Mountain Biking in India (Manali to Leh Ladakh)

Duration- 13 Nights / 14 Days

Places- Bike Route

Mode of Transportation- Flight & Bike

Meals- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Tour Manager- Available at your service right from your arrival till departure

Tour Guide- Local tour guide will be made available at all the locations

Inclusions- All inclusive except expense of personal nature like laundry, entry fee of camera etcetera

The high altitude road from Manali to Leh is known for the test of patience, stamina, determination and adventure streak. Also featuring the two highest mountain passes of the world- Tanglang La and Khardung La, the road can become gateway to surprises of mountains. There could be anything between a downright exhausting sunshine and a snow blizzard, and the additional fear of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). However, a seasoned biker has nothing to fear of all the three and any other for that matter. The bike that seems best friend of the rider is a best fit for such rugged journey on stony path.

Ladakh- Ladakh is the highest plateau in India with most of it being over 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Ladakh is most famous for breathtaking landscapes, the crystal clear skies, the highest mountain passes, thrilling adventure activities, Buddhist Monasteries and festivals.  Ladakh is one of the highest regions of the world. Its natural features consist mainly of high plains and deep valleys.

Day 1– Arrival Delhi

A very warm welcome to India’s capital city!!! Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your English-speaking tour manager and chauffer. Tour manager will help you with hotel check in and discuss the tour details. Depending upon your flight timings local excursions can be planned for the day.

Today’s Excursion- It can be discussed and planned as per your arrival in Delhi

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 2– Delhi to Manali (Flight / 2 hours)

The day will start very early today when we leave for Delhi Airport to board flight to Kullu. Kullu is 25 Miles from Manali. 

Upon arrival at Manali, check in at hotel and rest to let your body acclimatize to the reduced oxygen level and atmospheric pressure. Day at leisure but you can explore the nearby places and local market.

Today there will be a team briefing about the ride that will start next day.

Night stay- Manali

Day 3– Manali to Marhi (26 miles) (Altitude – 3320 meters)

Post breakfast, today we will start our first day cycling up to Marhi. The valley is full of snow capped peaks and some breathe taking view. First day is always a warmup for the tough ride ahead. Cycling out of Manali through an evergreen area we tackle the first set of many hairpin bends and switchbacks on the way to the Rohtang Pass.

Night stay- Marhi

Day 4– Marhi to Keylong (49 miles) (Altitude – 3350 meters)

Post breakfast we start for ascent of 7.5 miles to the Rohtang Pass. At Rohtang Pass if the weather is fine, you can enjoy 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 Gramphoo. 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.

Night stay- Keylong

Day 5– Keylong to Patseo (30 miles) (Altitude – 3820 meters)

Post breakfast we start a relatively easy day cycling up to Patseo. The terrain is much more arid, and the road is rutty, dusty and rocky. We will pass through the hamlet of Jispa, and we will 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.

Night stay- Patseo

Day 6– Patseo to Sarchu (36 miles) (Altitude – 4255 meters)

Post breakfast it’s a hard long climb to the Baralacha La Pass but the rewards are great as you travel through this wild and scenic region. 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.

Night stay- Sarchu

Day 7– Rest day (Altitude – 4255 meters)

This day is reserved for relaxation and acclimatization to high altitude. Enjoy the pristine nature and breath fresh air.

Night stay- Sarchu

Day 8– Sarchu to Whisky Nallah (35 miles) (Altitude – 4750 meters)

After relaxing break a day prior, this 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 Nallah. We will be passing through beautiful arid mountain scenery of the high mountain ranges.

Night stay- Whisky Nallah

Day 9– Whisky Nallah to Debring (51 miles) (Altitude – 4835 meters)

Today we start by ascending the second highest pass on the Manali-Leh highway up to Lachalang La.  We will encounter very bad road patches. With a distinct lack of tarmac, it’s very gravelly and we may have to be careful with many loose stones. We have a long descent to Pang down a steep sided gorge followed by a 5 miles 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. 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, which is below the world's second highest pass, the Tanglang La.

Night stay- Debring

Day 10– Debring to Rumptse (32 miles) (Altitude – 4260 meters)

It will be a challenging day when we reach the top before setting off down the exhilarating 1,200m descent of switchbacks to the village of Rumptse.

Night stay- Rumptse

Day 11– Rumptse to Leh (57 miles) (Altitude – 3500 meters)

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 towards Leh. This is an easy ride as we pass the Thiksey Monastery and the Chortens Garden before we reach Leh.

Night stay- Leh

Day 12– Leh (Altitude – 3500 meters)

It’s a relaxing day today, utilise this day to regain your stamina and energy. 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 monuments around Leh.

Night stay- Leh

Day 13– Leh to Khardung La Pass to Leh (26 miles) (Altitude – 5580 meters)

We will set of for the Khardung - La Pass as soon as light comes up. This is the ultimate challenge of the trip. It is the highest motorable road in the world taking you to a dizzy 5580 meter.  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.

Night stay- Leh

Day 14– Leh to Delhi (Flight / 1.30 hours)

Post early breakfast in your hotel we will leave for Airport to board flight to Delhi.

Night stay- Delhi (depending upon your onward journey)

Note: This is just a time bound sample itinerary indicative of how and what all could be explored. We can customise the tour as per your requirements. Set your expectations and we will offer memorable experience. Please reach out to us for personalised holiday experience.

All meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation for 13 Nights / 14 Days

All mode of domestic transportation

All the permits

Bike

Professional Instructor and Guide

Maintenance Vehicle with Mechanic

Back up Vehicle

International flight

Travel insurance

Any service / activity not mentioned in Itinerary

Expense of personal nature like laundry, entry tickets for camera etcetera

Optional tours