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India – Death Valley This is an epic motorcycle adventure in the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, across some of the most treacherous, yet breathtakingly beautiful landscapes the Himalayas have to offer and through a time warp of ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture. Some of the world’s most dangerous, infamous and exhilarating off and on-road tracks will take you through verdant greeneries and larger than life, magnificent rockscapes, past historically rich and quaint towns and villages which are home to a very welcoming, friendly, intelligent and hard-working people. Your fully guided motorcycle expedition starts from the splendorous capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. From here we will take a most breathtaking route to explore the scantily populated Middle Land known as Spiti Valley, on the Tibet border, and the faraway, sensational Pangi Valley and the land of shepherds, Chamba, over Sach Pass. This enchanting landscape is embellished with hanging villages and terraced fields and forests. The trip ends in Dharamshala, the main seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile. If you’re in for some hard-core riding and mind-blowing scenery, this is your trip! You will be forever changed … Carpe Diem! Tour at a Glance Region of country Himachal Pradesh / Himalayas Period June – September Duration 14 Days 13 Nights Riding Days 11 Days Accommodation Hotels, Guest Houses, Campsites Motorbike Royal Enfield 500cc ''Bullet" / Himalayan 410cc Level of Difficulty Challenging Max. Altitude Reached 5000m Max. Sleeping Altitude 3500m Average Daily Distance 127km Total Distance 1402km Fitness Level Tough Highlights • Immerse yourself in the delightful mayhem that is New Delhi and Old Delhi • Discover remote and untouched places of Himachal Pradesh • Experience the diversity in Culture and landscape of Himalayan region • Century old traditional Hindu temples and Tibetan monasteries • Meet the cheerful people along your ride • Ride Himalayan roads that very few motorcyclists dare to ride Detailed Itinerary Day 1 – Arrive in New Delhi, India A Motorcycle Expeditions representative will meet and greet you at the airport IGIA, (Indira Gandhi International Airport). From here, you'll be transferred by private bus or taxi to your hotel in New Delhi for an overnight stay. Day 2 – New Delhi to Shimla (2000m, 350 km, 8-9hrs) Check out after breakfast, to fly to Chandigarh. From here, a private vehicle will transport us to Shimla in the foothills of the Pir Panjal Range in the inner Himalayan Region. Lunch will be had on the way. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel. Day 3 – Shimla to Sarahan (2500m, 190km, 7-8hrs) We take a tree-lined, scenic road up to Narkand (2500m) through a pine forest and then pass by some villages to join the Main road to Kinnaur, Spiti and continue to Sarahan, the summer capital of the Rampur Bushahr. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house. Day 4 – Sarahan to Kalpa (2960m, 81 km, 4-5hrs) In Sarahan there’ll be time to visit the 1500 year old Shri Bhimakali Temple, offering us a spectacular view of the Shrikhand peaks, before we head out on our second days’ ride. Narrow, serpentine roads carved out of the rocks amongst a breath-taking mountain backdrop take us to Recong Peo, where we apply for permits before heading up towards Kalpa. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel. Day 5 – Kalpa to Tabo (3050m, 150km, 5-6hrs) The permits we applied for in Recong Peo and our passports, will be checked at the check point at Jhangi. Captivating scenery takes us on our route to Khab, before we ascend up a rocky road, soaring over Spiti River till Nako, a most charming village. From here we ride through several villages till Tabo. The Tabo monastery was founded in 996 A.D. and is often called “The Ajanta [Caves] of the Himalayas”. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house. Day 6 – Tabo to Kaza (3600m, 58km, 1-2hrs) via Dhankar Lalung and Pin valley Our ride takes us through Dhankar, which is the time-honoured capital seat of the Spiti king and home to the most incredibly situated gompa (monastery). We’ll also ride to Lalung Monastery, before we reach the beauteous Pin valley known for its national park (home of snow leopards and ibex). Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house in Kaza. Day 7 – Kaza visit Kye and Kibber (3600m, 46km, 1-2hrs) Our Enfields take us to the famous Kye Gompa of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Kibber, the highest motorable village in the world at 4270m, is our next stop before returning to Kaza. In the evening we ride uphill via Langza, the fossil village and Komic. Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house in Kaza. Day 8 – Kaza to Keylong (2000m, 176km, 6-7hrs) Kunzum La (pass 4590m) Our road leads us through several villages in Spiti valley, of which the last is Lossar. The wild passage from Losar to Gramphu, with an extensive view of the snowcapped mountains while traversing Kunzum La, offers motorcyclists a crazy off-road boon, all the way to Keylong. Sheer drops and water-crossings along the gravel make it a fabulous adventure. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel. Day 9 – Keylong to Udaipur, Miyard Nula (2500m, 115km, 3-4hrs) The scenic ride in the Chenab valley is a highly desirable track for off road riders from all around the world – ADVENTURE!! We ride to visit the temple of Trilokinath (Shiva) and 11th century old wooden temple of Mrikula Devi in Udaipur. Dinner and overnight in a scenic camp at Miyard Nula. Day 10 – Udaipur to Killar (2100m, 110km, 2-3hrs) A narrow Chenab valley takes us to Killar. This breathtaking road offers a thoroughly entertaining ride full of hairpins. Care has to be taken on the curves, since the roads are so narrow that sometimes there is no space to give way to oncoming vehicles. Majestically towering mountains and plunging gorges make this day exceptional. Dinner and overnight at a guest house. Day 11 –Killar to Tissa (3470m, 150km, 5-6hrs) over Sach Pass (pass 4900m) The road crosses the Chenab River and from here it’s all overhanging rocks and cliffs till Sach Pass! Enjoy the view of Himalayan valleys and mountains as we take an easy descent into the valley and visit some of the typical villages. We reach Tissa by afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a guest house. Day 12 –Tissa to Khajjiar (2199m, 90km, 4-6hrs) A winding forest road leads us into the valley, before ascending to Chamba town where we will have a chai break on the bank of the Chinab river. A zigzagging road leads us up to Khajjiar, also known as the “Mini Switzerland of India”. On arrival we’ll have lunch at the hotel and later in the afternoon a short stroll around. Dinner and overnight at a hotel. Day 13 –Khajjiar to Dharamshala (1457m, 200km, 7-8hrs) over Jot pass (2250m) We’ll twist and turn through the splendour of the Dhauladhar mountain range and Chamba valley. Over Jot pass, a cliffy road through Rhododendron and oak forests, will take us to Chowari, from where the picturesque beauty of the paddy fields enraptures travelers and potographers alike. Dinner and overnight at a hotel. Day 14 –Dharamshala to Delhi - Departure (520km, 12-13hrs) Early drive by private vehicle to reach Delhi by evening. You will have time to freshen up before your farewell dinner, after which you’ll be transferred to the international airport for your flight to your onward destination. What your tour includes • All ground transfers in India, airport to airport • Flight ticket from Delhi to Chandigarh • Chandigarh to Shimla transfer by private taxi / minibus • Dharamshala to Delhi transfer by private taxi / minibus • 410cc Himalayan or 500cc Royal Enfield Motorcycle and fuel for entire trip • Accommodation (twin sharing in comfort hotels / guest houses / camps / tents / similar) neat and clean • Breakfast and dinner in the hotel and lunch on the way in local restaurants • Mineral water will be provided during the expeditions • English speaking guide, a motorcyclist by profession and passion • Medical kit with oxygen cylinder • Mechanics with all necessary spare parts • Support vehicle (if riders suffer from a sore @$$, they may jump into our backup jeep to relax!!) • All monument entrance fees during the tour, excl. camera fees Excluded • Visa • International flights • Any medical / travel insurance coverage and personal expenses • Any telephone calls / internet charges • Any tips for the guide, driver and mechanic (suggested at $100) • Any items not mentioned in included section • Alcoholic beverages • Any damage to the motorcycle must be covered by the rider in full • Any itinerary extensions will be subject to additional cost • Costs incurred or expenses arising due to natural calamities, strikes, breakdowns and any other unforeseen calamities beyond the control of Motorcycle Expeditions Adventure Tour Pvt Ltd and its associates (force majeure) 2020 Cost From US$ 3,100 What to pack • General We always wear Helmets! It is the law to wear a helmet everywhere we ride. ‘Local quality’ helmets can be bought in larger cities though your own is always more comfortable and there is no guarantee that there’ll be an opportunity to shop for a helmet before the ride commences. When visiting Temples or Gompas, you must remove your shoes. Slip-ons and zipped boots make this lot easier. Often newcomers to India and Nepal will bring too much “stuff”! All over India and Nepal the essentials are available, from toothpaste to batteries, from headache tablets to pants and socks. It’s part of the experience to buy simple requirements as you go along. We recommend you travel to India with rugged, 'soft' luggage, which can later be stowed in the hotel or support jeep.
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