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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.