3 Left
16 Jul - 27 Jul ( FULL )
3 Left
24 Jul - 4 Aug ( FULL )
2 Left
6 Left
1 Left
20 Aug - 31 Aug ( FULL )
6 Left
The Manali to Leh cycling expedition is one quest that calls out to those who hold a true spirit for adventure. It remains one of the most popular journeys on the top of the list of most people, across the globe, seeking thrill and challenge. The route, which begins at the easily accessible town of Manali, has a lot to offer in terms of terrain, beauty, weather all of which lend to making this a challenging endeavor. It is a perfect journey for anyone looking to push their limits. Through the route, we cross not one, not two, but FIVE high-mountain passes with the highest being the infamous Khardung La Pass (5,359M). Each of these 5 passes has something unique to offer. With Khardung La being the highest motorable pass in the world, Bara Lachha La competes with it by being the loopiest of them all! Naki La and Lachu La are like twins standing next to each other whereas Rohtang Pass brings in all the surprises by being the most unpredictable and the moodiest of them all. But the toughest to cross is the Tanglang La Pass which rests in wait at an altitude of 5,360M. This is not it! The Manali Leh cycling expedition is much more than its passes – one look at the Gata loops with all its 21 curves is enough to send a chill down your spine. The More plains which are one of the highest & coldest deserts in the world, a constant panoramic view of snow laden peaks riding alongside you and the glory of the many distinctly-coloured rivers like Chandra, Bhaga and Indus are only a few examples of awe this excursion has in store for you. The high-altitude city of Leh with all its raw beauty is the perfect ending for this perfect story of the 561 kms of total adrenalin surge. All this said, we still maintain that this is one exploration you only get a real taste of when experienced firsthand. Stay on this page for more details on Manali Leh cycling route, detailed itinerary, photos, videos and reviews. Scroll down to the end to read Manali to Leh Cycling blogs.
Arrival in Manali (2,050M)
The cycle expedition starts from Manali, which is a very popular tourist destination and hence extremely accessible. If you need guidance on how to get to this high-altitude backpacking center, this article (How to reach Manali) might come handy.
Day one is reserved for the participants to make their way into Manali and get settled into their accommodation in a Manali hotel. First half of the day is to get comfortable with the mountain air and our fellow riders. While the body acclimatizes, we take this time to get together with the group and delve into the happenings of the next few days - schedule, what to expect, route, basic do's and don'ts, how to maintain the sanctity of the environment and such matters of importance. It is a relatively easy day but very essential for what's to come next!
Manali (2,050M) to Marhi (3,360M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 40 km
Today marks the first day of our exit from Manali to ride towards our destination for the day – Marhi, which is a small town between Manali and Rohtang Pass (our first pass on this expedition). Do keep in mind that we are gaining 1,300M of altitude on the very first day of riding in the mountains. This can be strenuous but is good preparation for the days to come. The route includes cycling up a series of hairpin bends on smooth, well laid-out roads. We also cross scenic mountain villages like Palchan, Kothi and Gulaba on our way today. We spend the night at Marhi which is just 16kms short of Rohtang pass and offers some of the best views of the mountains in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas.
Marhi (3,360M) to Sissu (3,130M) via Rohtang La (3,978M)
Distance: 49.5 km
The day starts on a high as we ride the 16kms of slopes up to Rohtang Pass (3,978M) which is the first of the five passes on our way to Leh. After waiting here for a bit to celebrate the crossing of the first of many passes and to devour all the beauty that this high-mountain marvel has to offer, we start our journey onward. But not before we soak in all the gorgeousness of this terrain and the panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks in the region. The steady descent from Rohtang Pass is the definition of pure, unadulterated joy. This downward ride, with the breeze in your hair, takes you alongside Chandra river straight to Gramphu. From here we will encounter stretches of flat land as we cross the raging torrent of the river at Khoksar and continue the short and easy ride up to Sissu at the foothills of the Pir Panjal range. Sissu (also known as Khagling) is a small town in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the right bank of Chandra river. This is where we will spend the night.
Sissu (3,130M) to Jispa (3,200M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 51 km
Today is a relatively easy day as we make our way into the sleepy hamlet of Jispa. The crowds and vegetation, have both started to thin out and the valley starts to open up to give you more expansive views of the mountain ranges around. The day starts with a steady ascent of 244M from Sissu to Gondla, post which we hit a patch of steep descent to Tandi, which zooms past fairly quickly. Tandi is situated at the confluence of the rivers Chandra and Bhaga – the rivers around which a lot of folktales from the region are weaved. The two merge to become Chandra-Bhaga – a river which then is named Chenab downstream in Jammu and Kashmir. On crossing Tandi and Keylong, the gradient all the way up to our destination for the day – Jispa, is very low. At Jispa, the river opens out into a wide valley. We camp on the banks of River Bhaga.
Jispa (3,200M) to Zingzingbar (4,270M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 37 km
Today is a bit tougher in terms of altitude gain which is roughly about 1,070M. The road climbs steadily to Darcha some 10km from Jispa and then the climb to Patseo begins. You will start to notice the difference in terrain as it gets a bit more arid, some more dusty and a lot more isolated with no signs of human life to be seen anywhere in the vicinity. The braying of sheep in the distance will mostly be the only sound to now accompany you with the spectacle of the high mountain peaks putting on a special show on the far off horizon. Get ample rest at this entry point to the land of the Lamas as we hit the second of our passes on the route tomorrow.
Zingzingbar (4,270M) to Sarchu (4,290M) via Baralacha La (4,850M)
Distance: 50 km
Today is one exciting day. We hit the second of the five passes – Baralacha La which is better known as a point of connection between Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh and Leh in Ladakh – a boundary between two separate regions marked by their distinct physical characteristics. Chandra and Bhaga are known to originate near here.
The day starts early with riders making an ascent up the mountains to get to Baralacha La which lies at an altitude of 4,850M which puts our height gain for the day at close to 600M. On our way, we will cross the picturesque Deepak Tal which rests peacefully at 3,750M with the snow-capped Mulkila peaks in the backdrop. The pass arid and scarce of vegetation gives the mountain faces full of loose rocks and scree a faint appearance of a quarry. The route descends gradually into the wide plains of Sarchu.
Sarchu (4,290M) to Whisky Nala via Nakee La (4,769M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 49 km
Nakee La is the third high altitude Himalayan pass we hit on our way to Leh through the Gata loops which are 21 hairpin bends that take you on a zigzagging journey all the way up to the pass. Once at the pass, all that remains is a short downhill ride which will bring you to the peculiarly named Whisky Nala which serves as our campsite for the night.
Whisky Nala to Debring (4,835M) /Tso Kar (4,530M) via Lachung La (5,059M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 76 km
We start the day with a 7km ascent to Lachung La at 5,059M followed by a long descent along a steep gorge to reach Pang. From Pang, an 8 km switchback climb leads us to the flat top of the More Plains at 4,800M. This barren region is known for its low temperature in the mornings and evenings, fast winds and sandstorms. The only sign of life here presents itself to you in the form of the Nomadic Changpas seen tending to their yaks. Our first choice for camping will be the scenic Tso Kar Lake which is a short detour from the main highway. In case this route is closed due to unforeseeable conditions, we will camp at Debring which lies right before the ascent to Tanglang La Pass which at an altitude of 5,328M, is better known as the world's second highest motor able pass.
Debring/Tso Kar (4,530M) to Lato (4,014M) via Taglang La (5,328M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 59 km
Today will be challenging. We will be making our way to the second highest motor able road in the world – Tanglang La (5,328M), our fourth of the five passes. The terrain is expansive and extremely isolated. The ride up is challenging to say the least, but also very gratifying once you make it to the top. The high is followed by the exhilaration of the steep descent to the village of Lato which lies comfortably at 4,014M with all its mesmerizing views, green fields, and the Gompas with the contrasting beauty of the barren mountains in the backdrop.
Lato (4,014M) to Leh (3,500M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 72 km
What Lato started, the road ahead amplifies. The small patches of green now turn to full-blown fertile valleys and the landscape once again changes dramatically to accommodate life in all its colours. Pretty villages, stupas, the red and green mountains that stretch for miles ahead make the long ride today, refreshing. There are a few patches of uneven terrain but on crossing the Indus river, the road gets smoother again all the way up to Leh. This is a relatively easy ride as we pass Thiksey Monastery and the Chortens Garden on our way back to civilization in the city of Leh. After 4 high mountain passes and close to 500 kilometers of riding the slopes of the high mountains, warm beds await!
Leh (3,500M) to Khardung La (5,359M) to Leh (3,500M) (Click to View GPS data)
Distance: 39 km ride, return to Leh by vehicle
We will set off for Khardung La, world’s highest motor able pass, at the break of dawn. With a distance of 45km and a height gain of 2000M in a day, this is the best challenge to end the trip on a high note (quite literally!). The view from the top is only one more reason to make your way up to this spectacularly colourful pass with all its prayer flags. The top offers you a bird’s eye view that stretches 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. We return back to Leh by our vehicle. Expect to reach by late evening. The trip ends here but not before celebrating this massive achievement.
Departure from Leh (3,500M)
If you plan to stay for a few more days to explore the wonders of Ladakh, the article below might help start you off on what places to consider. (Places to visit in Leh Ladakh)
Like we indicated before, the weather on high-altitude is unpredictable as are many other conditions. We would suggest you keep spare days between the end of the expedition and your travel arrangements to head back home.
Are you an avid biker or even a regular cyclist? If yes, then Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition is just the adrenaline boost for you. Manali-Leh Cycling expedition is a 10-day challenging expedition, consisting difficult terrains and uphill riding conditions. Factors like high altitude, difficult passes and hairpin bends make it completely different from cycling in plains.
If you are a regular cyclist and have enough stamina to undertake this 10-day strenuous challenge, then give no second thoughts before signing up for this. Make sure you stick with the practice schedule for Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition to maintain a good stamina and physical endurance for the ultimate challenge.
However, if you are a newbie and still want to take up the challenge, it is advised that you start preparing for the expedition well in advance. You will need to invest in a good bike and follow a strict exercise regimen before the final showdown. Have a few warm-up rides like Dehradun-Mussoorie Ride or Kufri-Solan Ride to boost up your confidence.
Click here for packing list.
Manali is well connected to Delhi with through road and air. There are no direct trains from Delhi though. By Road The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 536 km. There are overnight HPRTC buses and Volvos available from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi for Manali. It is a 14 hour journey by bus. You can book your bus tickets online through hrtchp.com or any other bus services available. You can also hire a private taxi or an outstation cab from Delhi. By Rail To reach by train, take a direct train from Delhi to Pathankot. Some of the trains that run on this route are Delhi-Pathankot Express, Jammu Tawi Express, Delhi-Dhauladhar Express. You can then take a bus from Pathankot to Manali. Or you can take a connecting train from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar which is the nearest station to Manali. There are buses running frequently between Joginder Nagar and Manali. By Air The nearest airport is Bhuntar airport which is located 50 km from Manali. There are taxis available at the airport which will take you to Manali. You can also take local buses that keep running from Bhuntar to Manali at a very regular frequency. Buses are decent and very cheap compared to a taxi that can cost you around INR 2000 to 2500 depending upon the season.
Taking a flight from Leh is the most convenient option in case you are carrying your own bikes. You will be charged with an extra nominal fee for the bike. You will be asked to dismantle your bike and pack the parts properly inside the box. To get back from Leh to your respective destinations, please book your flights from Leh to New Delhi well in advance due to low frequency of flights and for cheaper price. In case you are not carrying a bike and looking for travel options from Leh to New Delhi, you can take a shared taxi from Leh to Srinagar which will cost you around INR 3000-4500. Take an alternate flight from Srinagar to New Delhi. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are generally cheaper than Leh-Delhi. And the drive from Leh to Scenic is breathtaking. You can also take buses from Leh to Srinagar, Manali, or New Delhi depending upon your comfort and number of days you are willing to invest in commutation. The bus ride can be long and exhausting. It is better to take halts in between if you decide to come back by road.
When you reach Manali, you will have day to explore the tourist place. Manali is the gateway to Solang Valley where you can participate in adventure activities like paragliding, and zorbing in the summer months when the snow melts. This famous tourist hill station has so many places to visit in Manali. Visit the ancient Hadimba Devi Temple which has an interesting mythological tale associated with it. Walk through the charming lanes of Old manali. Visit the bazaar to buy some souvenirs. Jogini Fall and Vashisht Temple are other famous attractions in Manali. You can also visit Rohtang pass while you are in Manali. There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh when you complete your expedition. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Are you an avid biker or even a regular cyclist? If yes, then Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition is just the adrenaline boost for you. Manali-Leh Cycling expedition is a 10-day challenging consisting of difficult terrains and uphill riding conditions. Factors like high altitude, difficult passes, and hairpin bends make it completely different from cycling in plains. However, if you are a newbie and still want to take up the challenge, it is advised that you start preparing for the expedition well in advance. You will need to invest in a good bike and follow a strict exercise regimen before the final showdown.
Manali is well connected to Delhi with through road and air. There are no direct trains from Delhi though.
By Road
The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 536 km. There are overnight HPRTC buses and Volvos available from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi for Manali. It is a 14-hour journey by bus. You can book your bus tickets online through hrtchp.com or any other bus services available. You can also hire a private taxi or an outstation cab from Delhi.
By Rail
To reach by train, take a direct train from Delhi to Pathankot. Some of the trains that run on this route are Delhi-Pathankot Express, Jammu Tawi Express, Delhi-Dhauladhar Express. You can then take a bus from Pathankot to Manali. Or you can take a connecting train from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar which is the nearest station to Manali. There are buses running frequently between Joginder Nagar and Manali.
By Air
The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport which is located 50 km from Manali. There are taxis available at the airport which will take you to Manali. You can also take local buses that keep running from Bhuntar to Manali at a regular frequency. Buses are decent and very cheap compared to a taxi that can cost you around INR 2000 to 2500 depending upon the season.
Taking a flight from Leh is the most convenient option in case you are carrying your own bikes. You will be charged with an extra nominal fee for the bike. You will be asked to dismantle your bike and pack the parts properly inside the box.
To get back from Leh to your respective destinations, please book your flights from Leh to New Delhi well in advance due to a low frequency of flights and for a cheaper price.
In case you are not carrying a bike and looking for travel options from Leh to New Delhi, you can take a shared taxi from Leh to Srinagar which will cost you around INR 3000-4500. Take an alternate flight from Srinagar to New Delhi. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are generally cheaper than Leh-Delhi. And the drive from Leh to Scenic is breathtaking.
You can also take buses from Leh to Srinagar, Manali, or New Delhi depending upon your comfort and number of days you are willing to invest in commutation. The bus ride can be long and exhausting. It is better to take halts in between if you decide to come back by road.
You will get a good connectivity till Rohtang Pass. Beyond Rohtang pass, BSNL network is available on some other campsites like Sissu and Jispa but not on the trail. There would be long stretches beyond Keylong where there would be no connectivity but Army personnel can arrange for a satellite phone call, if urgently required, at Pang. Only postpaid connection works in Leh and nearby areas. BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, all the mobile networks like Idea and Vodafone also work in Leh. Please note that only postpaid numbers work in J&K state, prepaid connections will cease to work as soon as you enter Ladakh region, post Baralacha La.
You will be free by around 1600 Hrs on the last day when we would go for Khardung La. Usually, there are no means to go back from Leh in the evening. So, most people leave from Leh on the next morning. Your hotel stay for that night is also planned by us.
Your luggage would be in the support vehicle but you should carry you day pack with you with your nutrition bars, dry fruits, and hydration packs.
There will be a Lead cyclist and an expedition leader with you on the expedition.
Manali is the last point where you can buy anything related to the expedition. Once we move from Manali, you would not find anything before Leh. Leh is a decent town where you can buy stuff but you just have one evening there before going for Khardung La.
Absolutely. We have many single women who have traveled with us for this expedition. You would be provided tents either to share with another woman or in case there is no one to share, then alone. Proper toilet tents are pitched at all camp sites.
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the expedition.
Twin sharing hotel stay would be provided both, in Leh & Manali. Please note that hotel meals are not included in the stay. On all other days during the expedition, we would set up camps with toilet tents, sleeping tents, and dining tents.
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius.
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, and bread butter served in breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are cycling. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food.
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek. These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go to our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks/expeditions.
During the day, the temperature will range from 13-18 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0-7 degrees Celsius. The higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets. Lahaul and Ladakh, both are arid regions. So, the probability of rainfall during the expedition is very low after you cross Rohtang La but till then, you can expect some rains.
One can see snow at the passes during June and early July batches but post that you can only see snow in patches around the passes (Tanglang La & Khardung La).
Late June till Early October
Toiletries
Bike Spares- In case you are not renting from us
When you reach Manali, you will have a day to explore the tourist place. Manali is the gateway to Solang Valley where you can participate in adventure activities like paragliding, and zorbing in the summer months when the snow melts. This famous tourist hill station has so many places to visit in Manali. Visit the ancient Hadimba Devi Temple which has an interesting mythological tale associated with it. Walk through the charming lanes of Old Manali. Visit the bazaar to buy some souvenirs. Jogini Fall and Vashisht Temple are other famous attractions in Manali. You can also visit Rohtang pass while you are in Manali.
There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh when you complete your expedition. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Cambria Sawyer 04 September 2017
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