Manali to Leh (Khardung La) Cycling Tour

Manali to Leh (Khardung La) Cycling Tour

Manali to Leh Cycling Tour is considered as one of the incredible cycling tours over the globe crossing through some of the highest Motorable Roads in the world. If you are planning to explore beautiful mountains of Himachal Pradesh and Leh- Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir than a cycling tour on Leh-Manali Highway is the best thing you can do. Keeping the budget and time factor in mind, This year Explore Himalaya.org have two itineraries for cycling from Manali to Leh.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manali / Day at leisure

Pass By: Manali Picnic Spot and Camps, 18 Miles Stone,near Khalth, Manali, Manali Tehsil 175131 India
Reach the hill town of Manali, which is situated at an altitude of about 6726 feet and is a heaven for tourists. A lush forest cover of Deodars greets you and in the distance snow-covered peaks elevate its charm. Check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may undertake walking tours or cycling expeditions to the Old Town, Vashisht village or the Pagoda-style Manu Rishi temple or you may shop for local specialities. stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Valley View

Day 2: Manali to Marhi ride ( 10,800 ft ) 36 Km

Pass By: Gulaba, Rotang Pass Road, Manali, Manali Tehsil India
Your ride will start from today so it's better to arrive one or two day prior to Manali for Manali to Leh cycling. This will help you to get acclimatize to the mountains weather. Start your first day cycling up to Marhi. The valley is full of greenery peaks and some breathtaking view of Pine and Deodar trees. It's also a warm-up for the tough ride ahead. The road is easy till village palchan 11 km from Manali. From Palchan the climb start towards Rohtang pass. Overnight camp at Marhi.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Marhi to Sissu (10,270 ft) via Rohtang La (13057 feet) 53 Km.

Pass By: Rohtang Pass, Himalayan Ranges India
After having your healthy breakfast at Marhi Start riding early morning to Rohtang pass which is situated more than 13000 feet above sea level and is known worldwide for its mesmerizing beauty. it's a steady climb for 16 km. Major sections of the road till Rohtang top are tarmac void and rutted because of the heavy motor vehicles plying on them. After a refreshing halt at Rohtang, a steady descent takes us to Gramphu on the highway along Chandra river. A downhill ride for next 20 km, hence there is hardly any effort required. Especially after Khoksar, there is a beautiful tarmac road leading all the way till Sissu. Camping overnight at sissu.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Sissu to Patseo at (12,533 ft) 72 km.

Pass By: Keylong, Manali, Manali Tehsil India
After small warm up exercise session and healthy breakfast start riding from Sissu. Today's ride will be a mix of climbs and descents throughout the stage. the road is not very well maintained till Tandi. You can see the river Bagha flowing alongside the road near Tandi bridge. The climb begins again till Keylong. After crossing Jispa 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

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Patseo to Sarchu at (14,100 ft) 58 km.

Pass By: Sarchu, Himachal Pradesh 175132, India
Today, we will cycle uphill for about 30 km as part of your journey to the Baralacha La Pass and than a 28 km downhill riding. 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. As we descend the gorge area of Bharatpur we will cross Mountain Rivers before reaching our destination. Sarchu is a military base and Himachal Pradesh state ends here. Dinner and overnight stay at tents

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Day 6 to Day 9 ride till Leh

Pass By: Leh Royal Palace, Leh India
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 it is downhill till Whisky Nallah. Today you will pass through some beautiful arid mountain scenery of the high ranges. Dinner and overnight stay at tents. We will stop each night in a mobile camp and we will reach Leh on 9th day

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.