable monasteries, such as the monastery of Likir, or the amazing Phyang Monastery and its 900 year old museum. After returning to Leh, you have a free evening to stroll through the streets of the market or just take some rest. Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 6 Leh - Hunder [120 km* 5H riding]: We ride up North to the Khardung La on the never ending zigzagging road. The Khardung La is the highest motorable pass in the world: 5600m! You will admire the enchanting view of the Zanskar range in the South and the Karakoram range in the North. You will pass through the village of Khardung in the Shyok valley, where time stands still. When we reach Khalsar, we head north-west towards the vast sand dunes of Hunder. Overnight stay in a camp. 7
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Hunder - Summor [90 km* 4H riding]: STAGE 7 We enjoy this lighter motorcycle day to greatly appreciate the beautiful Nubra valley s natural wonders. If the weather is good, we will go to Turtuk, a forgotten village at the edge of the valley, very close to the chinese border. Then head towards Summor valley, where we will stop off. Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 8 Summor - Leh [180 km* 6H riding]: Early morning departure: we take a small asphalt road along the river Shyok. We stop in the village of Diskit, to visit the monastery dating back over 350 years; a beautiful monument of Buddhist architecture that is overlooking the valley. We stop for a picnic on the banks of the river and we then take the road to the Wari La pass (5200m) before riding back down into the Indus valley. Overnight stay at the hotel. 8
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Leh - Tso Kar Lake [170 km* 5H riding]: Today we ride to the lake TsoKar. In Upshi, we leave the Indus banks and head South on a narrow road, winding through an impressive gorge. After passing the Kang Yatse (peak at 6400m) on our right after crossing the village of Rumtse, we start riding up the Tanglang La (5300 m), the second highest motorable pass in the world. Through a sandy track, we reach the salt lake imbedded in a lunar-like landscape which looks simply breathtaking. Overnight stay in a modest guesthouse near the ghost town of Thudje. STAGE 9 Tso Kar Lake - Tso Moriri Lake [100 km* 4H riding]: Following a rocky and sometimes sandy track, we enter the heart of Rupshu - the most isolated region of Ladakh. We reach the famous turquoise-colored lake of TsoMoriri. Free visit of the village of Korzok, one of the few in Rupshu, and its small monastery. Stroll along the lake. Overnight stay in a camp along the lake. STAGE 10 What is called Rupshu (or Changtang) is the Indian part of the vast Tibetan plateau which extends over 2000 Km from east to west. The average altitude in Rupshu is 4500 m; too high for a sedentary life. Only nomads live there with their yaks and goats. 9
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Tso Moriri Lake - Leh [210 km* 7H riding]: STAGE 11 We head north and find the Indus at the check-post of the Mahe bridge. Picnic along the sacred river. The road back to Leh is a true motorcyclist's dream: good asphalt roads and an almost non-existent traffic. The road weaves along the river and through the gorges, until the valley widens gradually before taking a monumental width when reaching the capital of Ladakh. Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 12 Leh: Free day in Leh (buffer day!). Possible ride to the Stok Palace. We can visit the Shanti Stupa, or purchase some Ladakhi souvenirs. Overnight stay at the hotel. Dominated by the majestic royal palace, Leh was a rich commercial centre. Traders from Tibet and central Asia stopped here with their caravans, before continuing their journey to Kashmir. The bazaar in the old district is buzzing with beautiful women with rosy, high cheekbones, dressed in black robes with white belts, who are selling vegetables. Old gentlemen sitting around, with wrinkled faces like withered apples, lovely children playing around, farmers from the Nubra valley, Tibetan and Kashmiri traders, monks from Zanskar it s a lively and colorful world! 10
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Leh - Delhi: Early morning transfer to Leh airport for your flight to Delhi. Transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon in the city. Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 13 STAGE 14 Delhi: Free day in Delhi (buffer). Overnight stay at the hotel. The capital of India, founded on the site of seven historical cities, is now composed of the old town and the new - two halves of an exciting and chaotic unit. The fortified citadel and the Red Fort remind one of the strength and elegance of the great Mogul Empire. The lively Chandni Chowk, known for its dealers in gold and silver, the Jama Masjid mosque, the largest in India, and the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, are truly interesting. 11
YOUR TRIP IN 15 STAGES Delhi - International airport: Your room is booked until 10Hs. Free day in Delhi. Transfer to Delhi international airport for your scheduled flight. End of our services. STAGE 15 *Riding distances are indicative. 12
HOW DO YOU WANT TO GO? Book your trip and join a group From 16/06/17 to 02/07/17 From 01/07/17 to 16/07/17 From 16/07/17 to 30/07/17 From 30/07/17 to 13/08/17 From 13/08/17 to 27/08/17 Full Full Full 3090 / pilot* 2790 / pillion* Book at 4 and more: 100 euros less per participant! From 27/08/17 to 10/09/17 Book now : contact@vintagerides.com * Prices are indicative. Please refer to our general terms & conditions. Create a new group Personalise your motorbike trip by creating your own dates and group! ''A la carte'' trips don't depend on the number of bikers in the group - you can even set off in a duo! From 2 to 3: 4820 From 4 to 5: 3790 From 6 to 8: 3240 From 9 to 10: 3090 From 11 to 12: 2960 And enjoy 5% from your second trip 10% from 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 Domestic Flights: Delhi Leh and Leh - Delhi An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 2 to day 12) 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 or guest-houses + 3 nights in camps, on a twin-sharing (two single beds) or triple-sharing basis (three single beds). 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 days of riding (except during days of transfer: day 1, day 13, 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 the motorcycle (to be paid on arrival) Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1, day 13, 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, STAY UNDER 10 KGS FOR THE DOMESTIC FLIGHT 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 - Leon Rieter - Lydie Berger By - Kord Meier Klont - 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