Leh to Nubra Valley Loop
Ride across Khardung La, once recognized as the highest motorable road in the world. Drop into the sand dunes of Hunder where you will see Bactrian camels and ride along the Shyok river.
By booking you agree to our Terms & Conditions
AT A GLANCE
- Distance
- 200 km
- Duration
- 3 Days
- Highest point
- 5,359m
- Starts
- Leh
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Passport access
- Open to all passports
- Motorcycle
- Royal Enfield, fuel included on group departures
- Accommodation
- Hotels and camps, twin-sharing
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner on riding days
- Permits
- Inner Line or Protected Area permit processed for you
- Riding gear
- Helmet, jacket and knee guards — gloves not included
EXPEDITION PHOTOS
Expedition Route Map
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Download the GPX for this route
Free GPX 1.1 file — 120 km of routed road in 4 day tracks, with 6 named waypoints and an elevation value on every point. High point 5,348 m. Opens in Garmin, Komoot, OsmAnd, Ride with GPS and Gaia.
Detailed Itinerary
Leh to Hunder (Crossing Khardung La Pass)
Leaving Leh town, we climb north through the winding hairpin roads of the Karakoram range. We submit permits at South Pullu checkpost and tackle the steep, rocky road up to the Khardung La summit (5,359m / 17,582 ft) for a fast photo session. We then descend through North Pullu and ride into the wide, sandy Nubra Valley. In the evening, we visit the Hunder Sand Dunes to ride the unique double-humped Bactrian camels.
Hunder to Turtuk & Tyakshi (Indo-Pak Border Exploration)
We ride along the roaring Shyok River further north towards the Line of Control. Turtuk was under Pakistani control until the 1971 war. The village has a distinct Balti culture, apricot orchards, and stone houses. We explore the village on foot, talk to local elders, visit the old Balti heritage museum, and ride to the Tyakshi border outpost before returning to Hunder for the night.
Hunder to Leh via Diskit Monastery
Before leaving Nubra, we ride to Diskit Monastery, which is built on a rocky hill and features a colossal 32-meter-tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha facing down the valley. We then make our way back over the Khardung La pass. The descent into Leh requires extreme caution as the brakes can overheat. We return to Leh town in the afternoon for souvenir shopping.
OPEN TO EVERY PASSPORT, END TO END
No part of this route crosses a sector India keeps closed to foreign nationals. On a Protected Area Permit — which we arrange as a registered Leh agency — a foreign passport holder rides every kilometre of this itinerary exactly as written, with nothing swapped out and no day re-planned. That is worth checking before you book anything in Ladakh: several of the most advertised circuits include a pass or a lake that only Indian nationals may reach. How to check any operator on this
Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum altitude reached on this tour is 5,359m. We ensure proper acclimatization and carry emergency oxygen on all group tours.
Yes. Every permit the Leh to Nubra Valley Loop needs is arranged and included in the package price — a Protected Area Permit for foreign passport holders, an Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals, plus environmental fees. You send us passport and visa copies; we process them at the Leh magistrate's office.
Yes. We publish the full Leh to Nubra Valley Loop route as a free GPX 1.1 file covering 120 km, split into 4 separate tracks — one per riding day — with 6 named waypoints for every pass, fuel stop and overnight halt. Every track point carries an elevation value, so the climb profile is real rather than flat. The road geometry comes from OpenStreetMap and the elevation from SRTM terrain data. It opens in Garmin, Komoot, OsmAnd, Ride with GPS and Gaia. Download it from the route map section of this page by entering your email address.
Yes, every guided expedition is accompanied by a professional Ladakhi tour leader and an experienced local mechanic to handle any high-altitude breakdowns.
RIDE FOOTAGE
What's Included
- ✓ Royal Enfield Motorcycle (with fuel for group tours)
- ✓ Professional Tour Leader & Local Mechanic
- ✓ Support vehicle for luggage & medical gear
- ✓ Riding gear — helmet, jacket & knee guards
- ✓ Accommodation on Twin-Sharing Basis (Hotel/Camps)
- ✓ Breakfast & dinner on riding days — vegetarian set menu on group departures
- ✓ Inner Line Permits & environment fees
- ✓ Oxygen cylinder & emergency medical kit
What's Excluded
- ✗ Airfare to/from Leh
- ✗ Personal travel & medical insurance
- ✗ Refundable bike security deposit
- ✗ Lunch on all days
- ✗ Riding gloves — bring a pair that fits you
- ✗ Tips, laundry, telephone calls, alcohol
- ✗ Damage costs to the motorcycle during transit
Key Highlights
- ⛰ Khardung La Pass (5,359m)
- ⛰ Diskit Monastery & Buddha
- ⛰ Double-Humped Camel Ride
- ⛰ Hunder Sand Dunes
Read More: Nubra Valley Guides
- 🗺️ Nubra Valley Motorcycle Guide — Khardung La, sand dunes & Turtuk.
- 📍 Leh to Nubra Distance & Map — the route breakdown at a glance.
- ⚖️ Nubra vs Pangong — which to prioritize on a short trip.
International Rider Safety
⛰ High Altitude Protocol: This expedition crosses passes up to 17,580ft. We include 48 hours of acclimatization rest in Leh and carry portable oxygen cylinders, oximeters, and trauma kits in our backup vehicle.
🛂 Visa & Permits: We secure all Restricted Area Permits (PAP) and provide official booking confirmation letters for your Indian Tourist Visa application.
🧥 Riding Gear Provided: We supply helmets, riding jackets and knee guards at no extra cost, so you do not need to fly them in. Gloves are the exception — they are not included, and a borrowed pair that does not fit is worse than none at 5,000 m. Bring your own.
Helpful Guides For International Riders
As an international tourist, there are unique permit requirements, money logistics (cash vs. international cards), and SIM card rules in Ladakh. Please read our detailed guides before your trip:
- 📋 Protected Area Permits (PAP) Guide - Understanding group requirements and restricted zones.
- 💳 Survival Guide: Cash, SIMs & Flights - Vital advice on network coverage and money exchanges in Leh.
Travel Insurance — Strongly Recommended
We strongly recommend all riders, especially international tourists, to carry comprehensive travel and medical insurance that covers:
- High-altitude medical evacuation
- Adventure sports / motorcycle riding coverage
- Trip cancellation & delay due to weather or road closures
- Personal accident & liability coverage
⚠️ Ladakh Bikers does not provide personal insurance. Riders participate at their own risk. Ensure your policy explicitly covers motorized two-wheeler activity.
No Hidden Costs Guarantee
We believe in 100% transparent pricing. Your refundable security deposit (cash or UPI) is returned in full immediately upon vehicle drop-off in Leh. No inflated damage claims, no surprise deductions.
30-Point Mechanic Check
Every Royal Enfield is personally inspected by our lead Ladakhi mechanics before being handed over. We guarantee brake pad health, chain tension, and high-altitude carburetor tuning.
DIRECT B2C LOCAL OPERATOR
Official Registration: Aryan Ladakh Tour & TravelBook directly with native Ladakhi mountain leaders on Karzu Rd, Leh. Zero middlemen or agency markups. Verified Google Business profile with 5.0 ★ (170+ Customer Reviews).
Verify Google Business Map Profile (5.0 ★)