- Sport & Abenteuer Reisen
- Reise Bausteine
- Fahrrad & MTB
Overview
This extraordinary bike tour takes you from the colonial mountain town of Shimla through remote valleys, traditional villages and spectacular Himalayan landscapes to Mcleod Ganj, the spiritual center of Tibetan culture in India.
You will experience hot springs, pristine mountain regions, fertile valleys, dense forests and the impressive mountain world of the Pre-Himalayas – always accompanied by our experienced team.
The tour makes cyclists’ hearts beat faster thanks to the great mountain roads and impresses with spectacular mountain scenery and fantastic views.
As we traverse small remote mountain villages, we get a particularly good insight into the traditional life of the Indian mountain peoples. Interactions with the local hosts and, of course, the enjoyment of typical Indian specialities contribute to this.
This cycle tour can be adapted flexibly and on request with regard to the route, riding style and length. An extension without transfers is possible.
Program
Day 1 – Arrival in Shimla & individual exploration
Accommodation: Rocky Knobs
Welcome to Shimla, the former summer capital of the British colonial era. The city is located on a ridge in the foothills of the Himalayas and combines colonial architecture with lively Indian mountain culture.
After your arrival, you will have time to explore Shimla on your own:
Stroll along the famous Mall Road, visit Christ Church Cathedral, enjoy the view of the valley or stroll through small alleyways with cafés and market stalls. The clear mountain air and cool atmosphere make Shimla an ideal starting point.
Arrive, take a deep breath and look forward to the cycling days ahead. Today we’re also doing the bike check with you.
Day 2 – Cycle tour Shimla → Tata Pani
🚴 58 km | ↑ approx. 1,000 hm
Accommodation: Hot Spring Hotel
Your first cycling adventure begins today. You leave Shimla on quiet mountain roads and drive through pine and oak forests, past small villages and terraced fields. The route leads steadily downhill and uphill – ideal for getting used to the terrain.
The destination is Tata Pani, a small town on the Sutlej River, known for its natural hot springs. After cycling, you can relax your muscles in the warm spring water – a real Himalayan highlight.
The landscape changes, the valley widens and the feeling of remoteness grows.
Day 3 – Bike tour Tata Pani → Jungi & transfer to Kamand
🚴 50 km | ↑ approx. 1,400 hm
🚐 Transfer: approx. 90 km
Accommodation: Homestay
This day is athletically demanding and the scenery is particularly impressive. You cycle through remote mountain regions, past apple orchards, traditional wooden stone houses and small temples. The route repeatedly offers sweeping views over deep valleys and wooded slopes.
The cycle tour ends in Jungi. From here we continue by escort vehicle to Kamand, a quiet region near Mandi.
Spending the night in a family homestay gives you an authentic insight into the life of the people in the Himalayas – simple, warm hospitality and home-cooked food included.
Day 4 – Bike tour Kamand → Barot
🚴 50 km | ↑ approx. 1,350 hm
Accommodation: Deluxe Camp
Today you will travel to one of the most pristine regions of the trip. The route takes you along a mountain ridge on quiet mountain roads with great views on both sides.
Barot is located in the remote Uhl Valley and is known for its unspoiled nature, trout rivers and the nearby Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary. The region seems almost forgotten by time – perfect for enjoying the silence of the Himalayas.
You spend the night in a comfortable deluxe camp, surrounded by nature and starry skies – an intense outdoor experience with comfort.
Day 5 – Bike tour Barot → Bir (Billing) & transfer to Mcleod Ganj
🚴 50 km | ↑ approx. 1,300 hm
🚐 Transfer: approx. 70 km
Accommodation: Zeng Signature
The last bike tour takes you towards Bir, known as one of the best paragliding areas in the world. Above is Billing, the starting point for flights over the Kangra Valley – a spectacular backdrop of green hills, tea plantations and open skies. Today’s tour takes us around the remote village of Rajgunda, which for a long time was only accessible on foot, and over the small Hanuman Pass a (3200 m) to Billing. Look forward to a fast descent down to Bir.
After cycling, you will be transferred to Mcleod Ganj, the exile seat of the Dalai Lama. This is where Tibetan culture, monasteries, prayer flags and international travelers meet.
Day 6 – Mcleod Ganj & Dharamshala
End of the tour – optional extension.
Explore Mcleod Ganj and Dharamshala with us or on your own, visit monasteries such as the Tsuglagkhang complex, stroll through small stores selling Tibetan handicrafts or enjoy the view of the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountains.
A worthy conclusion to an intensive journey through the Himalayas.
(This program serves as an example and can be flexibly extended – the cycling days can be extended by 2-3 days or the trip can be combined with trekking tours.
Included services
- Mountain bike hire
- 5 overnight stays
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, snacks, water)
- Guide, Bicycle Mechanic
- Accompanying vehicle/driver
Arrival and departure to the starting point and from the end point (can be booked as a package)personal expenses
Highlights
Himalayan bike tour 
Himalayan bike tour 
Local specialties Bicycle fun 
Children 
Break 
Bir Himalaya bike tour Bir 
with Billing 
Mustard fields 
Himalayan bike tour 
Bike tour Himalayan bike tour 
Himalaya bike tour 
Mountain world 
Himalaya bike tour 
Mountain villages 
Himachal Prades 
Billing 
Mcleod Ganj 
Mcleod Ganj 
Shimla Mall
Prices and Dates
This tour can be booked individually with the desired number of days and at the desired date.
Best time: February-June/September-December
Price: from € 750 per person for 2 participants (6-day tour)
from 4 participants 650 €
Travel info
Requirements
For passionate cyclists and mountain bikers who love to get to know the country and its people by bike and want to get their money’s worth in sport.
A great deal of flexibility, curiosity and open-mindedness is required.
Information about our bike tours in the Himalayan region
1. guide and team
On all our bike tours we have at least one (for larger groups of 6 participants two) mountain bike guides/bicycle mechanics with us, who take care of our guests and their bicycles.
Our guides all speak English.
In addition, there is a local team consisting of a chef, helpers, drivers.
All our team members have been working with us for years, are very friendly and always strive to prepare our guests for a great Himalayan experience. Their English is rather mediocre or non-existent, but this is not necessarily a hindrance to communicating with them.
2. Bicycle routes
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 500-1500 metres of altitude is completed.
The roads are mostly small asphalt roads, occasionally in poor condition, with the option of jeep tracks, off-road and single trails. The ascents are moderate, but long, with the long descents up to 50 km one should exercise caution. The roads are mostly small village roads away from the highways, but are also used by 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 good mountain 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.
4. Daily routine (For camp, otherwise slightly modified for accommodation in inns)
7: 00 Get up with tea
7:30-8:30 Breakfast
7:00-9:30 a.m. Dismantling the camp/checking out of the guesthouse
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 set-up, check-in at the guesthouse
15:30-17:30 Snacks
19:00 Dinner
5. 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.
6. Meals
During the tour there will be a varied full catering. Water is either boiled, bottled water is served or we have a water filter with us. We provide breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, if mentioned in the program.
7. Weather
In the Himalayas, the weather and temperatures vary widely. While it can get warm up to 30°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 at night (up to 5° C).
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5
perfect Tour and Great Guides
One of the best ways to discover India is to do it with Chalo Reisen!! Sarah is the perfect tour guide and can recommend you the best food, the best spots and the best tours. I highly recommend booking your tour with Chalo Reisen! We combined this tour with a four days yoga trek around Dharamsala.
