ENFIED HIMALAYA CHALLENGE 

The Enfield Himalaya Challenge is one of the world’s most unique motor trails alongside centuries old monasteries and through breathtaking scenery. From the lush green valleys of Shimla and Kulu the path slowly winds up the Himalayas. Snowfields, moraines and glaciers (lakes) dominate when we cross the Himalayan traverse and enter the dessert valley of Samad...

During 18 days we will cross the Himalaya . We’ll traverse a unique landscape of dry valleys, snow covered mountain tops, saltlakes, deep ravines, wild rivers, green oases and more surprises. Amazing tracks wind through exotic landscapes. TheTrans Himalaya Motor Challenge is a dream come true for every motorcycle rider who would like to enjoy a holiday, riding unconcerned in an area where nature and culture appear to be one. Our goal is to reach the Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world.

Man and machine become one when we drive through the extremely high and hardly inhabited ladakh, an area that marks the transition between the Indian Himalaya and the Tibetan high plains of Changtang. Along the way it’s quite possible that we will encounter endangered animals like the rare high altitude vulture and the Tibetan wild horse (called: Kyang) or to meet the nomads who live in tents of yakwool and wander about with their livestock.

The “stupa’s” and age old gompa’s (monasteries) are a sure sign of the Buddhist belief the inhabitants when we enter the Ladakh area  Of course we will visit some of these gompa’s. Very special is the visit of a women-monastery, where the nuns will welcome us with tea and a guidance through their beautiful building. Multi-coloured mountains and bizarre rock formations dominate the Indus valley where a good conditioned road runs alongside the river and where salt lakes glister in the never fading sunshine. 

An unknown pass, hardly ever riden before by westerners, takes us into the Nubra Valley. A fantastic ride towards a 5400meters pass through possibly the most isolated area of Ladakh. Apart from the occasional shepard, looking very surprised at the Enfields passing by, we will encounter no one. The wide open spaces of the hardly visited Nubra Valley is breathtaking. Sand dunes, wetlands, camels and the foothills of the Karakoram dominate the landscape. Before we reach our goal Leh, the capital of Ladakh, we cross the highest motorable pass in the world, The Khardung la, where thousands of flattering praying flags blow their message in the wind.

The tour ends with one of the most scenic flights in the world. In one hour the flight takes us from Leh back to Delhi . For almost the entire hour we look down towards Himalayan mountain tops, six to seven thousand meters high. A breathtaking view on the Himalaya range through wich we have been riding for the past 18 days.

At first sight the Indian traffic may look chaotic and without any rule what so ever. It is not as bad though, you just have to “slalom” around the cows that use the road as a resting place and will not get out of the way when we come around the corner. And when you use your horn well, other traffic will go aside to let us pass.  

Coming back from the Enfield Himalaya  Challenge one of the participants explained that the experience he thought he would need was less important. –This is a great trip and the Enfield exceeds my expectations. I wouldn’t have done it on my own bike. It’s not about experience at all, everybody who dares to ride, also when the asphalt stops, can do this. I enjoyed every minute of it.-

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Over het gebied

Rupshu
Is the highest and driest part of the Indian Himalayas. The valleys are situated at least at 4000mtr altitude, a big part much higher. Rupshu lies in the western part of the immense high plateau of Changtang (which covers a big part of Tibet). It’s an area of light, color, space and huge contrasts. Driving in Rupshu is most of all an experience of nature in all it’s splendour, something you wouldn’t expect in this dessert valley. Chances are small that you will see a snow leopard, wolf or the rare Tibetan gazelle , but on the plains at the Tsoka-lake a meeting with a pack of Kyang (wild horses) is almost guaranteed. A lot of waterfowl breed at the shores of Tsokar and Tsomoriri, for example the rare black necked crane The population of Rupshu is half or completely nomadic, living of their livestock.. 

Spiti  
Only opened up to tourists since 1992 and is still seen as a piece of undiscovered Tibet in India. It lies enclosed in gigantic, with snow and glaciers covered mountains. The Himalayan range protects Spiti from the monsoon rains coming from the south and southwest. The Sutlej River makes its way through the range in the south, making sure there is a small opening for some monsoon clouds to enter, making the area less dry than northern Rupshu. Spiti actually means “the middle” which indicates a good contact with surrounding areas in the early days. Not only did merchants come to Darcha, the “capital” of Spiti, to trade their products, there were also Tibetan monks who founded themselves here and built beautiful Gompa’s like Kye, Dhankar and Tabo. We will absolutely have a break here to visit these monasteries.

Ladakh
The Indus River that runs through Ladakh finds it’s origin in the holy mountain Kailash in Tibet. For millions of years this river (where India gets its name from) runs through the long desolate Indus Valley, via Pakistan around the Himalayas towards the ocean. Apart from the impressive mountain range that dominates the view, also the little villages with their white painted houses, colourful praying flags and sometimes age old Gompa’s paint your picture of Laddakh. “Seeing is Believing” when you look at the huge contrast between the lush green fields and the barren, strange shaped mountains around it.

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  Veel gestelde vragen

Riding experience?
One of our participants once said “if you can ride in a big city like f.e. Amsterdam, you can ride in India”. Well, this may be partly true, because possibilities and limitations are all in your own mind. To most people driving on loose sand, through rivers and dirt roads will be new anyway. We also will encounter challenging mountain curves at high altitudes. we therefore recommend that riders have several hundred km’s of riding experience, as this will give you more confidence.

What people join us? 
People from all walks of life. Our youngest riders so far have been in their early twenties and the oldest was sixty five. Most of them have great experience driving through different countries in Europe on their own and welcome a chance to relax and let someone else deal with the organisation, hassle an detail outside Europe. At home they drive all kinds of brands of motorcycles, but they all love to drive the original Royal Enfield in India. Most of all our riders always seem to enjoy each other’s company and seem to have genuine passion for enjoying life

Motorcycle?
You will ride on a original Royal Enfield ” Bullet” 500cc, also called the “Harley Davidson of India”. A highly reliable motorcycle that will take you through rivers, over high passes and through loose sand like it is no problem at all. You will get addicted to your motorcycle and probably will want to purchase it at the end of the tour!

Are the motorcycles insured for damage?
All motorcycles has comprehensive insurance and are insured against theft. The personal luggage of the participant is not insured. Paticipants are responsible for up to (Euro) €2.750,-- of motorcycle damage. You can reduce your liability from ( Euro ) € 2.750,-- to ( Euro ) €50,-- by agreeing to pay an additional ( Euro ) €120 for the trip.

Do you have rules or regulations that we should be aware of?
We only ask that you follow the laws of the country we're riding in, that you don't conduct yourself in a manner that endangers other members of the group. We also insist that you do not drink alcoholic beverages until after your motorcycle has been retired for the evening.  Riding privileges will be suspended for anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a rider operates the bike after drinking an alcoholic beverage or using a mind-altering drug, the damage waiver signed by the rider is considered null and void and the rider incurs unlimited liability for damage to the motorcycle

Speed during the day?
You will drive at your own pace, having enough time to take in the magnificent surroundings, take photo's or stop for a tea. We are on a holiday! The one rule is that we do not overtake the road captain up front, as he knows the way to go. Apart from that we will see everybody at appointed hours, tea- or lunch breaks. Besides, once in the mountains and back roads you will see that speeding is nearly impossible and can be dangerous.

Riding clothing?
Wear what you normally wear (riding suite, gloves, boots and helmet) at home during a long trip, although because of the heat we wouldn't advice leather. a good fitting helmet is very important.
There is no space in the back up vehicle for your backpack with the rest of your luggage (renting an extra vehicle for the whole group only for this purpose is possible), but you have two luggage racks on the back of the bike to store it.

What about altitude sickness?
This is a question we often get.. We take our time to acclimize, so we slowly and steadily climb our way up into the mountains, making sure that our bodies get adjusted to the altitude.  Sometimes climbing higher, crossing passes, but then going down again and sleeping lower. This is the one and only way to minimise the chance of altitude sickness. The other thing is to make sure you drink enough liquid (water). For every thousand meters you roughly add another litre, so at 4000 meters you'll drink at least 4 litres a day. Our back up car takes enough bottled water for everybody.

I don’t have my driver’s licence?
Then you can’t drive a motorcycle, BUT you can join the tour as a pillon driver! There is also a possibility of coming along in our support vehicle. Please contact us for details.

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Reisfeiten

Date 2009: 16-06-2009, 22-07-2009, 15-09-2009

Price:
( Euro ) €  2.295,-- per person.

Payment Method:
- Invoice and banktransfer.
-  Deposit: 15% of total tour price.
-  This deposit secures a place on the tour.


Duration:  
18 days.

Included is:
Staff:
- English speaking guide
- Road captain
- Cook and help
- Mechanic and help

Flight:
- Domestic flight  Leh - Delhi, economy class

Motorcycle:
- Royal Enfield Bullet 500CC
- Luggage carrier
- Road tax
- Unlimited mileage 
- Transportation bikes to Dehra Dun

Mechanical support:
- Support vehicle with mechanic and help to fix or recover bikes
- Spare parts
- All equipment required to service and repair the bikes
- Oil

Administrative support:
- Permits ( 5 needed !)
- Domestic airline ticketing
- Entrance fees
- Goverment service tax

Accommodation/Camping: ( based on double occupancy )
- Hotel ***/****
- Monastry
- Guesthouse
- Ladakhi House
- Fixed Camp
- Tent
- Sleeping mattress
- Camping equipment
- Cooking unit
- All meals except during stay in Delhi.
- Water for cooking and washing
- Bottled water, coffee and tea
- Accommodation fees
- Entrance fees

Transfers:
- Transfer Delhi to Dehra Dun
- Transfer Hotel Leh to domestic airport Leh
- Transfer Delhi domestic airport to Hotel Delhi.

Not included is:
- International flight to Delhi, India.
- Fuel for motorcycles
- Travel insurance
- Sleepingbag
- Medical cost
- Visa India
- Drinks others than bottled water, coffee and tea.
- Meals during stay in Delhi.
- Personal equipment: participants have to bring all
  clothes themselves ( advisory list will be sent after
  booking)

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