ADV Rider #65 issue

Each day’s ride is about six hours, riding around 200kms with plenty of time to stop and enjoy the mountain scenery. Plus, you’ll visit remote picturesque villages, buzzling bazars, ancient monasteries and a dark sky reserve with one of the world’s highest observatories at Hanle. You can also travel with your family who can enjoy the journey by booking a seat in the accompanying back-up vehicle. This ride is not for the faint-hearted and a median level of off-road riding skill is required, but you’ve got plenty of time to prepare for this bucket-list trip of a life time. And if you’re wondering if deathdefying cliff-hanger moments playing chicken with wired Indian truck drivers is included, you’ll be pleased to know it is not. I am! Many of the dirt roads travelled are far from the maddening crowd where you can soak in the wonder, beauty and serenity of the high Himalayas with like-minded adventure riders.

The 14-day expedition (maximum 15 riders), includes hire of a 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450cc and fuel, ride leader, medic, photographer/drone operator, mechanic and back-up vehicle, accommodation, meals and more…

Royal Bikers also support the Headlight Foundation and part of the trip cost goes to remote villages for infrastructure development, education, and women’s empowerment.

For the full itinerary, ride map, expedition details, to ask any questions and to book visit: www.royalbikers.com/our-tours/ epic-ladakh-adventure

Cost is US$3150 (inc. gst) (about AUS$4800) plus international and india domestic flights. Tour Dates: 26 August 2025 from Srinagar, ending on 8 September 2025 in Manali.

Learn more about Royal Bikers and their adventure motorcycle tours: www.royalbikers.com

on a Himalayan 450 High Himalayas

Ride the in 2025

Royal Bikers have curated a 14-day motorcycle expedition for Adventure Rider readers and their friends for late August 2025. Riding the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, the 14-day trip covers nearly 2000 kms reaching altitudes of up to 5800 metres. The trip takes in some of the most remote off-road riding in Ladakh, a region of the high Himalayas known as the ‘Roof of India’. On this 14-day epic adventure, you will ride a mix of tarmac, off-road and no road from lush mountain valleys to the world’s highest motorable roads and everything in between, and all set against a backdrop of the majestic snowcapped Himalayas.

Royal Bikers is run by locals Manish Bhaskar and Rajendra Prasad, who have been riding around the region and operating motorcycle tours to Ladakh, and many other destinations in India, Nepal and Bhutan, since 2003. Using their local knowledge, Rajendra and Manish have curated a ride that will take you away from the overcrowded routes and includes the recently opened NPD (Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road). The trip is booked for late August 2025: the ideal time to ride the high Himalayas. The monsoon has finished; the landslides are cleared; India’s school holidays are over; and you are rewarded with mostly clear crisp days for riding, and night skies for star gazing.