Manali to Leh Mountain Biking Tour | Mountain Biking Holidays

About This Tour

The high altitude road from Manali to Leh is known for various kind of adventure trips and mountain biking is not left behind. The test of patience, stamina, determination and adventure streak, all happens at once on this road riding bikes in company. Also featuring the two highest mountain passes of the world- Tanglang La and Khardung La, the road can become gateway to surprises of mountains. There could be anything between a downright exhausting sunshine and a snow blizzard, and the additional fear of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). However, a seasoned biker has nothing to fear of all the three and any other for that matter.

The bike that seems best friend of the rider is in itself a best fit for such rugged journey on stony path. Also, it is often considered to take the direction from Leh to Manali for the comparative ease than from the vice-versa direction, but at the same time it is disregarded in the light of better acclimatization as well as the thought of Leh, the high altitude city being revealed slowly as the journey through the road reaches to its end.

Mountain Biking Gear List:

Lights
Cycling Helmets
Hydration Packs
Hydration Pack Accessories
Water Bottles
Compasses
Watches
Sunglasses

Included / Excluded

Accommodation : All the accommodation according to itinerary.
Transport : Arrival, departure at Delhi. Delhi to Manali by Ac Volvo coach. Support vehicle throughout the trip.
Meals : According to itinerary.
Professional guide from Manali to Leh
Driver allowance
Fuel charges
Toll/state tax
Restricted area permit fees
Camping fees

Bike charges
Air fare (Leh - Delhi)
Any charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water, beverages, etc.
Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
Any meals/services not mentioned above
Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
Travel insurance

Itinerary

On arrival at Delhi meet Peak Adventure executive and transfer to pre booked hotel. Overnight stay at Delhi hotel.

After breakfast take a half day guided sightseeing tour of Old Delhi covering Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, India Gate & President House. In the evening catch an AC Volvo coach for Manali at 18:30 hrs. Overnight Journey. (Breakfast)

Arrive Manali in the morning, on arrival meet Peak Adventure Tours Guide and transfer to hotel for check in. the day is for relaxed and acclimatisation. One can go for the test riding near the town. Overnight stay at hotel. (Breakfast)

Today we will start our first day cycling up to Marhi. The valley is full of snow capped peaks and some breathe taking view Pine and Deodar trees. Its also warm up for the tough ride ahead. Cycling out of Manali through an evergreen area we tackle the first set of many hairpin bends and switchbacks on the way to the Rohtang Pass. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

We start the day by finishing the 12 km ascent to the Rohtang pass, where if the weather is fine there are some lovely scenic views on the horizon of snow covered peaks and Glaziers. Once we have refreshed ourselves in Rohtang, we leave the lush vegetation behind and continue with a descent to Gramphoo. From here we will encounter some unmetalled stretches of flat road as we cross the raging torrent of the river at Khoksar and continue a short and easy ride to Sissu in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range. From here a short ride to Keylong crossing mountain streams flowing over the road. Dinner and overnight stay at tourist rest house/hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

A relatively easy day cycling up to Patseo. The terrain is much more arid and the road is rutty, dusty and rocky. Passing the hamlet of Jispa we come out of a gorge and descend downhill before starting the ascent to Patseo. We now get a sense of the isolation of the area, with a few sheep dotted around and we begin to enter the territory of the Lamas. In the far horizon you can see the bleak and awesome spectacle of the Higher Himalayan ranges. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Hard long climb to the Baralacha La Pass but the rewards are great as you travel through this wild and scenic country. The pass is arid with no vegetation, the sides of the mountains looking more like a quarry covered with loose rocks and scree. As we descend the gorge area of Bharatpur we will cross Mountain Rivers before reaching our destination. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

An important days rest to further Acclimatise and to absorb the magnificent scenery. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

The day starts with some easy cycling but we are soon tackling the zigzag "21 loops of Gata" at 15,030ft up the canyon wall. Once we reach the summit of the Nakeela Pass its downhill to Whisky Nallah. The day passes some beautiful arid mountain scenery of the high ranges. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

We start by ascending the second highest pass on the Manali-Leh highway up to Lachalang La. The road here is likely to be the worst of the trip with a distinct lack of tarmac, its very gravelly and there are many loose stones. We have a long descent to Pang down a steep sided gorge followed by a 8km switchback climb before reaching the flat top of the Moray Plains. This barren area is known for its extreme temperatures in the morning and evening, fast winds and sandstorms. The only sign of life is the hardy Nomadic Changpas who can be seen tending their yaks in this most desolate place. We camp at Debring 20km below the world's second highest pass, the Tanglang La at 5,360m. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

This is a challenge indeed, but truly satisfying when you reach the top, before we set off down the exhilarating 1,200m descent of switchbacks to the village of Rumptse. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

As we continue the descent to Upshi the scenery changes dramatically as we arrive in a fertile irrigated valley by a river dotted by pretty villages and Stupas. The spectacular red coloured mountains around us add to the beauty and richness of the scenery. Crossing the Indus River the road improves as we follow the other road users towards Leh. This is an easy ride as we pass the Thiksey Monastery and the Chortens Garden before we reach Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel/Guest house. (Breakfast included)

Taking a rest from the bikes today you have the chance to explore Leh and some of its twisting narrow streets, explore some of the more famous sites, such as Leh Palace or the Sakar Gompa monastery. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel/guest house. (Breakfast included)

We will set of for the Khardung - La Pass as soon as light comes up. Cycling 26 miles and gaining 6000 feet, this is the ultimate challenge of the trip. It is the highest motorable road in the world taking you to a dizzy 5,600m! The view from the top is spectacular, stretching from the Indus valley in the South over the endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range to the giants of the Saser Massif in the North. You can feel proud of a true achievement as you finish the trip with your final satisfying descent. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel/guest house. (Breakfast included)

Rest day at Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel/guest house. (Breakfast included)

Early in the morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to hotel for relax. By evening transfer to airport. (Breakfast included) Trip and services ends here.