Motorcycle Trips In North India
Northern India’s varied terrain and natural beauty attract many visitors every year. However, while transportation by car or coach may feel claustrophobic and slow, riding atop a powerful motorbike provides you with the freedom of the road and the thrill of fast acceleration.
There are many fabulous motorcycle road trips you can enjoy in North India. Whether you wish to explore grand buildings from the Mughal Empire, see sublime Himalayan landscapes, or meet friendly Indian people and learn about local customs, traveling by motorbike provides you with more flexibility and enables you to experience the real India.
And you don’t even need to take your own motorcycle. Reputable local companies such as StoneheadBikes will be happy to offer you powerful and reliable bikes on rent in delhi that are perfect for your needs.
From Shimla to Manali via the Spiti Valley
The Spiti Valley in the northeastern part of Himachal Pradesh is a cold desert mountain valley high in the Himalayas renowned for its treacherous terrain but wonderful scenery. On these roads, you’ll feel safer wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet.
You can reach the Spiti Valley from Shimla by riding northeast along the NH5 through the Kinnaur Valley towards Khab then turning north onto the NH505. The name Spiti means “Middle Land” because the Spiti Valley lays between Tibet and India. It is one of the least populous regions of India.
In the Spiti Valley, you’ll find remote Buddhist monasteries, such as Tabo Monastery and Key Monastery. Tabo Monastery is the oldest in the Himalayas, founded in 996 CE. It is filled with priceless scroll paintings, manuscripts, frescoes, and statues, and the Dalai Lama has conducted ceremonies here.
Continue along the NH505 and you’ll come to Manali at the northern end of the Kullu Valley. An ancient trade route to Ladakh began in Manali. In Old Manali Village there is a temple dedicated to Manu. According to local legend, Manu was a Noah-like character who escaped a flood in an ark and then restarted human civilization after landing in Manali.
From Manali to Pangong Tso via Leh
This adventurous route takes you through the Ladakh region, the most fascinating area of India. Ladakh is the most northerly region in the country and also forms the highest plateau, with a base elevation of 9,800 feet above sea level. Its landscape is breath-taking, but less than half of the roads are surfaced. This makes it an ideal area to explore by motorcycle.
With mountain roads providing stunning views of snow-topped Himalayan Mountains, you can ride your motorbike through picturesque landscapes and admire the tranquillity of one of the remotest areas you will have ever visited. At such high altitudes, you should be careful to wear appropriate motorcycle rain-proof clothing.
The journey from Manali to Leh takes you from the lush mountainous region around Manali to the capital city of the Ladakh region. You’ll ride along some of the world’s highest roads and navigate high mountain passes, such as Tanglang La (17,480 feet) and Bara-lacha La (16,040 feet). The route skirts Hemis National Park, internationally famous for its rare snow leopards.
The route from Leh to Pangong Tso is through Chang La pass, which is the world’s 3rd highest road. The pass is an interesting challenge for motorcycles, with streams crossing the unsurfaced road in summer. Pangong Tso Lake is a saltwater endorheic lake at an elevation of 14,270 feet in the Himalayas.
Pangong Tso Lake is 83 miles long but only 3 miles wide, and 60% of the lake is in Tibet. Even though the western end of the lake is saline, the whole lake freezes over during winter. As the lake is within the disputed border area between India and China, you’ll need a special permit to go there and you’ll see army sentries near the tea house on the Chang La pass.
From Delhi to Agra
Delhi is undoubtedly the most famous city in India and a wonderful place to explore by motorcycle. With 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, anyone interested in history and culture will love Delhi. And tackling the busy and chaotic traffic in New Delhi is an essential part of your Indian experience. The best way to explore Delhi Sights by bike is by joining an organized Delhi Sightseeing tour run or hire a bike in Delhi by a reputable company such as StoneheadBikes.
The Red Fort in Old Delhi is an impressive palace built by the famous Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639. It once served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Today, it’s a symbol of Indian independence. On 15th August 1947, India gained independence. On that date, the first Indian Prime Minister raised the new Indian flag above the fort’s Lahore Gate and made a fine speech.
You can take the Taj Express Highway from Delhi to Agra, a fascinating city with many Mughal-era structures. The Shah Jahan who built the Red Fort in Delhi also built the famous Taj Mahal in Agra as a tomb for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The monumental marble structure was largely completed by 1643 and still inspires wonder in every visitor. Imagine riding your motorcycle towards the world’s greatest monument to love.
This article is brought to you by Stoneheadbikes – India’s leading bikes rentals and tours company based out in Delhi having branches in Bengaluru, Pune, Jaipur, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Chennai, Mumbai, Kathmandu & Bhutan. If you wish to rent a bike or looking for more information about motorbike tours, drop us a line or simply pick up your phone and call us up and we will have everything arranged for you in a timely fashion.
