Leh Tso Moriri Cycling Expedition

Leh Tso Moriri Cycling Expedition

Tso Moriri is a large high altitude lake in Ladakh, on the eastern extension of the Changthang plateau. 26 km long, it is the largest of the big Ladakh lakes entirely in India, surrounded by the gigantic 6600 m Lungser & Chamser Kangri to the east and the 6100 m Mentok Kangri to the west. The cycle tour starts from Leh, and follows the Indus River valley through Upshi, where the route diverges from the Leh - Manali highway, onward through military settlements and small villages at Hymia, Kiari, Chumathang and Mahe. From Mahe, the road leaves the Indus Valley towards a subsidiary valley, climbing the only pass, Namshang La at 4850 m, and descending to Kiagar Tso and finally to the village of Karzok on the banks of Tso Moriri. The area is one of the largest wetlands in Ladakh, lake being a breeding ground for bar headed geese, black necked crane, brown headed gulls, Brahminy ducks.

Small group size

Certified group leader / Lead Cyclist.

Evacuation plan & exhaustive first aid kit.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Leh (11,500 ft)

Stop At: Palace View Guest House, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101
The most convenient way to reach Leh is by Air. But this has to be followed by at least 2 days of acclimatization in Leh before you head to higher altitudes. You can also reach Leh by road but this option requires at least 2-3 days of travel on the road. You will receive the detail of accommodation in leh through an email from us. After reaching leh check into the Guest House/Hotel. Have some rest. Evening can be utilized to explore the Leh market.
Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in guest house or hotel in Leh on twin sharing basis

Day 2: Acclimatisation in Leh

Stop At: Palace View Guest House, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101
Explore the cultural and natural beauty of Leh. This will make you familiar with the town and also help in acclimatize to the weather. Leh is the centre point of Laddakh and also a major town from where all expeditions begin. It is also a culturally rich place. There are dozens of monasteries and ancient temples that you can go around. They are located in and around the town. Enjoy the local cuisines which are major attraction for traveler.
Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in hotel or guest house in Leh on twin sharing basis

Day 3: Leh (11,500 ft) to Karu (11,150 ft) - 36 km

Pass By: Thikse Gompa, Thiksey India
Today's ride will be a short and easy one. We will start from Leh and follow the Indus River towards the Manali - Leh highway. We'll pass through the towns of Shey, famous for its palace and Thiksey, with one of the largest gompas in the region. The ride is mostly on flat paved road with a slight downhill gradient and the occasional short climb. We will ride till the Karu military station. Overnight in guest house/home stay.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Veg-Egg Meals includes local delicacy, north Indian, Chinese & continental meals
• Lunch: Veg-Egg Meals includes local delicacy, north Indian, Chinese & continental meals
• Dinner: Veg-Egg Meals includes local delicacy, north Indian, Chinese & continental meals
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in guest house or hotel on twin sharing basis

Day 4: Karu (11,150 ft) to Hymia (12,150 ft) - 45 km

Pass By: Hemis Gompa, Hemis 194201
After starting from Karu, we will stray off the Leh - Manali highway at Upshi and continue along the Indus River. After Upshi, the valley soon narrows into a steep gorge with strange rock formations and cliffs hundred of feet high towering over the Indus. We will ride across a few small villages till Hymia, one of the bigger villages in the valley and the first village with a home stay after Upshi. The ride is on well paved roads with a slight uphill gradient, save for a few short broken sections. Overnight in guest house/home stay in Hymia.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in home stay / guest house.

Day 5: Hymia (12,150 ft) to Kesar (13,000 ft) - 47 km

Pass By: Chumathang Hot Spring, Chumathang 194201 India
Today's ride is going to be one of the toughest on this trip. From Hymia, there is a 35 km stretch of broken roads till the Kiari military station. The going will be slow, and you should expect a long day today. The landscape remains dry and sparse and offers little relief from the sun. Once you reach Kiari, the road condition improves and the gradient becomes steeper. It should take another 2-3 hours from Kiari to Kesar, another large village with a home stay and satellite phone. Overnight in guest house / home stay.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camp/home stay.

Day 6: Kesar (13,000 ft) to Sumdo (14,450 ft) - 46 km

Pass By: Kyagar Tso, Latitude: 33.1 / Longitude: 78.316667, Leh India
We will start from Kesar and ride on well paved roads to Mahe, crossing Chumathang on the way, famous for its hot sulphur springs. From Mahe, we will cross the Indus on a bridge and finally leaving the Indus Valley, enter a subsidiary valley. The landscape becomes greener here, with a small, clear blue stream moving next to the road. On the way, you will cross grazing grounds with sheep and goat herds - an unusual sight for Ladakh. The road is paved, though broken in sections. The ride throughout the day is a gradual ascent till Sumdo. Overnight in guest house / home stay.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps/home stay

Day 7: Sumdo (14,450 ft) to Karzok/Tso Moriri (15,000 ft) via Namshang La (15,900 ft) - 44 km

Stop At: Tso Moriri Lake, Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve India
We will start early from Sumdo today. Shortly after Sumdo, the hairpin climb to Namshang La begins. The gradient is gradual and the road is well paved. As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes dry again. The climb to the pass should take around 3-4 hours. After reaching the pass, you will descend to Kiagar Tso, another beautiful blue lake that will be visible soon after the pass. You will ride along the southern shore of the lake and then make another short climb to a vast plateau. Although there is a tarmac road, there are also multiple tracks from vehicles going off-road. From here, it a descent all the way to Tso Moriri. After about 5 km of descent from this plateau, you will cross a bridge across the nallah flowing to your right. There is a dirt road 15 km from this bridge to the village of Karzok. Although you reach the lake basin after 5 km, it is another 9 km along the western bank to Karzok. The evening will be free to explore the lake and the village. Overnight in guest house / home stay.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camp / guest house.

Day 8: Karzok to Leh - 220 km Drive

Pass By: Shey Monastery, Indus River, Leh India
Today, we will retrace our route and drive along the Indus River back to Leh. Overnight in hotel / guest house.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in hotel / guest house in Ladakh

Day 9: Departure from Leh

Pass By: Palace View Guest House, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101
The trip ends today. You cal fly out from Leh, drive to Manali or Srinagar, or choose to stay and travel elsewhere around Ladakh.

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