Rent a motorbike in Leh, Ladakh
The best motorcycle rental agencies in Leh, Ladakh
In this article, you’ll find all our tips for renting a motorcycle in Leh, Ladakh: which Royal Enfield? At what price? Road conditions, insurance, etc. We also suggest a selection of serious and professional rental companies in Leh.
- If you’re planning a road-trip to Ladakh, our book EXPLORE LADAKH will be a great help.
- Find out more about travelling to Ladakh here.

Motorbike trip in Ladakh
A wild land known for some of the highest roads in the world, Ladakh is the ideal destination for an off-the-beaten-track adventure. This Indian region nestled in the Himalayan range offers varied landscapes and wide-open spaces for exploration. Punctuated by vertiginous peaks sometimes reaching 8,000 m in altitude, Ladakh unfolds through sumptuous lunar landscapes and deep valleys shaped by erosion and time. From the Tibetan monasteries perched on the mountains to the remote villages of the valleys, visiting Ladakh is also a journey through time that we invite you to experience in an original way.
Designed as a road-book and illustrated with numerous maps and photographs, EXPLORE LADAKH is both a tool and a guide for independent travellers wishing to discover, understand and explore Ladakh. In this book, we offer you a selection of small trails to discover by motorcycle, 4ร4 or bike.
Road conditions in Ladakh
There are well-maintained tarmac roads between Manali and Leh, as well asbetween Leh and Srinagar (via Kargil). The road to Diskit (in the Nubra valley) via the Kardung La pass is also well-groomed.
Apart from these roads, you’ll be riding on mountain trails of varying degrees of maintenance. Some tracks are in very good condition, as they are maintained by the army. But that’s not the case for all tracks. Landslides are common and rocks can be found on the tracks. Rivers often overflow (especially at the end of the day when the snow has melted).
Remember that you’ll be crossing some of the highest roads in the world! The slope of these trails can reach 30% in some areas, so a powerful motorcycle is highly recommended. Don’t forget that in addition to your own weight, you need to add your pack, equipment and fuel reserves, which can quickly weigh down and slow down the bike.
Note also that conditions can become extreme with snow and slippery roads, especially when crossing passes. Most of the trails are stony or sandy, so a trail bike is highly recommended.
As a general rule, be careful and never drive at night. If an obstacle is in your way, take the time to analyze the situation.
Which motorbike to hire in Ladakh?
Due to growing demand, local authorities have decided to regulate motorcycle rental in Ladakh.
Prices are regulated, fixed and non-negotiable. Here’s the list of motorcycles you can rent in Leh, with daily prices. In July and August, advance booking is recommended.
Given all these possibilities, our choice for exploring Ladakh naturally fell on Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 411 cc. This recent bike is perfectly suited to the trails we offer. With its off-road suspension and all-terrain tires, we chose this bike so there would be no limits to our explorations. There are three Himalayan models: 2016, 2018 and 2021. We highly recommend the latter two models, as they feature a new fuel injection system that enables the engine to perform better at high altitudes.
To visit the region, you’ll need to rent a motorcycle in Leh. Any motorcycle rented outside Ladakh will be immobilized by the authorities. However, you can drive your own vehicle (registered in your own name).
Our advice before hitting the road
Checks
Before hitting the road, it’s a good idea to do a few checks on your bike! The first thing is to make sure that the tires are in good condition; they should still be a long way from their wear indicator. Also check their pressure and adjust it before setting off. If you’re traveling with a passenger, slightly over-inflate your tires. Next, remember to check the oil level (even if you set off with a small can), the condition of the brake pads and the chain kit. As a general rule, never forget to check everything to do with the transmission (tension, adjustment and lubrication must be perfect). Finally, pay particular attention to the suspension. If it’s possible to adjust them, do so according to the expected additional load.
Fuel management
Service stations are few and far between. You’ll find them on the general map in the EXPLORE LADAKH book. Bring two 5-liter cans of gasoline.
You need to allow between 25 and 30 km of range per liter of petrol. This gives you a range of around 625 km if you’re in the Himalayan 410 with two 5-liter cans. Fuel consumption varies according to the model of motorcycle, and the rental company will be able to give you a more precise range.
Inner Line Permit (Permis d’accรจs aux zones rรฉglementรฉes)
Access to certain areas of Ladakh is regulated for foreigners. So you need to apply for an Inner Line Perm it to enter these areas (where most of the trails in this book are located). Foreigners must also pay a preservation fee (Protected Area Permit). For full details of the permit and a map of restricted areas, see our article on the Inner Line Permit.
Rent a motorcycle in Leh
The majority of motorcycle rental agencies are to be found in Leh. Please note that it isforbidden to make a road-trip in Ladakh with a motorcycle rented outside Ladakh (such as Manali). Here is a selection of very serious and professional rental companies in Leh.
Gurmat, the Royal Enfield specialist in Leh
Gurmat is one of the most recognized specialists for motorcycle rentals in Ladakh. The success of his machines has meant that he now has around fifty motorcycles in his garage! His bikes are recent and he has the latest 2018 Himalayan with injector (more power at high altitude).
In 2018, we rented 3 Himalayans for our exploration of Ladakh and the service was perfect: we returned to Leh every 7 days to renew the license and, at the same time, do a complete check-up of our bikes (at no extra cost).
A trusted address on Leh for all your rentals.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc
The OunTravela choice: this recent bike is perfectly suited to the trails we suggest in our book. The suspension is designed for track driving, and the ground clearance means it can go anywhere! We recommend models between 2018 and 2022, as they feature a new, more efficient fuel injection system at high altitude!
Price: see official price list at the beginning of this article
Royal Enfield Classic 500cc
A timeless machine with inimitable charm. The driving position is natural, slightly relaxed, with the feet positioned a little forward, which you quickly get used to. The classic 500cc is more road-oriented, but you can still use it on the track.
Price: see official price list at the beginning of this article
Royal Enfield Standard 500
The Standard 500 is carburettor-driven, while the Classic 500 is fuel-injected. We recommend a fuel-injection system for Ladakh, as performance is much better at higher altitudes. Purists will be delighted with this magnificent Royal Enfield Standard 500 with its retro look!
Price: see official price list at the beginning of this article
Royal Enfield Thunderbird 305
This Royal Enfield features a large 20L fuel tank and a wide, comfortable seat. A motorcycle to take your time in the Himalayas. Indeed, it will be somewhat limited in terms of power compared to its larger, higher-displacement siblings.
Price: see official price list at the beginning of this article
Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 350
Known for its comfort, the Bullet Electra has a distinctly retro style! It's easy to hold and comfortable to ride. Perfect for a short trip to Ladakh at a very reasonable price. Ideal for small budgets.
Price: see official price list at the beginning of this article
Bajaj Avenger 220cc
The Avenger 220 is a motorcycle that has done very well in India thanks to its reliability, price, performance, maintenance costs and glamour!
Price: see official price list at the beginning of this article
Reviews โ โ โ โ โ
Super voyage et moto en bon รฉtat ! Merci l’รฉquipe ๐
Location de 3 Royal Enfield Himalayan avec les potes (septembre 2018) et vraiment un rรฉgal ! Le Ladakh est magnifique.. un rรชve. Merci aux mรฉcanos pour les conseils. Les Himalayan sont taillรฉes pour les pistes du Ladakh, on a eu aucun souci avec malgrรฉ des passages parfois compliquรฉs ๐
Porte bagage trรจs utile et un conseil : ramenez un chargeur USB pour moto de France car il n’y en a pas ร Leh et c’est trรจs pratique pour recharger vos appareils ! Un mรฉcanicien vous le branchera ร la batterie.
Bon trip !
Terms and conditions
- prices are fixed and regulated by the Ladakh authorities and therefore non-negotiable for a long period of time
- Minimum age 21 and 2 years’ driving experience.
- Motorcycle license required (A2)
- Deposit: 130 euros or 10,000 INR
- Pre-payment is required to reserve your motorcycle. It corresponds to 20% of the price, payable by bank transfer or Paypal. We strongly advise you to book your motorcycle in advance, especially in July and August when demand is very high.
- Insurance not included. You are responsible for any damage to the motorcycle. It’s best to have insurance covering medical expenses abroad (see the “Before you leave” section of our book).
Group special: hire an assistance vehicle with mechanic
Leave with peace of mind and hire an assistance vehicle with a local driver-mechanic for your group motorcycle trip in Ladakh!
- There’s no need to carry jerry cans of petrol on your bike, as they’ll be transported in the 4×4. The same goes for suitcases, which you can lighten by leaving on the 4×4: this will make you lighter and therefore more powerful, a great advantage especially if you’re traveling with two people on the bike.
- The 4×4 assistance driver is a mechanic: he has all the parts and tools needed to repair your motorcycle in the event of a problem.
- For duos, this allows the passenger to rest in the assistance vehicle.
Price includes :
- 4×4 rental
- A driver who is a mechanic
- No extra charge for the driver (i.e. meals and nights in hostels are included in the price)
- Fuel jerry cans, toolbox and spare parts in 4×4 assistance vehicle
Price: 6,000 INR / day