High in the Himalayas Bike Tour (12 Days)

Starting from USD 2195

Leh, a high-desert city in the Himalayas, is the capital of the Leh region in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. Originally a stop for trading caravans,

Duration

12 days
Group Size

2 to 10
Difficulty
Hard
Season
January - December

GET QUOTE

High in the Himalayas Bike Tour (12 Days)

With an unmatchable ‘blueness’ in the sky and wonderfully unique vistas of lofty brown desert mountains, monasteries perched on hilltops and bright windows adorning white washed ‘Lego like’ houses, Leh is nothing short of a topographical wonder! Looking at the surreal landscape around you, you will certainly be gasping from something other than the altitude. Surrender to the warm Tibetan hospitality and savour your surroundings.

This trail is perfect for those who like a blend of challenging portions to pedal, as well as easy fun rides with enough downhill sections to whizz through. From the perspective of physical challenge, you will be up against an average altitude of 12000 feet, windy passes, sharp meandering turns and virtually no roads at times, though at any given time, the backup van will be close at hand for those who want to be more indulgent.

Ride past the highest motorable road in the world at Khardung La pass.
Experience the indulgent warm hospitality of the ever-smiling Tibetans
Pushing the boundaries to maneuver through one of the toughest terrains in India; certainly one of the Top 10!
Let the reticent Buddhist culture showcase itself in soothing ambience of monasteries and simple homes

Note: Altitude Sickness

Having arrived from Delhi to the high altitude of the region, it is not uncommon to feel washed out, dizzy, nauseous or lethargic due to lack of oxygen in the air. You also may suffer from mild but constant headache. These maybe signs of altitude sickness! It is imperative to take a lot of rest for the initial days and keep yourself hydrated with water. Even if you are walking in the town, keep a steady slow pace and do not over stress the body.

Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to acclimatize after arriving in Leh because of altitude sickness (recommend to read this article – Source: Leh District official website). Avoid doing anything for the first couple of days and drink plenty of water. Laptops also don’t appreciate the high altitude and hard drives are known to crash.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

Whats included in this tour Items that are covered in the cost of tour price.

Meals as mentioned in the Itinerary.
Support Vehicle will be provided.
Safety measures will be taken.
Accommodations as per Itinerary.
All the activities mentioned in the Itinerary.

Whats not included in this tour Items that are covered in the cost of tour price.

Everything which is not mentioned in the Inclusion.

Day 1: Leh
Click here to expand

Take a flight from Delhi to Leh (flight is not included in tour price) over a stack of snow-topped mountains for a large part of journey. Pray for a clear sunny day for a stunning view! This day is entirely dedicated to acclimatizing the body to the altitude of 3524 meters / 11,562 ft.

Leh is the capital town of the Himalayan district of Ladakh, and falls in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. A former stop on the silk route, which cut across the vast Afro-Eurasian landmass, the unassuming town still has an unquestionable allure about it. Being a backpacking hub for decades, Leh and the surrounding areas have an exquisite mix of a Bohemian vibe and a diffident rustic environment. Experience the best of both in the small cafes bursting with different nationalities and international cuisines along with the contrasting local life, steeped in simplicity and strong Buddhist leanings. Today you can plan your own day. We recommend to explore on foot and stroll to the Leh palace, which overlooks the town from its perch on a small hill. The 17th century palace is a perfect place to get a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the region. The Japanese Shanti Stupa, is another sightseeing spot worthy of your time. Take the steps rather than the road to get that blood pumping; that panoramic views from here will be even more rewarding after that little trek.

It is imperative for us to get the body used to the rarified air of the mountains before we hit the pedal.

Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Leh
Click here to expand

We warm up with a short ride to Spituk monastery and later do white water rafting from Pheyo to Sangam today. This day takes you past stunning mountainous landscape of Ladakh. We visit the majestic Spituk Gompa along the way and then cross the majestic Indus river – the cradle of one of the world’s greatest civilizations before looping back to Leh.

You can also take this day to acclimatize further for your trip ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Distance cycled: ~ 30km/18mi (optional)
Day 3: Leh
Click here to expand

We take a transfer to Nimoo and then ride along Zanskar river to Chilling. From here we switch bike to a raft and head back on Zanskar river on Grade 3 rapids to Nimoo. It’s an exhilarating ride back on a raft. Enjoy it to the fullest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Distance cycled: ~ 25km/15mi
Day 4: Sakti
Click here to expand

Today, we ride to Stakna past the famous Thikse monastery to Sakti. The Stakna Gompa (Buddhist monument/monastery) is a treasure trove of cultural heritage. Also known as the ‘Tiger Nose monastery’, Stakna stores invaluable artifacts and paintings from late 16th century.

It’s gradual ride to the Sakti after a small infusion of culture yesterday. Time to rest well and gear up for some serious climb ahead!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 50km/30mi
Day 5: Tangtse
Click here to expand

We leave early to reach one of the most distinguished destinations of Ladakh- the Chang La pass. The steep climb to pass is narrow and often rubbly for long patches a wholesome one for cycling nevertheless. Along with the steep climbs, you will also encounter downhill dips and flat roads – this one will be perfect for your cycling sensibilities!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 70km/42mi
Day 6: Tangtse
Click here to expand

Ride to spectacular Pangong Lake. Admire the unmatched beauty all around before shuttling back to Tangtse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~30km / 18mi*
Day 7: Sakti
Click here to expand

Today we shuttle to Sakti and take it as a rest day. You have ample time today to walk through bucolic Sakti village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Hunder, Nubra Valley
Click here to expand

We take a shuttle to the top of Wari La pass and then ride to Hunder. The topography changes dramatically from washed out browns to the lush green meadows dotted with black yaks. Soon you hit the cusp of the Shyok and Siachen Rivers that flow through a vast sandy valley. Scant vegetation, a snaking black river seemingly diving the Tibetan plateau give Nubra a dramatic topographical edge over the other destinations in Ladakh.

Hunder, one of the largest villages of the Nubra Valley, is a picturesque settlement where you can see small stands of apple orchards and locals busying themselves over farmlands. En-route, we visit Diskit monastery. Diskit is the oldest and largest Gompa of the Nubra Valley and has many legends attached to it since it was built in the 14th century. Another intriguing sight that cannot be missed is Hunder, the land of sand dunes. It is intriguing to see double humped Bactrian camels here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 50km/30mi
Day 9: Hunder, Nubra Valley
Click here to expand

Today we ride towards Tuktuk village. It is a border village between India and Pakistan. The culture changes dramatically here from other parts of Ladakh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 50km/30mi
Day 10: Khardung Village
Click here to expand

Today we take a shuttle to Khardung village and set up a camp here. This is in preparation towards a long and arduous climbing day ahead tomorrow to Khardung La.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Leh via Khardung La Pass
Click here to expand

Get ready for a tough yet rewarding day and ride to the highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La. It’s a long switchback route. Arrive at the mish-mash of snow, military sheds, plenty of motorbike teams and make a stop for the famous maggi again. We bet you will be addicted by then. Spend time here to take in the last of the snowy peaks, shivering prayer flags and top view of the Shyok river valley. Hop onto the cycles for the last exhilarating stretch downhill till Leh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Distance cycled: ~ 70km/42mi
Day 12: Departure
Click here to expand

Depart for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast

Accomodation

Casual Inns

Refund

Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below –

Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash. Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund. Cancellations will be accepted only by email. Note: Western Mountains reserves the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.