Ride on top
of the world

The roads and passes between Manali and Leh are open from June till October, while Leh is accessible from May onwards. June & Juli is the warmest time and thus the peak season where many tourists visit. August till October is less populated and you might encounter first snowfall towards the end of September & early October.

In general, daily temperatures are still warm during the day (+28) but nights can be cold (+2). It’s advisable to carry some warm clothing. You will need to keep yourself very well hydrated at all times, please only drink bottled mineral water, (check to ensure the seal is intact). 

The itinerary is subject to climate and road condition and will be amended if necessary to ensure the best and safest experience for the riders.

What to wear…

At the risk of stating the obvious here are a few tips: Shoes that can be slipped on and off easily are also very useful as they must always be removed at all religious sites. For general day wear, we recommend light cottons and loose clothing, with jumpers or fleeces and sturdy shoes for those travelling to Pangong and Nubra. In many hotels, restaurants, the air conditioning can be rather chilly. A light jumper or pashmina is very handy in these situations. You will certainly need a light shawl/jacket for the lake and Passes. Do carry good walking shoes for trekking. Please cover yourself properly when visiting the monasteries and avoid talking selfies with the Buddha statue.

Please carry adequate sunscreen and a cooling lotion which could be Aloe Vera based. Wet wipes, hats, sunglasses with a with a high UV protection factor will help you cope with the sun.

Do bring…

Personal medication to cover you for stomach ailments, car sickness, minor cuts and bruises,sprains and rashes/allergies, mosquito bites. Any other medication prescribed by your doctor. Toilet paper during the road trip.

Comfortable shoes for trekking & walking around the city. Please bring intimate wipes (lingettes intimes) for when you need to use public toilets.

Comfort & Eating Out…

Please remember you could give special instructions asking for less spicy food. If you are allergic to any specific foods, please let us know well in advance so we can tell you what kind of foods to avoid.

Please be careful to have food in small quantities, always cooked fresh and served hot as your stomachs may not be used to the spices and the oil in which they are made. When ordering cool drinks, please insist that no ice is used in the glass. Bottles of water and drinks must have unbroken seals when purchased. We recommend raffling of your bottles.

To Leh: you can fly directly to Leh Airport via Delhi or Mumbai. You will need to acclimatise after arrival, and hence the first 1-2 days will be easy going to ensure you get used to the high altitude and to avoid altitude sickness (AMS).

To Manali: you can either fly into Delhi and take the overnight bus to Manali or you can take a local flight from Delhi or Mumbai to Kullu Airport (Manali).

The flight is more convenient and quicker, while the sleeper bus will take 13-20 hours and depending on the road, can be quite an extreme experience.

Riding in the Himalayas and on some of the highest roads of the world is definitely a bucket list experience and for some, a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

At first, the high altitude makes everything feel more difficult. Whether it is walking, tying your shoe laces or simply climbing a few steps. You will feel the difference in altitude instantly, and you will feel tired more easily. Some may experience fatigue and a slight headache.

That’s why the first 1-2 days of your tour will be easy going to ensure you get used to the high altitude and to avoid altitude sickness (AMS). Upon arrival in Leh, spend the day relaxed with only a few easy walks if at all. The first day of riding will be an easy ride on tar to ensure you become comfortable riding at high altitude, and to get used to Indian traffic.

If you take it easy, have a good sleep and monitor your water and foot intake (a bit less food than you have usually), we can try to avoid altitude sickness. But, it is a reality and there is always a possibility especially when crossing high passes or or sleeping at high altitude (no worries – we always ride high, but sleep low!)

But, should you feel light headed or experience a headache, please notify your tour leader instantly. We always have a local medic support on our tour to assist with extra oxygen and medication if necessary. 

To prevent altitude sickness as much as possible, you can consider taking Diamox (Altitude sickness medication) 1-2 days prior to your arrival in Leh. This will help reduce the symptoms.

For more details, read up here: https://www.lehladakhindia.com/acclimatization/

1. Cell phone connectivity is not always the best when on the road between destinations and varies from operator to operator. You may have WIFI and Network connectivity in LEH, ALCHI and PANGONG. During the other days, you won’t have cellphone reception or WIFI. Please inform your close-ones, family and/or work accordingly, and try to arrange everything important before/after the tour. We have a satellite phone that can be reached. 

• Please make sure to carry sufficient cash (INR) with you for our personal expenses and to settle extra food or hotel bills. Card payments are usually not possible in Ladakh and only few establishments in Leh accept it. 

  You can withdraw INR cash at the Delhi Airport upon your arrival in India. We recommend an amount between INR 15,000 to INR 20,000 (or more) depending on your personal expenses. 

  Leh does have a few ATMS, but they don’t always work with international cards. Thus, Delhi Airport is a more reliable option.