D’Himalayan Riders is a Melbourne-based company running motorcycle tours through the Himalayas in Ladakh for Australian riders. Our tours are ground packages, so you book your own flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or any Australian city, and we look after you from Day 1.
Where your tour starts
- Leh-start tours: the Ladakh Circuit Ride, Ladakh Classic Ride and Umling La Extreme Ride. Fly into Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport) on Day 1. Airport transfers in Leh are included, and Day 1 is a rest and acclimatisation day in Leh (about 3,500 m).
- Delhi-start tours: the Himalayan Crossing Ride and Ultimate Himalayan Ride. Fly into Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport) on Day 1. Our ground team meets you on arrival and helps with the transfer to your hotel. The trip to Manali by SUV is included, and the route then continues from Manali towards Ladakh.
Planning your flights from Australia
There are no direct flights from Australia to Leh. Most riders fly to Delhi first and connect to Leh on a domestic flight. On the Leh-start tours, plan to land in Leh on Day 1. You may want to arrive in Delhi a day early in case of delays, because missing the start due to flight delays counts as a cancellation under our booking terms. Every tour ends in Leh, so book your return from Leh.
Before you go
- A valid motorcycle licence from home plus an International Driving Permit
- An Indian visa
- Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory for all riders). See our insurance tips for Australian riders.
- A chat with your GP about altitude
See exactly what’s included in your ground package.
Your trip, step by step
Whether you live in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, the journey has the same shape. Here is how it works for each start city.
If your tour starts in Leh
The Ladakh Classic Ride, Ladakh Circuit Ride and Umling La Extreme Ride start in Leh.
- Fly from your Australian city to Delhi. There are no direct flights from Australia to Leh.
- Connect on a domestic flight from Delhi to Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport). Plan to land in Leh on Day 1.
- Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Day 1 is a rest and acclimatisation day in Leh, which sits at about 3,500 m, with a full expedition and safety briefing in the evening.
- Ride, then finish in Leh. Your last day is the departure day, with a transfer to the airport. The Classic Ride and Circuit Ride finish on Day 13, the Umling La Extreme Ride on Day 14.
If your tour starts in Delhi
The Himalayan Crossing Ride (17 days) and Ultimate Himalayan Ride (20 days) start in Delhi.
- Fly from your Australian city to Delhi and arrive on Day 1. Our ground team receives you at Indira Gandhi International Airport and helps with the transfer to your hotel. Delhi is only about 231 m above sea level, and the evening includes a briefing and welcome dinner.
- On Day 2, an SUV transfer takes you from Delhi to Manali (Distance: ~540 km, drive time about 12–14 hrs including stops). Manali is about 2,050 m.
- On Day 3 you receive your motorcycle in Manali.
- From Manali the route heads towards Ladakh, with the biggest passes still ahead. The Crossing Ride rides Manali to Jispa (about 3,200 m) to Padum in Zanskar; the Ultimate Ride goes Manali to Kaza in Spiti (about 3,800 m) first, then Jispa and Padum. Both finish in Leh, on Day 17 (Crossing Ride) or Day 20 (Ultimate Ride).
Book your flight home from Leh
Every tour finishes in Leh, not Delhi. Book your return from Leh on the final day of your tour, and book your onward connection home from there. Check the exact day on your tour page and in your written proposal before you buy the ticket.
Don’t miss the start
Our booking terms say a no-show caused by a flight cancellation or delay is treated as a cancellation by the rider and is non-refundable. We also don’t take responsibility for flight problems, because flights aren’t part of our ground package. The practical answer is a buffer:
- If you’re on a Leh-start tour, consider arriving in Delhi a day early, so a late connection doesn’t cost you Day 1.
- Choose flight tickets with enough connection time, and consider changeable fares, since your tour dates are fixed once your payments are made.
- Hold travel insurance that covers delays and missed departures. See our travel insurance tips for Australian riders.
Paperwork checklist for Australians
- Passport with at least 6 months’ validity.
- Indian e-Visa. Apply online through the official Government of India site (indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa) only, and check current fees, processing times and requirements there. Getting the right visa is your responsibility.
- Inner Line Permits. Included and handled by our team. Send us your passport and visa details ahead of time. The e-Visa alone doesn’t cover the protected areas of Ladakh.
- Motorcycle licence and International Driving Permit. You need a valid motorcycle licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit. Australians can get an IDP from their state motoring club.
- Travel insurance that covers motorcycle riding and altitude up to 5,798 m at Umling La (about 19,022 ft).
- A chat with your GP about altitude and any medication.
What to pack that we don’t provide
Your tour includes a Royal Enfield Himalayan series motorcycle, riding gear (helmet, gloves, jacket), accommodation, meals, bike fuel, airport transfers, a ride captain, one backup car with mechanic, oxygen support and Inner Line Permits. Riding boots are not included, so bring your own, along with any extra gear you like to ride in. See exactly what’s included.
Talk to a Melbourne-based team
D’Himalayan Riders Pty Ltd is based in Melbourne, VIC. Our tours are led by Sonam Rinchen, who has 14 years of experience guiding in Ladakh, and run on the ground in Leh with our trusted partner company in Leh, India, Endeavour Ladakh. Not sure which start city or tour suits you? Call 0452 337 260 (Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM AEST) or email booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au, and we’ll reply within 24 hours. Prices start from AUD $3,627, and if you book any 2027 tour by 31 January 2027 you can use code FIRSTRIDERS10 for 10% off. Compare all five tours on our tours page.
Choose your tour
- Ladakh Circuit Ride: 13 days from Leh, from AUD $3,627
- Ladakh Classic Ride: 13 days from Leh, from AUD $3,627
- Umling La Extreme Ride: 14 days from Leh, from AUD $3,935
- Himalayan Crossing Ride: 17 days from Delhi, from AUD $5,094
- Ultimate Himalayan Ride: 20 days from Delhi, from AUD $6,017
Check 2027 dates – from AUD $3,627. Save 10% on any 2027 tour with code FIRSTRIDERS10 when you book by 31 Jan 2027. Email booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au or call +61 452 337 260.
Frequently asked questions
Are flights included?
No. Our tours are ground packages. You book your own flights from Australia to Leh or Delhi for Day 1, and home from Leh.
Do you pick me up from the airport?
Airport transfers in Leh are included. On the Delhi-start tours, our ground team receives you at Delhi airport on Day 1.
Which Australian city should I fly from?
Any. Riders fly from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide to Delhi and connect to Leh if their tour starts there.
Should I arrive early?
It's a good idea to leave a buffer before Day 1, because missing the start due to flight delays counts as a cancellation.
Where are you based?
We're a Melbourne, VIC based company, D'Himalayan Riders Pty Ltd, and our experienced local crew runs the tour on the ground in Ladakh.
