Offhorizon Adventures
Motorcyclist riding through a river crossing on an off-road Ladakh tour in the Himalayas
India

Motorcycle tours in India

From the high passes of Ladakh to the cold desert of Spiti, India holds the widest range of adventure riding in Asia. We run the Indian Himalayas from our own base in Manali.

India by motorcycle: two very different rides.

India offers everything from 5,000 metre passes in the north to coastal and temple roads in the south, and they ask for different machines, different seasons and different planning. The north is where India motorcycle trips become expeditions: Khardung La, Umling La at 5,798 metres, Pangong Tso, the Zanskar valley and the Spiti circuit, on roads that climb from pine forest into high-altitude desert in a single day.

Our motorcycle tours in India run through the Indian Himalayas, where our workshop, our crew and more than a decade of terrain knowledge sit. Choose an 8-day Ladakh motorcycle tour from Leh, an 11-day ride from Manali through Zanskar to Hanle, the 23-day Trans Himalayan expedition, or drive Spiti by 4x4 in summer or under snow in winter.

Tours

Motorcycle and 4x4 tours in India

Why us

Why ride India with Offhorizon

  • 01

    On the ground since 2014

    We started as BRB Expeditions, renting motorcycles to riders heading into these same valleys.

  • 02

    Based in Manali

    The gateway to the Himalayas and the start of most of our routes. Nothing is managed from another city.

  • 03

    A local crew

    Guides who read this terrain and this weather because they live in it, not because they studied the map.

  • 04

    Planned, not improvised

    Itineraries with acclimatisation built in and enough slack to absorb a bad day on the road.

  • 05

    Full support

    Expedition leader, mechanic on motorcycle groups, backup vehicle, oxygen and permits handled.

  • If a pass is closed in your window, we will tell you before you book, not after.

Aerial view of a road cutting through the Indian Himalayas

Start your India motorcycle trip

Pick a departure from the calendar, or tell us the dates you have and we will build the route around them.

Before you go

Riding in India

Which India motorcycle tour should I choose?

It depends on how many days you have and how much rough road you want.

  • Ladakh Motorcycle Tour: 8 days from Leh, graded moderate, the best first Himalayan ride
  • Himalayas Motorcycle Tour: 11 days from Manali through Zanskar, Leh, Pangong and Hanle
  • Trans Himalayan Motorcycle Expedition: 23 days across Spiti, Zanskar and Ladakh
  • Spiti Valley 4x4 Self-Drive Expedition: 11 days from Shimla to Manali by car
  • Winter Spiti Self-Drive Expedition: 9 days in a frozen Spiti Valley, December to March

Each tour page grades its difficulty honestly. If you are unsure, tell us how you ride and we will suggest the right one.

When is the riding season in the Indian Himalayas?

It depends on the route, and the edges of each window move every year with the snow.

  • Ladakh and Zanskar: the high passes are open roughly from June to September, and the circuit from Leh runs from May to October
  • Spiti Valley circuit by 4x4: from June to October, while Kunzum La is open
  • Winter Spiti by 4x4: from December to March, through Kinnaur on the one road that stays open

Each tour page shows its own season and the calendar lists every date. We will tell you if your dates do not work rather than sell you a trip that will not run.

Which motorcycle will I ride in India?

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, prepared for the route and checked every evening. It has the torque to pull a loaded bike over a 5,000 metre pass and long-travel suspension for the broken sections, and every town in the Himalayas has someone who can work on a Royal Enfield. A mechanic rides with the group and a spare motorcycle travels in the support vehicle.

Do I need travel insurance and permits?

Yes. Both are required, and neither is optional.

Travel insurance is mandatory and must cover:

  • High-altitude travel above 5,000 metres
  • Motorcycle riding on the engine size you will ride, which many standard policies exclude
  • Emergency evacuation, including by helicopter

The Himalayas are remote. Proper cover is what stands between an incident and a very expensive problem.

Permits are required for several regions, including Ladakh and the Kinnaur to Spiti stretch for foreign nationals. We arrange all of them, but we need your passport and visa details well in advance.

What licence do I need to ride in India?

A valid motorcycle licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement, obtained before you travel. An IDP is not issued in India.

Bring the physical documents. A photograph on your phone will not satisfy a checkpoint.

Hear it from our riders

The clearest account of what we do is not written by us

Riders share their journeys on Google and Tripadvisor. Read what they say about the routes, the landscapes and the crew who kept them moving.

Google · Tripadvisor · Trustindex5.0(53 Reviews)
  • Google
    Had a fantastic 15-day Ladakh tour which was extended down to Dharmashala, the extra days were a great addition. Going into this with no prior experience of Off Horizon or my fellow adventurers I can only say that it exceeded all my expectations. Bikes were great, lodging and food was as good as could be expected in the locations we visited, and the team was tirelessly friendly and helpful, with a genuine passion for sharing their country and culture.
    Hugh KennedyOctober 2026
  • Google
    I have just completed the 11 day Ladakh tour with Offhorizon Adventures. Right from the initial contact the team there were extremely helpful and nothing was to much trouble for them to help with, from flight advise from Ireland, transportation, extra accommodation and even possible medical issues like altitude sickness that might arise. If I thought they were good at this stage ? I was blown away by their level of professionalism and hospitality during my trip. Everyone on the Off Horizon Team made this a trip of a lifetime for me. The bikes were well maintained and in excellent condition, any little tweaks, personal preferences or changes to their set were undertaken to suit all riders. Once on the road and starting our adventure, you always felt safe, their advise and attention to detail made the trip truly unforgettable. My exsperience of off road was “0” but with their help, I got through it and enjoyed every minute. We travelled through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable with every day bringing something new. The accomadation throughout was just perfect with a mix of first class hotels to small family units in the more isolated locations- considering the Irish pallet and diet the food was great and again the team explained every offering. I’m not going to single out any particular Off Horizon team member because each one of them gave 100% of their professionalism, time, hospitality and kindness to every one on this trip- they limit their numbers, which is great because you get that extra attention and help- I could write pages on what I saw and did during the trip but this is something you are going to have to exsperience yourself. Huge thank you to all the other guys on the trip too and a pleasure to meet you all- I would have no hesitation in recommending Off Horizon if you are planning this trip- thank you so much for a truly fantastic adventure 🇮🇪🇮🇳
    Austin O CallaghanSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Very well organised tour with expert riders, support and backup vehicle. The Offhorizon team new all the routes. Very committed team who took very good care of all of us riding team members, with personal attention. The team left no stone unturned to ensure our entire ride across 2150 kms was exciting, very safe without a single incident. Well paced rides with key halts, refueling stops, zero breakdowns and planned to perfection. I wish this team great succes in the future.
    Ranjit KoppikarSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Don't watch or think just pick the phone and book your tour this will be the best place you can have. .. Best Guides, Best Service, Best Bikes.
    Ujjwal SinghSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Great experience! Caring and skilled team, quality bikes, engaging itinerary, good selection of accommodations, endless supply of food and drinks, cultural experiences and a dedicated video/photographer to capture all that. Highly recommended. PS: Surya created an extended 15 day Ladakh and Himachal tour (the original was 11 days) in response to our request. It turned out be much more enjoyable.
    Chetan ShahSeptember 2026
  • Google
    Huge thanks to the entire Offhorizon Adventures team for the amazing organization of our tour! We rode an incredible route from Manali through the Zanskar Valley and Kargil all the way to Leh—it was the adventure of a lifetime. I’d like to specifically highlight the team's professional approach: * Bikes and support: The motorcycles were in excellent mechanical condition, fully prepped for high-altitude riding and off-road terrain. You feel safe throughout the entire journey. * Route and logistics: Everything was well-planned, from the initial briefing to stops, accommodation, and meals. The guides know the area perfectly, maintain a comfortable riding pace, and allow time to soak in the fantastic Himalayan views. * Atmosphere: The team is incredibly warm, responsive, and open. They are ready to help, offer advice, and handle any logistical issue at a moment's notice. If you are planning a high-altitude motorcycle tour in Ladakh or Zanskar, I definitely recommend Offhorizon Adventures.
    Игорь ШвецовSeptember 2026

To everyone who has ridden with us: thank you. Your stories are the reason we keep planning the next one.