Ladakh · Srinagar, Leh & Umling La
Houseboat · Kargil · Leh · Nubra · Pangong · Hanle · Tso Moriri · Sarchu · Manali · On the bus
- Pickup
- Srinagar
- Drop
- Delhi
What you are signing up for
Eleven days across Ladakh, from a houseboat in Srinagar to a Volvo out of Manali. Ride over Zoji La to Kargil and Leh, up Khardung La to Nubra, on to Pangong and Hanle for Umling La, then Tso Moriri, Sarchu and down to Manali. Riders get Himalayan motorcycles from Srinagar to Sarchu; a backup vehicle carries the luggage. We sort the stays, permits and every mile. You just pack warm and show up.
Highlights
- Umling La
- Hanle
- Khardung La
- Pangong and Tso Moriri
- Srinagar to Manali
- A Trip Lead and Bike Marshal
All 11 days
Srinagar— 1 night
Part One · Kashmir To Leh
Arrive in Srinagar and meet the crew at the houseboat point.
A shikara ride across Dal Lake.
Dinner and a night on the houseboat.
Ride to Kargil
Kargil— 1 night
Part One · Kashmir To Leh
Riders collect their Himalayan motorcycles after an early breakfast, then a riding briefing.
Ride through Sonmarg and over Zoji La, then on through Dras.
Reach Kargil for dinner and the night.
Ride to Leh
Leh— 1 night
Part Two · Into Ladakh
Ride from Kargil over Namika La and Fotu La.
Stop at Lamayuru Monastery and its moonland.
Reach Leh for dinner.
Ride to Nubra
Nubra— 1 night
Part Two · Into Ladakh
Ride up Khardung La, one of the highest roads in the world.
Down into the Nubra Valley.
An evening around Hunder and its dunes.
Ride to Pangong
Pangong— 1 night
Part Three · The Lakes
Breakfast, then the ride from Nubra to Pangong Tso.
Check in to lakeside cottages.
Explore the shore as the lake changes colour.
Ride to Hanle
Hanle— 2 nights
Part Three · The Lakes
Ride through the high villages of Chushul, Tsaga and Loma.
Stop at the Rezang La War Memorial.
Reach Hanle, known for its dark, star-filled skies.
Ride out to Umling La (or Mig La), among the highest motorable roads in the world.
Photos at the top, if the weather allows.
Back to Hanle for the night.
Ride to Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri— 1 night
Part Four · Changthang
Check out of Hanle after breakfast.
Cross the Changthang plateau, past nomad settlements.
Reach Tso Moriri for the night.
Ride to Sarchu
Sarchu— 1 night
Part Five · Down To Manali
Ride past Puga Valley and Tso Kar Lake.
Across the More Plains, a 40 km straight, and over Nakee La.
Down the Gata Loops to Sarchu. Bikes are returned here.
Ride to Manali
Manali— 1 night
Part Five · Down To Manali
Cross Baralacha La, stopping at Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal.
Down through Zing Zing Bar, Jispa, Keylong and Sissu.
Reach Manali for the night.
Check out after breakfast.
Free time for Hadimba Temple, Vashisht hot springs, Jogini Falls or Mall Road.
Board the overnight Volvo to Delhi.
Reach Delhi in the morning.
Say goodbye to the crew.
Head home with a lot of altitude in your stories.
10 nights, town by town
Srinagar
Houseboat
1 night
Kargil
Hotel, twin sharing
Leh
Hotel, twin sharing
Nubra
Hotel, twin sharing
Pangong
Hotel, twin sharing
Hanle
Hotel, twin sharing
Tso Moriri
Hotel, twin sharing
Sarchu
Hotel, twin sharing
Manali
Hotel, twin sharing
What is and is not included
Included
- Tempo Traveller from Srinagar to Manali, and Volvo Manali → Delhi
- Shikara ride and houseboat transfers in Srinagar
- Stays on double/triple sharing
- 20 meals: dinner Day 1, breakfast & dinner Days 2-10, breakfast Day 11
- For riders: bike rental with fuel, Srinagar to Sarchu, plus helmet, jacket, gloves and guards
- Dedicated Trip Lead, Bike Marshal and mechanical backup
- Backup vehicle for luggage
- Oxygen cylinders, first aid kits and an oximeter
- Inner Line Permits
- Driver allowances, tolls and parking
Not included
- Travel to Srinagar
- GST
- Lunches and meals not listed
- Bike damage, and fuel beyond the route
- Personal expenses
- Costs from road closures, weather or other events beyond our control
Other information
Built for solo travellers after a crew, friends who hate planning, and couples who'd rather not hold the itinerary.
Pack this
- A down jacket, thermals and gloves
- Your own riding gear if you have it
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Regular medicines, plus altitude advice
- A reusable water bottle
- Cash: ATMs are rare past Leh
Plans can move Weather, roads and closures can change a day. We carry an alternative for each one rather than cancelling it.
When to go
Every town on this route has its own weather. Pick a month to see the real numbers for each one.
Oct on this route
Ladakh averages 11° by day and 1° after dark, with rain on 3 days of the month.
Typical conditions, not a forecast — weather models only run about a fortnight ahead. Daily records averaged per calendar month (Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis). Temperature bars scaled 15 °C to 35 °C, rain bars to 30 days.
Real stories, real escapes.
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The route sold it — Houseboat, Kargil, Leh in 12 days without me planning a thing. Transfers and check-ins were sorted before we arrived anywhere, which I had not expected at this price. Would do it again with the same crew.
Imran Bedi, Bengaluru
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Went in with low expectations about travelling with strangers and came back with a group chat that is still going. The pace was honest — a couple of early starts, and they told us in advance rather than springing them. Tell your friends to go before it gets busy.
Ishaan Desai, Mysuru
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Travelled solo and never once felt like the odd one out. Manali, then the bus came around just as the group had hit its stride, which was annoying in the best way. Tell your friends to go before it gets busy.
Aditi Rao, Mumbai
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Booked this one fairly late and still got a seat on the first batch. Stays were simple rather than fancy, clean, and always where they said they would be. Already looking at their Kaziranga & Meghalaya · Christmas & New Year trip.
Vikram Kapoor, Kochi
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10 nights was exactly right — long enough to settle, short enough to take off work. Down to Sarchu is the bit I keep describing to people who did not go. Would do it again with the same crew.
Kabir Dutta, Jaipur
Not sure it is your group?
Tell us who is coming and when you are free. We will say honestly whether this departure fits, or build a private one that does.
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