Umling La is a Guinness-certified record (2021) for the highest motorable road, at 5,798 m (about 19,022 ft). So it’s no surprise that the first question Australian riders ask us is: how hard is it, really? This guide gives you an honest answer about the fitness, altitude and riding skills you’ll need, and how our tour is set up to help you get there. Every rider who rides Umling La, on any of our five tours, also receives an Umling La completion certificate.
We’re D’Himalayan Riders, an Australian-led Himalayan motorcycle tour company based in Melbourne, VIC.
The short answer
The Umling La ride is challenging. It’s not technical trail riding, but it combines very high altitude, long days, rough roads and changeable weather. Confident, experienced riders who prepare well handle it. It’s not the right choice for a first motorcycle tour or someone new to gravel.
Altitude: the biggest challenge
At nearly 5,800 m there’s roughly half the oxygen you have at sea level. You’ll feel it when you walk, lift a bike or even put your helmet on. Everyone reacts differently, and fitness doesn’t guarantee you won’t feel it.
That’s why the Umling La Extreme Ride starts in Leh (about 3,500 m) with a rest and acclimatisation day, then rides the Aryan Valley (about 2,800 m) and Zanskar, with lighter days in Padum (Day 4) and Leh (Day 8), before the highest days. Our backup car carries oxygen support and first aid, and our crew watches every rider closely.
Simple habits make a real difference:
- Drink plenty of water and eat well, even when you’re not hungry.
- Go easy on alcohol, especially in the first few days.
- Move slowly at the top and don’t rush photos.
- Tell the ride captain early if you have a headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness.
Please see your GP before you travel, especially if you have heart or lung conditions. Our crew supports you on the road, but we are not a medical provider.
Fitness: what you actually need
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be in good general health. Most days run 4–8 hours in the saddle, and the longest run up to 12–14 hours including stops, and you’ll be managing a loaded motorcycle at altitude. Before the trip, we suggest:
- Regular cardio, such as walking, cycling or swimming, a few times a week.
- Some core and leg strength work to help with standing on the pegs.
- A few long days on the bike at home to build saddle endurance.
Riding skills and experience
The roads to Umling La mix good tarmac with broken sections, gravel, loose rock and the odd water crossing. You should be comfortable:
- Riding standing up on gravel and rough surfaces.
- Crossing shallow water at a steady pace.
- Handling hairpins, steep climbs and descents.
- Riding long, consecutive days.
If you’ve done some adventure or dirt riding in Australia, such as fire trails or gravel roads, you’ll have a good base. Our bikes are from the Royal Enfield Himalayan series, which are built for exactly these roads.
Not sure you’re ready?
If you’d prefer a gentler start, our Ladakh Classic Ride has more time around Leh and fewer passes, while still reaching Umling La. Get in touch and we’ll help you choose honestly.
Permits and support
Eastern Ladakh needs Inner Line Permits, and we arrange them for every rider as part of the tour. You’ll also have one backup car with mechanic and one luggage car, so you can focus on the riding.
What’s included
- Motorcycle (Royal Enfield Himalayan series)
- Riding gear (helmet, gloves and jacket)
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- One backup car with mechanic
- One luggage car
- Bike fuel
- Meals
- Oxygen support
- Inner Line Permits
Not included: international and domestic flights, travel insurance and riding boots.
For the full picture, read our Umling La motorcycle tour guide for Australian riders. You can see the day-by-day route on the Umling La Extreme Ride page.
It’s a hard ride, and that’s what makes it special. Ride Umling La on any of our five tours and you’ll receive an Umling La completion certificate to prove it.
Ready to ride Umling La?
The Umling La Extreme Ride is 14 days from Leh, from AUD $3,935 solo rider or AUD $3,364 twin-share, per person. A tour needs a minimum of 5 riders to run. To thank our early supporters, we’re running a First Riders Offer: 10% off with the code FIRSTRIDERS10 for bookings made by 31 January 2027.
Questions? Get in touch with our Melbourne team:
- Email: booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au
- WhatsApp: +61 452 337 260
Julley – see you in the mountains.
More planning guides: Riding Ladakh in 2027 · 2027 tour costs in AUD · All tours
