Altitude Adventure
mail@altitudeadventure.in 
Mobile: +91 941 981 5333 / +91 962 237 6001
mail@altitudeadventure.in
Mobile: +91 941 981 5333 / +91 962 237 6001
This Adventure ride travels over five spectacular passes, two of which are over 16,600ft/5000mt through the Indian Himalayas, unparalleled for their sheer scale and austere beauty. Ladakh lies embedded in a world of mountains, with the Karakoram range in the north-west, the Himalaya in the south-west and the Trans-Himalaya at its core. This unique region, home to traditional Tibetan Buddhism, is the scene for one of cycling's epic journeys, crossing two of the highest passes in the world! Over the course of the ride the scenery changes from verdant deodar forests and flower-filled valleys to barren lunar landscapes with towering peaks and hanging glaciers. As well as the spectacular surroundings, the rich culture of the Ladakhis is also a highlight and as our route weaves its way across the Himalaya we will see monasteries majestically perched on high spurs, and cycle off to explore little-visited areas, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of a genuinely untouched land. However, there are also great daily changes of temperature, with strong winds . As a result of the dry and harsh climate, only sporadic high steppes are covered with grass, and arid and semi-arid deserts dominate a nonetheless grandiose mountain world.
Mountain Biking Day 1: Arrival at Manali
Arrive at Manali, you will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. A day of leisure. Evening will be free to explore Manali Market and other attractions. Overnight in Manali.
Mountain Biking Day 2: Manali to Kothi/Solang: [Spend the day acclimatizing and getting the feel of your bicycle]
We recommend to arrive a day earlier in Manali. We pick you up from the bus station and drive to the Hotel. The evening is free to explore the local surroundings. Manali is surrounded by beautiful fir and pine forests and there are lovely walks in and around the town.
From Manali we will bike towards Rallah Falls. Today we start our first full day of biking on one of the classic cycle routes in the world. We start climbing right from Manali through the flower-filled valleys and cedar and fir forests, passing through numerous villages we arrive at the last village called Kothi. We have lunch at Kothi.
Mountain Biking Day 3: Kothi/Solang – Marhi (10827ft; 43kms):
After the last village, Kothi, we cycle up lots of hairpin bends which bring us to the Rohalla Falls. We bike towards Marrhi, ascend into a small valley, arrive in Marrhi by evening.
We will spend night in Marrhi.
Mountain Biking Day 4: Marhi – Sissu (10237ft; 49kms / 59 kms):
Early in the morning after having our breakfast we leave Marrhi and and leave all habitation behind as the road zig zags higher and higher into the mountains.
We bike Uphill up to Rohtang Pass, which is situated at a height of 3980 m. Rohtang Pass is an adventurer's dream destination, the gateway to the Lahual region from Manali. This barren windswept pass, blocked by snow for more than six months of the year, crosses the Pir Pinjal Range and is the gateway to Ladakh. Then we bike downhill 22 kms down to Khoksar village, thereafter we take a short detour and climb to the meadows and small villages to finally descend to Sissu.
Mountain Biking Day 5: Sissu – Jispa (10500ft; 62kms / 56 kms):
In the morning after breakfast, we have smooth almost level biking (we are in the Lahaul Valley and the cycling becomes easier) as we continue on to Tandi, where the rivers Chandra and Bhaga come together, to flow as Chandrabhaga or Chenab as it is known in the Chamba valley.
From Tandi it’s a short climb to Keylong, which soon continues through some swtichbacks to descend to Jispa 37 kms from Keylong. We will spend night in Jispa.
Mountain Biking Day 6: Jispa – Patseo / Bharatpur (12504ft; approx 50 kms) :
After having our breakfast we leave Jispa. We start our biking to Patseo and Zingzing Bar. Another fairly easy day for acclimatisation as we are now approaching the Great Himalayan Range.
We cycle through beautiful green pastureland to Darcha (3235m) where we can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at a local restaurant. From here we continue climbing, until we reach Patseo (3650m). The site now of a lone tea house Patseo used to be the place of an annual fair of the Changpa nomads.
Mountain Biking Day 7: Patseo – Sarchu (14492 ft; approx 52 kms)
After breakfast we start our biking towards Sarchu. Uphill and downhill Biking. A hard day today as we cross the Himalayas to Sarchu.
Sarchu is the border between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. After a gradual climb across large meadows past Zingzingbar we start our long ascent to the Baralacha La Pass (4892m).
The climb seems at times to go on for ever but the hard work is worth it as the views become increasingly spectacular. Finally we reach the top - we are in the middle of the mighty Indian Himalaya. The word Baralacha means 'a pass with crossroads' and the trails from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul come together here. This is the main crossing of the Great Himalayan Range and we get amazing views of the many snow-covered peaks including Barashigri, Chandrabhaga and Mulkila. From the pass the cycling gets easier as we descend past Kiling Serai and on to Sarchu.
Mountain Biking Day 8: Sarchu – Whisky Nalla (approx 57 kms)
This will be our longest and hardest day of cycling. We will set off early. We start by climbing fairly gently for approximately 38 km across the windswept Sarchu Plains past Brandy Nallah and Whisky Nallah to the bottom of the Gata Loops.
[This is a series of 22 amazing hairpin bends, which we slowly ascend.]
Mountain Biking Day 9: Whisky Nalla – Pang (15191ft; 88kms / 53 kms)
A terrible surface-just loose rocks, rutted, We start by ascending the second highest pass on the Manali-Leh highway up to Lachulung-La.
The road here is likely to be the worst of the trip with a distinct lack of tarmac, it’s very gravelly and there are many loose stones.
We have a long descent to Pang down a steep sided gorge. On stay camp distance 30 km.
Mountain Biking Day 10: Pang – Tso Kar
We start slowly with a short ascent to the Mori Plains (4700m). We are now in Rupshu, the waterless high altitude desert of the Tibetan Plateau.
This area is all above 4500m and is home to the hardy Changpas, Tibetan nomads who live in yak hair tents and graze huge flocks of sheep and yaks in this seemingly barren landscape. We turn off the main road and cycle along a sandy track to Tsokar Lake where we camp for the night near Pongunagu.
Tsokar means 'white lake', and there are white salt deposits ringing the water. Our camp is a few kilometres from the lake but for the energetic there will be time to cycle to the lake, or even around it to visit some of the nomads. Look out for herds of 'kiang', the wild asses which roam the surrounding hills. The lake is also good for birdwatchers.
Mountain Biking Day 11: Tso Kar – Rumste
A hard day today as we cross the last pass before Leh, the Taglang La. We leave Tsokar and cycle back to the main road.
The long climb starts gradually and winds ever higher and steeper to the top of the Taglang La (5350m). You should be proud of yourself at the top - you have just cycled to the top of the second highest motorable road pass in India! We are rewarded for all our hard work with wonderful views of both the Himalaya and the Karakorum Mountains. After a rest and photo stop we have a wonderfully long zig zag descent to our first real villages since Lahoul. The houses and green fields of barley and potatoes greet us as we reach our camp at Rumptse.
Mountain Biking Day 12: Rumste to Leh
We start early with an easy ride winding down following the Kyamnar River down to Upshi. Here we join the Indus Valley, which we follow all the way into Leh.
But first we have a diversion to visit Hemis monastery, once the largest and richest of all Ladakhi monasteries.
To get there we have a 7km climb as the monastery is tucked away up a side valley. There is time to visit the ancient temples with priceless Buddha statues.
We then cycle down to the main road and follow the mighty Indus River.
From Karu we continue on to Tikse, where an impressive monastery sits perched on a hilltop. If there is time we can cycle up to the monastery, which contains a very impressive two-storey statue of the Future Buddha. Passing the ruins of Shey Palace the cycling is fairly easy as we come to Choglamsar, home to many Tibetan refugees.
There is a final sting in the tail as we leave the Indus and climb into Leh. Tonight we can enjoy the comforts of a hot shower in our hotel in Leh.
Mountain Biking Day 13: Rest Day & Explore Leh or go to Pangong for a day trip
We have a rest day on ourselves. Options are open to make day trips to Pangong Lake (8 hrs to and fro journey costing approx 2000/- INR per person) or going rafting on the Indus (2 hours approx 1100/- INR per person). The ideal is cycling down to Nimmu and indulging in Rafting there.
Mountain Biking Day 14: Leh – Khardungla – Leh (The Big climb of Khardungla Pass) Overnight in Leh
Mountain Biking Day 15: Post breakfast departure from Leh
Double Occupancy: Rs. 32,000/- Per Person Single Occupancy: Rs. 44,000/- Per Person Cycle Rental : Rs. 8,500/-
For travel from Delhi to Manali and back one can choose between air & road. There are lots of Public Transport like Volvos, Deluxe and ordinary buses plying between Delhi/Chandigarh and Manali. Bhuntar airport (near Manali) is connected to Delhi but there aren’t too many flights and at times there are chances of flights getting cancelled due to bad weather so check with the airlines before booking.
Temperatures and climate vary according to the altitude. The summer days are warm with brilliant blue skies (max 25°C. min 10°C), but the weather in mountainous areas can be very unpredictable. Come prepared for chilly evenings and a small possibility of rain. Early morning starts and descents at altitude require good quality weather gear.
Price Per PersonDouble Occupancy INR 32,000.00 Single Occupancy INR 44,000.00 Cycle Rental INR 8,500.00Cost Includes:
Cost Does Not Include:
Payment terms & conditions
Note:
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Weather and ClothingTemperatures and climate vary according to the altitude. The summer days are warm with brilliant blue skies (max 25°C. min 10°C), but the weather in mountainous areas can be very unpredictable. Come prepared for chilly evenings and a small possibility of rain. Early morning starts and descents at altitude require good quality weather gear. BIKING ASPECTSPlease note that Riders must bring their own mountain (all terrain) cycles. The roads generally are not suitable for bikes fitted with road tyres (slicks), even though some sections are in reasonably good condition. There will be sections higher up that will be in poor condition due to snow/slush from the winter months, possible landslip, and use of the road by heavy vehicles at times. Hybrid bikes with 'chunky' mountain tyres are most suitable. Riders should also bring a range of spare parts which may include; chain links or chains, spare tyres and pump, at least 4 spare tubes and puncture repair kit, cables, pedals and a good tool kit. Though there would be a mechanic accompanying us carrying a good repair kit and spares but it is still necessary for everyone to bring some spares; this also ensures you have parts that will fit your bike. There will be a staff member to assist with running repairs when we are biking and at our overnight stops should problems be more complicated. As a general rule, less complex or high tech bikes are easier to fix and obtain parts for if necessary. If you plan to buy a new bike before the trip, make sure you are completely familiar with it prior to departing. You should fit at least 2 one litre water bottles to your bike. Water will be available from the back up vehicle. |
Download ">this Word Document, fill up the details and email it to:
mail@altitudeadventure.in
for initial registration. The confirmation email sent by us would also include trek fee payment details and mode of payment.
Day 1: Arrival at Manali
Day 2:Manali to Kothi/Solang:
[Spend the day acclimatizing and getting the feel of your bicycle]
Day 3:Kothi/Solang to Marhi (10827ft; 43kms).
Day 4: Marhi to Sissu (10237ft; 49kms / 59 kms)
Day 5:Sissu to Jispa (10500ft; 62kms / 56 kms)
Day 6: Jispa to Patseo / Bharatpur.
Day 7:Patseo to Sarchu (14492 ft; approx 52 kms).
Day 8:Sarchu to Whisky Nalla (approx 57 kms).
Day 9:Whisky Nalla to Pang (15191ft; 88kms / 53 kms).
Day 10: Pang to Tso Kar
Day 11:Tso Kar to Rumste
Day 12: Rumste to Leh.
Day 13:Rest Day & Explore Leh or go to Pangong for a day trip
Day 14:Leh to Khardungla to Leh (The Big climb of Khardungla Pass) Overnight in Leh
Day 15:Post breakfast departure from Leh.
Altitude Adventure
Fort Road
Leh 194101
E-mail: mail@altitudeadventure.in
Mobile: +91 941 981 5333 / +91 962 237 6001
