Manali – Leh – Khardung La Cycle Trip – 2024

“Cycle to the highest Motorable Point on Earth”
16 June to 29 June 2024

“Ladakh” is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the “Great Himalayan and the Karakoram”, this windswept high altitude cold desert forms one of the most beautiful travel destinations. This high plateau formed due to the grand collision between the Indian sub continental plate and massive Eurasian plate few million years ago, is relatively young land in earth’s life cycle. Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the remains of which are still seen in areas of Rupshu and Chushul. The great lakes like Tso-moriri, Tso-kar, and Pangong-Tso still remind us of those days.

This most arid and remote cold desert was once very difficult to reach, but now we have two major routes from south of Himalayas to reach the capital city of Leh. One comes from Srinagar and the other from Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The latter one is the most recent one and journey via this road is rated as one of the best ten road journeys in the world!

And it’s a dream of every avid cyclist to cycle on this road and cross high and mighty mountain passes, not 1 or 2 but FIVE of them. Cycling in the mighty but beautiful Himalayas is a completely different ball game, even for regular cyclists. One has to be prepared for vagaries of nature as well as the altitude, which brings in its own unique problems.

The road starting from Manali climbs high & crosses the Rohtang Pass (3,978 m. / 13,051 ft.) to enter the Lahaul district. Then the road crosses the Pir Panjal ranges and reaches the main town of the region, Keylong. From here it follows the Bhaga River up to Baralacha La (4,850 m. / 15,912 ft.). From here onwards the barren landscape turns more lunar. After crossing Baralacha La we will cycle past Sarchu and reach the bottom of famous Gata Loops. These 21-hairpin bends are a challenge for all the people who are in search of Adrenaline rush!! Then the road takes us across Nakee La (4,769 m. / 15,646 ft.) and Lachung La (5,059 m. / 16,598 ft.) to Pang. So, by the time we cross the army barracks at Pang we will have already crossed FOUR out of FIVE passes. After Pang we will cross the natural wonder of Moore Plains; this 42 Kms long world’s highest and coldest desert throws up magnificent landscapes and makes this journey unforgettable. After this we will visit the tranquil waters of Tso Kar, the white Lake. After one night on the banks of the lake, we will cross the 2nd highest motorable pass in the world, Tanglang La (5,328 m. / 17,480 ft.). Then the next day we will reach the capital city of Leh. After a good rest, we will cycle to the north of Leh, to the highest motorable point on earth, Khardung La, (5,359 m. / 17,582 ft.) which will the crowning glory of this most adventurous journey.

Day wise detailed itinerary of the trip

Day 01: Arrival in Manali (2,050 mt. / 6,726 ft.) by late evening. Immediately transfer to Solang Nalla. (2,590 mt. / 6,726 ft.) (D..)
Night Stay at Hotel Iceland or similar in Solang Nalla

Day 02: Rest day in Solang Nalla. In morning getting the bikes ready for the ride. Then Acclimatisation ride around Solang Nalla (B, L, D)
Night Stay at Hotel Iceland or similar in Solang Nalla

Day 03: Manali – Marrhi (3,300 mt. / 10,827 ft.) (43 Kms ON CYCLE) Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Marrhi – Sissu (3,120 mt. / 10,237ft.) (49 Kms ON CYCLE) Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Sissu – Jispa (3,200 mt. / 10,500 ft.) (62 Kms ON CYCLE) Overnight Camping in Tents (B, L, D)

Day 06: Jispa – Zing Zing Bar (4,270 mt. / 14,009 ft.) (30 Kms ON CYCLE) Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Zing Zing Bar – Sarchu ((4,201 mt. / 13,783 ft.; 56 Kms). Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Sarchu – Whisky Nala (4,630 mt. / 15,191 ft.; 62 Kms). Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Whisky Nala – Debring (4,835 mt. / 15,863 ft.; 80 Kms). Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Debring – Lato (4,014 mt. / 13,170 ft.; 53 Kms). Overnight Camping in Tents. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Lato – Leh (3,500 mt. / 11,484 ft.; 70 Kms).) Night stay in Hotel Mahe Retreat in Leh. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Leh – Khardung La (5,359 mt. / 17,582 ft.) & back by vehicle / by cycle (45 Kms one way ON CYCLE). Night stay in Hotel Mahe Retreat in Leh (B, D)

Day 13: Rest Day at Leh. Night stay in Hotel Mahe Retreat in Leh (B, D)

Day 14: Departure from Leh. (B)

Where Will I Stay?

2 Nights in Hotel Iceland at Solang Nalla OR Similar, as mentioned in the itinerary on FB Plan (On TWIN sharing Basis).
8 Nights in Camping Tents on FB Plan & TWIN sharing plan.
3 Nights in Hotel Mahe Retreat in Leh OR Similar, as mentioned in the itinerary on BB Plan (On TWIN sharing Basis).
A sleeping bag will be provided for all tent stays. (This will have to be returned after completion of the trip.)

How willI travel?

Everybody will have to reach Manali Bus Depot by making their own travel arrangements.
A support vehicle all along the route, which would take care of your luggage.
2-Wheeler / 4 wheeeer support throughout the cycling trip from Manali to Leh.
A professional cycle mechanic would be with us throughout the journey from Manali to Leh. If any minor repair work needs to be done (like punctured tyre etc.), we would do it free of cost; but any major repair work and/or involving spare parts, would be charged at actual.
Everybody will have to make their own travel arrangements to reach home from Leh Airport. (After finishing the trip)
It is mandatory for all participants to wear helmets on the ride. It is also essential that your cycles be fitted with front and rear lights
On this arduous cycle trip delays and detours would be expected on account of landslides, road blocks and weather conditions. Our effort would be to continue with the trip as per the schedule & make sure that you would be comfortable. But in such rare situations we could have to compromise on the campsite / hotels & adjust to these situations then & there. No compensation of any sort would be provided in such an event.
The itinerary described above is the planned one; but very rarely due to reasons beyond our control some spot changes would have to be done. The decision of the tour guide would be final in such a case. No compensation of any sort would be provided in such a case.
The distances mentioned in the above itinerary are to the best of our knowledge & information. Some minor variations would be expected.

What about my health?

The Manali – Leh cycling trip is at very high altitudes of around 18,000 ft. which can cause some of health-related problems. If not properly acclimatised some serious complications like AMS (Acute Mountain sickness); HACE (High altitude cerebral edema) OR HAPE (High altitude pulmonary edema) can develop.
Please take opinion from your family physician before enrolling for this trip.
Drinking plenty of water will help in acclimatisation. (Minimum 4 to 5 liters a day) Taking Tablet Diamox could help. (Ask your doctor before taking it. People allergic to sulfa should avoid it.)
“Health Certificate” – Everybody must have a health certificate from their doctors. It should be addressed as “whom so ever it may concern” This is to certify that Mr. / Mrs. /Ms. ……….. is physically fit to undertake The Manali – Leh cycling trip, starting from date ………. He / She can undertake this high-altitude cycling trip which involves a height gain to the altitude of about 18,000 ft. (Proforma will be given by us.)
It is be advisable to follow the instructions of the leader of the group.
This cycling trip will be in the remote area of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh where professional medical help will not be available easily in case of emergency.
We will have a basic first aid kit along with us. in case of emergency.
Any expenditure incurred by us, for a particular guest due to any medical reason or for any emergency evacuation, will have to be borne by that particular guest.
Hills and Trails does not provide any type of insurance for any type of loss. It will be advisable that everybody gets insured for this trip. Please ensure that the insurance covers the helicopter evacuation if needed & that the insurance policy is valid for such a cycling trip.

Contact

Dr. Milind Chitley: 3 / 8, Chandrashekhar Society, S. N. Marg, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400069.
Ph Nos: 9869065211 / 9820233295 / 9969036175.
Email: hillsandtrails@gmail.com