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You will cherish a tough mountain biking experience in one of the most outlandish places on earth including tough climbs, endless descents and more relaxed road sections. With our support team and vehicle backup, these adventures are accessible to everyone.
Manali to Leh - mountain bike trip ride through the roof of the world if you are looking for excitement of pure downhill, day after day, through ever-changing scenery, the Manali to Leh traverse is hard to beat. This 500 km journey will be a matchless experience. Biking through the world's highest altitude road maintained by defence services, we will not only cross high ridges and passes but also observe and assimilate the culture of the Himalayas. In the series of high passes we will cross Baralacha (4950 m), Tanglang-la (5280 m) & Kardung La (5605 m). The capped peaks with a clear blue sky as a backdrop offer a wonderful, pure environment for the Kyang' (wild horse), wolf and mountain hare. One must be aware of the altitude and its effects, and hence we provide special attention to comfort and safety. |
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Day 1: Depart Home
Day 2: Arrive at Delhi - Chandigarh - 250 Km / 5-6 Hr
On arrival at Delhi International Airport our office representative will meet you and transfer to railway station to board train to
Chandigarh. Arrive Chandigarh and check into the Hotel. Later in the afternoon we visit the amazingly created Rock Garden - a beautiful garden created out of waste materials and local Bazaar.
Hotel
Day 3: Chandigarh - Kullu - Manali - 320 Km / 8-9 Hr
In the morning we drive to Manali. We drive through the hill-landscape of Himachal Pradesh into the valley of Kulu and the Beas River along into the small town of Manali (2000 m). Upon
arrival check-in to the Hotel. Hotel
Day 4: In Manali (2000 m)
This morning we gear-up and settle our mountain bikes and go on a first reconnaissance-trip: A forest hides a temple, called Hidimba
Devi, out of wood with remarkable carving. Later we ride cycle up to "Old
Manali", a picturesque village close to the ruins of the Fortress
Mandakot. Along the Beas River we will find the hot sources of
Vashist.
Hotel
Day 5: Manali - Marhi (3000 m) - 35 Km / 5-6 Hr
 1250
 Today we start our first day of biking on the highest road of the world. We bike gradually-climb through the alpine forest, passing local road side shops selling snow-shoes and fur jackets to domestic tourists, after the last village, called
Kothi, many serpentines brings us to the Rohalla Falls and after a big turn into a small valley we reach the camp where you stay overnight.
Camp
Day 6: Marhi - Tandi (3000 m) - 72 Km / 6-7 Hr
1100
With early morning start we bike through the green pasture and many serpentines till we reach to our first pass
"Rothang La (4060 m)". There we can enjoy the view over the glacier summits of
Spiti, and the mountains of Ladakh. It's fantastic! Now enjoy the downhill of about 1000 height-meters to the village of
Khoksar. We are now in Lahaul-Valley. With some softly up and down, we reach
Tandi, where the rivers Chandra and Bhaga comes together.
Camp
Day 7: Tandi - Jispa (3200 m) - 37 Km / 4-5 Hr
700
Start cycling to reach Jispa. En route stop at Gondhala to see the ancient Gondhala Fort. Pass by Keylong - An oasis of green fields. Keylong is small but beautiful town with Tibetan- Buddhist culture area. The monastery of Kardung shines at the opposite hillside in the sun. After the visit we continue our biking to
Jispa. Stop at Jispa; visit a newly built monastery, which was specially built for
H.H. the Dalai Lama.
Camp
Day 8: Jispa - Patseo (3650 m) - 32 Km / 3-4 Hr
500
 We cycle through very beautiful and big green pasture land to Darcha (3235m), in a big river-landscape. Here we meet our second check-post and can enjoy cup of tea or coffee at local restaurant. Continue biking with gradual climb till we reach Patseo (3650m) on a comfortable half-stage. You start your trip intentionally quietly, in because of the adaptation of height.
Camp
Day 9: Patseo - Sarchu (4250 m) - 55 Km / 7-8 Hr
1300
Start cycling to reach Sarchu. Sarchu is the border between Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir States. After a level stretch across large meadows such as Zingzingbar a gradual ascent up the Bhaga River leads to Baralacha Pass (4892 M). The word Baralacha means "a pass with cross roads". From here the snow covered peaks of the
Barashigri, Chandrabhaga and Mulkila ranges are visible. Here the roads from
Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul meet together.
Camp
Day 10: Sarchu - Pang (4500 m) - 84 Km / 8-9 Hr
1000
Early morning we start the strongest steppe. First we go approximately 38 km very flat till we come to the
Gataloops. The next 800 meters you push up your bike in many serpentines. Then we reach Nakee La 5050m. A short downhill (250m) and the last ascent bring us to the Lachalung La 5150m. By now we are acclimatised well, and so the climb to Lachalung La 5150m, should not cause any problems. From the pass we roll down through rocks of Trans Himalaya until we reach Pang the second arm of the
Zanskar. Immediately beside a control- station we will stay for camping in the tents.
Camp
Day 11: Pang - Tsokar Lake (4600 m) - 57 Km / 4-5 Hr
400
 We start slowly at a short ascent to the Mora Plain 4700m, one of the Rupshu typical, waterless high deserts. In distant we can see flock of sheep's of the nomadic Changpas who in summers come down to more plains for greener pasture. There only lives poor Changpa -Nomads, which reach even 5600m high, pastures with their yaks, sheep's and goats, an extensive yak-grazing region that marks the eastern extremity of the Tibetan plateau a large salt lake situated a few kilometers from the main road. Tso Kar means "the white lake". Tsokhar is salt water lake & is so salty that salt extracted are still sold all over
Ladakh. The wild ass can be seen grazing on the pastures on the side of the lake. It has got a small gompa and the surrounding village
THUKSE. Tso Kar is breeding ground for bar headed geese & Rudyshel duck. Birds that can be seen here are Black-necked Cranes, Great Crested Grebe, Tibetan Sand grouse , Plain-backed Snow finch, Golden Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Lesser Sand Plover , kites, harriers Little Owl etc. We camp nearby lake. Camp
Day 12: Tsokar - Rani Bagh (4080 m) - 80 Km / 6-7 Hr
900
Start cycling to reach Upshi. We gradually climb to reach Tanglang La Pass (5328 m), the 2nd highest motor-able road. In three hours we are above and will be rewarded with a wonderful view on the mountains of
Karakorum. It's a stormy corner and we stay only for a short time on the pass. From pass we cycle down to large more plains, passing villages of Rumtse & Gya en route.
Camp
Day 13: Rani Bagh - Hemis - Leh (3500 m) - 82 Km / 7-8 Hr
450
 We start early to the Indus-Valley, follow the green wideness till a hidden valley. In a short uphill, 7 km, we reach the monastery of
Hemis. After visiting the monastery we continue our journey to Leh passing the monasteries of
Thikse, Shey, and its time enough, to make a short visit.
Hotel
Day 14: Leh - Kardung La (5605 m) - Leh
2100
We start early morning to the highest motor able pass of the world, the Kardung La 5606m. The ascent begins at 3540m and end by 5603m. There are 46 km. Behind Leh we leave the last small village, Ganglass 4000m, then reach 2 hours later the check post in South
Pullu. Only 14 km separate us from the summit. We need 3 hours to the pass. The view along the street is always fantastic, on Kardung La; get fresh tea or Maggie noodle soup in local restaurant. There is also the highest
Gompa, one can make a visit. The reward of the day is a fantastic downhill to
Leh.
Hotel
Day 15: In Leh
Now we have time to make sightseeing and shopping in Leh. Leh has quite a few interesting places on offer. The main attraction of this area include the captivating Leh Palace, Leh Monastery, Leh Mosque, Tsemo Gompa, Stok Palace Museum and beautiful valleys. Stroll through Leh’s colorful bazaar to check out the roadside stalls selling Tibetan artifacts, vegetables and fruits. It’s fantastic here; it is warm in the sun, and relaxing in one of the garden cafes with a cup of black coffee and fresh apricot pie.
Hotel
Day 16: Flight Leh / Delhi
Early morning transfer to Leh Airport to connect flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, meet & transfer to Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to explore or just recover from the flight. Optional sightseeing tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jamia Mosque, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab
Minar.
Delhi: The capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has been seat of power for number of dynasties. The Old City was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and the New City was built by Sir Edwin Lutyens & Herbert Baker. Rest of the day is free at leisure or last movement shopping. Hotel
Day 17: Day free. Evening transfer to airport for flight to Home.
Day 18. Arrive Home
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