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Leh Manali Bike Trip
  • Tour Cost on Twin-share: CUSTOM TOURS & PRICES
  • Tour Type: GUIDED WITH SUPPORT VEHICLE
  • Cycling: MINIMUM 15 DAYS (APPROX 500 KM CYCLE)
  • Rating: DIFFICULT
  • Tour Start / End: AS PER YOUR CONVENIENCE
  • Departure Dates: DAILY FROM END-MAY TO SEPTEMBER


THE ITINERARY

This Leh to Manali bike tour is customized as per your requirements. Please write to us at: contact@periplustravel.com

Leh to Manali is one of the most stunning, but challenging, bicycle rides in the world. We start with arrival into Leh and spend the next couple of days cycling in the surrounding areas to give you time to acclimatize to the high altitude before longer rides and finally the long and adrenaline pumping journey to Manali.

In and around Leh, we visit many stunning monasteries housing priceless artifacts, raft on the river Indus, cycle to the Khardung-la pass before crossing over to the stunning Nubra Valley where Bactrian camels abound and the villages are remote even by Ladakh standards.

The ride to Manali takes you across beautiful trails with the majestic Himalayas serving as the perfect backdrop. We cross Tanglang La, the world' second highest motorable pass standing at 5280m. The roads are unpredictable in the region and are broken at many places. Each day the distance covered is 40 to 80 km traversing altitudes over 4000m. The route comprises cycling from Leh which is located in the Indus Valley to Manali which is located in the Kullu Valley, cutting across three mountain ranges of Zanskar, Himalayas and Pir Panjal.




Why Leh to Manali and not Manali to Leh?

We do Leh to Manali cycling trip and not the other way round. Here's why:

Manali to Leh: If you start cycling from Manali to Leh, for 400-450 km or so all you come across are temporary tented camps that are set up during the season. There are no towns or medical facilities. If you develop altitude sickness, there is no help till the time you reach Leh.

Leh to Manali: We prefer that you fly into Leh and acclimatize first. We spend first few days cycling in and around Leh and if you have any medical problem, it can be attended to.






Highlights of the Trip

1-   Colourful and vibrant culture of Ladakhi people who practice Tibetan Buddhism tempered with the old animistic faith and Tantricism
2-   Visits to beautiful monasteries, full of priceless art and antiques
3-   Cycling through some of the highest motorable passes in the world
4-   Visit to Nubra where villages are remote even by Ladakh standards
5-   Camping in stunning locations
6-   Magical landscapes with Himalayas as the backdrop






Terrain

This high altitude region is all about mountains and valleys and there are zigzag trails including some hairpin turns. To cycle in this mountainous region, you need to be a technically sound biker. You must have prior experience of riding on rugged terrain and rough paved roads.

Most sections / parts of the road are asphalt surface. However, road conditions are unpredictable in this Himalayan region and could be under repair and not having an asphalt surface.






Weather

Cycling in in this region is possible only between mid-May to September when snow has melted and temperature is nice and comfortable. However, mornings and evenings still could be cold. The average temperature range during the day is about 20–30°C. Come prepared for all eventualities - from scorching sun to freezing winds.


Acclimatization
One may suffer breathlessness, headaches, nausea and lack of appetite before becoming acclimatized. It is important to take things slowly at first and drink plenty of liquids. These symptoms generally disappear after a couple of days. Initial days of cycling is not excessive to allow time for adequate altitude acclimatization and we gradually cycle longer distances.





Accommodation and Meals

This region is cut off for most part of the year because of snow. Therefore there are very limited accommodation options here. Leh has reasonable quality hotels but even the best here would be a very generous 3 star. Outside Leh, accommodation is in basic tented camps that are set up in the season.

You will sample Ladakh's local cuisine which is unlike any other region of India. It is mildly flavoured and the main dishes are Thukpa, a thick soup with vegetables, and Momos or steamed dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables, accompanied by a fiery chili sauce. Restaurants also offer regular Indian, Continental, Chinese and Korean food. When staying in tented camps, meals are mostly Indian with rice, vegetables and meats.