Overview

Experience the ultimate Himalayan circuit with Dust and Trails. Designed from over 15 years of expedition experience, this 12-day, 11-night itinerary takes you from a seamless transit starting in Delhi, through the rugged high-altitude deserts of Ladakh, summiting Umling La (19,300 ft), and concluding in the lush valleys of Srinagar. Guided exclusively by native Ladakhi tour leaders who were born and raised in these mountains, you are guaranteed unmatched local insight, proper acclimatization, and top-tier riding conditions backed by our dedicated support vehicles and expert

11 Nights 12 Days 31 May, 19 Jun, 08 Jul, and more
Inclusions/Exclusions
What we'll give. What we won't

What is included in the tour

  • Motorcycle: Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 cc BS-VI (fuel included for the official route).
  • Travel: Volvo bus ticket.
  • Accommodation: Triple sharing (couples double-sharing).
  • Meals: Breakfast and dinner at overnight stops.
  • Permits, Tolls & Entry: Inner Line Permits, toll fees, and applicable entry fees.
  • Tour Support: Local Ladakhi tour marshal, mechanical support, and a dedicated support vehicle with a great backup team.
  • Riding Gear: Level 2 riding jackets, helmets, and knee/elbow guards.
  • Safety Arrangements: Oxygen and first-aid arrangements

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Transfers: Srinagar airport pick-up and onward travel/taxis from the Delhi Volvo drop off point.
  • GST: 5% GST.
  • Travel: Airfare.
  • Meals:Lunch and room service
  • Damages: Accident damage.
  • Unforeseen Expenses: Extra accommodation or transit costs due to weather or roadblocks.
  • Foreign Nationals: US$100 surcharge for foreign nationals.
  • Other: Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusions
Highlights
What makes this tour special

  • Conquer the World's Highest Road: Summit Umling La at a staggering 19,300 feet, safely guided by marshals native to these extreme altitudes.

  • Led by Local Experts: Ride with a Dustandtrails crew born and raised in Ladakh, utilizing years of Himalayan expedition experience to ensure perfect group pacing and safety.

  • Acclimatization-Focused Routing: Strategic overnight stops, including a comfortable recovery night in Jispa before tackling the higher altitude passes.

  • Off-Beat Frontiers: Navigate the thrilling Shyok River route, ride parallel to the LAC through Chushul, and sleep beneath the Milky Way at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.

  • Seamless Transitions: Begin your journey relaxing on a comfortable, pre-arranged overnight Volvo bus from New Delhi to Manali.

Itinerary
Day 1

Day 1: Delhi to Manali (Volvo Bus)

DELHI
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DISTANCE: ~530 KM (BY BUS) | SADDLE TIME: NO RIDING TODAY
Your journey begins in New Delhi. Please note that we do not provide any daytime accommodation in Delhi regardless of your arrival time. In the evening, you will board our arranged luxury Volvo sleeper bus for a comfortable overnight journey into the mountains.

Day 2

Day 2: Arrival in Manali

Manali
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DISTANCE: 0 KM | SADDLE TIME: 0 HOURS
Arrive in Manali and make your way to the hotel to rest after the overnight journey. Our local Dust and Trails crew will welcome you for a comprehensive tour briefing, motorcycle allocation, and a rundown of high-altitude riding protocols. Get plenty of rest to prepare for the riding leg.

Day 3

Day 3: Manali to Jispa

Jispa
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DISTANCE: ~95 KM | SADDLE TIME: 3-4 HOURS
Leaving the dense pine forests of the Solang Valley, we cross the Atal Tunnel and enter the raw Himalayan terrain. We ride to Jispa for our overnight stay; this lower elevation promotes better sleep and essential physical recovery before taking on the highest passes.

Day 4

Day 4: Jispa to Leh

Leh
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DISTANCE: ~330 KM | SADDLE TIME: 9-10 HOURS
Heading north on the demanding Manali-Leh highway, we navigate the thrilling 21 hairpin bends of the Gata Loops and open the throttle across the vast, high-altitude flatlands of the More Plains. Crossing Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachung La, and Tanglang La, we arrive at our base in Leh by evening.

Day 5

Day 5: Leh to Nubra Valley

Nubra
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DISTANCE: ~120 KM | SADDLE TIME: 4-5 HOURS
The high-altitude ascents begin as we ride over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The winding descent drops us into the spectacular Nubra Valley, known for its vast white sand dunes, double-humped Bactrian camels, and the sprawling Shyok River.

Day 6

Day 6: Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso

Pangong lake
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DISTANCE: ~160 KM | SADDLE TIME: 5-6 HOURS
Avoiding the backtrack to Leh, we take the thrilling Shyok River route directly to Pangong Tso. This adventurous trail features water crossings, loose gravel, and shifting terrain. The day concludes on the shores of the iconic blue lake that stretches across the Indo-China border.

Day 7

Day 7: Pangong Tso to Hanle

Hanle
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DISTANCE: ~160 KM | SADDLE TIME: 6-7 HOURS
Riding parallel to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), we push toward the remote Changthang plateau. Passing through Chushul and the Loma bridge, the vast landscape leads us to Hanle, home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory and some of the clearest, darkest skies on the planet.

Day 8

Day 8: Hanle to Umling La to Hanle

Umlingla
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DISTANCE: ~150 KM | SADDLE TIME: 6-7 HOURS
The pinnacle of the Dust and Trails expedition. We ride from Hanle to conquer Umling La (19,300 ft). Our native Ladakhi marshals will closely monitor everyone's acclimatization and pace in the thin air. After celebrating the summit, we descend safely back to our base in Hanle for the night.

Day 9

Day 9: Hanle to Leh

Leh
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DISTANCE: ~255 KM | SADDLE TIME: 7-8 HOURS
We begin our return loop toward civilization, riding back to Leh via the Chumathang Valley. Following the Indus River, the sweeping tarmac corners make this an incredibly smooth and scenic riding day, allowing you to relax the throttle after the intense Umling La summit.

Day 10

Day 10: Leh to Kargil

Kargil
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DISTANCE: ~215 KM | SADDLE TIME: 6-7 HOURS
Today's ride takes us along the smooth tarmac of the Srinagar-Leh highway. We will cross the Namika La and Fotu La passes, witness the lunar-like landscapes of Moonland near Lamayuru, and experience the famous Magnetic Hill before arriving in Kargil.

Day 11

Day 11: Kargil to Srinagar

Srinagar
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DISTANCE: ~200 KM | SADDLE TIME: 6-7 HOURS
Navigating the legendary Zoji La pass, the landscape shifts dramatically from the rugged, arid mountains of the Kargil district into the green alpine forests of the Kashmir Valley. We arrive in Srinagar, where you will hand over your motorcycles, officially concluding the riding leg of the journey.

Day 12

Day 12: Departure from Srinagar

Srinagar
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DISTANCE: 0 KM | SADDLE TIME: 0 HOURS
With the Himalayas behind you and a lifetime of high-altitude riding memories secured, the Dust and Trails expedition officially concludes here in Srinagar. You are free to arrange your onward travel.

Route Map
The 12D Northern Odyssey: Featuring Leh & Umling La - Route map
Things to Carry

The ride to 19,300 ft exposes riders to extreme elements. Layering and windproofing are absolute requirements.

  • Mandatory Documents: Original valid driving licence (MCWG - Motorcycle with Gear is mandatory for riders), original Aadhaar card/passport/voter ID, and two passport-size photographs for permits.
  • Riding Essentials: Heavy-duty waterproof riding gloves (mandatory), balaclava or buff for dust/wind protection, UV-protection sunglasses, and sturdy waterproof boots or trekking shoes.
  • Clothing: 2–3 sets of heavy thermal innerwear, a heavy fleece jacket, a windproof/waterproof outer shell, comfortable riding pants or thick jeans, and 4–5 pairs of warm woollen socks.
  • Toiletries & Medical: Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, personal medication and basic first-aid supplies for headaches or acidity.
  • Connectivity & Electronics: A postpaid BSNL or Jio SIM card (prepaid SIMs from outside J&K do not work in Ladakh). A high-capacity power bank.
  • Miscellaneous: Sufficient cash. ATMs are rarely available or functional outside Leh city, especially in remote areas like Hanle.
Why Ride With Dust and Trails?

Dust and Trails is locally operated in Leh, giving riders access to people who understand the roads, extreme passes, remote border villages and changing conditions of Ladakh first-hand. Our focus is providing a well-supported, secure motorcycle expedition to the world's highest altitudes.

  • Local Ladakh Team: Based in Leh and operated by people with first-hand knowledge of the region.
  • Motorcycle & Workshop Support: Locally maintained motorcycles and on-ground mechanical support, where applicable.
  • On-Road Support: A support setup with road assistance, tools and spare parts for the group, as applicable to the departure.
  • Local Accommodation Network: Trusted stays and local arrangements in Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong and Hanle.
  • Safety & Altitude Support: Emergency support and oxygen availability as part of the trip's rigorous safety arrangements.
Essential FAQs

Do I need permits for this trip?

Permit and environmental requirements can vary depending on nationality and the areas included in the route. Dust and Trails will assist guests with the applicable documentation, including the highly restricted Hanle/Umling La permits, before the trip.

What support is provided during difficult road sections?

The group is supported by the Dust and Trails team with road guidance, tools, spare parts and assistance appropriate to the extreme routes and current conditions.

Is oxygen available on the high passes?

Oxygen and emergency support arrangements are carried according to the trip's safety plan. Riders experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness will be assisted by the team and, when necessary, moved to a lower altitude or medical facility.

Can road conditions change?

Yes. High-altitude roads in Ladakh, especially the ascent to Umling La, can change quickly because of weather, snow, rain, landslides and stream crossings. The route may be adjusted when required for safety and access.