Manali - Leh MTB Expedition - (2009):July 05 to 22 July & 25 August to 11 September
Mountain biking from Manali to Leh and further reaching the highest motorable road of the world- Khardung La is a life time achievement for any biker. From Delhi, we take the fastest train "Shatawdi" to the city 
beautiful, Chandigarh which is 295 Kms and covered very smoothly in 3 hours and 10 minutes by this comfortable train. The breakfast, tea & mineral water is offered on board and from Chandigarh to Manali, that is 301 Kms, we cover in luxury coach with 2X2 push back seats. The distance is covered in 8 hours including lunch and tea stops on the way. Kullu valley, popularly known as the valley of Gods is a lush green valley of more than 50 Kms till Manali and is surely one of the most beautiful and peaceful destinations of India under high ranges of Himalayas. The unique culture and innocent people, old villages and apple orchards all create a fascinating land and biking through this valley for a day is not less rewarding at all.
Next region is Lahoul- a tribal area towards the boundaries of Zanskar, Changthang and Laadakh. We reach to this wonderland through Rohtang Pass and cross 03 more high passes to reach in to Leh region. The total trip takes 08 days on saddle and 01 day at Sarchu to rest and relax under the high mountains.
Ladakh, the land of high passes is also known as little Tibet, is one of the most remarkable regions of India. It is a high and arid landscape with a vibrant green in the valley bottoms surrounded by snow capped peaks. Although politically part of India, geographically and culturally Ladakh is actually an extension of western Tibet. Ladakh has fervently retained the monastic Buddhism that is being forcefully suppressed within Tibet.
Leh, the capital of Ladakh, has long been a remote and fascinating outpost. Its situation in the upper Indus Valley makes it important cross-roads for pilgrims and traders from centuries. We do explore the famous monasteries in Leh during our stay.
Day 01 :: Arrive Delhi
Reach
n arrival we transfer you to your hotel, White House.
Day 02 :: Delhi to Manali
Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board one of the fastest Train Shatawdi Express to Chandigarh and transfer by AC coach to Manali. Hotel here is River Country Resort. /1950 M
Day 03 :: Full day sightseeing and walks in Manali
Morning the bikers can open their packed bikes and assemble these and later go for a forest walk in Manali covering the famous Hadimba Temple and Manu Temple. After lunch you bike to Naggar and come back to Manali in the evening. River Country Resort. /1950 M
Day 04 :: Biking for some kilometres to get acclimatized for the expedition. River Country Resort./ 1950 M
You
are here for full day and our effort is to take you to some important
places of Manali which might include Tibetan Monastery, Lahoul Monastery,
Chidyali monastery, Hadimba Temple (Hadimba is the devil turned into
goddess and now she is the most powerful goddess of valley) She is about
5000 years old and Kullu Dushera only starts once she reaches there
walking 42 Kms from Manali. Our prime attraction of the day will be
one village which still has more than 20 houses of 100 to 200 years
old. The architecture fascinates one simply when he watches the Himalayan
house which has everything in itself like cattle house, honey bees,
weaving machines, storage for wood, storage for oil, spinning, grinding
of wheat and rice and the living rooms and guest rooms. Further we will
show you the traditional costumes of Kullu people and the day will be
closed either at Naggar Castle or the local market. Lunch has two options;
one is at restaurant or second is at village house- the locally cooked
food.
Day 05 :: Manali to Marhi
this is our first ascent as we begin to "warm up" for the tough ride ahead. Cycling out of Manali through an evergreen area of pine and deodar trees we tackle the first set of many hairpin bends and switchbacks on the way to the Rohtang pass. The total distance covered this day is 42 Kms and the maximum altitude is 3220 M. Luxury Camp/ 3320 M
Day 06 :: Marhi to Keylong
We start the day by finishing the 12km ascent to the Rohtang pass, where if the whether is fine there are some lovely scenic views on the horizon of snow covered peaks and 
Glaziers. Once we have refreshed ourselves in Rohtang, we leave the lush vegetation behind and continue with a descent to Gramphu. From here we will encounter some unmetalled stretches of flat road as we cross the raging torrent of the river at Khoksar and continue a short and easy ride to Sissu in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range. From here a short ride to Keylong crossing mountain streams flowing over the road. Total distance is 78 Kms and the maximum altitude is 3350 M Hotel Tashi Delek / 3350 M
Day 07 :: Keylong to Patseo
A relatively easy day cycling up to Patseo. The terrain is much more arid and the road is rutty, dusty 
and rocky. Passing the hamlet of Jispa we come out of a gorge and descend downhill before starting the ascent to Patseo. We now get a sense of the isolation of the area, with a few sheep dotted around and we begin to enter the territory of the Lamas. In the far horizon you can see the bleak and awesome spectacle of the Higher Himalayan ranges. Total distance is 45 Kms and the maximum altitude is 3860 M Luxury Camp/ 3860 M
Day 08 :: Patseo to Sarchu
Hard long climb to the Baralacha La Pass but the rewards are great as you travel through this wild and scenic country. The pass is arid with no vegetation, the sides of the mountains looking more like a quarry covered with loose rocks and scree. As we descend the gorge area of Bharatpur we will cross Mountain Rivers before reaching our destination. Total distance is 58 Kms and the maximum altitude is 4455 M. Camp Sarchu Heights/ 4255 M
Day 09 :: A rest day in Sarchu
we have a luxury camp at Sarchu with the name of Camp Sarchu Heights and you can rest for the whole day in camp. This would be technically very important day to get further acclimatized and recharged for further biking. Camp Sarchu Heights/ 4255 M
Day 10 :: Sarchu to Whisky Nullah
The day starts with some easy cycling but we are soon tackling the zigzag "21 loops of Gata" at 15,030ft up the canyon wall. Once we reach the summit of the Nakeela Pass its downhill to Whisky Nullah. The day passes some beautiful arid mountain scenery of the high ranges. Total distance is 56 Kms and the maximum altitude is 4750 M Luxury Camp/ 4750 M
Day 11 :: Moray plains to Debring
We start by ascending the second highest pass on the Manali-Leh highway up to Lachalang La. The road here is likely to be the worst of the trip with a distinct lack of tarmac, it's very gravely and there are many loose stones. We have a long descent to Pang down a steep sided gorge followed by an 8km switchback climb before reaching the flat top of the Moray Plains. This barren area is known for its extreme temperatures in the morning and evening, fast winds and sandstorms. The only sign of life is the hardy Nomadic Changpas who can be seen tending their yaks in this most desolate place. We camp at Debring 20km below the world's second highest pass, the Tanglang La at 5,360m. Total distance is 80 Kms and the maximum altitude is 4835 M Luxury Camp/ 4835 M
Day 12 :: Debring to Rumptse
This is a challenge indeed, but truly satisfying when you reach the top, before we set off down the exhilarating 1,200m descent of switchbacks to the village of Rumptse. Total distance is 51 Kms and the maximum altitude is 4260 M Luxury Camp/ 4260M
Day 13 :: Rumptse to Leh
As we continue the descent to Upshi the scenery changes dramatically as we arrive in a fertile irrigated valley by a river dotted by pretty villages and Stupas. The spectacular red colored mountains around us add to the beauty and richness of the scenery. Crossing the Indus River the road improves as we follow the other road users towards Leh. This is an easy ride as we pass the Thiksey Monastery and the Chortens Garden before we reach Leh. Total distance is 80 Kms and the maximum altitude is 3500 M Laserimo Hotel / 3500 M
Day 14 :: Leh
Taking a rest from the bikes today you have the chance to explore Leh and some of its twisting narrow streets, explore some of the more famous sites, such as Leh Palace or the Sankar Gompa monastery Laserimo Hotel/3500 M
Day 15 :: Leh to Khardung - La Pass
We will set of for the Khardung - La Pass as soon as light comes up. Cycling 26 miles and gaining 6000 feet, this is the ultimate challenge of the trip. It is the highest motorable road in the world taking you to a dizzy 5,600m! The view from the top is spectacular, stretching 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. You can feel proud of a true achievement as you finish the trip with your final satisfying descent. Total distance is 40 Kms. Laserimo Hotel/3500 M
Day 16 :: Full day sight seeing of Leh
including Shey, Thikse, Taktok, Chamre and Hemis Monasteries. Laserimo Hotel/3500 M
Day 17 :: Morning fly to Delhi
This
half day sight seeing in Delhi and evening farewell dinner. White House
Day 18 :: Fly home
we will transfer you to the international airport.
Price for the tour: 1080 USD per person
Single room supplement: 350 USD
Price includes:
- All arrival/ departure transfer from/to airports/railway stations.
- Transfer from Chandigarh to Manali in AC coach.
- Train tickets.
- 3 star Hotels in Delhi/ Manali/ Keylong and Leh with breakfast.
- Remaining days will be with camps on full board.
- Supporting trucks and jeeps.
- Indian guide and camp staff.
- Logistic coordination.
- Leh- Delhi air tickets
Our Specialities:
Our Guides: We are running this trip since 1998 and our guides are highly experienced in this region. They are well qualified and quick to make decisions in any circumstances as every next meter's distance from Manali till Leh is known to them as they know their courtyard. DHEERAJ born in a renowned family of Kullu valley, a graduate in arts and has long experience of hotel operations. He started trekking at the age of 18 and has a long experience of rafting also in different Indian rivers. He has paddled a bike on Manali- Leh route first in 1992. He is the founder member of Adventure India and presently resides in Italy. He works as a tour leader for Italian speaking groups for India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka for several years. CHANDER also has experienced Manali- Leh biking in 1995 and he is expert of cycling on the banks of River Ganges and motor biking on Indian Coastal lines from Goa to Madras through several routes. GINI is the another pillar of this team who is one of the most sophisticated tour leader of Himalayas. He is a graduate from Chandigarh and expert of Trans Himalayas, both adventure and culture. Biking with him is not only an adventure in mountains but a real learning of the Himalayas. He has climbed several peaks in India and done excellent amount of biking. CHHERING has been associated with trekking because of his father who was a renowned trekker. His first biking on Manali- Leh route was in 1994, he is a graduate from Dharamsala and his understanding about Buddhism and Biking is amazing. He has trekked almost every major route in India and partially in Nepal and he speaks many regional languages.
Our camps and staff: No one in India can provide you the luxury in a tent that our staff does. We have specially designed room size tents for the biking and safari trips which can be matched with any 3 star hotel room. The full length cots, comfortable mattresses, room size carpet, reading table, luggage rack, pair of chairs and off course a western commode and hanging shower inside the toilet make us matchless. We do provide gas geysers and generated electricity in the rooms at various places. We are committed to combine adventure with luxury. The food is always better than any best restaurant of India and this all happens because of our team. GYAN & TEAM is a known word among our clients in mountains. GYAN manages everything and RAJU and SONAM, our two wonderful cooks make our camps a real holiday destination with awesome food.
Local help & responsible tourism: There was a popular movie called "Amritsar to LA" and one day JAGDISH, our manager in Manali office was saying someone on phone that we know every inch from "Amritsar to LEH" as the director would be knowing the movie Amritsar to LA. It is truth in deed; we have not only worked to strengthen our company but have been working to educate the mountain community about tourism and its multiplier effects. Our NGO, Society for Integrated Studies & Himalayan Development (SISHD) works effectively for the development and awareness programs as majority of the places we feel that "responsible tourism & eco tourism" are becoming only promotional slogans. We are proud to share that we have a very strong community involvement from "Amritsar to Leh" that at lot of times have proven its importance while our groups are on move. We follow all the issues concerning the sustainable tourism development in the region and try hard that the benefits from tourism must reach to the local people.
Flexibility of dates: This is available to tour operators outside India and the bikers already in a group of more than 06 persons. Apart from the fix departures, we can set new dates for you as per your convenience. Though our itinerary is well researched but still it has chances to get customised by either reducing one night at Manali or staying at Jespa other than Keylong by making a night camp at Gondhla after Marhi. In such cases you will get good discount also on the total cost.
How to book: Once we receive your consent, we will immediately start reservations and flight bookings and will get back to you with final status of rooms and flight tickets in next 24 hours time. You will be requested to send the payments 45 days prior to the group arrival. The scanned copies of passport, visa and photographs would be required to us 30 days prior to obtain restricted area permits in the Himalayas.
Call if anything is urgent: Our 24 hours helpline can be reached by you anytime. The number is 91 98161 53611. Our office is open from 0900 to 1800 except Sundays but our emails are being checked from 0700 to 2300 everyday including Sundays or any other holidays. So it's very easy to contact us, if your mails are not responded in 24 hours time, it means that you we have not received the same and you need to resend those e- mails.
Guarantee of trips and refunds: We are the only member of PATA in western Himalayas and do feel great responsibility about our commitments. If we receive your payments, it means the trips will be operated surely. Even if the clients are blocked in their countries because of any natural but justifying reasons, illness or any other reasons that could be considered humanitarian, we will refund 100% of your deposits. We will not make any refund if the flights are delayed or cancelled or any reason that can be observed as a personal fault or any other service provider's mistake/ negligence.
Copyright
© Adventure India. All
Rights Reserved