Cycle Leh to Manali

15 days (Delhi)

Destinations visited: India, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir

Grading:

Challenging level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

from
USD$2,690

Book now

We cycle across the backbone of the west Himalaya from Ladakh to the verdant Kullu Valley on one of the world's highest and most rugged mountain roads

This challenging expedition traverses the backbone of the West Himalaya - the Zanskar, Himalaya and Pir Panjal Ranges, as we cycle the high passes that link Ladakh to the Kullu Valley. A fully supported adventure that will appeal to highly motivated cyclists keen to get their first experience in the Himalaya. After acclimatising in Leh, including freewheeling from the Kardung La (5602m), the world's highest motorable road, we commence our exhilarating Trans Himalayan traverse. Over 10 days we cycle across a vast wilderness landscape on the borderlands of Tibet, crossing passes that afford stunning vistas of snow capped ranges and rugged gorges before descending to the verdant meadows and conifer clad forests of the Kullu Valley and the hill station of Manali.

Highlights

A challenging cycle from Leh to Manali
The Kullu Valley
Buddhist Monasteries & Forts
Magnificent mountain vistas
Ancient Bhuddist culture

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Delhi

On arrival in Delhi you will be met by a World Expeditions representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the sights and sounds of this great city, where cows walk freely through busy streets laden with rickshaws and old style cars, and sari clad ladies with bundles of shopping balanced on their heads pass by beggars and street peddlers all the time against a background noise of beeping horns and bicycle bells. Due to the differing times of arrival of group members, a group briefing will not be held until tomorrow morning. Should you arrive earlier in the day we are happy to assist with any optional sightseeing.

Day 2 Fly to Leh

An early morning departure for the airport for our flight north to Leh, capital of Ladakh. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel for a relaxing day. Leh is set at 3500 metres above sea level and you should take it easy for the first few days in order to assist acclimatisation.

Days 3-5 Exploring in and around Leh

We make a series of day cycle rides to some of the outlying monasteries and forts of the region. This will include a cycle ride down the Indus Valley (80 km return) to Nimu; another day to Stok Palace (60 km return) and a possible drive and cycle to the Khardong La (5578 metres) the highest road pass in the world. Each night we return to the hotel which acts as our base and a place to ‘freshen up and relax’ after our adventurous days’ out. As the trip progresses your leader will monitor the preferences and general pace of the group and make modifications in order to make the itinerary both challenging and enjoyable. This will obviously be influenced by prevailing weather and road conditions and we aim to be as adaptable as possible to work around any set backs presented to us.

Day 6 Leh to Upshi drive (1-2 hours) Cycle to Taglang La Base (4 Hours)

Today after having our breakfast we leave Leh on our adventurous and breathtaking journey. The start is ideal as it is a nice paved road heading north-east along the Indus river and has gentle slopes all the way to the first camp at Taglang la Base. We cross a town called Upshi which is gateway for all the heavy traffic coming from Manali to Leh, we carry on along the Shang river to our camp at Taglang la base.

Day 7 Cycle to Pang (6-7 hours)

Today we gradually ascend the Tanlang La, affording breathtaking views towards western Ladakh, the Karakoram range, and the Tanlang La (5380M) which is the second highest motor-able road in the world. From here we enjoy an exhilarating cycle decent to the Changthang plateau and our overnight camp at Pang.

Day 8 Cycle to Lingti plains Brandy Nala (8 hours)

From Pang there is a gradual ascent up through the gorges in the Zanskar Range to the Lung Lacha La (5120 metres).This is a demanding day with a steep descent to Brandy Nala (4250 metres) on the edge of the Lingti plains.

Day 9 Cycle to Keylong Saria camp (5 hours)

The road leads gradually up the Lingti valley for 18 km towards the Keylong Saria camp. This stage of our ride affords fine views of the snow-capped peaks of the main Himalaya.

Continue reading ...

Day 10 Cycle to Jespa (6 hours)

The Bara Lacha La is an important trading route that at one time formed the trading border between the Himachal states and the west Tibetan Kingdom of Guge. The area is now populated by Gaddi shepherds who graze their flocks of sheep and goats on these high summer pastures. The road continues down the Bhaga River past the village of Darcha,the highest settlement in the region of Lahaul before reaching the district headquarters at Kelong. From the pass there is a steady descent to the camp at Jespa.

Day 11 Cycle to Gondla & Rhotang base (6-7 hours)

After breakfast we start our cycle to Kelong is district headquarters of Lahul, where we stop to explore the market from Kelong we descend to the village of Tandi at the confluence of the Bhaga and Chandra rivers and continue our cycle to Gondala village. We cycle up the valley crossing the river by bridge at Grampho before ascending to the Rhotang Pass (3980 metres).

Day 12 Cycle to Manali (8- 9 hours)

The Rhotang Pass is the ‘road pass' over the Pir Panjal Range. The range also blocks off much of the monsoon rain fall. From the pass the change of vegetation becomes apparent, for to the south lies the green alpine forests of the Kullu Valley in contrast to the stark, barren mountainside of Lahaul and Ladakh. We complete our descent, which is quite steep in places, to the Kullu Valley. Overnight in Manali at our comfortable hotel with time for a hot shower and a soft bed.

Day 13 Drive to Chandigarh 7-8 hrs

We drive down the Kullu Valley and across the foothills to the Indian plains , overnight in Chandigarh in good comfortable hotel.

Day 14 Train to Delhi

We take morning express Shatabdi train to Delhi, depart Chandigarh 0650 arrive Delhi 1050hrs . On arrival in Delhi we will transfer to the Hotel Connaught.

Day 15 Trip concludes in Delhi.

Trip concludes in Delhi today with a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Additional Information

Inclusions

14 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 12 dinners
flight Delhi to Leh
airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 19
expert bilingual guide
group medical kit
good quality hotel accommodation in Delhi, Manali & Leh
private transportation on road journeys
all site entrance fees as detailed

Summary

15 day trip
9 days cycling
8 nights hotels
6 nights camping

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

World Expeditions clients will generally stay at a comfortable hotel within walking distance of the town centre, where a full breakfast is provided. However at peak times it may be necessary to use other hotels of equal standard.

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required includes cycling gear and day pack, amd most inportantly a good quality all-terrain bike with spare parts. The roads generally are not suitable for bikes fitted with road tyres (slicks), even though some sections are in reasonably good condition. There will be sections higher up that will be in poor condition due to snow/slush from the winter months, possible landslip, and use of the road by heavy vehicles at times. Hybrid bikes with 'chunky' mountain tyres are most suitable. Members should also bring a range of spare parts which may include; chain links or chains, spare tyres and pump, at least 4 spare tubes and puncture repair kit, cables, pedals and a good tool kit. We will carry a good repair kit and spares but it is still necessary for everyone to bring some spares; this also ensures you have parts that will fit your bike. There will be a staff member to assist with running repairs when we are biking and at our overnight stops should problems be more complicated. As a general rule, less complex or high tech bikes are easier to fix and obtain parts for if necessary. If you plan to buy a new bike before the trip, make sure you are completely familiar with it prior to departing. You should fit at least 2 one litre water bottles to your bike. Water will be available from the back up vehicle.

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc. Porters and mules carry all group gear and your trek pack.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site