Frequently Asked Questions
Riding the Himalayas in Ladakh from Australia? Here are the questions Aussie riders ask us most. If yours isn’t here, call us on 0452 337 260 or email booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au. We’re always happy to talk bikes and mountains.
Planning your trip
Who are D'Himalayan Riders?
D’Himalayan Riders is an Australian-led motorcycle tour operator based in Melbourne, VIC, running Royal Enfield Himalayan series expeditions through Ladakh, Zanskar and Spiti. On the ground in India we work hand in hand with our partner company in India, Endeavour Ladakh. Led by Sonam Rinchen, who has 14 years of experience guiding in Ladakh. You get Australian-standard planning and communication from home, plus an experienced local crew who know these roads inside out.
How do I get from Melbourne or Sydney to the start of my tour?
Flights aren’t included, so you’ll book your own international flight from Melbourne, Sydney or your nearest airport to Delhi. On our Leh-start tours (Ladakh Circuit Ride, Ladakh Classic Ride and Umling La Extreme Ride), you then catch a domestic flight from Delhi to Leh, where our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The Himalayan Crossing Ride and Ultimate Himalayan Ride start in Delhi. Every tour finishes in Leh, so book your flight home from there. Build in buffer time on the way over, because missing the start due to a flight delay or cancellation counts as a no-show under our booking policy.
Do Australians need a visa for India?
Yes, Australian passport holders can apply for an Indian e-Visa online. Use only the official Government of India site, indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa, and check the current fees, processing times and requirements there. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity, and sorting the right visa is your responsibility. The e-Visa alone doesn’t cover protected areas of Ladakh. That’s where the permits we arrange come in (see “Do I need permits to ride in Ladakh?”).
What licence do I need, and are the tours challenging?
All five tours are rated Challenging. Most riding days run 4–8 hours, and the longest days run up to 12–14 hours in the saddle including stops over rough mountain roads, water crossings and high passes, so they suit confident, experienced riders. You’ll need a valid motorcycle licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit. Riders must be 18+, and by booking you confirm you’re medically fit for the trip and have told us about any relevant medical conditions.
Can my partner or a non-riding friend come along?
Absolutely. Our rider types are Solo rider, Twin-share rider, Pillion and SUV seat, so you can choose what suits you and your travel partner. Rates differ between rider types, so check the tour page or contact us at booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au for current pricing.
When are the 2027 departures?
2027 bookings are open now. Departures run between 1 May and 18 September 2027; see each tour page for exact dates. May to September is the ideal window for Ladakh, and June to August usually brings the best road conditions. Book early to lock in your date.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is mandatory for all riders on all of our tours, and every rider must hold comprehensive cover. Your policy should cover cancellations and trip interruption, medical and repatriation costs, personal injury and accident, emergency helicopter evacuation, loss of baggage and money, and personal liability. Check that it covers riding a motorcycle (as rider or pillion) and travel at altitudes up to 5,798 m at Umling La, because not every policy does.
On the ride
How do you handle altitude and acclimatisation?
Leh sits at about 3,500 m and Umling La tops out at 5,798 m, so we take altitude seriously. Leh-start tours begin with a full rest and acclimatisation day in Leh, while the Delhi-start tours start low in Delhi (about 231 m), reach Manali (about 2,050 m) and Jispa (about 3,200 m) before the big passes. Itineraries also include lighter days, and our support vehicle carries first aid and oxygen cylinders. We’re not a medical provider, so please talk to your GP about altitude and any medications before you travel.
What bikes will I ride?
You’ll ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan, built for exactly this terrain and serviced by our mechanics. A helmet, gloves and riding jacket are included, but bring your own riding boots and any extra gear you like to ride in. Riders are responsible for repair costs for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
What's included, and what's not?
Included: A Royal Enfield Himalayan series motorcycle, riding gear (helmet, gloves and jacket), accommodation, airport transfers, one backup car with mechanic (our backup team, with a ride captain and first aid), one luggage car, bike fuel, meals, oxygen support and Inner Line Permits. Accommodation is twin-share, with single rooms on request. Not included: international and domestic flights, travel insurance and riding boots.
Do I need permits to ride in Ladakh?
Yes, parts of Ladakh are protected areas, and the Indian e-Visa alone doesn’t cover them. All Inner Line Permits are included on every tour and handled by our team, so you just send us your passport and visa details ahead of time. Keep your passport and permit copies handy on the ride.
Can I join as a solo traveller?
Solo travellers are very welcome. Book as a Solo rider, or as a Twin-share rider if you’d like to share a room, and you’ll get to know your ride captain, crew and fellow riders along the way. Not sure which rider type fits? Call us on 0452 337 260 or email booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au.
What safety and support do you provide?
Every tour is led by an experienced, English-speaking ride captain, backed by a support vehicle with a mechanic, a first aid kit and emergency oxygen. Each trip starts with a full expedition and safety briefing covering the route, riding protocols and altitude awareness, and our team gives 24/7 on-ground support throughout. If weather, roads or safety conditions change, we’ll adjust the itinerary to keep everyone safe. In a medical emergency we’ll help arrange treatment or evacuation; those costs are yours, which is why good insurance matters.
Booking & payments
How much do the tours cost, and how do payments work?
Tours start from AUD $3,627 (Ladakh Circuit Ride and Ladakh Classic Ride). See each tour page for rider-type pricing. Save 10% on any 2027 tour with code FIRSTRIDERS10 when you book by 31 Jan 2027. A AUD $100 non-refundable deposit secures your place. 50% of the tour price is due 60 days before departure and the balance 30 days before. If you book within 30 days of departure, full payment is needed upfront. Payment is by the remittance method set out in your invoice, and credit card surcharges and late-payment fees may apply. To book, email booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au or call 0452 337 260.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Cancellations must be made in writing, and the full terms are in our Booking & Cancellation Policy. Refunds depend on how far out you cancel: 60 or more days before departure, full refund minus a 10% admin fee; 45–59 days, 50% refund; 30–44 days, 25% refund; less than 30 days, no refund. The AUD $100 booking deposit is non-refundable (subject to Australian Consumer Law), and missing the start because of flight delays or cancellations counts as a cancellation. If you leave a tour early, unused days can’t be refunded, which is another good reason to have solid travel insurance.
