Click here for "2007 India Tour Dates & Cost"

Ladakh, India
The Trans-Himalayan Expedition
The 490 km (306 mile) expedition from Leh (Ladakh) to Manali (or in reverse) is one of the ultimate challenges for the experienced mountain biker.

Ladakh, situated above the Indus River at 12,000ft and isolated deep within the Karakoram and Zanskar mountain ranges, providing for the most spectacular and varied mountain scenery in the world.

We start the trip by flying from New Delhi to Leh (Ladakh), situated above the Indus River at 12,000 feet. Isolated deep within the Karakoram and Zanskar mountain ranges, the upper Indus valley is a dry windswept moonscape.  The mesmerising shallow slopes of the valley consist of subtle layers of pale amber, ochre, and sandstone, which twist and turn in a subtle dance revealing the geological history of this ancient land. 

Known as "Little Tibet," Ladakh has a rich culture, which still supports numerous active monasteries. Perched on high cliffs and hilltops, these monasteries appear as guardians over the starkly beautiful landscape. We will spend several days acclimatising in the valley prior to setting off on the Trans-Himalayan journey, visiting the famous monasteries (called gompas) of Hemis, Alchi, and Tikse. 

Travel will be by van the first day or two, but once we are reasonably acclimated to the altitude, we will get in some spectacular warm up rides along the valley's quiet well-paved roads.

Crossing the Himalayas from north to south, the route traverses four of the world's highest passes, including the TaglangLa at 5328-m (world's 2nd highest pass) with an accumulated altitude gain exceeding 29,000ft - the equivalent of cycling to the summit of Mount Everest from sea level!  

The Passes:
1. TaglangLa - 5328-m
2. LachlungLa - 5065-m
3. BaralachaLa - 4892-m
4. DarchaLa - 3400-m
5. RohtangLa - 3980-m

This is not a trip for the faint-lunged! But the strenuousness of the trip is more than compensated for by the uniqueness of the ride and that's why we've had clients returning up to four times!  Moreover, the areas travelled through - Ladakh, Zanskar, and Lahoul - represent some of the last places on earth where Tibetan Buddhist culture thrives.

Our Manali to Leh ride is basically the reverse however when meeting in Delhi we proceed by private coach through to Manali and having reached Leh (and the option of riding the Khardung La... being the highest motorable pass in the world!)

Our aim is to run the best Ladakh biking trips in the world and we hope you'll join us to find out what a deluxe fully supported biking trip is like.

The period during late June - July, through to Mid-August is the safest and most reliable period to make this journey. This tour offers a ride in terrain unique to all the world and the opportunity to share in a culture largely untouched by the modern world.

Most of Ladakh's festivals fall within the same period and we do our best to co-ordinate our tours with those festivals.

Manali to Leh - Trans-Himalayan Expedition 2007

Day/Ride	Date	Details
01		Fly to Delhi. Groups meet and transfer to Hotel. A. Separate vehicles for bikes & luggage to be sent to Manali leaves straight from the airport to Manali. B. Guest stays in Hotel and takes the baggage with them they need only for the night stay and during the journey on next day to Manali.
02		Early morning transfer to railway station on board on fast Shatabedi train leaving at 0740 hour and arriving Chandigarh 1100 hour. On arrival, drive Manali through the Shivalik Himalayas.
03		Manali. Rest. Unpack bikes and assemble/check Check all gear. Casual ride option Hotel
04/1Bike		Ride / Camp at Marni Rothang La at km51 – 3978m alt.
05/2 Bike		Ride / Camp near Koksar
06/3 Bike		Ride / Camp near Jispa (3142m alt) Via Keylong 113km - 3185m alt.
07/4 Bike		Ride / Camp before Baralach La near Patseo
08/5 Bike		Ride / Camp near Sarchu- Km 229 Via Baralach La –186km – 4883m alt. Ride/Camp at Whiskey Nalla (after Gata Loops)
09/6 Bike		Ride / Camp near Pang Via Lachlung La Pass- 5065m alt- 227km?
10/7 Bike		Ride: Pang 301km and 4885m alt.
11/8 Bike		Ride to More Plateau (More Plains) Camp
12/9 Bike		Ride / Camp near Taglang La Pass – 376km – 5328m alt.
13/10 Bike		Ride / Camp near Upshi (436km) - Nth side of township Via Taglang La Pass 376km – 5328m alt.
14/11 Bike		Ride to Stok Village Stok Highland Hotel (Leh 3523m alt.)
15/12 Bike		Tours or Ride – Indus Valley or Flex Day Stok Highland Hotel
16/13 Bike		Ride to Khardong La Pass & return to Stok for packing
17		Fly Leh-Delhi on IC#481. Intern. Airport transfer to Hotel in Delhi
18		Transfer to Hotel for TG316 0005hrs 5minutes after midnight

Note: You need to arrive in Delhi one day prior to Tour start.

See our calendar for Tour Dates.

hmb@bikeasia.info

Ph : 977-1-4212860
Fx : 977-1-4212861
P.O.Box: 12673
Kathmandu, Nepal

Site designed by ACA DESIGNS - Adventure Centre Asia
© 1997-2005 HMB: Himalayan Mountain Bikes