Manali Leh Khardungla Cycling Expedition

Tour Overview

The Manali Leh Khardungla cycle ride is an ideal cycling expedition idea for those who want to ride on adventurous trails. If you have the will of conquering the spellbinding world of the Himalayas from the saddle, then the Manali Leh Khardungla cycling expedition should be on your bucket list.

This expedition covers the Indian state of the Himalayas i.e. Himachal Pradesh and the union territory of Ladakh. You will also be crossing one of the 5 passes and one of the world’s most popular passes i.e. the Khardungla Pass. You will come across different villages that have the charm of their unique culture and warm welcoming vides while cycling across Himachal Pradesh and Leh.

On this memorable 10 days expedition, we’ve packed the right mix of cycling, leisure, rejuvenation, and exploration. You will experience stretches that challenge your limits, sceneries that indulge your senses and interactions that expose you to the local culture.

As we completely understand this is once in a lifetime experience for every rider who joins for expedition. Managing time, money, efforts, family and many more things are big things so making their investment qualitative and rememberable with beautiful memories is what we look forward to deliver. What we hear back from our clients that we came solo and now returning back with extended family of friends for life.

So if you are also looking for making the most memorable journey and enjoy each second you spend on this expedition to cherish forever in life then Dare2Gear is the best adventure travel company to plan your cycling adventures of life!

Please Note: Road bikes are not allowed for this expedition.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrive in Manali Stay: Hotel Stay

Once you reach Manali, our ground team will coordinate with you and update you about the meeting point. After that, proceed your journey towards the hotel Kanishka or similar, where you meet up and acquainted with other fellow riders. You can rest for a while. Then, we will have delicious lunch. Post Lunch, we will head out for a short orientation/acclimatization ride.

In the evening, the Dare2Gear team will have a session to brief you on things to keep in mind for the next ten days of the cycling expedition. We will retire early and give our bodies a complete rest before the start of this cycling expedition.

DAY 2 - Manali to Sissu | 40 km

Stay: Hotel | Cycling: 40km | Altitude: 3070 Meters

We have to get up early this day. Get Ready and have a healthy & delicious morning breakfast. We will be starting our Manali-Leh + Khardungla cycle tour from the hotel itself. Hop on your bikes and get ready to begin this memorable cycling expedition. You will come across the Solang Valley The hub for adventure sports activities like paragliding, rope courses, horse Riding, etc. We will cross through Atal Tunnel the longest tunnel at a length of 9.02 km, it is the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in the world. We will have our lunch at ATAL cafe in Sissu near Sissu Lake. Post that we will checkin to our hotel Aliyas or Similar in sissu and rest for the day.

DAY 3 - Sissu to Jispa | 53 km

Stay: Hotel | Cycling: 78km | Altitude: 3350Meters

The day will begin with an easy and gradual climb followed by an exciting downhill to Tandi. This is the place where the river “Chandra” and the river “Bhaga” meets. This place is a holy place in Hindu belief. We will move towards Kyelang (also spelled Keylong) a beautiful town and the district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti districts is home to most of the government offices and facilities in Lahaul. We will halt for lunch over here. Then moves towards jispa and check in to hotel Padma Lodge or similar. This the border of Low oxygen area and green belt. The day when you will witness greenery around. Post this till we don’t reach Lato the barrel mountains with beautiful giant landscapes we will pass through.

DAY 4 - Jispa to ZingZingBar | 31 km

Stay: Domes / Camping | Cycling: 31 km | Altitude: 3820 Meters

With an easy start to the day, we will pedal towards ZingZingBAr. Today a rusty rocky terrain is waiting for us when we pass the tiny hamlet town of Jispa. There is much descent before the climb towards Patseo. Today will be the first time of this expedition, where we will experience complete isolation from the outer world, and we will also be riding in the low oxygen region. After reaching Patseo, it will be a gradual and easy climb ride to upper ZingZingBar. The day comes to an end as we make a touchdown in upper ZingZingBar.

Get fresh and have a hot served dinner. Post dinner, you can retire to your cozy bed for a sound sleep to face the challenges of the next day. This is the first eve that we will spend in a big Dome together under same roof.

DAY 5 - ZingZingBar to Sarchu | 41 km

Stay: Swiss Hut | Cycling: 41 km | Altitude 4255 Meters

After having an early morning bite, we gradually ascend towards the 2nd pass of this route, Baralacha La, via Zing zing bar. Today we do our climb mostly on a tarmac surface, with less traffic. After crossing the Naughty Baralacha La, the entire topography of the region changes and we get the first glimpse of the Mountain Desert. Thereafter we descend to Bharatpur and from there, we will take the rolling terrain toward today’s destination, Sarchu.

Once we reach sarchu we will do the photoshoot for group and solo and will create video’s of the group. This is more of relaxing and kind of celebration day for coming half way through of the expedition.

DAY 6 - Sarchu to Pang | 80 km

Stay: Domes / Camp | Cycling: 80 Km | Altitude 4370 Meter

Brace yourself up, for today’s adventurous and challenging ride, as we are going to cross two mountain passes in a single day. From our campsite, it’s a rolling terrain till the start of the Gata Loops. From here, we will start climbing. After climbing up to 21 Loops, we can have a relaxed ride, as we are going to pedal on the rolling terrain for a few km, just before we again ascend to the 3rd Pass on this route NakeeLa. We will also be passing through the ‘Lachlung La’ pass. The view en route is so mesmerizing and you will sense that your hard work pays off. From the ‘Lachlung La’ pass, we will descend to Pang, and relax in the stay domes for the night.

This day is the toughest day of ride, but as we have ridden for last in this terrain.. So By this day each one have done a great self-introspection about their riding skills so each rider can plan their ride strategy for the day with their buddy rider on tour.

DAY 7 - Pang to Lato | 103 km

Stay: Guest House | Cycling: 103 km | Altitude 4835Meters

This morning only a 5 km climb and you will touch the most beautiful route of your journey called Morrie plains. Scenic beauty with the full metal and well-maintained roads. This region has a wide horizon where on your left and ride for approx 2 km you will find plains and then the huge multi-color mountains. Then we will cross the Taglangla pass. The Taglangla is the second highest motorable road of this expedition. You will witness long roads and a continuous climb of approx 15 km. The Taglangla pass is 5328 meters from sea level, which leads to a scenic descent towards Lato, Lato Guest House. Then, a zippy 35 km downhill ride awaits us, to reach today’s destination Lato.

DAY 8 - Lato to Leh | 75 km

Stay: Hotel | Cycling: 82km | Altitude: 3600 Meters

We will take it easy today and start with leisure. Cycling along the River Indus, we will be riding from Lato/Upshi into the main town of Ladakh Leh. On the way, we would be crossing some of the monasteries of the Hemis, Thiksey, and Shey regions and might visit a few of them depending upon the timelines. Once we reach the famous Leh-Gate, we will have a group picture clicked after which we can proceed our journey towards our hotel The Himalyan ladhak or similar.

DAY 9 - Leh to Khardungla | Local Sight Seeing | 80 km

Stay: Hotel | Cycling: 80km | Altitude 5360 Meters

On the basis of our last 5 years of experience, we have seen the riders feel content when they reach Leh. So they prefer to go local sightseeing than attempt to climb to khardungla.

Riders who wish to climb they will leave early morning at 6 am breakfast for leave for the Khardungla pass, the world’s highest mountain pass. We cycle through the scenic valley on the world’s second-highest motorable road to the top of this journey with a sense of achievement that has no parallel. Celebrate this moment of pride and success with your bike and your fellow riders. Ride back to our hotel in Leh for the dinner celebration and to celebrate the completion of the tour.

Riders who go sightseeing for you taxi shall come to the hotel to pick you up and make you explore Magnetic Hill, Monastery, and the confluence of rivers where you can do adventure sports activities if you wish too. The lunch or any other adventure activity expense during the travel is of the rider himself or herself. Drive back to our hotel in Leh for the dinner celebration and to celebrate the completion of the tour.

DAY 10 - Return Day

Today’s morning post-breakfast, you are free to plan your return. Participants can take a flight and return to their homes or they stay there to roam in and around Leh. The call is completely yours, in case you need any assistance in planning, we are here to help you out.

Inclusions

Exclusions

Gallery

FAQ?

What Things do I need to Carry?

Packing Checklist:
Cycling & Regular Clothing
7 Jerseys
3 padded Shorts
3 Full Length padded pants
Arm Warmer Sleeves
Leg Warmer Sleeves
Head Cap
Warm Bandana
3 pairs of night suits
2 Thermal top & bottom Pairs
6 Pair of cotton socks
2 pair of Warm Socks
Shoe rain cover
2 Jeans
4 T-shirts
Under Garments
1 Warm Jacket (Duck feather preferred)
2 pair of sports Shoes / cycling shoes
Slippers

Other Essentials:
Torch / Flashlight With Spare batteries
Power Bank
Mini Tool Kit
Personal Medicines if any
Diamox for acclimatisation
Pain killer (Flexon MR, Mobizox, Combiflam)
Aadhaar Card
Some Cash for your shopping or emergency situation
Neck Pillow

Personal Toiletries:
Light Weight Towel (Easy to dry)
Lip Balm
Shower Gel / Soap
Shampoo
Toothbrush
Hair oil
Wet Wipes
Toilet Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Skin Moisturisers
Vaseline / Anti chafing cream

Mandatory Items:
Helmet
Full Fingers Cycling Gloves Pair
Half Fingers Cycling Gloves Pair
Sunglasses UV protected
Front Light
Tail Light
Reflective Vest
Sipper Bottle
Wind Cheater
Rain Coat Upper & lower both
10 -15 Ltrs Backpack
60 /70 Ltrs Rucksac

Is there a Training program available for participants who register?

Yes, a route map has been designed for participants who register with us. This is a training plan which a rider can follow own their own to train themselves strong along with set of exercises you should during your training.

I am looking for personal training is that also available?

Yes, we do provide personalised training in which we assign a coach to you who examines your training patterns, current strength and then design a customised training with certain list of tasks involved and observe the progress report on weekly basis.

How to Reach manali?

By Air (Delhi/ To Manali)

If you wish to go to Manali from Delhi by air, Bhuntar is where the nearest airport to Manali is located which is about 50 km from Manali. But a little problem is that flights from Delhi to Bhuntar are very infrequent and mostly get cancelled. So the best way and the most preferred way is to fly down to Chandigarh from Delhi and then go to Manali by road. Once you get down at the airport, you will surely find some taxis or can ask us we will provided extended services to our registered members.

By Road (Delhi To Manali)

If you wish to go to Manali from Delhi by road, The total distance by road from Delhi to Manali is 12 hours. A network of state-run and private buses connects Manali to some of the most well-known tourist destinations, including Leh, Shimla, Kullu, Dharamshala, and New Delhi. The majority of buses depart from Delhi‘s ISBT Kashmiri Gate. The bus trip from Delhi to Manali is more comfortable if you choose an air-conditioned Volvo coach. The best one to take would be the Himachal state transport buses because of its good frequency and cheap price.

By Rail (Delhi To Manali)

If you wish to go to Manali from Delhi by rail, You cannot directly reach Manali directly from Delhi because Manali does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station from Delhi to reach Manali is Chandigarh or Pathankot. You can simply catch a train to Chandigarh or Pathankot, whatever suits you and then opt for a bus or taxi from there.

Can you share the insights about climate?

In Mountains weather is one thing which is most unpredictable but on the basis of old patterns in last 5 years of experience sharing the insights on climate.

When you reach Manali days are time temperature is pleasant around 24 degree celcius and morning and evening are cold around 5 degrees.
The similar kind of weather we will get till Jipsa first 3 days of tour with a drop of 2 -3 degrees in temperature. Post jispa Cold deserts area begin where you need to be in warm clothes and temperature during the day will be around 18-20 degrees and in nights can drop to 0 degrees also till we don’t cross Tanglangla pass for next 4 days.

The Day we will be enter Leh will be little hot as compare to previous days and temperature will be between 25-30 degrees diring day and night and early morning are pleasant with 4 – 5 degrees temperature.

When we will go to attempt khardung-la we have to cover ourselves with warm layers as we will be again gaining the height and touching more approx. 18000 feet of height.

*Disclaimer: Rain & Snow Storm changes the story.

Which type of cycles are allowed in this ride?

As this ride is designed to test your endurance and explore the mountains so MTB or Gravel bicycle is allowed. On mountains during the downhill the bike need more stability and controllability which can easily be achieved on MTB or Gravel bicycles.

I will be riding first time in mountains am I advised to come on gravel bicycle?

No, it is not advised to do your first expedition in mountains on gravel bicycle as speedy downhills and sharp edged curves are there. If skill of controlling the bicycle is not build earlier, then probability of skidding on turns and getting disbalance is there which may lead to injuries too.

Do you provide cycle on rent, if yes then which bike you provide?

Yes, we do provide cycles on Rent. We have premium brand Polygon MTB bikes available for rent.

Will I get the cycle according to my height for this ride?

As we have multiple cycles to offer on rent for all sizes ranging from S to XL, so you will get the cycle of right frame size for your ride.

What is included in the cost of cycle rental?

We give cycle only for rides, all other mandatory items and accessories you want on cycle you have to bring yourself.