The Manali-Leh Highway by Bicycle

Day 3 Manali Recreational Day and local sightseeing tour 2050 m

In the morning we reach Manali and check into our hotel. Today, recovery is on the agenda. We enjoy the green mountain landscape of Manali and later go on a small sightseeing tour. (Overnight stay at the hotel) B/-/-

Day 4 Manali

Today we distribute and check our bikes . We take a day trip with our mountain bikes through the apple orchards and villages of the Kullu Valley. (Overnight stay at the hotel) B/-/-

Distance: approx. 30 km Altitude: 2550 m Ascent: 500 m

Day 5 Manali to Marhi

Today marks the start of our nine-day tour up to Leh. We cycle through the Kullu valley to the foot of the Rothang Pass. On serpentines it goes through coniferous forests up to Marhi, a small settlement. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Distance: 38 km Altitude: 3320 m Ascent: 1490 m

Day 6 Marhi to Tandi

Today we climb the last 12 km on the 3980 meter high Rothang Pass and enjoy the wide view of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. Now we leave the lush green area and set off for Khoksar. It always goes along the Bagha River, first a little downhill, then there are always a few ascents, as far as Tandi in the Lahaul valley. We set up our camp near the Bhaga River. (Overnight in tents) B/L/D

Distance: 72 km Altitude: 3150 m Ascent: 1240 m

Day 7 Tandi to Patseo

First we go to the district capital of the Lahaul valley Keylong. Here is the last permanent market on this tour. As things get around today, the area  becomes more and more deserted. As far as Darcha (a police checkpoint) we cross the last villages on partly fortified, partly unpaved road. From here the ascent to Patseo starts through the dry mountain landscape. Only a few flocks of sheep meet us. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Distance: 56 km Altitude: 3820 m Ascent 1550 m

Day 8 Patseo to Sarchu

Today we climb our second pass on a long ascent: the 4894 meter high Baralacha La. The ascent is continuous, but not very steep and on paved road. We get higher and higher and have fantastic views of the wild landscape. It goes down to Barathpur, here we have lunch. Then we continue downhill, on an unpaved path and through rough mountains to Sarchu, the centre on the way from Manali to Leh. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Distance: 59 km Altitude: 4253 m Ascent: 1480 m

Day 9 Acclimatization Day

Today we take A rest day and enjoy the silence of the mountains. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Day 10 Sarchu to Whisky Nallah

The day starts with easy cycling through flat terrain until we reach the “Gata Loops”. In the zigzag it goes on 21 curves up to the next pass: the Nakee La Pass ( (4910 meters). On the way down to Whisky Nallah we have the chance to spot the famous “blue sheep”. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Distance: 48 km Altitude: 4750 m Ascent: 970 m

Day 11 Whiskey Nallah to Lake Tsokar

We start with the ascent on the second highest pass to Leh: the 5065 meter high Lachalung La. The climb is short, but hard. On the one hand because of the height, on the other hand because of the unpaved road. The long descent down through a gorge to Pang is gigantic. A spectacular nature! Here the road is the worst, there are many loose stones and caution is called for! After a break in Pang, we head up briefly on serpentines to the flat Morray plain. On a brand new road, you can now continue straight through the flat mountain desert to Debring. The last kilometers are a bit difficult, because the path is unpaved and very sandy. After about 3 km, we reach our campsite near the salt lake Tsokar, which we will visit a little later after a break. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Distance: 77 km Altitude: 4830 m Ascent: 1100 meters

Day 12 Lake Tsokar to Rumptse

Today is a real challenge. For 26 km it goes up to the 5360 m high Tanglang La, mostly on unpaved road. The 40 km downhill from the pass on a well-developed road are the reward. Rumtse is our first village in several days. We explore the Buddhist settlement with its whitewashed houses and Monasteries. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D

Distance: 65 km Altitude: 4260 m Ascent: 1050 m

Day 13 Rumptse to Leh

Our last day after Leh. It goes continuously downhill through pretty mountain villages to Upshi, the next police checkpoint. Here we meet the river Indus and follow it as far as Leh. It goes downhill, sometimes up until we reach Leh. The landscape is dry, the mountains are colored in all sorts of shades and the road is now much fuller. We cross larger villages with famous monasteries. The last kilo-meters up to Leh are hard, also because of the heavy traffic, but finally we reached our destination, after 478 hard, but still wonderful kilo-meters! (Overnight stay at the hotel) B/L/-

Distance: 84 km Altitude: 3500 m Ascent: 950 m

Day 14 Rest day in Leh with city walk

Today we leave the bike and explore the surroundings. We visit the old town, the Leh Palace and the Shanti Stupa by foot. (Overnight stay at the hotel) B/-/-

Day 15 Leh To Khardung – La Pass

Today is the day of the greatest physical challenge! We start early in the morning up to Khardung La Pass. The highest motorable road in the world, the climb is still a challenge today. On 39 km you go over 1800 meters of altitude up to the 5300 meter high pass! A hard climbing tour, which is rewarded with an intoxicating feeling of happiness and a great descent! (Overnight stay at the hotel) B/L/-

Distance: 39 km + 39 km Altitude: 3300 m Ascent: 1800 m

Day 16 Departure from Leh and further departure to Home country

In the early morning, take the spectacular Flight from Leh to Delhi. From here you travel independently to your home country B/-/-

Cycling: 10 days

Total kilometres: 550 km

Total ascents: approx. 12000 meters

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 500-800 metres of altitude is completed.

In between, rivers may have to be crossed or crossed. The roads range from well-developed tarmac 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. 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-speed gear. Otherwise, you can  also use your own bike. Helmets are mandatory.

4. Daily Routine

7: 00 Get up with tea

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

7:00-9:30 Dismantling of the camp

8:00- 9:30 Start Tour

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.