A Himalayan motorcycle tour is the ride many Australian riders dream about for years: the high Himalayan passes, high desert valleys, glacier-fed rivers, prayer flags snapping in the wind and monasteries perched on cliffs. This guide explains how to plan a Himalayas motorbike tour from Australia in 2027, which routes suit you, what each tour costs in Australian dollars, what is included, when to go and how to get there from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.
D’Himalayan Riders is an Australian-owned company based in Melbourne, VIC, led by founder Sonam Rinchen, who has 14 years of experience guiding riders through the Himalayas. Our trusted partner company in Leh, Endeavour Ladakh, looks after every D’Himalayan Riders tour on the ground, so you get Australian planning and communication combined with a local crew who know every bend of these mountain roads.
Why ride the Himalayas in Ladakh?
Ladakh, in India’s far north, sits between the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram ranges. It is the heart of Himalayan motorcycle touring because it has the roads, the scenery and the infrastructure to make a long ride achievable for experienced road riders. In one trip you can cross Khardung La (5,359 m), ride beside the blue waters of Pangong Lake, ride through the sand dunes of the Nubra Valley and stand at Umling La, at 5,798 m, a Guinness-certified record (2021).
The riding is a mix of smooth new highway, broken mountain tarmac, gravel, river crossings and switchbacks. You don’t need to be a dirt-bike racer, but you should be comfortable on a mid-size motorcycle for several hours a day and happy to ride at a relaxed pace when the road demands it. Many of our riders are Australians who have toured the Great Ocean Road, the Alpine Way or Tasmania and want their next big adventure.
The bikes: Royal Enfield Himalayan series
Every tour runs on the Royal Enfield Himalayan series, a motorcycle designed for exactly this terrain. It has long-travel suspension, an upright riding position, good ground clearance and a torquey engine that copes with thin air at altitude. It’s light enough to manage on gravel and comfortable enough for long days. Bikes are serviced before every departure, and a mechanic travels with the group.
Our five 2027 Himalayan motorcycle tours
All prices are in Australian dollars, per solo rider, for the ground package. For a full breakdown including flights, see how much a Himalayan motorcycle tour from Australia costs in 2027. Each tour page has the full day-by-day itinerary, dates and booking details.
- Ladakh Circuit Ride – 13 days from Leh, from AUD $3,627. A complete loop through Zanskar, Shinku La (5,091 m), Umling La, Tso Moriri, Pangong and Khardung La.
- Ladakh Classic Ride – 13 days from Leh, from AUD $3,627. The classic route via Nubra, Turtuk, Khardung La, Pangong, Hanle and Umling La.
- Umling La Extreme Ride – 14 days from Leh, from AUD $3,935. Zanskar, Jispa to Leh on the Manali–Leh Highway, Hanle and Umling La (5,798 m, a Guinness-certified record (2021)).
- Himalayan Crossing Ride – 17 days from Delhi, from AUD $5,094. Ride up from the plains through Manali and Zanskar into Ladakh.
- Ultimate Himalayan Ride – 20 days from Delhi, from AUD $6,017. Our longest ride, via Spiti, Kunzum La (4,551 m), Shinku La (5,091 m), Khardung La (5,359 m) and Umling La (5,798 m).
Compare them side by side on our Himalayan Motorcycle Tour Packages 2027 page.
Which Himalayas motorbike tour suits you?
If you have about two weeks of leave, the 13-day Circuit or Classic rides give you the essential Ladakh experience, starting and finishing in Leh. Riders who want the bragging rights of Umling La plus Zanskar should look at the 14-day Extreme Ride. If you would rather feel the full transition from India’s plains to the high Himalaya, the 17-day Crossing and 20-day Ultimate rides start in Delhi and start low in Delhi and reach the high passes after Manali and Jispa, which many riders find easier on the body.
What’s included
- Royal Enfield Himalayan series motorcycle
- Riding gear (helmet, gloves and jacket)
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- One backup car with mechanic (backup team)
- One luggage car
- Bike fuel
- Meals
- Oxygen support
- Inner Line Permits
See the full list on our What’s Included page.
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Riding boots
Travel insurance is a mandatory element of some travel arrangements, and we strongly encourage comprehensive cover for a Himalayan motorcycle tour. Read our travel insurance tips for Australian riders before you buy a policy.
Getting there from Australia
Our tours are ground packages, so you book your own flights. Most riders fly from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane to Delhi, often via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, then take the short domestic flight to Leh. On the Crossing and Ultimate rides you start in Delhi, so you only need an international ticket to get to the start. Our guide to the Ladakh tour from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane covers flights and timing in more detail.
Best time to ride the Himalayas
The riding season in Ladakh runs from roughly June to September, when the high passes are clear of snow. June and early July offer crisp air and snow-capped scenery. Late July and August are warmest, while September brings clear skies, golden valleys and fewer travellers. For Australians this lines up nicely with our winter, a good time to escape the cold for the mountains.
Altitude, fitness and safety
Altitude is the biggest challenge on any Himalayan motorcycle tour. Every itinerary includes acclimatisation time, and Leh-based tours begin with rest days in town before the big passes. Oxygen travels with the group and the backup vehicle stays close behind, so a tired rider can take a break in the vehicle at any time. A ride captain leads every group and sets a steady pace. Before you go, get a check-up with your GP, build general fitness and talk to them about altitude medication.
What to pack
Bring your own riding boots, comfortable layers for temperatures from near freezing to warm afternoons, sunscreen, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle and any personal medication. We supply the helmet, gloves and riding jacket, and the backup vehicle travels with the group on every tour.
2027 early-bird offer
Use the code FIRSTRIDERS10 for 10% off when you book any 2027 tour by 31 January 2027.
Plan your Himalayan motorcycle tour
Ready to ride the Himalayas? D’Himalayan Riders is based in Melbourne, VIC, and we’re happy to talk you through routes, dates and riding experience. Contact us or browse the 2027 tour packages to secure your spot.
More planning guides: What’s included in our tours · Travel insurance tips for Australian riders · Getting to Ladakh from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane · All tours
