Manali Trip Overview
The king tour for all cyclists in India is probably the nine-day trip from Manali to Leh!
From the green Kullu Valley, the 478 km long Manali-Leh Highway leads us into dry high mountain deserts, to clear salt lakes, past Buddhist monasteries, and through tiny mountain villages. Until we reach the Buddhist capital of Ladakh, Leh, we have 5 passes to cross, two of them over 5000 meters altitude! The sporty highlight of our tour is the ride high on the Khardung La Pass. The highest motorable road in the world, the 5606-meter pass still demands a high level of performance and rewards with a gigantic view of the surrounding 6000 to 7000 meters of snow-capped peaks and with a magnificent descent down to Leh!
Best Time: Mid June to October
Additional Info
Duration: 9 days
Starts: Manali, India
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Manali Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
The king tour for all cyclists in India is probably the nine-day trip from Manali to Leh!
From the green Kullu Valley, the 478 km long Manali-Leh Highway leads us into dry high mountain deserts, to clear salt lakes, past Buddhist monasteries, and through tiny mountain villages. Until we reach the Buddhist capital of Ladakh, Leh, we have 5 passes to cross, two of them over 5000 meters altitude! The sporty highlight of our tour is the ride high on the Khardung La Pass. The highest motorable road in the world, the 5606-meter pass still demands a high level of performance and rewards with a gigantic view of the surrounding 6000 to 7000 meters of snow-capped peaks and with a magnificent descent down to Leh!
Best Time: Mid June to October
Itinerary
Day 1: Cycling Day 1
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Manali to Marhi
Today marks the start of our nine-day tour up to Leh. We cycle through the Kullu valley to the foot of the Rothang Pass. On serpentines it goes through coniferous forests up to Marhi, a small settlement. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Distance: 38 km Altitude: 3320 m Ascent: 1490 m
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 2: Cycling Day 2
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Marhi to Tandi
Today we climb the last 12 km on the 3980 meter high Rothang Pass and enjoy the wide view of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. Now we leave the lush green area and set off for Khoksar. It always goes along the Bagha River, first a little downhill, then there are always a few ascents, as far as Tandi in the Lahaul valley. We set up our camp near the Bhaga River. (Overnight in tents) B/L/D
Distance: 72 km Altitude: 3150 m Ascent: 1240 m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 3: Cycling Day 3
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Tandi to Patseo
First we go to the district capital of the Lahaul valley Keylong. Here is the last permanent market on this tour. As things get around today, the area becomes more and more deserted. As far as Darcha (a police checkpoint) we cross the last villages on partly fortified, partly unpaved road. From here the ascent to Patseo starts through the dry mountain landscape. Only a few flocks of sheep meet us. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Distance: 56 km Altitude: 3820 m Ascent 1550 m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 4: Cycling Day 4
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Patseo to Sarchu
Today we climb our second pass on a long ascent: the 4894 meter high Baralacha La. The ascent is continuous, but not very steep and on paved road. We get higher and higher and have fantastic views of the wild landscape. It goes down to Barathpur, here we have lunch. Then we continue downhill, on an unpaved path and through rough mountains to Sarchu, the centre on the way from Manali to Leh. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Distance: 59 km Altitude: 4253 m Ascent: 1480 m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 5: Rest Day 5
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Acclimatization Day
Today we take A rest day and enjoy the silence of the mountains. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 6: Cycling Day 6
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Sarchu to Whisky Nallah
The day starts with easy cycling through flat terrain until we reach the “Gata Loops”. In the zigzag it goes on 21 curves up to the next pass: the Nakee La Pass ( (4910 meters). On the way down to Whisky Nallah we have the chance to spot the famous “blue sheep”. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Distance: 48 km Altitude: 4750 m Ascent 970 m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 7: Cycling Day 7
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Whiskey Nallah to Lake Tsokar
We start with the ascent on the second highest pass to Leh: the 5065 meter high Lachalung La. The climb is short, but hard. On the one hand because of the height, on the other hand because of the unpaved road. The long descent down through a gorge to Pang is gigantic. A spectacular nature! Here the road is the worst, there are many loose stones and caution is called for! After a break in Pang, we head up briefly on serpentines to the flat Morray plain. On a brand new road, you can now continue straight through the flat mountain desert to Debring. The last kilometers are a bit difficult, because the path is unpaved and very sandy. After about 3 km, we reach our campsite near the salt lake Tsokar, which we will visit a little later after a break. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Distance: 77 km Altitude: 4830 m Ascent: 1100 meters
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 8: Cycling Day 8
Pass By: Leh–Manali Highway, Jammu City India
Lake Tsokar to Rumptse
Today is a real challenge. For 26 km it goes up to the 5360 m high Tanglang La, mostly on unpaved road. The 40 km downhill from the pass on a well-developed road are the reward. Rumtse is our first village in several days. We explore the Buddhist settlement with its whitewashed houses and Monasteries. (Overnight in tents.) B/L/D
Distance: 65 km Altitude: 4260 m Ascent: 1050 m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 9: Cycling Day 9
Pass By: Leh, Leh, Leh District, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
Rumptse to Leh
Our last day after Leh. It goes continuously downhill through pretty mountain villages to Upshi, the next police checkpoint. Here we meet the river Indus and follow it as far as Leh. It goes downhill, sometimes up until we reach Leh. The landscape is dry, the mountains are colored in all sorts of shades and the road is now much fuller. We cross larger villages with famous monasteries. The last kilo-meters up to Leh are hard, also because of the heavy traffic, but finally we reached our destination, after 478 hard, but still wonderful kilo-meters! (Overnight stay at the hotel) B/L/-
Distance: 84 km Altitude: 3500 m Ascent 950 m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
