9 days Umling La Pass Bike Challenge

  • Sport & Abenteuer Reisen
  • Fahrrad & MTB

overview

This extraordinary bike tour is a real adventure for ambitious cyclists. In just nine days, it takes you through the impressive high mountain landscape of the Indian Himalayas to the world’s highest motorable pass – the Umling La Pass at 5883 m. This trip is an ideal complement to the Manali-Leh bike tour or the Zanskar bike tour. If you want to prepare yourself even better for the altitude, you can plan additional acclimatization days in advance or add an exciting cultural programme to the trip.

Program

Day 1: Arrival in Leh
After arriving in Leh at an altitude of 3,500 metres, there is time to acclimatize. The town offers cultural treasures such as the Thiksey Monastery and the Leh Palace. Accommodation: Jigmet.

Day 2: Familiarization tour in Leh
A relaxed group tour around Leh helps you acclimatize to the altitude and gives you a first impression of the surroundings. Accommodation: Jigmet.

Day 3: Ride to Hymnia (83 km, 910 m elevation gain)
The first long stage takes you through the picturesque Indus Valley with its impressive mountain landscapes. Accommodation: Homestay.

Day 4: Ride to Nyoma (103 km, 1300 m altitude)
The route becomes more challenging, but the impressive high mountain landscape makes up for any effort. Accommodation: Homestay.

Day 5: Ride to Hanle (79 km, 450 m elevation gain)
Hanle is known for its famous observatory, which offers a breathtaking view of the starry sky. Accommodation: Homestay.

Day 6: Chisumle and ascent to Photila (67 km, 1600 m, 5500 m)
A challenging stage with an overnight stay in a camp at high altitude.

Day 7: Ride to the Umling La (50 km, 5850 m, 1150 m ascent)
The crowning glory of the trip! The Umling La is the highest drivable pass in the world. Then transfer back to Hanle. Accommodation: Homestay.

Day 8: Transfer back to Leh
After an eventful tour, you return to the capital of Ladakh. Accommodation: Jigmet.

Day 9: Transfer to the airport
Departure with unforgettable memories of a spectacular cycle tour.

Services

  • Transfer to and from the airport
  • All entrance fees for sightseeing tours
  • All overnight stays during the tour (Jigmet Hotel in Leh, homestays and guesthouses during the bike tour, one night in a tent)
  • Meals as mentioned (all meals included, except during the Leh days)
  • Accompanying support vehicle
  • Local guide and mechanic
  • Water during the bike tours
  • Mountain bike, you can also bring your own bike: €100 discount
  • all permits
  • Flight
  • Visa
  • Meals and drinks not listed
  • Tips

Highlights

Dates & Prices

Fixed dates:

July 05 – July 13, 2025 (possible as a follow-up tour to the Zanskar trip)

August 30 – September 7, 2026 Possible as a connecting tour to the Manali Leh Highway trip)

This tour can also be organized privately according to your own schedule and in variations!

The recommended time is between June and September.

Prices 9 days tour:

2-3 participants from 1700 € per person

from 4 participants 1500 € per person

– 200 € discount if the trip is planned as a follow-up tour to the Zanskar or Manali Leh Tour!

200 € single room supplement

Travel info

Requirements

The route is never steep, but always either uphill or downhill with some flat sections. Nevertheless, the climbs are sometimes very long and you need good stamina. Due to the altitude, the tour will be particularly difficult for you. The “thin air” is clearly noticeable and you may experience symptoms such as mild headaches and deep breathing. For more severe symptoms of altitude sickness, measures such as canceling the trip must be considered.
The descents can sometimes be quite fast and you should be careful. This tour is suitable for anyone who wants to cycle safely, enjoyably and for a long time. Mountain biking skills are not required.

Bicycles

We provide good mountain bikes with hydraulic brakes and gears as well as a helmet. If you need pedal plates, please bring your own, also if you prefer your own saddle.

This is not a mountain bike tour, but due to the poor road conditions, broken asphalt, some off-road sections or roads under construction, a bike with wide tires and good suspension is preferable.

It is possible to bring your own bike.

Options

These tours can be combined with the Ladakh bike tour:

The acclimatization period can also be shortened by one day in Leh or extended at your own risk!

Accommodation

You will be accommodated in beautiful, comfortable guesthouses and hotels, but also stay with simple host families and in permanent camps in luxury camps

All the villages and areas we stay in are very remote and sometimes only offer basic amenities.

9 days Umling La Pass Bike Challenge

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