Manali – Leh Traverse Himalayan Tour

• Day 1: Arrive Delhi

  Arrive in Delhi. Meet, greet, assist and transfer to the hotel (Check-in at hotel 12:00 Noon). Delhi - India’s capital and the major gateway to the country, the bustling metropolis successfully merges the ancient and the modern. Chosen as their seat of power by dynasties through the eras, the city is a conglomerate of eight cities. Come across the testament of Mughal grandeur, ruins, gardens tombs, temples, fascinating architectures, brilliant designs by British Sir Edwin Lutyens and is the ultimate testament to the British Raj. Afternoon, you may choose to visit Old Delhi. Visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques of India, drive past Red Fort, take a cycle rickshaw ride from Red Fort to Jama Masjid en route bypassing Chandni Chowk bazaar the main shopping area for residents of Old Delhi area. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 2: Delhi – Chandigarh Train, Chandigarh –Manali by road( 303 Kms, 7-8 hours)

  Early morning in time transfer to New Delhi railway station to board super express train Shatabdi Express (departs at 07:40 hours and arrives Chandigarh at 11:05 hours.) Upon arrival in Chandigarh, board your coach and transfer to Manali. Evening meet, greet and discuss the tour plan with your tour guide. • Meal: Breakfast and Dinner • Tip: Keep yourself regularly hydrated.

• Day 3: In Manali

  Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Acclimatization is crucial for Manali to Leh cycling tour, so the day is spent relaxing and acclimatizing. Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, Manali located at an altitude of 2050 meters (7625 feet) gives you a feel of the mountains awaiting your journey. *In case you are flying in, we can make arrangements to pick you up from the nearest airport at Bhuntar. Take a short bicycle trip around Manali to get familiar with your bikes and terrain. • Cycling Distance: 8-12 Km • Altitude: 3320 m (10890 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Hotel • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Check your bike thoroughly. • Keep yourself regularly hydrated.

• Day 4: Manali - Marhi (35 kms)

  Today begins the real cycling days. Journey through the lush green Beas Valley from Manali through one of the ancient trade routes to Ladakh. Hit the road and begin the northward ascent to Rohtang Pass. On the way, cycle through a series of loops and bends to pass the picturesque villages of Palchan, Kothi and Gulaba. Day 1 of the cycling expedition ends at the scenic village of Marhi. Just 12 km short of Rohtang Pass, the campsite enjoy the spectacular view of the Pir Panjal Mountain range in the distance and crystal clear skies with views of stars. • Cycling Distance: 35 Kms • Altitude: 3409 m (11181 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • The stretch has high traffic with some rash driving as well. Be cautious and keep yourself on the extreme left. • Start as early as possible to beat the traffic and also to reach Marhi before the sun sets.

• Day 5: Marhi - Sissu (53 kms)

  Today start the day early and cycle the steep way up to Rohtang Pass. Set at an altitude of 3978 meters (13051 ft). Rohtang Pass is the first of the five mountain passes on the road to Leh. Take a short break at the Rohtang Pass and enjoy the spectacular view. It’s not unusual to enjoy the blanket of snow even in summer. It's even possible to spot the breath-taking snow-peaked mountains of Lahaul. Back to cycling. Ride downhill from Rohtang. Traffic thins out after the village of Gramphu. Continue along the River Chandra at Khoksar, all the way to Sissu. The ride is pretty enjoyable. Day 2 ride ends at Sissu campsite. • Cycling Distance: 53 Kms • Altitude: 3130 m (10270 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • Never get too excited after reaching the pass. It is not even a midway and you need to ride more before calling it a day. • There are temporary toilets 500 mt before the Rohtang Pass. • Police Check post in Khoksar will verify your documents. • There is one shop which repairs tier right after the Khoksar Bridge.

• Day 6: Sissu - Patseo (60 kms)

  Start the day with a hearty breakfast. Stay at the Sissu campsite acclimatizes you further for the journey ahead. Gear up and cycle up the winding road along the Bhaga River. On the route, feel the change in the landscape. The vegetation begins to turn noticeably sparse as well as human habitations few and far between. Once in a while, come across the small herds of sheep. The higher Himalayan ranges begin to emerge in the far horizon. Pass by the sleepy hamlets of Jispa and Darcha. The day 3 ends with an ascent to the tiny settlement of Patseo. Freshen up and relax at the campsite. It’s a relatively easy day of cycling, planned to help you keep the energy for the steep ascent on the following day. • Cycling Distance: 60 Kms • Altitude: 3820 m (12500 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • There is a bike mechanic who lives 7-8 km ahead of Sissu. You will recognize him with tires kept outside his house on the left side of the road.

• Day 7: Patseo - Sarchu (58 kms)

  The cycling tour covers the major second mountain pass on the way to Ladakh. Make a steep ascent to Baralach La Pass. The reward of the breath-taking view of the shimmering cerulean Suraj Tal lake makes the journey through the rough roads worthwhile. On crossing the mountain pass of Baralach La Pass at the altitude of 4891 meters (16046 ft), you enter the Great Himalayas. The pristine Himalayan landscape as it has stood for many millennia awaits to welcome you. T Cycling down from Baralacha La is a welcome relief after the steep ascent. The day ends at Sarchu Plains campsite. • Cycling Distance: 58 Kms • Altitude: 4255 m (13975 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • 3 km ahead of lower Zing Zing Bar, you will find a motorcycle mechanic with a facility to repair flat tires. • The oxygen level at Zing Zing Bar is very low, so please don’t get carried away with the name of the place. Respect the nature over here. • Most Dhaba over in Zing Zing Bar has solar lights and option to charge your phones and camera. So don’t waste time and get your gadgets charged. • Army Camp in Sarchu allows you to make domestic and international calls on payment of fees. The rates for domestic calls were just under EURO. 1/- per min.

• Day 8: Sarchu – Whisky Nallah (56 kms)

  Sarchu is a cold and windy place with a very out of the world landscape. It is a very popular camping site for adventure lovers heading to Ladakh. Leave from Sarchu early in the morning. Begin cycling through the zigzag roads up the 21 hairpin bends of Gatta Loops on the way to Nakeela Pass, the third pass on the way to Ladakh. The arid landscape continues with some stunning views of the Himalayas. End the day at Whisky Nullah campsite. • Cycling Distance: 56 Kms • Altitude: 4750 m (15800 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • Start early as the sun gets really strong after crossing the Gata Loops. • There is a small shade right after Gata Loops on the right side. Perfect for rest. • Please don’t through plastic bottles at Gata Loops. • Your Manali-Leh cycling preparation will surely come to the test on this day and the next day as you ride hard in the desert region of Ladakh.

• Day 9: Whisky Nallah - Debring ( 70 kms)

  Leave from Whiskey Nalla and cycle for 7 km on the easy ascending road to the Lachang La pass. Set at an altitude of 5100 meters, it is the second-highest pass on the way from Manali to Leh. From Lachang La continue cycling downhill for another 25 kms to Pang. Enjoy the breathtaking as well as an overwhelming ride. The road practically vanishes and is a bumpy ride. From Pang cycle for another 7 km. After the steep ride, arrive to the Morey plains. At an average elevation of 4800 m, it is a stretch of most amazing plains so high in the mountains, flanked with steep rising and rock formation on both sides. Cycling here is fun as the road is smooth and runs flat across the wide valleys. Morey Plains is believed to be the most captivating landscape of the Manali-Leh cycle tour. End the day at the campsite at Debring. • Cycling Distance: 70 Kms • Altitude: 4600 m (15100 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • The climb to Lachungla is not that hard but the challenge is to go downhill till Pang on a bad dirt track. • Cover your face with some cloth after the pass to save yourself from dust. • Army Camp in Pang allows you to make domestic and international calls on payment of fees. The rates for domestic calls were just under EURO. 1/- per min.

• Day 10: Debring – Rumptse (52 kms)

  Today is the biggest test of the cycling expedition as it is the highest point on the mountain cycling tour. Ride up to Tanglang La, the highest pass on the Manali-Leh route and the second highest pass in the world at the altitude of 5360 meters. Also known to be the second-highest motorable road in the world, the first 12 km of cycling is easy but the next 8 km is full of struggle. Halt at the Tanglang La Pass. The mountain pass is marked by a Buddhist Chorten (reliquary monument) and prayer flags. Enjoy the exhilarating view of Zanskar mountain range and the mighty Ladakh range. From Tanglang La cycle down to the first village of the valley- Rumptse and back in civilization. • Cycling Distance: 52 Kms • Altitude: 5358 m (17578 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Camping • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated. • It isn’t really difficult in terms of a climb but the harsh weather is all that matters. It plays with your mind constantly and will be thinking of giving up at several intervals. But constant cadence, believing in all you did in the last 8 days and some warm chai will keep you moving. • There is a Dhaba at the Tanglang La Pass which serves some basic food, instant noodle, and chai. • On your ride downhill, keep control of your speed as there is plenty of hairpin bends. • Reaching on top of Taglang La is the most important feature of your Manali to Leh cycling trip. You will feel like you have completed the journey.

• Day 11: Rumptse - Leh (90kms)

  Start the day with an easy ride. The tough part of the cycling tour is over, from now on begins the easy cycling to Leh. The scenery changes dramatically. The harsh mountainscape is left behind and now nestled between barren red-colored mountains are the fertile valleys of Ladakh. Cycle past the Indus River. India derives its name from the ancient river that originates in the glaciers of the Himalayas. Also, cross by the many small villages and stupas. Finally, enter the heart remaining bastions of Tibetan-Buddhism Leh. Pass by the Thiksey Monastery before reaching Leh. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. • Cycling Distance: 90 Kms • Altitude: 3600 m (11500 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Hotel • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Keep yourself regularly hydrated.

• Day 12: In Leh

  The day is at your own leisure. After a week of cycling, enjoy the well-deserved rest. You are free to cover beautiful monasteries and sights of Leh like - Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace, Hemis Monastery and Stok Palace Museum • Cycling Distance: N/A • Altitude: 3600 m (11500 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Hotel • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Important tips for the Day: • Enjoy your rest day

• Day 13: Leh – Khardungla - Leh (41 kms)

  After an early breakfast, start the day by 08:00 hours for the final day of cycling to the mighty Khardung La Pass. Cycle approx for 41 kms ascending an altitude of almost 2000 m. This is the ultimate challenge of the Manali Leh Cycling Tour Khardung La is righty called the top of the world. From the mountain pass enjoy an overwhelming 360-degree view of the Himalayan range all around you. By evening, get be back to Leh. Overnight stay at the hotel. • Cycling Distance: 41 Kms • Altitude: 5359 m (17582 ft) • Hotel: Overnight Hotel • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Day 14: Leh Depart

  After breakfast, in time transfer to Leh airport to connect your flight for Delhi. Upon arrival you may choose to stay overnight in Delhi or transfer to international airport for onward flight.

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