Leh - Manali

Arrive in Leh. The objective over the next two days is to acclimatize well for the ride ahead. Given that the base altitude of the region is over 3100M, immediate physical exertion is not recommended. Check in to the designated hotel and explore the local sights. Post lunch we conduct a cycle check and a crash course on mountain riding. A short cultural ride around town in the evening is followed by a fun evening to meet your fellow riders and a ride briefing.

Today's ride is very very relaxed, deliberately designed to let you acclimatize well to the altitude we are at. We cycle a distance of 30km with stops for sightseeing on the route. The pace is the most relaxed on the ride today and day is what you make it. We stay at a beautiful campsite by the river Indus with views of the Stakna monastery.

We start our way south cutting through narrow valleys and colourful mountain ranges. The ride is dotted with traditional villages and whitewashed stupas. The road condition is beautiful with a very gradual uphill ride all the way to our campsite at Rumsu at the bases of the mighty TanglangLa.

The first big pass of our ride awaits, it is challenging and unrelenting, but with every hairpin bend you pass the views serve to motivate you to push on. The top of the pass is at an altitude of 5339M and with panoramic views of hundreds of snow-capped peaks, the view truly celebrates the accomplishment of peddling up. From the top of the pass, we can see our destination more than a kilometre below us in elevation. We ride down at the start of the Morrey plain at debring.

Today‘s ride takes us through the Morrey plains, a high-altitude grassland and flat ground that goes on as far as the eye can see. The ride through the plains will make you love cycling regardless of how your legs hurt because of the previous day's ride. Kilometres of flatland with a 50% chance of tail wind make today's ride the highlight of the trip. We camp after the settlement of Pang right in the middle of the most surreal landscape you will find on the route.

Today is a relatively long day on the saddle. We start the ride up the twin passes of Lanchungla and NakeelLa, this is where you will understand the small joys of starting the ride from Leh as opposed to Manali. The days ride has challenging uphills but even longer and more rewarding downhill sections, especially while coming down the unrelenting Gata Loops. Our destination for the day is the grasslands of Sarchu, where we cross back into Himachal Pradesh.

Today we cycle along glacial rivers and streams surrounded by the iconic desert landscape of this region. The mountain air is thin and crisp, and the ride transforms itself after nearly every turn. We stop for lunch at the base of the 4th pass on our journey to Manali. Followed by a short uphill to the top of the mighty BaralachaLa. From here is a beautiful descent all the way down to our camp for the day at ZingZing Bar.

Downhill, downhill and more downhill. What could be better than watching the world come back to life on a saddle seat as we descend to lower altitudes. We cycle along beautiful stretches of the highway on a cliff's edge and deep gorges. Within a 20 km ride, you will see the landscape transforms into something else altogether. We stay by the riverside, the glacial origin of which you saw the previous day.

From Jispa the ride has both ups and downs till the Tandi, the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers. Mixed terrain leads to the town of Sissu. The day's ride is refreshing and the difference in the altitude serves as a second wind while riding. We are cycling through the relatively bustling valleys of Lahoul with massive mountains and hanging glaciers dotting the day's ride.

Today, we have a choice of two routes to reach our destination, Manali. Route one goes over the RothangLa, the traditional route to cross to the Kullu valley. The pass has a height of 3980M, the alternative is an interesting ride through the Atal Tunnel, based on your comfort and fitness the choice is yours. Support vehicles will be provided for both routes. We will end the Ride in Manali, celebrating the Journey.