Ladakh Himalayas Mountain Biking Tours

The best destination of mountain biking exploration among the Indian higher regions is Ladakh with numerous unspoiled areas, which are a little off-track because their high altitude location makes them inaccessible for the usual holidaymakers. The journey from Manali to Leh, 475 km is one of the ultimate challenges for the mountain bikers. The route traverse four high passes with an accumulated altitude gain exceeding 29 000 feet-the equivalent of cycling to the summit of Mt. Everest from sea level. The road is one-lane tarmac and ideal for biking. Traffic is very light; hardly five to ten vehicles to be encountered. Summer months are relatively dry. This route is open from end of June till first week of October.

Tsomoriri Lake Biking

Day 01: Delhi – Leh (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation
Take the morning flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh met our representative and then transfer to hotel. Having arrived at the 3505 mts/11496ft high altitude cold desert town of Leh from the plains of Delhi it is essential to acclimatize before undertaking any physical activity. After lunch we take you on a short stroll around the main bazaar with its easy going environment and numerous cafes and curio and handicraft shops. Return to the hotel by late evening for dinner and the night.

Day 02: Leh – Shey – Thiksey - Hemis

On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area. Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17’Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order. Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17’Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

Day 03: Leh – Upshi – Hyamnya

After an early breakfast we ride 47 Kms south east towards the small post at Upshi on the Manali Leh Highway. From here leaving the highway we continue due east towards the small village of Hyamnya about 35 Kms where we camp for the night.

Day 04: Hyamnya – Chumathang

After an early breakfast we start our almost 60 Kms level ride to the village of Chumathang at 3965 mts/13005 ft. Chumathang is famous all over Ladakh and Zanskar for its medicinal hot springs that are reputed to heal all kinds of body pain. We set up camp near this village for the night.

Day 05: Chumathang – Sumdo

The ride today goes through a spectacular landscape so typical Ladakh till we reach the Mahe Bridge 23 Kms away. From here we cross over and ride 14 Km through a narrow green gorge to the village of Sumdo. We camp near the village. In the evening we explore the small Gompa that houses several well preserved paintings and images.

Day 06: Sumdo – Karzok

After breakfast we leave for the village of Karzok at the northern end of the spectacular Tsomoriri Lake.The 43 Km ride goes through vast shrub land surrounded by rolling hills that acquire fantastic hues and colours ranging from deep purple to crimson and desert brown with the traverse of the sun. We also pass a small turquoise lake - the Tazang Tso.From here riding through shrub land populated with colonies of Marmots (Phya in Ladakhi) we reach the village of Karzok at 4572m / 14,996ft on the northern lakeshore. We set up camp near the village on the shores of this fascinating lake.

Day 07: Karzok

A relaxed day at the lake where we get to walk around this beautiful lake 24 Km long lake at an altitude of 4242 mts/13786 ft. During this season we get to see thousands of migratory birds gliding on the lake which include geese, duck while around the lake you can spot the resident species of white-winged redstart, robin accentor, Asian martin, white-throated dipper and finches.

Day 08: Karzok – Tsokar

After an early breakfast we head towards another breathtaking lake at 4485 mts/14711 ft, the Tsokaror salt lake. We head back to the small village of Puga where we turn west to cross the Pologongka la at 4940 mts/16203 ft emerging into a vast plateau of stunted grass and shrubs. This vast plain sustains an amazing variety of wild life including the Kyang (Tibetan Wild Ass), the Woolly Hare, Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, colonies of Marmots and Pica and the rarely spotted subtle Snow leopard. The bird life includes a number of resident species like the Himalayan Snow Cock, Common and Fork Tailed Swift, Sand and Eurasian Crag Martin and a host of others. The other very visible birds are the large lammergeyer and the Himalayan Griffon circling in the thermal currents high above.

Day 09: Tsokar - Debring

We ride through the vast pasture lands of the More Plainsto reach Debring 4800 mts/15744 fton the main Manali - Leh highway.The More plains is also the summer home of the nomadic Changpa shepherds whom you can spot with their large herds of sheep and goats in this plateau living out of their black yak skin tents. Debring lies below the Tanglang la and we camp here for the night.

Day 10: Debring – Upshi

We begin our ascent to the Tanglang La at 5303 mts/17393 ftthe world's third highest motorable pass. From here the switchback road winds far down into the Indus Valley and 56 Kms later we reach the small village of Upshi. We camp in the oases like Gya campsite set amidst a yawning canyon.

Day 11: Upshi – Leh

Today after breakfast we begin our 60 Km rides through the spread out Indus Valley along the Indus River till we reach Leh by lunchtime. On arrival we check into a hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest up and relax after our 10 day adventure in one of the remotest areas in the Indian Western Himalayas.

Day 12: Leh – Delhi

In the morning drive to the airport to board the Delhi flight. Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to airport to catch a flight for onward destination.