Himalayan Cycling Adventure

Arrive at Delhi by international flight. A KVT representative will meet you at the airport and assist you to the vehicle. Later transfer to hotel. Afternoon start Delhi sightseeing. We proceed to Old Delhi and visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque of Old Delhi built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Later go for an exciting cycle rickshaw ride through lively thoroughfares and bustling alleyways of Old Delhi market rarely visited by typical tourists. Arrive at Khari Baoli and see Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. Our exploration continues as we drive past historic colonial landmarks, such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, and India Gate—a poignant memorial dedicated to soldiers of the First World War. (Meals- Ni)

Early morning transfer to New Delhi railway station for train Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh. Upon arrival we drive through the winding Himalayan roads to Manali (6.5 – 7.5hrs drive). Reach Manali and check in to hotel. NOTE: It is advisable to arrive a day earlier, which will help in better acclimatization.

After an early breakfast, we check our bikes for last moment adjustments, followed by a briefing session by the tour leader. We then take a short acclimatization ride around the town on our cycles to get accustomed with the bikes. We will ride to Solang valley and return which will help us in getting a feel of the climb and have some practice of riding on mountainous road. This will help us in dealing with the tough days ahead. (Cycling distance: Around 30 km / Meals: Breakfast)

Today we will get ready for the exciting cycle ride towards Marhi – a shanty town of roadside restaurants, located midway between Manali and Rohtang La on the Manali-Leh Highway. Our ride ascends as we cycle through cedar and pine forests, climbing quite a number of hairpin bends and passing by a beautiful waterfall. One can never get tired of riding because the surrounding view will keep on encouraging the rider. Later we reach Marhi and stay overnight in the tents. (Cycling distance: Around 38 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Morning we will cycle towards the mighty Rohtang La (3979m). The road ahead is very challenging and at some point you may not be able to ride the cycle. We start a steep uphill ride through zigzag road leading us to the pass; the road will be muddy at some sections. It will be a great achievement as we will reach our first high motorable pass of the journey. From the pass the ride will be a downhill zigzag road which leads us to Kokhsar. We are now in Lahaul valley and the landscape is totally different here. We continue cycling following the road along the Chandra River towards our next campsite of Sissu. Here we ride towards our campsite where we camp for the night. (Cycling distance: Around 54 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Morning after breakfast, we will start our ride towards Tandi bridge following the road along the Chandra River. It is here where Chandra River merges with Bhaga River to form the Chenab River which flows into Kashmir. We continue with our cycling towards Jispa. The ride is surrounded with amazing view of the valley. The mountains raise high above us as we ride further; on the way we will be crossing few nallahs (streams). The road now is quite good for cycling. Later we reach Jispa and camp for the night. (Cycling distance: Around 54 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Today we ride towards our next stopover Patseo. Day starts with an easy cycling to Darcha, a small village located on the banks of Bhaga River. From here we cross the river and ride a steep zigzag road which will be leading us closer to Deepak Tal. We cycle further to reach our next campsite Patseo. (Cycling distance: Around 25 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After an early breakfast we start cycling upwards to Baralacha La (4892m). The ride is challenging today as we ride steep uphill road that lead us to the high mountain pass on the Manali-Leh highway. On the way there is a beautiful lake Suraj Tal which is the source of Bhaga River. After crossing Suraj Tal we continue ascending and from here the pass is not far; so the effort is worth it as the views become breathtaking. Finally we reach the top of Baralacha La which connects Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahaul. After crossing the pass the ride is all downhill for some time and then further up to our campsite at Sarchu. (Cycling distance: Around 58 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This is a very challenging and hardest day for cycling because we will be crossing two highest mountain passes. Before that we will also be riding uphill through the Gata Loops – the 21 hairpin bends on the Manali-Leh highway. We start with easy cycling for few kilometers crossing Brandy Nala. After that we will start a steep uphill cycling through Gata Loops and continue with the ride till Naki La (4739m). After the pass it will be a downhill ride to Whiskey Nala. After some rest we will again start ascending towards another pass that is Lachulung La (5065m) and then descending down on the rough road to reach our next campsite Pang. (Cycling distance: Around 75 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Today we start with a quick and gradual ascending cycling to reach Morey plains, a vast stretch of plain land at an average elevation of 4800m and has some of the most amazing landscapes, accompanied with beautiful mountains and rock formation on both sides. After completing around 35 km stretch we head towards Tsokar Lake – situated in Rupshu valley, it is also known as ‘White Lake’ because of the salt deposits all over its shores. Later we reach at Tsokar Lake where we camp for the night. One can explore around the lake and also get an opportunity to watch different species of birds and the Kiang, Tibetan wild ass. (Cycling distance: Around 65 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning we start cycling towards the next high mountain pass Taglang La (5328m). The ride is quite challenging as the condition of the road is not good and mostly a gravel path. After ascending for some stretch negotiating strong wind we will reach the Taglang La and would be blessed with a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. After some rest we will continue cycling through a zigzag downhill road and will be crossing Rumtse and Gya villages on the way as we head towards our next campsite Lato. (Cycling distance: Around 72 km / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Morning after breakfast we start our cycling to Leh. After crossing Upshi we will enter the Indus valley and will be joined by Indus River as we ride alongside it. On the way we visit Thiksey Monastery which is located on top of the hill and resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet). After that we cycle towards Shey Palace – a monastery known for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. Later we continue riding to Leh and upon arrival we will check in to hotel. (Cycling distance: Around 65 kms / Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Today the ride will be challenging as we cycle all the way uphill towards one of the world’s highest motor-able pass Khardung La (5602m). The road is smooth till South Pullu and then it will be a rough bumpy road till the pass. After reaching Khardung La we will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the valley and snowcapped peaks of Zanskar range. After spending some time we will ride back the entire way downhill to Leh. (Cycling distance: Around 80 km / Meals: Breakfast)

Morning we will be transferred to the airport for flight to Delhi. Upon arrival connect international flight back to home country