India

High Altitude Cycling Tour from $4,310 NZD

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18 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: July - August
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  • 09 Jul to 26 Jul $4,310NZD
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  • Availability Guide:
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  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Conquer the thin air to reach the highest point on earth you can travel on wheels. A truly exhilarating journey.

You'll cross rocky plains to the highest Himalayan passes and into Western Tibet. It's an extraordinary landscape of gorges, wild rivers, snow-topped ranges, Buddhist gompas and stupas, alpine meadows and hot springs.

We'll travel from Delhi to high mountain passes on buses, trains, and mostly bikes. First we go slow to acclimatise, but soon start climbing and descending. You'll feel on top of a timeless world.

Delhi to Delhi

Delhi
  • High altitude cycling
  • Grade
  • Tour price subject to minimum numbers
  • USD545 single room surcharge
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India Fitness and Preparation

Words and pictures can't really describe the 'high' of travelling through this landscape, and of conquering what you may have thought were your personal limits.

You'll also see many sacred monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal.

Extreme Tours

Extreme tours are for those looking to have some of the hardest days possible. Terrain will be steep and the adrenalin factor will be extreme. The strenuous effort will be well and truly rewarded when you reach the top but there will be some sweat lost and kilojoules burn getting there. Options for dropping will be minimal, so you will need to be in for the duration. Routes will include longer climbs and require more technical skills.

Fitness required

You will be very fit prior to the trip and even fitter when you get back!

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Delhi

No cycling

Welcome to Delhi, the 8th largest metropolis in the world. You'll meet your guide and your group, and be driven to your hotel to rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Meals:

DAY 2

Delhi to Nalagarh, en route to Manali

No cycling

In the early morning we begin our 2-day bus journey to Manali, an important hill station in the Beas River Valley. The first leg is a 7 hour bus drive to the town of Nalagarh, the gateway to the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh, one of India's most prosperous regions. We overnight in a hotel.

Meals:

DAY 3

Nalagarh to Manali

No cycling

Today its a 10 hour bus drive through the hilly landscape of the Himachal Pradesh, the Kulu valley, and alongside the river Beas. By days' end we finally reach the hill station of Manali (2000 m).

Meals:

DAY 4

Manali

Cycling: a short distance, for acclimatisation

First we'll assemble our bikes and take an exploratory tour around Manali to help with acclimatisation. We'll visit the 550-year-old cave temple of the Goddess Hadimba, set in a cedar forest. We'll then drive to the old Manali village (further along the Beas river), and on to the hot springs of Vashisht, before returning to Manali town.

Meals:

DAY 5

Manali to Rohtang Pass

Cycling: 40 km, 1365 Am, 3320 m a.s.l.

Today we cycle through forests towards the majestic Rohtang Pass in the eastern Himalayas (3985 m). We bike through the last village of Kothi and after 35 km we arrive at our camp below the Pass (3320 m). Here we can acclimatise further in the water-shed of the Rothang Pass, where we can expect some rain.

Meals:

DAY 6

Rohtang Pass to Tandi

Cycling 52 km, 835 Am

Our road winds through meadows to the pass at 3960 m. Weather permitting, you'll see a panoramic view. To the north: the Lahul and Spiti glaciers, and the barren mountains of Ladakh, India's northernmost state. To the south: the Kullu valley woods. The pass was a great hazard for trading caravans, with sudden snowstorms and avalanches claiming lives. Hence the name, Rohtang ('death heap'). There's a 1000 m descent to Khoksar village, past Gaddis (nomad shepherds) with sheep, goats and cows. We bike alongside the Chandra river to Tandi, today's camp.

Meals:

DAY 7

Tandi to Jispa

Cycling: 56 km, 950 Am

Today we cross the Tibetan-Buddhist cultural border, reaching the town of Keylong (3350 m), which is cut off from the world during winter. There are Buddhist monasteries here, including the prominent Kardang Monastery. In the middle of last century, Herrnhuter Moravian Church missionaries settled in Keylong. One of them was the German tibetologist A.H. Francke, who preserved much knowledge of Ladakh's history. In the afternoon there'll be more climbing to reach our hotel at Jispa.

Meals:

DAY 8

Jispa to Zing Zing Bar

Cycling: 40 km, 1115 Am. Camping: 4260 m a.s.l.

Past Darcha, with its mighty river landscape (where the remote Zanskar trek starts), we reach Patseo. From here we climb past the welcoming spot of Zing Zing Bar to our camp site, 600 m below the Baralacha Pass. It's a short day, and the last phase of our acclimatisation.

Meals:

DAY 9

Zing Zing Bar to Whisky Bridge

Cycling: 70 km, 765 Am. Camping 4175 m a.s. l.

The Baralacha Pass is ahead (4880 m), a 1400 m ascent. The landscape will become treeless and barren. Some may wish to ride part way in the support vehicle. Others may somehow summon extra strength. There are 3 rivers on this flat pass — Chandra, Bhaga, and a source river of the Zanskar, which we'll follow. We have now crossed the Himalayan weather border, with little rainfall in the desert-like mountains. An exciting descent via Sarchu at Ladakh's border leads to our camp site at Whisky Bridge (so named by road workers).

Meals:

DAY 10

Whisky Bridge to Pang

Cycling: 54 km, 1150 Am. Camping: 4500 m a.s.l.

Narrow winding roads lead us from Whisky bridge to Nikli Pass (5050 m), continuing down into a huge valley. Many stone remains remind of past caravans. They have been left decorated with prayer flags to soothe the mountain demons. Next, we reach the 5065 m Lachulung-la, surrounded by the towering Trans Himalayan mountain range. We cycle down into a bizarre gorge until we reach Pang at the second tributary of the river Zanskar called Zara-Chu, which disappears through an impassable gorge. Our camp is here, with restaurants and a checkpoint nearby.

Meals:

DAY 11

Pang to Toskar Lake

Cycling: 52 km, 355 Am. Camping: 4500 m a.s.l.

We start with a short climb to the dry Mora plain at 4700 m. Only Changpa nomads live here, in yak hair tents, with yaks, goats and sheep grazing up to 5600 m. We'll meet them as they move their animals. On an unsealed track between 2 mountains, we'll find a river source gushing from a green meadow. Nearby is lake Toskar, almost solid due to its high mineral content. The Changpa used to transport its salt by goat. This is the habitat of rare Kyang donkeys, geese, and Tibetan laughing gull. We'll spend the afternoon and evening here, then head to our nearby camp.

Meals:

DAY 12

Toskar Lake to Gya

Cycling: 65 km, 1000 Am. Camping: 4100 m a.s.l.

Only the Taglang-La pass (5370 m) stands between us and the Indus Valley. Starting in the decayed village of Debling (4800 m), the road reaches the daring bends of the old caravan path, bordered by chorten (stupa) and mani walls. There's a gentle climb of just 3 hours to the pass. We are rewarded with views of the Karakorum (highest paved road in the world), and the descending road to the Indus valley. Next, a continuous 50 km downhill to civilisation — villages with irrigated fields. Our camp is in the Gya river gorge. We'll meet the villagers and have a well-earned bathe in the river.

Meals:

DAY 13

Gya to Leh

Cycling: 85 km, 750 Am. Hotel: 3500 m a.s.l.

The narrow Gya gorge gives way to the vast Indus Valley, where we cross the river, which Tibetans and Ladakhis call Singhi-Chu. It rises from the 'muzzle of the lion' near the distant holy mountain of Kaliash. Once more we'll cross the Indus before a steep 30 km ascent to the famous Hemis monastery. After lunch we head to the white-walled Tikse monastery, with an amazing roof-top view over the Indus. We continue to Ladakh's old capital, Shey, previous residence of the Royal family. Passing stone figures of the 5 Dhyani Buddhas, we at last arrive in Leh (3500 m).

Meals:

DAY 14

Leh: Rest Day

No cycling. Hotel: 3500 m a.s.l.

This morning we rest. Around lunchtime we'll do some sightseeing on foot in and around Leh. Remember your camera for the fantastic view from the fortress of Namgyal Tsemo to the snow-covered Stok Kangri range beyond the desert-like Indus valley.

Meals:

DAY 15

Leh to Kardung La to Leh

Cycling: 80 km, 2100 Am. Hotel: 3500 m a.s.l.

Today we conquer the 5602 m high Kardung-La. This pass should not be too tough, considering the high altitude training of previous days. A jeep will accompany us, but we will have to power for 4–5 hours in thin air. We'll eventually be rewarded by the experience of a 40 km, 2000 m descent! It will be an unforgettable adventure. This afternoon, the bikes will be packed for their return (by truck) to Delhi.

Meals:

DAY 16

Leh to Delhi to Agra

No cycling.

Today we'll travel by jeep to the monasteries of Phyang and Spituk, both near Leh. If possible in the evening, we will try to organize a demonstration of the Ladakhi culture. We'll also take in the sights of the Sankar Monastery and the small but interesting Leh Gompa. In the evening we'll fly from Leh Gompa to Delhi and transfer to our hotel in Agra.

Meals:

DAY 17

Agra

No cycling

Today, another iconic experience: sightseeing at the Taj Mahal. We have a full day here today in Agra. You may also wish to see the Agra Fort, and other attractions. Our last night will be at a local hotel.

Meals:

DAY 18

Departure Day: Delhi

Today we will travel to Delhi by bus, and in the afternoon, tour around the city. Then, you'll be transferred to the airport for your international flight.

Meals:

Talk to Nathalie about your high altitude cycling adventure!

Nathalie_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • Transport (Transfers, sightseeing in Delhi and Agra by (Air-conditioned) Coach).
  • Train to Delhi
  • Coach (N/A/C) Del to Chandhigarh/Manali/Leh. Leh to Kahardung Pass.
  • One jeep will be provided. Sightseeing and transfers in Leh by Jeeps.
  • Camping equipment
  • Hotels whilst on tour
  • Entrance fee to the places of interest in Delhi/Chandhigar/Manali/Leh
  • One English speaking escort all through the trip for the sightseeing/assistance and professional local guides in Delhi and Agra.

Tour Excludes:

  • Mountain Bikes
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Drinks, hot and cold
  • Personal insurance for the bike , luggage etc, rescue
  • Laundry or things of personal gear
  • Airport taxes departure is also not included and it is as of today USD 12 (Subject to change with or without notice)
  • Agra sightseeing.

Tour Video

Mountain biking off the beaten track in New Zealand, Tanzania, Tibet and Italy. This movie gives an overview of what you can expect on a Global Adventure Guide mountain biking tour.