Zanskar Odyssey
Men’s Motorcycle Retreat
September 1-18 2025
The Journey
Zanskar Odyssey is an extraordinary new motorcycle retreat for men, designed for experienced riders, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Zanskar Range, in the Indian Himalayas. Inspired by the epic journey of The Odyssey, we navigate together the rugged trails of Zanskar and beyond, while delving into yoga, men’s work, and meditation. If you love adventure riding, and are drawn to the profound experience of a men’s retreat, then this is the place for you. In this retreat, seasoned riders come together to inspire and be inspired, as we ride, practice, and share with like-minded men.
Amidst challenging passes, high peaks and remote valleys, we embark on a journey of self-discovery. The challenges of the path will be our teachers.
If you are just looking for a motorcycle tour in the mountains, this retreat is not for you. By joining this retreat, you are committing to show up fully for yourself and others, opening up to self-exploration and deeper connection. This adventure promises to be both an inner and outer expedition for all men. So, gear up and set forth on this transformative and unique motorcycle retreat, ready to delve into self-discovery, spiritual growth, and authentic relating, through the practice of yoga, meditation, and men’s work.
Leave your comfort zone behind, navigate your own trials, embrace the adventurer without, and explore the hero within.
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The remote region of Zanskar, nestled between the Great Himalayas and the Zanskar mountain ranges, is a unique place for a motorcycle retreat. Located in one of the most secluded parts of the Indian Himalayas, Zanskar still retains many wonders of its ancient heritage. Zanskar is a mysterious place of sacred mountains, hidden valleys, and age-old monasteries.
This journey begins in Leh, with time to acclimatise in this vibrant town. We will retreat in Hemis Shukpachan for a day and then ride onward to Kargil, experiencing the region’s stunning landscapes. Camping at Rangdong, we connect with nature and each other. The ride continues to Padum, at the heart of Zanskar. We will discover Tso Moriri, star gaze at Hanle under the vast Himalayan sky, and ride to Umling La, the highest road pass in the world.
This challenging retreat invites experienced riders to leave their comfort zones, embrace the journey's trials and go deep within, amidst the stunning and spiritual landscapes of Zanskar.
Rudy Augsburger
“If you just want to go bike riding in the Himalayas, this is not for you, and there are plenty of tours that offer exactly that. This is an "Inner and Outer Journey", which beyond the excellent motorcycle riding, also includes Yoga, Meditation and Men's Circles in equal measure. So expect the experience to be a lot more profound, and a lot more satisfying.”
David Rowland
“This journey will change your perspective on life. You will cultivate a new awareness of your body & mind and you will experience riding with new brothers, across some of most stunning beautiful scenery you’ll ever see..”
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A men’s retreat is an immersive space, away from every day’s burdens, that promotes self-care, connection, self-reflection and transformation. The surrounding nature allows its serenity to be the backdrop for grounding, encourages present moment awareness and introspection. Beyond the adventure, and the break from daily life, taking part in this motorcycle retreat for men is a conscious choice to explore yourself and connect with others, cultivating a foundation for mindful and healthier living, with deeper clarity and purpose.
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Men born in male bodies, who participated previously in Journey to Ladakh, or have at least two years of riding experience, including adventure riding, wanting an experience beyond the average tourist ride. This retreat is curated for those longing to connect deeper with themselves and like-minded men through yoga, men’s work, meditation and motorcycle riding.
Dan Brooke
“Embark on a journey that will transform you in every way. This trip offers a unique blend of motorcycles, yoga, and personal growth, all while surrounded by extraordinary men. This trip will challenge you in every way and you will experience a life-changing adventure and gain memories that will last a lifetime.”
Michel Adar
“If Motorcycling, Yoga, Meditation, Nature and Internal Self Work are your thing, then come to the retreat, it'll be a journey of a lifetime.”
Itinerary
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Welcome to Ladakh! Someone in our team will greet you on your arrival to Leh Airport. You will be taken to the hotel, where you can relax and take a rest. You have arrived. The group will gather today. You will meet each other, and of course, Sankalparaja, the facilitator/travel leader of our journey. In the evening, we will have our first dinner together, before a well-deserved sleep. You need to make sure that your arrival in Leh happens today the latest, preferably in the morning or early afternoon. Our acclimatization starts here, at an altitude of 3500m.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: -
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: -
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Leh, the ancient capital of Ladakh, was an important market town in the Silk Route days, and stayed like that until the borders with China were closed in 1950. In the ancient labyrinth of streets and alleys of Main Bazaar, one still finds descendants of the old Muslim merchants, who run commercial trading here for centuries. It is important to still keep physical effort in check, so that the body continues to acclimatize, and adapt to the altitude (3500m). Today is a rest day you are free to stay in, or explore by yourself. If there is one corner in Leh you would like to see by yourself, this a good moment. Whether you are looking for books, or some warm afternoon bread, on request, Sankalparaja will give you tips on what to explore and where to go.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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We will have an easy first day with our motorcycles: After morning yoga, we will take a short ride to explore the Indus monasteries of Hemis and Tiksey.
We ride down and up again, as a way to acclimatise to the altitude. It will get us used to the ways of driving in India also, as well as with safe-riding in group formation. By the end of the day, we will be warmed up, and ready for more enduring days ahead.
Hemis, around 42Km from Leh, is a Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. After that, we discover the wonders of Thiksey monastery, of the Gelug lineage, considered by many the most impressive among all monasteries of Ladakh. It’s construction is organized in different levels, from the base of the hill, to the very top, where the gompas are. Thiksey has an impressive library, and a Matreya Budha temple. We admire the impressive views from the very top, over the Valley.
Distance: 85Km - 5h
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Hemis Shukpachan (3,630 m - also known as Heshuk), literally means home between stones and pebbles, with junipers. It is regarded as a holy place due to the presence of the Juniper (shukpa). The village is located in the enchanted Sham Valley. There is a unique serenity about its location, surrounded by mountains of reddish hue on all sides. The main source of water here is a spring, which flows throughout the year.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Silent day. Today, we go in. A long waited moment for many, a challenging day for some. Silence gives us the chance to listen. To stay still, instead of acting. To go in, instead of out. To endure, instead of bypassing with distractions. To drop our Instagram posts for a moment, and truly contemplate. In the morning, we will practice yoga in silence. We will be by ourselves the rest of the day. Some will take off and trek. Some will just want to stay still, practice meditation, journal or sleep. And that’s ok. Above the village is the Dakmar Hill (meaning ‘red rocks’) that has a hermit’s abode. The Rinpoche and monks from the Ri-dzong monastery are known to retreat here for meditation. Lamas used to meditate and practice yoga here for years, in isolation. What better place for us to do the same for one day.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
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We keep riding west, along the NH1 - Leh-Srinagar Highway - the northernmost East-West highway in India. On the way, we will stop in Lamayuru. The legend says that Lamayuru valley was once a big lake, and Naropa, a well-known Tantric Yogi once lived here, in a cave, around which Lamayuru monastery was built. The monastery was built at the top of a hill, surrounded by a very peculiar landscape of wrinkled slopes.
We will stop in Mulbek after lunch, to visit it’s Gompa, a temple known for its remarkable rock-cut cliff-face statue of Buddha. This ancient temple dates back to the Kushan period, and is believed to be from around the eighth century.
We will stay the night in Kargil.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
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Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Hike to Phuktal Monastery
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
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Via Shinku-La
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Highest road pass in the world
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Final rest today, before our return. You can take it easy, enjoy the city, as you walk around Leh at our own leisure. Our journey has reached it’s end. The men’s group will get together tonight for one last Ladakhi dinner, integration, and a proper closing of our men’s retreat.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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Time for goodbye. This is the end of our retreat program. Most probably you will take a taxi to Leh airport and head home.
Accommodation: -
Meals: Breakfast
Leigh Barber
“I went on this journey to discover something about myself, both mentally and physically. From a physical perspective, I learnt my riding capability was well beyond what I thought it was and this has significantly improved my riding since I returned. Mentally, I learnt I came from a place of toxic masculinity as a result of my up bringing, this trip helped me realise and set a path away from this, experiencing other man open up as they did is something I aspire too, I acknowledge this will take time though. There were also realisations about myself that only came to light during the sharing circles which has been valuable, and have subsequently sent me on a path of further discovery back in the real world. ”
Klaus Seidenfaden
“This journey belongs high in your bucket list. The pictures don't lie. You will bring back lasting memories, new friendships, and possibly new insights that will impact your life trajectory. Go, while you have the chance!”
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Motorcycle (RE Himalayan 400cc - first generation or 450 if chosen)
Accommodation throughout the journey (17 nights)
7 dinners
17 breakfasts
Backup vehicle and mechanics
Spare parts (simple mechanics)
Internal permits
Airport pickup in Srinagar (within the journey dates)
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International Flights
Internal flights (to Srinagar, from Leh)
Visa
Food and fuel (around 25€ day)
Personal extras (drinks, sim cards, etc)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Riding equipment (compulsory – helmet, boots, gloves, padded motorcycle jacket and pants, water pack)
Motorcycle damage due to reckless riding (off road, exceeding speed limit)
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Yoga, men’s circling and meditation are core practices of our retreats. All participants without exception, regardless of their experience, agree to take part in all the practices and activities. Health issues and personal needs will be assessed individually with the facilitator. Refusal to participate in the practices and group activities will result in the expulsion of the retreat without any refund.
For our motorcycle retreats in India, participants are required to have a valid Driving Licence for motorcycles, a valid International Driving Licence, and at least one year riding experience. Although 90% of the roads on this journey are paved and in good conditions, riding in India is challenging by itself. Besides that, the road conditions might change quickly along the way, and some stretches can easily become challenging for someone without much riding experience. Such challenges might include strong rain, snow, ice (rare but possible), crossing strong water streams (to be expected), and mud (in a few stretches).
All participants are required to have a valid travel insurance that covers riding accidents on a rented motorcycle.
Without an International Driving License and the proper travel insurance, the participant will not be assigned a motorcycle and no refund will be given.
All participants are responsible for bringing their own riding gear. This includes helmet, boots, gloves, sun glasses, padded motorcycle jacket, pants, and hydration pack. Buying such equipment in India is not advised and can even be dangerous.
Weather conditions and road conditions are unpredictable. Land slides can happen along the way, snow fall is rare but can happen. If any of these happen, the safety of the situation will be accessed on the ground, and the travel leader will decide what to do. Adjustments to the original itinerary might happen due to the above conditions. The participants understand that the travel leader is not responsible for these conditions, and the following itinerary days will be picked up as soon as the conditions so allow it. All that happens will be part of this journey.
Minimum number of participants – 5
Maximum number of participants - 11
