Umling La is the kind of pass riders talk about for years afterwards. At 5,798 m (about 19,022 ft), the road over Umling La in eastern Ladakh is a Guinness-certified record (2021), higher than the Everest base camps in Nepal and Tibet. If you’re an Australian rider thinking about an Umling La motorcycle tour, this guide covers what the ride is really like, who it suits, how to prepare and how our tour gets you there and back safely.
We’re D’Himalayan Riders, an Australian-led Himalayan motorcycle tour company based in Melbourne, VIC. We ride Ladakh every season with our local crew, and the Umling La Extreme Ride is a challenging Leh-start tour. Every rider who rides Umling La, on any of our five tours, receives an Umling La completion certificate.
Where is Umling La?
Umling La sits in the Changthang region of eastern Ladakh, south-east of Leh and close to the village of Hanle. It’s a remote, high-plateau landscape of wide valleys, wild horses, nomad camps and huge skies. There are no towns along the way to speak of, and that’s part of the appeal: once you leave the main roads, it’s just you, the bike and the mountains.
The road itself was built for strategic access and opened up to travellers in recent years. Riding it gives you bragging rights that very few riders anywhere in the world can claim.
What the riding is like
Don’t expect a highway. The roads to Umling La mix good tarmac with broken sections, gravel, loose rock and the odd water crossing. Most days run 4–8 hours in the saddle, and the longest run up to 12–14 hours including stops, and the weather can change quickly at this height, with sun, wind and even snow on the same day.
The bigger challenge is the altitude. At nearly 5,800 m there’s roughly half the oxygen you have at sea level. You’ll feel it when you walk, when you pick up a bike and even when you put your helmet on. That’s why this is a tour for confident, experienced riders, not a first trip on dirt.
Who an Umling La motorcycle tour suits
- Experienced adventure riders who are comfortable on gravel, rough roads and river crossings.
- Riders who are happy with long days and early starts.
- Riders who can take a little over two weeks off for the trip.
- Riders in good general health. See your GP before you book, especially if you have heart or lung conditions.
If you’d like a gentler first taste of Ladakh, our Ladakh Classic Ride also reaches Umling La but starts with more time around Leh.
Altitude and acclimatisation
Altitude is the one thing you can’t train away in Australia, so the tour is built around it. Our Umling La Extreme Ride starts in Leh (about 3,500 m) with a rest and acclimatisation day before any big riding. The route then builds in lighter days (Day 4 in Padum, Day 8 in Leh) before Hanle and Umling La on Day 10, so your body has time to adjust.
A few simple rules help a lot: drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol, eat well, sleep as much as you can, and tell the ride captain early if you have a headache, nausea or feel unusually tired. Our backup car carries oxygen and first aid, and the crew watches every rider closely on the high days.
Permits
Eastern Ladakh, including the Hanle and Umling La area, needs Inner Line Permits. You don’t need to sort these out yourself. We arrange the permits for every rider as part of the tour. Just bring your passport and Indian e-Visa, and we’ll handle the rest.
Best time to ride Umling La
Our 2027 season runs from May to September, while the high passes are open. Early season brings more snow on the peaks and cold mornings. Mid-season has the warmest valley days. Late season often brings clear skies and crisp nights. At Umling La it can be cold any time of year, so pack proper layers.
Getting there from Australia
Fly from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth to Delhi, then take a short domestic flight to Leh. Most riders connect through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Arrive on day 1 and our airport transfer takes you straight to the hotel to rest. Read more in our guide to getting to Ladakh from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Your travel insurance must cover motorcycle riding at high altitude (up to 5,798 m) and medical evacuation. Many standard policies don’t, so check the fine print. Our travel insurance tips for Australian riders explain what to look for.
What’s included on our Umling La tour
- 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.
The Umling La Extreme Ride at a glance
- Length: 14 days, starting and finishing in Leh
- Highlights: Aryan Valley, Zanskar, Shinku La (5,091 m), Hanle and Umling La (5,798 m)
- Rating: Challenging, for experienced riders
- Price: from AUD $3,935 solo rider or AUD $3,364 twin-share, per person
- Group size: a minimum of 5 riders for a departure to run
See the full day-by-day route on the Umling La Extreme Ride page.
Ready to ride Umling La?
Ride Umling La on any of our five tours and you’ll take home your Umling La completion certificate.
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.
Got questions about the altitude, the riding or which tour suits you? Get in touch with our Melbourne team:
- Email: booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au
- WhatsApp: +61 452 337 260
Book the Umling La Motorcycle Tour with code FIRSTRIDERS10 for 10% off (book by 31 January 2027).
Julley – see you in the mountains.
More planning guides: Riding Ladakh in 2027: guide for Australians · 2027 tour costs in AUD · What’s included in our tours · All tours
