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Biking in Trans Himalayan Shadow

Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered : Delhi- Chandigarh- Manali- Mahri- Tandi- Sarchu- Pang - Tsokar- Miru- Karu- Leh- Nubra over Khardung La (World Highest Motorable Road. 5699 mts) Leh- Delhi- Agra.

The Manali- Leh road, also called the Army Road, was built mainly for defence reasons to supply the Indian armed forced in the remote areas of Ladakh. The road was opened for foreigners in 1990, and the approach to the Pangong lake in 1994. The road covers a distance of 520 km between Manali and Leh, and is paved all the way, besides a 30 km stretch crossing the Taglang pass. It travels over passes which are snowbound for 7 months a year, 3 of them higher than 5000 mts, the Khardung pass behind Leh with more than 5600 mts, being the highest motorable pass in the world.

On its way, the road touches the high- altitude lake of Tso- Kar, a mineral lake with abundant wildlife, where the Tibetan wild ass, the kiang, can be seen, as well as the famous monasteries of Ladakh, like Tikse and Hemis. It leads through country, sparsly populated by nomads with herbs of yaks and sheep.

The passes are open between beginning of July and end of October. The climate changes considerably from Manali, still under the influence of the monsoon, to the dry, thin air of Ladakh. But the temperature between July and September does not normally get near the freezing point, even on the high passes, and it is mostly sunny and warm. Manali might get some heavy rain during monsoon in July/ August.

The above tour can be done by coach/ jeeps known on safari tour and the itinerary will remain same but with less duration of time which is as under:

Delhi- Chandiragh- Manali- Sarchu- Tsokar- Leh- Nubra- Delhi.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrival New Delhi.
Transfer & overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : New Delhi – Manali. (600 km, 14 hrs, 2050m)
Early morning departure for Manali in AC Toyota Qualis / AC mini- coach. We reach Manali only late in the evening for dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Manali Acclimatization.
We suggest a drive to Solang valley (2514m) 13 km from Manali to do a day hike to Mt. Patalsu. 4200m. Hike would help us acclimatize faster, since the height gain for us is almost 2150m. The climb to the summit is uphill with steep gradient at the end. This would take us approx 9 hrs from Solang & back.

Day 04 : Manali Acclimatization.
We suggest taking our bikes in the support vehicle to Gulaba before Rohtang Pass. From Gulaba we do hike to Brigu Lake at approx altitude of 4000m. & back to Gulaba. After this if the time permits we can cycle down to Manali for the warm up / cool down.

Day 05 : Manali – Marrhi. (43km, 3300m)
This is first day of our cycling expedition. Easy road till village Palchan 8km from Manali from Palchan the climb begins towards Rohtang Pass. Being the first day we suggest camp at Marrhi 12km before Rohtang Pass. Overnight camp.

Day 06 : Marrhi – Sissu. (49km, 3120m)
We start our day by finishing our final climb of 12 km. to Rohtang Pass 3955m. From the top if the weather is clear we get beautiful views of the glaciers & snow clad mountains of CB range (Chandrabhaga Range) on the other side of the pass. The road descends 22km down to Khoksar village & then a flat road of 15km. along the Chandra River to Sissu village. Overnight stay guesthouse / camping.

Day 07 : Sissu – Jispa. (49km, 3200m)
Easy day since the road continues along the Chandra River with gradual gradients in-between till Tandi. At Tandi we leave behind the Chandra River & continue up along the Bhaga River to Keylong, the district place of Lahaul. We continue further along the Bhaga River for 21km to reach Jispa. Overnight stay hotel / camp.

Day 08 : Jispa – Patseo. (29km, 3811m)
Relatively again an easy day. From Jispa the road continues along the Bhaga River till Darcha. From Darcha the road climbs in switchback turns & gradually leads to Patseo. Good camping site for overnight stay.

Day 09 : Patseo – Sarchu. (68km, 4253m)
The difficult section of our trip begins today. We would need to be more cautious since we would be staying for next 2-3 days on an average altitude of approx 4400m. From Patseo the hard climb begins for next 30km to Baralacha La 4880m. We pass two small but beautiful lakes of Deepak Tal & Suraj Tal on our way. The views from the pass are rewarding. Road descends from the pass to the plains of Sarchu. Overnight at camp.

We may decide to camp on at Brandy Nalla making the next day easier.

Day 10 : Sarchu – Pang. (88km, 4630m)
We continue on the plains of Sarchu for the next 25km before the 10km of switchback climb to Nakeela Pass & then descend to Whispy Nalla. And again climb to Lachung La 5065m to descend to Pang at 4630m. This is going to be the toughest day of our expedition. Overnight at camp.

We may decide to break this journey by making a camp at Whispy Nalla.

Day 11 : Pang – Debring (49km, 4700m)
Easy day with initial climb to the More Plains / Pang Plateau, the flat section for 42 km. to reach Debring at the base of Tanglang La. The arid mountain views on both the sides of the road is a feast. Overnight at Camp.

Day 12 : Debring – Upshi. (80km, 3350m)
A gradual climb to the top of Tanglang La 5360m. Though the climb is gradual the altitude makes it difficult. Once at the top you are rewarded by some awesome views of the never-ending mountain ranges. From Tanglang La descend for 29km to Rumtse, & then the road continues in a narrow gorge with extremely colourful mountains on both the side, till we exit at Upshi on the banks of Indus River.

Day 13 : Upshi – Leh. (60km, 3500m)
Easy flat road section till Leh. One can make stopovers to visit Thiksey & Shey monasteries on the way before reaching to Leh. Overnight stay in a grade -A hotel, for well deserved rest.

Day 14 : Leh - New Delhi
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to New Delhi.