Motorbike trip in Ladakh : travel map & tips
Our tips to organise your road-trip in Ladakh
In this article, you will find all our advice to organise your motorbike trip in Ladakh: itinerary, motorbike rental, practical information, budget, etc.
- If you are planning a trip to Ladakh, our book EXPLORE LADAKH will be of great help to you
- If you want to rent a motorbike, you will find our recommendations in this article.
Hello! We're Olivia & Victor, authors of the OunTravela guides.
Over the years, our passion for adventure has led us to create original travel guides sold in over 70 countries worldwide. Our mission is to spread a travel philosophy based on adventure, freedom, improvisation and exploration. Our guides inspire travelers to explore the world's forgotten paths, encountering wilderness and civilizations.
We hope you find this article, based on our own experience, useful.
Happy reading!
Why riding in Ladakh, India?
Ladakh is a wild land, known for having some of the highest roads in the world. This Indian region nestled in the Himalayan range, between Tibet and Pakistan, is the ideal terrain for an unforgettable road trip.
Surrounded by vertiginous peaks (some of them, more than 8,000m of altitude), you will drive through magnificent green valleys with abundant fauna. Then, as you reach higher altitudes, landscapes get more arid and there is nothing but a few camels and Buddhist monasteries perched on the mountains. Huge lakes rise from the mountains… In short, you will get it, we fell in love with this place. The terrain is particularly suitable for motorcycle exploration and there are many motorcycle rentals in Leh, the capital city. It is also possible to rent a 4×4 with driver. Once there, you can also add to your journey outdoor activities (horse trekking, hiking, rafting…) and cultural activities (monasteries visits).
How to plan your motorcycle trip in Ladakh? Our travel map
There is currently no book about motorcycle travel in this region. Only the tourist offices in Leh can help you. Since we do not wish to depend on any guide, we improvised everything locally up there, using a topographic map of the region. This trip moved us to write by ourselves a collection of the most beautiful trails in the region because an article or a map could never be enough!
A brief overview of our on-site itinerary (15 days by motorbike) on the map below :
Our adventure guide book: Explore Ladakh
Designed like a roadbook, and illustrated with a multitude of maps and photos, EXPLORE LADAKH is both a tool and guide for independent travellers who wish to discover, understand, and explore Ladakh. We offer in this book a selection of 12 off-road routes to discover by motorbike, 4×4 or bicycle.
Take a look at this video to find out what’s in the book!
EXPLORE LADAKH differs from the traditional travel guide book because it does not list the good addresses and tourist sites. You will be able to improvise your way fully independently while having knowledge of the terrain thanks to our detailed maps.
Each route is presented on a satellite map with the main sites of natural or cultural interest (monastery, lake, glacier, hot springs, etc.), the viewpoints, the camping spots and the key points (petrol station, water source, etc.).
The book also contains informations about the culture, fauna and flora of Ladakh. Finally, a part of the book is dedicated to technical advice and all the necessary equipment to leave in safety and autonomy (camping gear, basic mechanics…).
Useful informations about Ladakh
Ladakhi
Indian
Some english
Tip: have a small lexicon with you
E-visa: €44, valid for 60 days
The e-Visa must be requested at least 4 days before arrival.
A border permit is required for some restricted areas : 800 rupees (10 euros) for one week (the second week costs 400 rupees).
Paris – Delhi : 350-400€ round-trip
Delhi – Leh : 70-120€ round trip
Choose the window seat because the views of the Himalayas are just breathtaking!!
Best season: June to September
There are many motorcycle rental agencies in Leh. The rental prices are regulated, fixed and non-negotiable. We chose the Himalayan 410cc of Royal Enfield, which is good enough in off-road. With a Classic Royal Enfield, you may be quite limited off the paved road! More informations about motorbike rental here. Price of a Royal Enfield Himalayan 410cc: 2000 rupees/day (around 25 euros) + 2 euros/day for the baggage rack with 2 5-liters cans for gasoline (essential).
– Food: €1 – 5 for a meal at the restaurant
– Airbnb Leh: 20-30€
– Wild camping allowed, except in some border areas that are clearly marked by signs.
– Fuel: 0,5€/L
In Leh you will only find rentals with drivers, prices are regulated by the Ladakh Taxi Union. You will find 4×4 without drivers in Manali or Srinagar but unfortunately since October 2019, it is forbidden to visit Ladakh with a vehicle rented outside Ladakh. In other words, you will not be able to visit Ladakh with a car rented in Manali or Srinagar.
Our budget for a motorcycle road-trip to Ladakh
Our budget for our group: 17 days and 3 people (13 motobike days + 2 days in Leh + 2 days in Delhi (September 2018)
| Price | Days | TOTAL for the group | TOTAL /pers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle rental (Himalayan) | 27 € /day | 13 | 1053 € | 351 € |
| Accommodation (3 nights) | 30 € /nights (3 pers) | 3 | 90 € | 30 € |
| Food | 8 € /day /pers | 15 | 360 € | 120 € |
| Petrol | 35 € /day (3 pers) | 13 | 455 € | 152 € |
| Inner Line Permit ( for 13 days) | 15 € /pers | - | 45 € | 45 € |
| Flight Ticket Paris - Delhi | 350 € | - | 1050 € | 350 € |
| Flight Ticket Delhi - Leh | 90 € | - | 270 € | 90 € |
| Accommodation Delhi (2 nights, 3 peoples) | 105 € | - | 105 € | 35 € |
| Restaurant Delhi (3 times) | 60 € | - | 60 € | 20 € |
| Other (taxi, activity, etc..) | 150 € | - | 150 € | 50 € |
| TOTAL | 17 days | 3638 € | 1212 €/pers |
Our favorites in Ladakh
Zanskar valley
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