We rode through India a couple of months ago and had planned to meet some friends and family from the UK to ride Ladakh. Sadly we didn't make it in time (a combination of delays riding the KKH and poor weather ending the season in Ladakh early) but our friends went ahead with it anyway and found an organised tour.

In all honesty we were shocked when they said they were considering it given the prices these holidays tend to cost but it turns out they paid just a fraction, making it something that didn't break the bank (which frankly we should all encourage!)

The guy who runs the company has set it up himself after having spent years working for the big tour operators where he obviously saw the potential market for a more 'grass roots' family run operator. Our friends did about 10 days in Ladakh and Manali on Enfields, there was a mechanic in a 'support' van who was never far away (the van also carried all of the luggage) and because the owner is well known in the valley they stopped, ate and slept or were invited into the villages and homes of friends and family making the experience a bit more 'real'. Needless to say they had an absolutely amazing time. When we almost got stuck up in the snow in Ladakh a couple of months later on it was Nirmal, the owner, who made a point of contacting us to warn us about the roads closing.

The price for their trip was way less than half of any of the regular service providers for about 10 days and they weren't in a big group - it was just the two of them! This didn't include the international flights but did include the following:

- transfer
- support vehicle with driver
- enfields maintenance and fuel (the mechanic that came on the trip)
- a guide (speaks good English) a driver and a mechanic.
- accomodation
- meals

Anyway, given that we were put off the idea of going to India to ride Enfields for years because of the costs, I guess there must be others out there thinking the same thing. All too often these kinds of things are disproportionately expensive so it's nice to know about the good guys out there offering an honest service for more honest money.

Anyone interested should visit his website: Motor Biking & Jeep Tour in Indian Himalayas

Anyway, I hope this is the answer for someone out there!

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