Himalayas in September 2025
 

Hello fellow riders,

I am seeking riders to join me in perhaps a month long ride through the Himalayas, including Ladakh, this year, September of 2025. I will fly there and rent an RE 450 Himalayan, probably starting in Manali. I am an experienced (been riding 50+ years) international rider, both on and off road.:scooter:

Hope to hear from a couple of experienced, like minded riders to enjoy this with.

Cheers.

Have you seen the Joe Ryan You Tube videos - for anyone contemplating that route it is a good starting point to get an idea of what can be seen etc. He seemed really smitten with the place.

Yes I have, along with numerous others. Lots to see and experience. I'm ready for it. Have you ridden there?

Sadly no. Like yourself, I am looking to fly into India, rent a bike and explore, but not this year.

Hi Crawfordonly. I did this trip (Solo) last year around the same time as you'll be doing it this year......my trip was only for two weeks, but what a fantastic ride. I rented an almost new Royal Enfield Himalayan from Kashmir Bikers in Srinagar after visiting two other bike rental shops.......there are many bike rental companies all over, but the bikes are mostly very tired and although a newer bike/model is quite a bit more expensive, it's worth it for the peace of mind.
As you probably already know, there are some problems in Kashmir and Ladakh, but I'm sure they'll be sorted out quickly.
As for making Manali your starting point, I just don't know if you'll have many choices for bike rentals there (Just guessing)......I also didn't find train travelling as easy in Jamu and Kashmir as in the rest of India so I opted to take the train to Jamu from Varanasi and then fly to Srinagar (Couldn't find a decent bike in Jamu). Manali is great, but since you'll probably be doing a loop through the mountains, you'll cover both Srinagar and Manali on the loop....
Enjoy the planning
Cheers, Neville

Hello Neville,

Thanks for your reply and sharing some of your experiences.
All of your information is appreciated.
Traveling solo is something I've done a lot of solo riding around the globe, but for this ride I just feel I would prefer to share the experience with someone. That's my only hang-up at the moment. All else is a go.
You said renting a newer bike (450) was more expensive than a r/un down bike, can I asked wheat you paid? I'm getting quotes of $700 for a month, with the bike set up pretty well for travel. The cost of the bike really is insignificant in the overall picture, they are so inexpensive.
I'm also curious as to how difficult or easy it was for you to find lodging (homestays??) on your own, and what was the price range of the lodging, and did most homestays include dinner and breakfast? Hot showers? Or id that really wishful thinking?
I see you rode a KLR up to Cairo from J'burg. I did the same in 2015/16, took 6 months and included Sani Pass down in Lesotho. Did you make it down there?
Thanks again And I look forward to hearing back from you.
Crawford

I actually have intention to ride the Himalayas but the earliest I can do is next year 2026.
One would hope that the tensions between India/Pakistan would de-escalate by then.

But the thing holding me back about India was NOT doing it solo. I don't know why but I was very hesitant to plan for the tour alone.

I have done 10 tours all solo to date in South East Asia and Japan on rented bikes.

Good luck and I hope you will post your ride report here!

Thanks for your input. Can I ask what is it about a solo ride in the Himalayas is causing you to not wanting to do it solo?

@crawfordonly,

I wasn't feeling comfortable doing the Himalayas solo due to the weather and altitude.

I live in Malaysia which is hot and humid year round. I am not used to the cold. I was in Seoul, South Korea on Christmas 2023 with family and it was snowing with the temperature at 0 Celsius/32 Fahrenheit and even though I was all layered up I was still freezing.
I am also wary about altitude sickness when ascending too rapidly on the bike.

I spoke to a biker who's from Southern India and he shared his experience with riding in the Himalayas. He told me that if you go off the main road in the Himalayas there won't be much traffic and if you have a puncture/breakdown you are on your own.
I am not competent at bike repairs so having a wingman on this tour is somewhat assuring.

I even emailed to inquire to join a guided bike tour where you have back up but the costs were out for me. I am retired now so I have to be frugal on my bike tours.

I also want to tour South India and have to do the research and plan for it. India is a huge country and doing Northern part of the Himalayas and Southern India is my goal for India.
Heck I am even thinking of Sri Lanka ................ LOL
I am ok with going solo in Southern India.

:freezing::freezing::mchappy::mchappy:

Yeah, I understand all of that. I feel the same way about riding in hot humid climates as you do about cold climates. My heated jacket liner may be my best friend on some days way up high. Good luck with you planning your rides, and I appreciate your input.

No worries!

Do share your experience in the Himalayas if you are doing it in September 2025.

Thanks:mchappy::mchappy:

Hi Crawford
I paid IR2,500 p/day….which would equate to around $900 a month, so your $700 is not so bad…..just make sure it’s for a “fresh” 450cc bike. Also, my bike wasn’r really set up for travel. I just strapped my backpack onto the rear seat….they did give me tools though
Lodging is very easy to find…..my travel style is to find accommodation when I arrive at the end of my day, and I never had a problem….had to ride until dark (And in the cold) once to reach a town though. If you’re not too fussy, lodging is very cheap ….but sometimes one really wonders if ones standards can fall lower than the place you just booked into ????…..dinner was never included, but sometimes the more touristy hotels included breakfast….but you don’t have to worry about food in India, there are lots of options, especially if you like street food.
Showers are always hot in that part of India, but sometimes it is from a bucket….joys of being a traveller
I’m from South Africa, so I did my trip from J’burg up to Cairo…..continued on to visit other middle eastern countries, Europe, and the partly down the West coast of Africa as far as Togo. Nowadays I ride a Yamaha XT660Z tenere and often do routes as far north as Tanzania…..most recently Mozambique, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia and off course South Africa
Good luck with your India trip planning
Cheers
Neville

This was on a day trip up this mountain pass.....the bike loses some power at these hights, and I also got quite dizzy which forced me to cut my stay at the top short

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himalayas
 

what is your dates and route plans, think i may be able to take time off work,
not sure about 4 weeks though,

I did the Ladakh trip (Manali Leh kargil Srinagara) in 2023 as part of an organized group. We had about 6/8 bikes and a support vehicle with a mechanic carrying our luggage. It was a good comfortable ride. Since then, i have had friends do the trip on their own also.

I still want to do the Zanskar Valley this year. It is a more technical route requiring advanced off road skills/experience. I live in the USA but am of Indian Origin and am planning on going to India in late August to stay with family and do Zanskar valley in Ladakh in late Aug or September. Feel free to reach out to me at +1 202 802 4545. If I cannot join, i still might be able to provide you with a lot of contacts and support in India.

On a side note, I also would like to do a southern india / SE Asia trip sometime soon. I sold my business a few years ago and have much more flexibility in my travel plans.