LEH - MANALI BIKE TOURS

Season: July to September
Duration: 16 nights / 17 days
Places Covered: Delhi - Manali - Keylong - Sarchu - Leh - Khardung-La

This extreme adventure trip takes us to the very heart of the Himalayas. You will discover some of the finest cycling the world has to offer. Beginning in Manali, we will cycle 270 miles and climb five major passes, 2 of which are over 16,600ft (5000m) on the road to Leh in Ladakh. From here nestled high in the Himalayas and accessible for only 4 months of the year, we will have the ultimate challenge, cycling from 11,500 feet (3,600 meters) in Leh to the Khardung-La Pass, the highest motorable pass in the world, taking you to a breath taking height of 18,380 feet (5,603m) in just 39 km.

This trip is designed for the experienced cyclist. The distances and gradient each day are not extreme, but the altitude and terrain make this a tough trip. You will go over 3 passes over 16,000 ft before we get to Leh, then the ultimate challenge, the Khardung-La Pass at 18,380 feet.

NB: Although it is our intension to operate the itinerary as detailed below, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to flight schedules or other operational factors.

DAY 01: Delhi
Arrive Delhi You will be met upon arrival at airport and transferred to hotel.

DAY 02: Drive Manali
Transfer to Manali by Air con-Coach.
Altitude... 1925 m...

DAY 03: Manali
Rest and Acclimatise. D

DAY 04: Manali
Another rest day. In the afternoon our local guide will lead a walking tour around Manali andDsurrounding villages. Manali nestles at the head of a lush green valley, on the banks of the Beas river and at the base of the Himalayas. Towering two miles above us to the North of the town we can see 6600 metre snowy peaks which we will shortly be cycling beneath!

DAY 05: Manali to Marhi
This is our first ascent as we begin to "warm up" for the tough ride ahead. Cycling out of Manali through an evergreen area of pine and deodar trees we tackle the first set of many hairpin bends and switchbacks on the way to the Rohtang pass.
Altitude 3320 m...10890 ft...

DAY 06: Marhi to Keylong
We start the day by finishing the 12km ascent to the Rohtang pass, where if the whether is fine there are some lovely scenic views on the horizon of snow covered peaks and Glaziers. Once we have refreshed ourselves in Rohtang, we leave the lush vegetation behind and continue with a descent to Gramphu. From here we will encounter some unmetalled stretches of flat road as we cross the raging torrent of the river at Khoksar and continue a short and easy ride to Sissu in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range. From here a short ride to Keylong crossing mountain streams flowing over the road.
Cycling distance...46 miles 78 km.
Altitude 3350 m...11,000 ft...

DAY 07: Keylong to Patseo
A relatively easy day cycling up to Patseo. The terrain is much more arid and the road is rutty, dusty and rocky. Passing the hamlet of Jispa we come out of a gorge and descend downhill before starting the ascent to Patseo. We now get a sense of the isolation of the area, with a few sheep dotted around and we begin to enter the territory of the Lamas. In the far horizon you can see the bleak and awesome spectacle of the Higher Himalayan ranges.
Cycling distance...29 miles 48 km.
Altitude 3820 m...12500 ft...

DAY 08: Patseo to Sarchu
Hard long climb to the Baralacha La Pass but the rewards are great as you travel through this wild and scenic country. The pass is arid with no vegetation, the sides of the mountains looking more like a quarry covered with loose rocks and scree. As we descend the gorge area of Bharatpur we will cross mountain rivers before reaching our destination.
Accommodation... Camping
Cycling distance...35 miles 58 km.
Altitude 4255 m...13975 ft

DAY 09: A rest day
An important days rest to further acclimatise and to absorb the magnificent scenery.

DAY 10: Sarchu to Whisky Nala
The day starts with some easy cycling but we are soon tackling the zigzag "21 loops of Gata" at 15,030ft up the canyon wall. Once we reach the summit of the Nakeela Pass its downhill to Whisky Nula. The day passes some beautiful arid mountain scenery of the high ranges.
Cycling distance...34 miles 56 km.
Altitude 4750 m...15800 ft

DAY 11: Moray plains to Debring
We start by ascending the second highest pass on the Manali-Leh highway up to Lachulung-La. The road here is likely to be the worst of the trip with a distinct lack of tarmac, it's very gravelly and there are many loose stones. We have a long descent to Pang down a steep sided gorge followed by a 8km switchback climb before reaching the flat top of the Moray Plains. This barren area is known for its extreme temperatures in the morning and evening, fast winds and sandstorms. The only sign of life is the hardy Nomadic Changpas who can be seen tending their yaks in this most desolate place. We camp at Debring 20km below the world's second highest pass, the Tanglang La at 5,360m.
Cycling distance...49 miles 82 km.
Altitude 4835 m...15,600 ft

DAY 12: Debring to Rumtse
This is a challenge indeed, but truly satisfying when you reach the top, before we set off down the exhilarating 1,200m descent of switchbacks to the village of Rumptse.
Cycling distance...30 miles 51 km.
Altitude 4260 m...14,000 ft

DAY 13: Rumtse to Leh
As we continue the descent to Upshi the scenery changes dramatically as we arrive in a fertile irrigated valley by a river dotted by pretty villages and Stupas. The spectacular red coloured mountains around us add to the beauty and richness of the scenery. Crossing the Indus River the road improves as we follow the other road users towards Leh. This is an easy ride as we pass the Thiksey Monastery and the Chortens Garden before we reach Leh.
Cycling distance...56 miles 91 km.
Altitude 3500 m...11500 ft

DAY 14: At Leisure in Leh
Taking a rest from the bikes today you have the chance to explore Leh and some of its twisting narrow streets, explore some of the more famous sites, such as Leh Palace or the Sakar Gompa monastery.
Accommodation... Guest house

DAY 15: Leh to The Khardung-La Pass
We will set of for the Khardung - La Pass as soon as light comes up. Cycling 26 miles and gaining 6000 feet, this is the ultimate challenge of the trip. It is the highest motorable road in the world taking you to a dizzy 5,600m! The view from the top is spectacular, stretching from the Indus valley in the South over the endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range to the giants of the Saser Massif in the North. You can feel proud of a true achievement as you finish the trip with your final satisfying descent.
Cycling distance...26 miles 41 km.
Altitude 3500 m...11500 ft

DAY 16: Leh / Delhi:
Early morning flight to Delhi. Assist to the hotel and after luch sight seeing of Delhi.

DAY 17 :Delhi / Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi - Home