Both are Royal Enfield Himalayan trips in the high Himalaya, and both are guided, with a mechanic and a backup vehicle. They are different rides: one is a short loop from Leh over the highest pass, the other a long circuit through remote valleys.
Ladakh and Spiti bike trips side by side
Prices are per person for two riders sharing a Himalayan 411, as of November 2026, plus 5% GST. Solo riders and the Himalayan 450 cost more.
| Leh Ladakh bike trip | Spiti bike trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 nights, 6 days | 9 nights, 10 days |
| Starts and ends | Leh to Leh (you fly in) | Delhi to Delhi (overnight Volvo) |
| Distance | 600+ km | 1,300+ km |
| Highest point | Khardung La, 5,359 m (17,582 ft) | Tashigang, 4,650 m (15,256 ft) |
| Season | April to October | Late May to early October |
| Difficulty (our rating) | Challenging | Moderate |
| Price from | ₹19,999 | ₹32,999 |
| Cost per day | About ₹3,300 | About ₹3,300 |
| Highlights | Khardung La, Nubra Valley camels, Pangong Lake, Chang La | Sarahan, Chitkul, the Shipki La route, Nako, Kaza, Chandratal |
Choose Ladakh if
- You have about a week and want the most famous high pass, Khardung La
- You want Nubra Valley dunes and a lakeside camp at Pangong
- You are happy to fly to Leh and acclimatise there on day 1
Choose Spiti if
- You have ten days and want a longer ride on quieter roads
- You want a circuit through Kinnaur, Kaza and Chandratal, with the Shipki La route
- You would rather start from Delhi by Volvo than fly
Which is harder?
We rate the Ladakh trip Challenging, mainly for the altitude at Khardung La and the long days, and the Spiti trip Moderate. Spiti is longer and has water crossings and rough sections, so neither is a road-bike holiday. Both need you to be comfortable on a 400 to 450 cc motorcycle on mixed roads.
Can you do both?
Many riders do one trip a year and the other the next. The seasons overlap from June to September, so the choice is mostly about time and the kind of landscape you want first.
Questions
Is the Spiti bike trip easier than the Ladakh bike trip?
We rate Spiti Moderate and Ladakh Challenging, because Ladakh crosses Khardung La at 5,359 m. Both need confident riding on mixed roads.
Which is cheaper, Ladakh or Spiti?
Ladakh starts at ₹19,999 and Spiti at ₹32,999 per person (two sharing a Himalayan 411), but Spiti is four days longer. The cost per day is about ₹3,300 for both.
How many days do I need for each?
Six days for Ladakh from Leh, and ten days for Spiti from Delhi.
Which bike trip is better for a first Himalayan ride?
Either, if you ride a 400 to 450 cc bike comfortably. Ladakh is shorter and Spiti is longer and quieter. You can share a bike or take a seat in the backup vehicle.
When can I ride each?
Ladakh from April to October and Spiti from late May to early October. June to September suits both.
Do both trips include a mechanic?
Yes. Both have a Royal Enfield mechanic with spares, a tour captain, marshals and a backup vehicle.
