This extremely scenic ride from alpine forests into a high altitude cold desert region is full of spectacular sights. Starting from the hill resort of Manali in the Kullu Valley, the Manali – Leh highway traverses 4 high mountain passes before emerging into the vast Indus valley. A memorable cycle journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Indian Western Himalayas.
|
About Delhi: The capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a by gone era stand there. These icons are testimony to the granduer of past and also an attraction for the tourists. The charm of Delhi has attracted emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of “Dilwalas” or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi—a window to the kaleidoscope the is India.
|
|
|
Day 01 : Arrival Delhi air port at morrning international Indira Gandhi, you will be met the representative of North Land adventure and transfer to Manali. 574 k.m. O/N Hotel.
|
Day 02 : Morning free to explore the city as well as to set your Bikes ready for the spectacular trans Himalayan mountain bike covering a total distance of 484Kms.O/N Hotel.
|
|
Day 03 : Manali – Marhi (3200m) 36 Kms. The road climbs gradually through forests and meadows and finally rising above the tree line reaches the small hamlet of Marhi just below the 13,050ft Rohtang Pass gateway to the Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Camp overnight in a small meadow.
|
| |
Day 04 : Marhi – Over Rohtang Pass (3980m) – Gondla Village (3160m) 56 Kms The road winds up to the Rohtang Pass and then after a series of twists and turns heads down to the valley floor. Here you stop for a while to get your passports checked. Crossing the bridge at Khoksar we ride along the right bank of the River Chandra passing fertile fields of potato and sweet peas till we reach the quaint village of Gondla our destination for the day. Camp near the river.
|
| |
Day 05 : Gondla - Jispa (3142m) 49 KmsLeaving our camp at Gondla we continue along the Chandra passing the village of Sissu from where you get magnificent views of a large gushing waterfall across the river. You also get to see massive glaciers clinging to the mountain slopes high above. Continuing to the Tandi Bridge we cross the Bhaga River rushing to meet the Chandra further down river. We stop at Keylong the district headquarters for a while before heading north to the tiny village of Jispa. Camp for the night near the Chandra River.
|
Day 06 : Jispa – Zingzingbar (4328m) 53 Kms The ride today leads through sparsely wooded terrain interspersed with tiny villages till we reach the vast open stretch of Zingzingbar a temporary army camp. We set up camp for the night a little ahead of this settlement.
|
| |
Day 07 : Zingzingbar over Baralacha La (4880m) – S archu (4426m) 53Kms The road passes a tiny jewel of a lake the Suraj Tal (Lake of the Sun) before heading up towards Baralacha Pass. This is in the centre of three valleys – the Chandra, the Bhaga and the Yunan. From here a trail leads east through meadows towards the Chandratal lake a trek of about 3 days. Descending from the pass we pass barren hills and get excellent views of the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges in the distance. Reaching Sarchu the popular stop over for bikers and motorists alike we set up camp for the night.
|
Day 08 : Sarchu – Takh (4203m) 40 KmsThe road now leads out of the Sarchu plateau heads north having entered the state of Jammu & Kashmir.goes dizzily up the gata loops a series of 23 switchback turns that takes us to the Passing small pass the Naki la we head into a gorge just before reaching the small campsite at Takh.
|
Day 09 : Takh – over the Lachulung La (5060m) – Pang (4630m) 40 Kms Going along the winding road-amazing hill formations appear having been sculpted by the strong winds so particular of this region, that takes us to the top of Lachulung La pass. Down hill settlement of Pang. Camp overnight.
|
Day 10 : Pang – Morey Plains – Debring (4920m) 48 Kms. After 8 Kms of riding through a gorge we emerge into the expansive 45 Km long Morey plains. This vast shrub land is home to a variety of wild life including the Kyang (Tibetan Wild Ass), the Tibetan Wolf, the Tibetan Hare and colonies of perky marmots and picas.
The Morey Plains are also a grazing ground for the sheep of the Changpa the nomadic shepherds of southern Ladakh. We continue on a pencil straight black tarmac road till we reach our destination foe the night the small settlement of Debring below the Tanglang La pass.
|
Day 11 : Debring – over Tanglang La (5200m) – Rumtse village (3900m) 54 Kms. The ascent to the pass is a bit steep and the going becomes trying riding over a few gravely patches till we finally reach the top of the Tanglang La which was once the second highest motorable pass in the world. After the opening of the higher Marsimik La on the eastern borders of Ladakh, it is now the third highest. From the pass the road winds smoothly down to the Indus Valley floor and the oasis like picturesque village of Rumtse. You are greeted with a number of small chortens and a swiftly flowing mountain river. Camp outside the village.
|
Day 12 : Rumtse – Upshi (3384m) 35 KmRide beside a mountain stream along the Indus valley till we reach the small hamlet of Upshi. We cross the bridge over the gently flowing Indus River here and set up camp a little ahead.
|
Day 13 : Upshi – Leh (3503m) 51 KmsThe last day of this unforgettable journey sees us riding through long stretches of metalled road and past the Thiksey monastery and a vast grouping of white chortens. We reach the laidback charming town of Leh by afternoon and check into a comfortable hotel.
|
Day 14 : Leh - Khardung-La : Start early morining from Leh to Khardong-la pass is spectacular as you ascend the switch back to the higest motorable pass in the world. Once at Khardong-la pass (5602meters) there is an opportunity for pictures and small temple to visit.Distance 39 k.m. one way(Total 78K.m )Up and down) if you feel tried to get back on the top,therefore the truck and lorry driver can be asked for the lift,take for the cycles to be loaded and brought back to Leh. O/N Hotel.
|
Day 15 : Fly back to Delhi,explore the local market or local sight seeing. O/N Hotel.
|
|
Day 16 : Check out from hotel in the time to catch your onward flight by taxi to Iternational airport.
|
