Quest for Everest – Tibet
From: $1 USD
Tour Months
May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Duration
11 days
Start Location
China
Difficulty
Easy / Relaxed
Dates & Prices
Our Prices
Riders: $USD 4390
Pillions: $USD 3590
Private Tours
Would you like your own private adventure with dates that suit you?
Do you have a group of mates that are interested in an adventure?
Then contact us for more information and we'll make it happen.
We can offer private adventures during Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
2020 -September 19th - 3rd October
15 places available
2021 - September 18th - 2nd October
15 places available
Select A Date to Book
We only require an initial deposit of USD $500 to confirm your place.
Start by selecting the quantity of rider or pillion. You can only select one. Tour options are available in the checkout.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Route – Tibet
Our premier motorcycle adventure sees you conquer the highest motorable road in the world on the day of DGR!
* Please wait for the button to activate after selecting a date
Key Information
Duration
15 days
Location
India
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tour Dates
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN NEW DELHI
CHECK IN DAY
Most of the flights land at midnight at New Delhi IGIA. Please ensure you arrive with plenty of time to transfer to the domestic airport for your early morning connecting flight to Chandigarh.
Most riders choose to arrive a day or two early and go on a tour of Old and New Delhi and even a day trip to the Taj Mahal. When you are so close, you might as well see one of the modern wonders of the world!
We arrange the accommodation and the day tours, just let us know before you arrive.
There are many interesting sightseeing options, for example: seeing old Delhi by bicycle rickshaw, exploring the spice market, India Gate, the houses of parliament, the legendary Red Fort, walk in Lodi Gardens and of course the Taj Mahal in Agra is a must see.
DAY 2: TAKE ME TO THE MOUNTAINS
FLIGHT TO CHANDIGARH
DAY 3: LETS ASCEND
ACCLIMATISATION RIDE (60kms – 2 hrs)
DAY 4: PILE OF CORPSES
TO JISPA – Via Rohtang La (approx. 160kms – 6 ½ hrs)
The first section is a nice winding road until Marhi and then we cross the infamous and challenging 5km road on the way to Rohtang pass. Here you catch fantastic views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains.
“Fun” Fact: Rohtang pass literally means pile or field of corpses. It got its name from people who tried to cross the pass in bad weather. Although the pass is in far better condition now, it should still be treated with respect. This road has been featured a couple of times on the TV series – World’s Deadliest Roads.
We descend into the Chandra Valley, stop at a checkpoint and have a chai break before we continue along the bank of the mighty Chandra river. We head through Tandi and enter into the Ghar Valley along Bhaga river through the town of Keylong. We have another chai break and then finally head to the village of Jispa through the Tod Valley, where we will spend the night in a Hotel.
DAY 5: SARCHU SCRAMBLE
JISPA TO SARCHU – Via Baralacha Pass (approx. 90kms – 5 hrs)
After stopping at the police checkpoint, we follow the winding road and cross one of the toughest passes of the journey: the Baralacha pass and catch stunning views. We then descend to Bharatpur for a well-deserved chai break and hot lunch. After lunch we ride some fantastic roads along the valley floor to our semi permanent campsite in Sarchu. If we arrive with good light and people are feeling up to it, we take the bikes across the plains to the canyon edge for a spot of cross country scrambling. We have dinner and stay overnight in the deluxe camp.
DAY 6: 22 GATA LOOPS
SARCHU TO TSO KAR (approx. 150kms – 7 hrs)
The most awesome part of the trip on the Manali-Leh highway begins right after Sarchu, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Gata Loops consists of a succession of 22 hair pin bends which will have you ascend 450m in no time at all. Soon followed by Lachlung pass at over 5,065m and Nakee pass at 4739m that leads you to Morey Plains, a 42km extension of the Changthang plateau. You cut across a sandy track on your right leading you to the saltwater Tso Kar Lake.
The Tso Kar basin has a long mix of meadows and marshy land. It has fresh water and a brackish lake, several natural springs and streams. Migratory birds also use the lake as their breeding ground. Apart from its sheer beauty, Tso Kar is known for the Indian and Tibetan nomads who live here in the winter months. We will have dinner and overnight stay in the camp site.
DAY 7: LAKE TO LAKE
TSO KAR TO TSO MORIRI (approx. 90kms – 5 hrs)
Tso Kar to Tso Moriri is a 90km ride that will test your idea of space and time, and leave you completely speechless, unable to describe what you have seen. Not one or two but three pristine lakes, two high altitude passes, Namshang-la (4,960m) and Pologonka-la (4,972m) combined with sandy rough tracks force you to stop every once in a while to either take pictures or just to enjoy and admire the beauty. Again, we have dinner and stay overnight in camp.
DAY 8: INTO LEH
TSO MORIRI TO LEH (approx. 210kms – 8 hrs)
The banks of Tso Moriri Lake are home to the largest clan of nomadic Buddhist tribes in the Ladakh region.The Changpa nomads live in Yak-wool tents and make a living out of rearing sheep and goat.Their yak-milk tea is worth tasting and you should definitely visit one of the Changpa camp sites to get a first-hand experience on how these amazing human beings have been living in perfect harmony with nature for centuries.
After spending time at the nomadic camp site, we ride alongside the majestic Indus River to Leh. We have dinner and stay overnight in a hotel in Leh.
DAY 9: DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE
LEH TO KARDUNGLA & BACK TO LEH (approx. 90kms – 5 hrs)
After a good rest and hearty breakfast it’s time to tackle the Khardung La, for a time the worlds highest motorable road at 5350m. It is tarmac most of the way and it is usually in excellent condition. We switch our engines off and roll all the way from the top to our hotel 43kms below in Leh!
Rolling silently at speeds of up to 70km/h was an entirely new experience and was the highlight of the tour for many. You will arrive back in Leh in the afternoon with plenty of time to explore the many sights it has to offer. We have dinner and stay overnight at a hotel in Leh.
DAY 10: FREE DAY
FREE DAY IN LEH
This is a free day for you to explore the amazing monasteries, local markets, souvenir hunting and the beautiful surrounding landscapes. We have dinner and last overnight stay in Leh.
DAY 11: MOONLAND MONASTERY
LEH TO PHOTOKSAR TO LAMAYURU (approx. 150kms – 7 hrs)
After breakfast we ride towards Lamayuru and detour towards Photoksar which was the the earlier trekking route to Zanskar. This is a new road which is rarely explored by riders or tourists. We continue along the same road back to the Impressive Lamayuru Monastery. We have dinner and stay overnight at a Guest House.
DAY 12: CLOSE TO THE BORDER
LAMAYURU TO KARGIL (approx 105kms – 5 hrs)
After an early breakfast, we leave the scenic sights of Lamayuru riding the zigzagging hairpins up to Fotu la pass (altitude 4108m). We will stop at Mulbekh to visit the small but impressive Buddhist monastery. Tonight we will stay in a small Islamic town called Kargil. You are free to go for a stroll through town after dinner, with an overnight stay in a Hotel.
DAY 13: DUSTY PASS
KARGIL TO SRINAGAR via Zoji La (approx. 210kms – 8 hrs)
With a big day ahead, we start early and travel through Drass onto Srinagar, the second coldest inhabited place on earth. Here you’ll have spectacular views of Kargil’s famous Peaks, Tiger Hill and Tololing Peak. We cross Zoji La (3528m) to enter the Srinagar Valley which is an amazing experience. After having lunch in the beautiful Sonamarg, we will continue on until we arrive to our destination of Srinagar, staying overnight in houseboats situated on the Dal Lake.
DAY 14: FREE DAY
FREE DAY ON DAL LAKE HOUSEBOAT
This is another free day for you to explore the unique scenery, mingle with the locals and discover an ancient way of life. You can choose to relax on your houseboat, water-skiing the Srinagar way or take a shikara ride on the Dal Lake and explore the canals of local vendors located on the water. We stay overnight on a houseboat.
DAY 15: HOMEWARD BOUND
FLY SRINAGAR TO DELHI
That’s it folks, you’ve just completed one of the best motorcycle adventures in the world. You’ve crossed three of the world’s highest motorable passes, seen huge hanging glaciers, ridden by high-altitude lakes and immersed yourself in the colourful cultures of Ladakh, all while raising money for men’s health for DGR!
Time to board the flight back to Delhi and onward home. Back on home turf you won’t be able to explain the scale of this journey; photographs and videos will fail to do justice to your adventure. Your memories of this epic adventure will stay with your forever.
Optional Extras
INSURANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES such as INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, MONGOLIA, TIBET and PAKISTAN
In the countries we conduct adventures, commercial insurance on motor vehicles is either not available, or is of questionable value. 3rd party insurance will usually not cover foreigners and even if it does, it is generally worthless if one needs to make a claim. In the event of an accident in these countries, the situation is usually settled on the spot without the “assistance” of insurance companies. If insurance companies are involved, it can take days, weeks and even months before there is a resolution.
Damage Cap Option “DCO”
Himalayan Heroes offers its riders the option of capping the cost of your damage bill on the motorcycle you are riding. The cost of this damage cap option “DCO” is US$195, paid as a lump sum before the tour starts. In the event you damage the motorcycle, the DCO will cap your damage bill at US$200.
3 Scenarios
- If, like most of our riders, you do not damage the motorcycle then the total cost to you is only the cost of the DCO = US$195.
- If, like some of our riders, you put the bike down at slow speed and damage mirrors, levers, foot pegs etc and the damage bill is say, US$120 then you pay the US$120. The total cost to you is US$315 (US$195 DCO + US$120 damage bill)
- If you have a big off and damage the tank, forks etc and the damage bill is say US$750 then your damage bill is capped at US$200. The total cost to you is US$395 (US$195 DCO + US$200 damage bill).
The DCO is optional, so if you would like to carry the risk yourself, you are welcome to. At the completion of the tour, you will be presented with an itemised bill of the damage to the bike. Approximately 50% of our riders do not damage the bikes and of the 50% that do receive a damage bill, the majority of the bills are less than $300. Please send us an email if you’ve got any questions about the DCO.
The DCO is not an insurance policy and therefore any costs related to it cannot be claimed on a travel insurance claim.
Testimonials
Max McLachlan, NSW Australia 2017
The itinerary is all inclusive of the natural wonders of Northern India. No day is the same and the scenery can change with one hair-pin turn. The Enfields handle the unforgiving road considerably well. The support crew operated like a well-oiled machine and were always courteous and charming. An experience I won't soon forget.
Barry Wademan, NSW Australia 2017
Hassle free adventure with a bunch of like minded people, sharing a passion for riding motorcycles. The whole experience was a once in a life time opportunity full of amazing scenery and fond memories. Had an awesome time
Ron VanEs, NSW Australia 2017
I would not change a thing, I was promised an adventure & I got one, not all adventures were on the bike.