14 days. 1,900 km. The Himalayas on a Royal Enfield.
A guided motorcycle tour through India’s wildest mountain terrain. Cliff roads, river crossings, high passes, and the kind of scenery that makes you stop the bike and stare. September 2026. £3,950. Max 10 riders.
What this ride is
This is a 14-day loop through Spiti Valley, starting and ending in Chandigarh.
We climb into the Shivalik foothills and ride deep into one of India’s most remote valleys. We cross Kunzum La, ride past Chandra Taal (the Lake of the Moon), push through the cliff-edge trails of Pangi, and drop into Himachal’s green valleys before looping back via Manali and Theog.
You ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. A support vehicle carries your bags, spare parts, and a mechanic. I ride with you.
One rest day in Manali. The rest is saddle time.
Route highlights
Shimla to Spiti: Clifftop roads, deep gorges, ancient monasteries. The terrain changes every hour.
Kaza to Chandra Taal: Remote desert tracks and the Lake of the Moon at 4,300 metres. The water is absurdly blue.
Pangi Valley: Narrow, exposed, and occasionally terrifying. The most fun road on the trip.
Dalhousie and Dharamshala: Colonial hill stations meet Tibetan culture. This is where the pace drops and the food improves.
Terrain: Sand, gravel, tarmac, river crossings, and at least one stretch of road that’s more suggestion than surface.
The day-by-day overview
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Chandigarh | — | Welcome dinner, bike setup, briefing |
| 2 | Chandigarh to Narkanda | ~170 km | Shivalik foothills, first mountain views |
| 3 | Narkanda to Sangla | ~180 km | Kinnaur, apple orchards, Baspa Valley |
| 4 | Sangla to Chitkul to Kalpa | ~80 km | India’s last village before Tibet, Kinnaur Kailash views |
| 5 | Kalpa to Tabo | ~170 km | Spiti River gorge, moon landscape, 1,000-year-old monastery |
| 6 | Tabo to Kaza | ~50 km | Short ride, explore Kaza, acclimatise |
| 7 | Kaza to Chandra Taal | ~80 km | Kunzum La pass (4,551m), Lake of the Moon |
| 8 | Chandra Taal to Manali | ~120 km | Descent through Lahaul, Atal Tunnel |
| 9 | Manali | Rest day | Service bikes, explore, rest your backside |
| 10 | Manali to Udaipur (Lahaul) | ~130 km | Rohtang area, Pattan Valley |
| 11 | Udaipur to Killar (Pangi) | ~120 km | The big one. Cliff roads, river crossings, proper adventure |
| 12 | Killar to Dalhousie | ~180 km | Sach Pass (4,420m), colonial hill station |
| 13 | Dalhousie to Dharamshala | ~120 km | McLeod Ganj, Tibetan quarter, Dalai Lama’s home |
| 14 | Dharamshala to Chandigarh | ~250 km | Final ride, farewell dinner |
This is the outline route. Exact stops may shift based on conditions, weather, and the mountain’s mood.
What’s included
Included:
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (fully fuelled for the duration)
- All accommodation (13 nights, twin/double share)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and most drinks. Alcohol is extra.
- Support vehicle with luggage, spare parts, tools, and first aid
- Experienced mechanic on the support vehicle
- Route leader (me) and sweep rider
- Altitude monitoring and acclimatisation protocol
- Airport/station transfers in Chandigarh
Not included:
- Flights to and from Chandigarh
- Travel/medical insurance (mandatory, you must have this)
- Alcohol
- Personal spending
- Visa (if required)
- Damage to the motorcycle beyond normal wear (ride sensibly)
About your guide
I’m JT. I’ve been riding India for eight years.
I started on a bicycle, cycling from Vietnam through South East Asia via Myanmar and into the subcontinent. Then I bought a Royal Enfield Thunderbird in Delhi and spent six months riding across India. I’ve since ridden the Himalayas multiple times on a Himalayan, run guided trips through Spiti and Ladakh, and made India my home. As an expat of a decade, I’ve lived in Goa with my family since 2018.
These routes are handpicked and awe inspiring. The bikes are new and reliable – fixes are simple and parts widely available. I know the food stops because I’ve eaten at all of them.
This isn’t a trip I designed from a desk. It’s a route I’ve built over years of actually riding India.
Read more about me | Read my Spiti Valley trip report
What riders say
“This was my first trip to India and it didn’t dissappoint. I’ve always wanted to ride an iconic route – The Himalayas is exactly that! A life-changing experience and memories that will last a lifetime.”
– Adam, UK (September 2024)“The impromptu Leh to Kargil section was the most epic riding I’ve done. JT’s route planning is spot on, the whole trip felt properly organised without ever feeling over-managed.”
— Stu, UK (September 2024)“As a tour guide, taking a group to extreme altitude, I was nervous about AMS. I paced the trip so we acclimatised gradually. By day 5 I knew we were feeling strong. The rest of the trip was pure enjoyment.”
— JT, Lead rider and tour guide
Dates, price, and how to book
Departure: 1-14 September 2026
Duration: 14 days (13 riding days + 1 rest day)
Distance: 1,900+ km
Group size: Maximum 10 riders
Price: £3,950 per person
What happens next:
- Download the full itinerary below (it has the detailed route, daily breakdown, and kit list)
- Reply to the email you’ll receive, or message me directly
- I’ll answer your questions and confirm your place with a deposit
Early birds get the best bike allocation.
Download the full itinerary
Drop your name and email. I’ll send you the complete day-by-day route, the kit list, and everything you need to decide.
The Great Spiti Valley Motorcycle Adventure
Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?
Ride the Spiti Valley Grand Loop
13 Days | 1 Rest Day | 1,900+ km of Pure Himalayan Adventure
Test your mettle with 13 days of riding cliff roads, river crossings, and high-altitude chaos across Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, Pangi and beyond. A True Himalayan Odyssey.
Complete the form below to download the full route and itinerary
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FAQs
What bike will I ride?
A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. It’s designed for this terrain. Every mechanic in India knows it. It’s reliable, comfortable enough for long days, and handles gravel and river crossings well.
What riding experience do I need?
Intermediate to advanced. You should be comfortable on a motorcycle on mixed surfaces (gravel, dirt, broken tarmac) and have experience riding in mountain conditions. This is not a beginner’s trip. If you’re unsure, message me and we’ll talk it through.
What about altitude sickness?
We build acclimatisation into the route. The first few days stay below 3,000 metres. We climb gradually. Kunzum La (4,551m) and Sach Pass (4,420m) are the high points. Headache, nausea, and occasionally convincing yourself the next climb is optional are common early signs. We carry oxygen and monitor the group daily.
Is it safe?
Indian mountain roads are unpredictable. That’s part of the adventure and part of the reason we travel with a support vehicle, mechanic, and route leader. You need travel and medical insurance (mandatory). Ride sensibly, listen to the briefings, and you’ll be fine.
Can I come solo?
Yes. Most riders book solo. You’ll share accommodation (twin rooms) and ride with the group. If you want a single room, ask and I’ll price it.
What should I pack?
You’ll get a full kit list with the itinerary download. Essentials: riding boots, gloves, jacket with armour, riding trousers, helmet (or I can provide one). For evenings: layers. It gets cold at altitude.
What fitness level do I need?
You don’t need to be an athlete. But 13 days in the saddle at altitude is physically demanding. If you can ride for 6-8 hours and handle some off-road, you’ll manage. Regular cycling or gym work in the months before helps.
What if my bike breaks down?
We’ll fix it, fast. On larger tours, the support vehicle carries spare parts, tools, and a mechanic. We’ve had flat tyres, clutch cables, and electrical gremlins on past trips. Otherwise, we contact local experts. Mechanicals happen. They get fixed. Usually within an hour.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities need a tourist e-visa for India. Apply online before you fly. It takes a few days to process. Check the Indian e-visa portal.
Do I need an international driving permit?
Yes. Get one before you fly. It’s quick and cheap in most countries.