The Classic Leh to Manali Mountain Bike Traverse
- Trans Himalayan mountain bike adventure holiday
- Bike the 3 highest road passes in the world
- Spectacular flight across the Indian Himalaya to Ladakh
- Cycling around the Buddhist Monasteries of the Indus
- The ultimate bike descent from the Khardung La
Our classic high level bike traverse holiday provides real challenge and adventure, beginning with the truly spectacular flight over the Indian Himalaya to the Ladakhi capital of Leh where we spend the next few days acclimatising. From Leh, we'll enjoy a series of exploratory day rides to visit Buddhist monasteries, as well as time spent whitewater rafting on the River Indus. Our necessary acclimatisation period culminates in the challenging ascent to (and speedy descent from) the Khardung La which is the world's highest road pass, at 5380 metres. Leaving Leh, this giant rollercoaster ride to Manali follows what is unquestionably one of the greatest mountain roads on the planet. The Leh to Manali highway crosses the main Himalaya Range by a series of very high passes, including the Taglang La (5280m), the second highest road pass in the world. This classic route offers exposure to a tremendous variety of landscape and culture, linking the strongly Tibetan influenced high plateau of Ladakh with the semi arid plains of Lahaul and the lush greenery of the Kulu-Manali Valley. Once on the main route we will have the constant back up of a support vehicle and any of the group who feel the need to hitch a lift for any section of the journey will be able to do so. From the crests of the passes, there are superb views of the major peaks of the Ladakh, Zanskar and Chandra-Bhaga ranges. We are not in a race; there will always be time to rest, take photographs and to cool hot brakes before the next amazing hairpin descent! The ride finishes with a day celebrating and relaxing in Manali, before returning to Delhi.
If you're unsure if this holiday is for you, or want to learn more about KE world biking, whilst enjoying the best mountain and trail rides in the Lakes - check out our Dirty Weekends in the Lake District.
Is this holiday for you?
SEMI-SLICK ADVENTURE - A mountain bike fitted with semi-slick tyres or a cyclocross bike is ideal for this trip. There are some singletrack opportunities, which cut across switchback descents, but this is really a technically straightforward ride following rough tarmac roads and hard packed dirt roads. Altitude is a real factor, although our time in Leh provides excellent acclimatisation. Covering 600km (375 miles) with almost 6000 metres of ascent and 11,000 metres of descent, means that this is a tough trip, at the upper end of our INTERMEDIATE grade, and you'll need a good level of stamina and fitness to enjoy it to the full. Cycled in its entirety, this trip will challenge the strongest of riders. But, remember that the support vehicle is nearly always available. Average 55 km (34 miles) per day.
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