Riding a motorcycle through India's mountains is a rite of passage for many Indian travellers, and the Manali to Leh highway is the most famous ride of all. But the country has good riding in every season: high Himalayan roads in summer, the eastern Himalaya in spring and autumn, and coastal, desert and ghat roads in winter.
This guide covers the best motorcycle trips in India by region and season, with what to expect on the road and what to arrange before you go. For Ladakh in detail, including permits, passes and a full 14-day plan, see our Leh Ladakh road trip guide.
Quick answer
The best motorcycle trips in India are Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh (about June to September), the Spiti circuit via Kinnaur and Kunzum Pass (about June to October), the road to Tawang over Sela Pass, North Sikkim, and in winter the Konkan coast, the Western Ghats ghat roads and the Rann of Kutch. Carry documents, spares and warm riding gear, and check road and permit rules.
Key takeaways
- Ladakh and Spiti are summer rides, usually from about June to September, when the high passes are open.
- Srinagar to Leh is a gentler climb than Manali to Leh and helps acclimatisation.
- The eastern Himalaya (Tawang, North Sikkim) is best in spring and autumn and needs permits.
- Coastal and desert rides such as the Konkan coast and the Rann of Kutch are winter trips.
- Carry your licence, registration, insurance and pollution certificate, plus basic spares and a puncture kit.
High Himalayan rides
Manali to Leh, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh
Roughly 430 km over high passes including Baralacha La and Tanglang La, now shortened by the Atal Tunnel under Rohtang. Most riders take two days, stopping at Jispa or Sarchu. Expect water crossings, rough stretches around the passes and rapid gains in height.
- Season
- About June to September
- Days
- 2 on the road, plus acclimatisation
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Srinagar to Leh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
About 420 km via Sonamarg, Zoji La, Drass and Kargil. The climb is more gradual than from Manali, so it is the better way in for acclimatisation, with good overnight stops at Kargil.
- Season
- About May or June to October
- Days
- 2
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Leh loops: Khardung La, Nubra and Pangong
From Leh, riders loop over Khardung La to Nubra Valley and on to Pangong Tso via the Shyok road, returning over Chang La. Allow three to four days.
- Season
- About June to September
- Difficulty
- Moderate to challenging
The Spiti circuit, Himachal Pradesh
In from Shimla via Kinnaur, out over Kunzum Pass to Manali (or the reverse). Villages, monasteries and very rough stretches between Losar and Gramphu.
- Season
- About June to October
- Days
- 8 to 10
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Zanskar
From Kargil over Pensi La to Padum, one of the more remote rideable valleys in Ladakh, with long rough sections and few services.
- Season
- About July to September
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Eastern Himalaya
Tawang over Sela Pass, Arunachal Pradesh
From Guwahati or Tezpur via Bhalukpong, Bomdila and Dirang, the road climbs over Sela Pass at about 4,170 metres to Tawang. Indians need an Inner Line Permit and foreigners a Protected Area Permit.
- Season
- October to April is drier; Sela can get snow in winter
- Difficulty
- Moderate
North Sikkim
From Gangtok to Lachung and Lachen, towards Yumthang and Gurudongmar Lake. Permits are required and are generally arranged through registered agencies; rules on private vehicles and foreign nationals have been restrictive, so check before planning a ride.
- Season
- March to May, October to November
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Winter rides: coast, ghats and desert
The Konkan coast, Maharashtra and Goa
Coastal roads between Mumbai and Goa pass fishing villages, forts and beaches such as Alibaug, Murud, Ganpatipule and Tarkarli. Mix the NH66 highway with slower coastal roads and ferries.
- Season
- October to March
- Difficulty
- Easy
Western Ghats ghat roads
Hairpin climbs such as the road to Valparai in Tamil Nadu and the ghats into Munnar, Coorg and Chikmagalur. Great riding in the dry months; slippery and misty in the monsoon.
- Season
- October to February
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
The Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
White salt flats around Dhordo and the road towards Dholavira across the Rann are best in winter, when the Rann is dry and the Rann Utsav is on.
- Season
- November to February
- Difficulty
- Easy
Thar Desert, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer and the border roads towards Tanot and Longewala, and the loop through Bikaner and Jodhpur, are winter rides through desert and dunes.
- Season
- November to February
- Difficulty
- Easy
Routes by season
| Season | Ride | Why |
|---|---|---|
| June to September | Ladakh, Spiti, Zanskar | High passes open; rain shadow |
| October to November | Tawang, North Sikkim, Western Ghats | Clear skies after the monsoon |
| November to February | Konkan coast, Rann of Kutch, Rajasthan | Cool, dry weather |
| March to May | Eastern Himalaya, Kinnaur (Shimla side of Spiti) | Before the monsoon; high passes still opening |
Preparing for a long ride
- Service the bike before you leave: brakes, chain, tyres, clutch and electrics.
- Carry spare tubes, a puncture kit, clutch and accelerator cables, spark plug, chain lube and basic tools.
- Wear full riding gear: helmet, armoured jacket and trousers, gloves and boots. Add thermals and rain gear for the mountains.
- Carry your driving licence, registration, insurance and pollution certificate, plus printed permits where needed.
- Fill fuel whenever you can in remote areas; stations are far apart between Manali and Leh and in Spiti.
- Ride in daylight only in the mountains, and plan short days after big climbs.
Permits and rules to check
Rules change, so check official sources before you go. At the time of writing, Indian citizens do not need an Inner Line Permit for most of Ladakh, but foreign nationals need Protected Area Permits for areas such as Nubra and Pangong. Arunachal Pradesh needs Inner Line Permits for Indians, and North Sikkim needs permits for everyone. Crossing Rohtang Pass by vehicle needs an online permit; the Atal Tunnel does not.
Local transport unions in Ladakh and elsewhere have at times restricted the use of rented motorcycles brought from outside the region. Confirm current rules with your rental company before starting.
Safety
- Gain height gradually on Himalayan routes, sleep lower than your highest point where possible, and descend if altitude sickness symptoms (headache, nausea, breathlessness at rest) get worse.
- Do not ride after dark in the mountains; rockfall, animals and black ice are hard to see.
- Cross water streams on high routes in the morning, when flow is lower, and walk them first if unsure.
- Ride in a group or with a backup vehicle on remote routes, and share your plan with someone.
- Carry a basic first-aid kit and know where medical help is on your route.
- Respect speed limits in towns and through army areas; convoy rules may apply.
What to pack
- Full riding gear and a DOT or ISI-certified helmet
- Thermal layers and waterproof riding suit
- Tool kit, spares and tyre repair kit
- Bungee cords and waterproof saddle bags
- Power bank and offline maps
- Documents in a waterproof pouch, with copies
Plan the trip
FAQs
Which is the best motorcycle trip in India?
Manali to Leh is the most famous; Srinagar to Leh, the Spiti circuit and the road to Tawang are close contenders.
When is the best time for a Ladakh bike trip?
About June to September, when the Manali and Srinagar highways and high passes are open.
Do I need a permit to ride in Ladakh?
Indian citizens do not need an Inner Line Permit for most of Ladakh at present, but foreigners need Protected Area Permits for areas such as Nubra and Pangong. Check current rules before travelling.
Which bike trips can I do in winter in India?
The Konkan coast, the Western Ghats, the Rann of Kutch and Rajasthan's desert roads are best from November to February.
Should I rent a bike or take my own to Ladakh?
Both work. Renting in Manali or Leh saves the long ride in, but check local rules on rented bikes and insist on a well-maintained machine.
