We’ve got a lot to fit in, in 8 days so we head to the Himalayas from Delhi via a domestic flight. We’ll have time to acclimatise and prepare for what lies ahead on the first day before we explore the curvy roads of the Banjur Valley which borders the Great Himalayan National Park. We’ll ride through pine forests, the scent of which will trigger memories for years to come. We visit temples, forts, sacred mountains, and a 70 m statue of Shiva, one of the oldest monasteries in the world (996CE), before entering a restricted area where the scenery will stun you.
As we ride along the Chinese border, the most unbelievably situated Gompa reveals itself in Dhankar. We visit the Pin Valley National Park which is fascinating for many reasons. If you are extremely lucky, you might spot the ever-elusive and increasingly endangered Snow Leopard of which there is said to be less than 600 in the region. The Siberian Ibex is a graceful animal that should be easy to spot as they weigh up to 130 kg but their camouflage is so good that they are rarely spotted.
Right after we explore the world’s highest village, we visit Key Monastery, which is the largest monastery in the region and easily the most picturesque. We pack a lot in on the last day as we cross the highest point of the trip – Kunzum Pass which is over 4300 m and make our way over one of the world’s craziest roads – Rohtang Pass (Which translates to Field of Corpses!) before heading into Manali for the best after tour party you’ll ever experience. Your mind will be swirling, trying to remember everything you’ve seen and experienced in the past week as you head home via Delhi. This little taste of the Himalayas has weaved its way into your being and will provide you with stories and memories for the rest of your life.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | New Delhi, India |
| ADVENTURE DATES | This tour can be completed any time between May and the end of October. Please get in contact and we’ll create a boutique adventure for you. |
| PRICES | Rider: US$2,890 per person Pillion: US$2,490 per person |
| WHAT’S INCLUDED | Transfers to& from Airport and Hotel All internal transfers and other travel for the duration of the adventure A low kilometre, fastidiously maintained Royal Enfield Motorcycle All Fuel Quality Accommodation on a twin share basis (Comfort hotels/guest houses/Camps/tents) Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for the entire tour English speaking guides Medical kit available and Oxygen on high altitude adventures Mechanics with all necessary spare parts Support vehicles to carry all luggage (if riders are injured or feeling unwell they can take a break and jump into our backup jeep to relax) Bottled mineral water throughout the adventure Tea/Chai & snacks en-route Permits for restricted areas All entrance fees en-route |
| NOT INCLUDED | International flights Travel Insurance (compulsory) VISA (details sent with rider pack) Personal Expenses Tipping Alcoholic Drinks |
NOTE: These prices are based on a twin share basis. (If you’d like a private room/tent then there is a US$650 supplement)
Payment terms: A US$500 deposit must be made at the time of booking. Balance payment must be paid 8 weeks before the tour start date. Payment plans are available upon request.
Terms & Conditions What To Bring Price GuaranteeAdditional information
| Rider or Pillion | Rider, Pillion |
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DAY 1: ARRIVE IN NEW DELHI
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 Kullu. Alternatively, if you would like to arrive a day early and relax or sight-see let us know and we can arrange accommodation.
DAY 2: READY, SET…
After arriving at the airport, it’s just a short drive to our hotel where we’ll be acquainted with our Royal Enfield motorcycles. We’ll have lunch and then go for an acclimatisation ride through the mountains.
DAY 3: GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we will ride to the unexplored area of Kullu District. The Banjar Valley is a lush green valley & the border area of the “Great Himalayan National Park”, home to many birds, fish & animals. Lunch will be in a local restaurant and we’ll explore the valley after lunch too. Overnight at Raju Guesthouse/ similar.
DAY 4: FORESTS AND TEMPLES
A scenic road goes up 2500 m through a pine forest to Narkanda which has great skiing in the winter months. A gentle descent through villages to join the main road from Shimla that leads to Kinnaur in the Spiti Valley. We continue to Sarahan, the summer capital of the Rampur Busheher. We visit a 1500-year-old temple of goddess Bhimakali and we have an amazing view of the Shirkhand peaks. Overnight in Hotel/ Guesthouse.
DAY 5: PANORAMIC VIEWS
One of the prime attractions of Kalpa is the Kinnaur Kailash mountain as it is considered to be sacred by the locals of the region. A Shiva Lingam measuring 70 m in height sits on top of the peak which attracts a large number of devotees and tourists all year round. We will ride through Sangla Valley which is another prominent attraction after which we visit the Kamru Fort, the Naga Temple and Sapni, which are renowned for their architectural excellence and the city of Reckong Peo which offers a panoramic view of the Kinner Kailash Mountain. Overnight in A Hotel or Guesthouse.
DAY 6: 1000 YEAR OLD MONASTERY
We leave Reckong Peo and enter a restricted area after getting our passport checked at Jangi. The route to Khab where Sutlej river enters India and merges into the Spiti river is simply amazing. It is uphill along a cliff, high over the Spiti River until Nako, where a magnificent view awaits us. To the north of the village is the monastic complex belonging to the Drugpa order. We continue along the cliff roads, driving through several villages until Tabo Monastery which was founded in 996 A.D. Overnight in Hotel/ Guesthouse.
DAY 7: A MOST MEMORABLE DAY
Today is a long physically challenging day as we ride the craziest roads of the adventure. We cross streams and dirt tracks with frozen puddles to navigate up and over the Kunzum Pass. We’ll take our chai and lunch break at Batal before ascending up and over the Rohtang Pass which was twice featured on the TV show “World’s Craziest Roads”. The sparkling Beas River acts as our guide all the way back to Manali. As it’s the last night of this adventure we’ll celebrate and party with our new lifelong friends.
DAY 8: HOMEWARD BOUND
We head back to Delhi and usually arrive before noon. This allows you to catch a connecting flight home however if you have a long layover we’ll transfer you to the hotel where you can have a shower and relax.
Time to board the flight back to Delhi and head 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 you forever.
INSURANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, TIBET, MONGOLIA, MYANMAR and SRI LANKA)
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.
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