Classic Cycle Through The Himalayan Kingdom Of Ladakh

Overnight Standard Hotel

Catching the early morning train to Kalka, we leave Delhi behind and head north, towards the foothills of the Himalayas. On arrival we leave the train and continue the rest of the way by road, a six hour journey that takes us on to the town of Mandi. Lying besides the waters of the Beas River, Mandi lies at a little over 1,000 metres above sea level, surrounded by the hilly ranges that dominate the rolling landscapes of Himachal Pradesh.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Following the course of the Beas River this morning we drive on to the hill station of Manali, at the northern end of the Kullu Valley. Crossing the lush valley landscapes we pass through villages and apple orchards, making our way towards a town that once heralded the start of the old trade route into Ladakh. After checking in to our hotel we collect our bikes and spend some time this afternoon preparing them and ourselves for the journey ahead. The rest of the day is then free to explore a little of Manali, perhaps using the time to visit the Buddhist monastery or the town’s lively Tibetan bazaar.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The days ahead will see us spending, on average, seven hours a day in the saddle, tackling some long hard climbs, at altitude and on difficult surfaces. Exploring Manali by bike today gives us a chance to acclimatize to the conditions a little before we head into the hills. We’ll visit the remarkable carvings of the 16th century Hadima Devi temple, before cycling along the side of the Beas River to Nagar Castle, home to the renowned Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery. If time allows we may also pay a visit to the hot sulphur springs in Vashisht village.

Total cycling distance approximately 40km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our first full day’s cycling begins after breakfast this morning, as we start climbing out of Manali and up through flower filled valleys and forests of fir and cedar towards the village of Kothi. From Kothi we then negotiate a number of winding hairpins up to the Rohalla Falls, lying some 27 kilometres away from Manali on the way to the Rohtang Pass. The result of melting glaciers, the falls overlook a landscape of silver birch and forests of deodar, providing us with a beautiful scenic backdrop as we descend into the valley towards our first overnight camp.

Total cycling distance approximately 37km/5-6 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early start sees us cycling along a series of steep switch-backs up to the top of the Rohtang La, the high mountain pass on the eastern edge of the Pir Panjal Range. Con-necting the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, the pass provides an effective divide between the lush pastureland and the semi-arid mountain deserts of the north. From the top it snakes down to the small village of Khoksar, some 900 metres below, providing us with stirring views of the mountains as we cycle into the Lahual Valley and on towards Tandi.

Total cycling distance approximately 70km/6-7 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the exertions of yesterday, today provides us with a relatively easy ride as we follow the main road through the narrow valley towards Gondhala. Stopping to view its ancient fort, we then continue along the valley to the bustling town of Keylong, the administrative centre of the Lahaul and Spiti region. Perched some 3,080 metres up the mountains, the town is home to three important monasteries, including that of Kardang, the largest in Lahaul. A further 20 kilometres to the north of here lies the town of Jispa, our final desti-nation for the day.
Total cycling distance approximately 37km/4-5 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The first part of today’s journey sees us cycling through scenic green pastures towards the village of Darcha (3,225m), where we take a break for refreshments. From here we continue climbing, passing through a number of local villages as we make our way slowly up to Petso and our evening’s camp. We are approaching the Great Himalayan Ranges now, so it is important that we take it easy, as we begin the acclimatisation proc-ess for the second stage of the journey.
Total cycling distance approximately 34km/4-5 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today presents us with one of our toughest tests, as we cross the Himalayas and head towards the border of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. After a gradual as-cent that takes us across a large expanse of pastureland, we begin the long climb to the Baralacha La, a seemingly endless slog that takes us high up into the Zankar ranges. As we crest the top we are presented with incredible views across the Indian Himalayas, towards the snow covered peaks of Barashigri, Chandrabhaga and Mulkila. From here it is a long and relatively easy descent, through Kaylong Sarai and on to Serchu, some 650 metres below.
Total cycling distance approximately 60km/6-7 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Beginning our day riding across the long plains of Serchu, we then climb gently to the base of a mountain known as the Gata Loops. Negotiating a series of 22 loops, we then climb to the Nakee La and on to the Lachalung La, a tough but rewarding climb that of-fers views back down towards the surreal rock formations that line the valley floor. The descent then takes us across the barren Zanskar ranges, where the purples, greens and browns of the surrounding hills provide a magnificent backdrop to our ride down to Pang (4,500 metres).
Total cycling distance approximately 84km/8-9 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a short ascent up to the Morey Plains (4,700 metres) we find ourselves amongst the waterless deserts of the high Tibetan Plateau this morning. Part of the Rupshu Valley this is home to the Changpas, Tibetan nomads who graze their huge herds of yaks and sheep amongst these seemingly inhospitable landscapes. As we turn east, heading along the sandy tracks towards Tsokar, we may pass the occasional yak hair tent belonging to these remarkable people. Today’s destination is Tsokar Lake, ‘White Lake’, so called be-cause of the salt deposits that ring its shoreline. There may be an opportunity to take a ride out to the lake and the nearby village on arrival.
Total cycling distance approximately 57km/6 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we cycle over India’s second highest drive-able pass, the Tanglang La. Heading back to the main road we rejoin the Leh-Manali highway and begin the long steep climb. The sense of achievement as we reach the pass is enhanced by the stun-ning views out across the Himalayas and the Karakorum ranges. After a chance for a rest and some memorable photo opportunities, we begin the long snaking descent back down. Below us lie fields of barley and potatoes and, as we pass through the villages of Rumtse and Gaya, colourful rock formations line the route to our final camp at Rani Bagh.

Total cycling distance approximately 80km/8 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another long day, we join the Indus Valley this morning and cross the river. Travelling via Upshi we make a small detour to visit Hemis Monastery, once the richest and largest of all Ladakh’s Buddhist gompas. Tucked away in a side valley, the monastery lies at the end of a seven kilometre climb, but we have time to view some of its ancient temples and priceless treasures before rejoining the Indus River. Continuing through Karo and Thikse (home to an impressive hilltop monastery), we then pass the ruins of Shey Palace and the village of Choglamsar before a final gentle climb into Leh.
Total cycling distance approximately 82km/7-8 hours.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we have an opportunity to take a final ride up to Khardungla Pass (5,602 metres), the world’s highest drive-able road. It is a six hour ride up to the top of the pass, with the latter part of the journey taking us across some pretty rough terrain. It is worth the climb though, as the pass opens up onto panoramas of the Karakorums, Ladakh and the Zanskar Mountains. And the ride back is downhill all the way! Alternatively you can stay in Leh and explore this wonderfully atmospheric town, perhaps enjoying a ride out to Stok Palace and Spituk.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We fly back to the Indian capital today where, depending on flight times, there may be a chance on arrival to explore something of its bustling streets and historic landmarks. Old Delhi contains many of the city’s most impressive Muslim and Mughal monuments, such as the magnificent Jama Masjid, whilst the newer part of the city is sprinkled with the colonial architectural monuments of Edward Lutyens. Then of course there is the Chandni Chowk, a jamboree of deafening noise and colour that is one of the oldest and busiest markets in the city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today there is a free day to explore Delhi.  On occasions the flight from Leh to Delhi can be delayed or cancelled in which case the group would be accommodated in Leh and travel to Delhi today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast