Great Zanskar Bicycle Expedition

Day 4 Start of the bike tour: Manali to Sissun, 3100 m, 32 km via Rothang Tunnel, 1100 m climb

Our first day on the bike starts with a 30 km continuous ascent from 100 m to 3000 m to the Rothang Tunnel. On this part of the route, it can still happen that we get caught in a monsoon rain. We first drive on a small village road through apple orchards until we turn 9 km onto the highway. We pass the Solang valley and finally reach the tunnel. The new 9 km long tunnel represents an extreme advantage for the locals of the Lahaultal, who are no longer cut off from the rest of the world during the long winter. Arriving at the other end, a completely different mountain world appears before our eyes: The lush green of the Kullu Valley is now being replaced by pastel colors. The mountains here are a bit higher, the sky suddenly wide and clear. We are now on the Manali-Leh Highway. The road is very well developed and yet quiet. We roll in light waves through the fascinating landscape consisting of small villages, cabbage fields, waterfalls and glacier peaks. Overnight stay at the hotel (B/L/D)

Day 5 Sissu to Keylong (3100 m), with acclimatisaction right towards Udaipur, 70 km, 1000 m climb

Today we further try to acclimatise while staying on 3000 m, but doing a gentle ride into an interesting side valley of Lahaul. Today it is up to us, how far we are going to ride. Maybe we will go all the way to the holy places of Triloknath and Udaipur and take the back up vehicle back to Keylong. Or we only ride a few kilomters in and out the valley. Tonight we stay in Keylong, the discrict center of Lahaul Valley. Overnight stay at the hotel (B/L/D)

Day 6 Keylong to Zanskar Sumdo, (3920 m), 50 km, 1000 m climb

The first 30 kilometers are uphill and downhill on the Manali-Leh Highway along the Bhaga River to Darcha. After the checkpoint we leave the highway and turn towards Zanskar. Up to Zanskar Sumdo it is an easy but steady ascent along a river. Every now and then we drive past small villages. We set up our first camp in Zanskar Sumdo, a confluence of streams. Today we are still driving on a very good new paved road. We spend the night at an altitude of almost 4000 m. Overnight in the camp (B/L/D)

Day 7 Zanskar Sumdo to Conbo Rangjion (4130 m) via Shingo La (5090 m) approx. 35 km, 1500 m climb

Today we have to cross our first and highest (!) Pass. The good news: The 18 km up to the pass is steadily uphill, but most of the ascent is freshly paved. The snow-covered giants rise up around us – all over 6000 m high! After we have crossed the pass, we enjoy the fast off-road piste to the tea house on the north side of the pass. The first yaks can be spotted. After refreshment, we cross a river and cycle 5 km more to our camp with a view of the Conbo Rangjon rock, which rises steeply in front of us.

Overnight in the camp (B/L/D)

Day 8 Conbo Rangjion to Purne (3950 m) 35 km, 340 m climb, and 12 km hike Phuktal monastery (4300 m) 3 hours

The apparently short 22 km drag on, because it continues on the undeveloped jeep track, sometimes uphill, sometimes uphill. It’s good that the many small villages distract us while we cycle along the Kurgiak Chu River. At noon we reach the village of Purne, which consists of only three houses. We will have a traditional lunch with a host family before going on a small afternoon excursion to the spectacular 2500 year old Phuktal Monastery. The 5 km long path leads us to the monastery, which was built into a rock. Even today the monastery can only be reached on foot. While we’re on the road, our team sets up our camp in the fields of our host family. Overnight in the camp (B/L/D)

Day 9 Purne to Padum (3559 m) 80 km, 1000 m climb

We continue by bike to Padum, the administrative center of Zanskar. At the beginning we have a short ascent, otherwise the jeep track leads us mostly downhill, partly along a deep gorge. The last few kilometers we switch to a paved road and enjoy rolling to Padum. The valley is now wide and green.

We visit the Karsha Monastery and the Sani Lake and the waterfall in the village of Sheela are also worth a visit. Overnight in the camp or guest house (B/L/D)

Day 10 Padum to Margum La Base (3400 m), 70 km, 600 m climb

Today we have an impressive route along the Zanskar River ahead of us. The first thirty kilometers are through the wide Padum valley on a paved road. Then the valley and the road become narrower and we cycle through the Zanskar gorge, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill. Today we won’t come across any more settlements, but with a bit of luck we will spot blue sheep and ibexes.

After a few kilometers after leaving the Zanskar Gorge, we set up our camp at the foot of the Margum La Pass. Overnight in the camp (B/L/D)

Day 11 Margum La Base to Margum La (4400 m), to Singge La (5009 m), to Singge Base (4300 m), 45 km, 1650 m climb

Today we probably have the queen’s stage ahead of us: There are two passes to cross. The 10 km high to Margum La are impressive and over a very sandy slope. You actually think you’re in a desert. From the not too high pass we have a nice view of the Lingshid village. Up to the base of the next pass, it first goes into a small hollow. Here in a village we rest in the tea tent. Then it goes steadily uphill again to the 5009 meter high Singge La Pass. The view is impressive. The descent to the camp at a bridge is really fun again. Overnight in the camp (B/L/D)

Day 12 Singge Base via Sir Sir La (4832 m) to Hanupatta village (3715 m), 50 km, 870 m climb

First it goes up to Photoksar first slightly uphill and then downhill. From Photoksar we then drive up our last pass, de Sri Sri La.

Then finally we just roll downhill. In Hanupatta, our first village in Ladakh, we set up camp by the stream and enjoy the greenery around us. Overnight in the camp or hoemstay (B/L/D)

Day 13 Hanupatta via Wanla to the end point, 25 km (3100 m), 300 m climb, visit the Lamayuru monastery (3500 m) and drive by jeep via Alchi to Leh, 140 km by jeep

The last kilometers on the Darcha – Lamayuru route we roll down through a fascinating gorge to the end of the road. We cross the village of Wanla. Here we change to our vehicle and drive for seven kilometers towards Kargil to see the Lamayuru monastery. Then it goes over the Alchi monastery to Leh. A soft bed and dinner in the restaurant await us here. Overnight stay at the hotel (B/L/-)

Day 14 Sightseeing Leh

We visit Leh on foot. We visit the Leh Palace, Leh’s markets and the Shanti Stupa. Overnight in the hotel (B/ L /-)

Day 15 end of the tour (B /-/-)

Possible options:

• Flight to Delhi
• Vacation days in Leh, Ladakh
• Followed by a bike tour Ladakh into the Nubra valley and to the Pengong and Tsokar lakes
• Followed by a bike tour to Manali via the Manali Leh Highway
• Trekking in Ladakh
• rafting

The bike routes are designed for the skills of our guests and are all feasible for a person with a good fitness level, unless otherwise mentioned. The daily routes are between five and eight hours long (with breaks) and an average increase of around 500-800 metres of altitude is completed.

In between, rivers may have to be crossed or crossed. The roads range from well-developed asphalt roads to stony jeep slopes. The ascents are moderate, but long, with the long descents up to 50 km one should exercise caution. The roads are connecting roads and are also used by tourists in cars, motorcyclists and trucks. Traffic is moderate, but you should be careful. In India, the left-wing driving commandment applies, as well as the unwritten law “The greater wins”. So it would be better to give priority to all other road participants.

3. Bicycles

We provide you with our own trek or Scott bikes. These bicycles are rental bicycles. We have bicycles in the sizes “Small” and “Medium” and also some bikes with a large frame. All bikes have hydraulic brakes and nine-fold switchgear. Otherwise, you can of course also use your own bike. Helmets are mandatory.

4th daily routine

7: 00 Get up with tea

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

7:00-9:30 a.m. Dismantling of the camp

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Tour start

13:00 Lunch on the way

15:00-17:00 Arrival at the camp and camp construction

15:30-17:30 Snacks

19:00 Dinner

5. Altitude and altitude sickness

This is a very important topic that should not be underestimated, especially during our bike tours in the Indian Himalayas. At altitudes above 3500 m, our body has to slowly get used to the low air pressure, which also causes less oxygen to enter our lungs. The first signs of altitude sickness are headaches, which are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, insomnia and loss of appetite. It becomes problematic when water accumulates in the lungs and brain and edema occurs. Then only the immediate descent to lower altitudes will help. In order to prepare for the heights on our tours, we will either spend a few nights at high altitudes before the tour or slowly climb up during the tour to acclimatize. If we notice that there are problems with our guests (each person is otherwise able to acclimatize, regardless of age, gender and fitness level), either the entire tour group or the participant returns with a team member. In addition, it makes sense to take an emergency drug for altitude sickness. For this, it is best to get advice from the pharmacy or the travel doctor. We will also have oxygen with us.

6. Luggage

Each tour participant is responsible for taking personal clothes and items with him. We are travelling with escort vehicles and the luggage will be transported with it. A small day backpack for the camera and something to cover can make sense. The escort vehicle will always be close to us. Click here for the packing list for our bike tours in the Himalayas.

7. Meals

During the tour there will be a vegetarian full catering. Water is either boiled or we have a water filter with us.

Breakfast (daily selection):

• Coffee/Tea
• Oatmeal porridge/muesli/cornflakes/Indian porridge
• Indian Breakfast/Toast/Eggs/Jam/Butter/Cheese/Honey/Chocolate Spread
• Sliced fruit/vegetables

Lunch (mostly lunchbox), sometimes warm in the camp

• Sandwiches/Indian (rice, chapati, vegetables)/eggs/potatoes
• Juices
• Chocolate
• Fruit

Snacks

• Tea/coffee
• Cookies
• French fries/Indian snacks

Soup

Dinner ( Mix of Indian/Chinese/Continental)

• Vegetable dish
• Lentil dish
• Rice/noodles
• Chapati
• Salad
• Dessert

8. Accommodation and Camp

We have very comfortable and spacious two-man tents. Our mattresses are real bed mattresses and about 20 cm thick. Our sleeping bags are freshly washed and have a very good quality with comfort zone up to -5°C (extreme zone -20°C). It is recommended to bring personal indoor sleeping bags.

In addition, we have a spacious dining tent with tables and chairs, a kitchen tent for the team, a toilet tent, and a shower tent.

9. Weather

In the Himalayas, temperatures fluctuate widely. While it can get warm up to 25°C during the day and the sun is not only warming but also very intense (sun protection is a must), it can also cool down significantly below the minus degrees at night, especially in the months end of September and October, as well as in June. There may also be weather changes with snow on the passes. Sometimes it can also get very windy.