Manali – Leh Cycling Expedition

Package Name: Manali – Leh Cycling Expedition

Price: Rs 38,885

Day: 11 Day

Night: 10 Night

Starting Month: July

End Month: Sept

Destination Overview :
If travelling is your passion, then joining the Manali Leh cycling expedition can be a great idea. It involves days of gruelling and exciting biking along National Highway 3, also known as Leh Manali Highway. The journey is among the most scenic in the world as it goes through some of the most amazing landscapes.

On the first day, board a Volvo bus from Delhi and travel to the beautiful hill station of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Explore the town, take tours to nearby attractions and shop for memorabilia. Travelling further along the Himalayas, you will cross two moderately high mountain passes.

Gata Loops, a series of bends and curves, will be your ultimate prize if you have a stout heart. The next stage of this Manali Leh cycling expedition will lead you past the expansive, flat and picturesque Morey Plains. Your journey will end in the small village of Lhato where you will board your coach to Leh and also get an excellent chance to shop for souvenirs at the town market.

After resting in the town for the night, wake up at the break of dawn to the sounds of the cockerels announcing the advent of morning. Complete your thrilling excursion through the Himalayas with a cycling journey to Khardung La situated more than 17500 feet above sea level. Capture the wonderful vistas and boast back home that you literally touched the sky!

Day
Day 01: Arrive in Manali / Day at leisure
At around 10 AM, you reach the hill town of Manali, which is situated at an altitude of about 6726 feet and is a haven for tourists. A lush forest cover of Deodars greets you and in the distance snow-covered peaks elevate its charm. Check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may undertake walking tours or cycling expeditions to the Old Town, Vashisht village or the Pagoda-style Manu Rishi temple or you may shop for local specialities. In the evening, relish a scrumptious dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Manali to Koksar (10301 feet) via Rohtang La (13057 feet)
Post a delicious breakfast at the hotel, board the vehicle and travel to Rohtang Pass, which is situated more than 13000 feet above sea level and is known worldwide for its mesmerising beauty. This is where your Manali Leh cycling trip begins and in the first stage, you cover a distance of roughly 67 km on the way to Koksar through the breath-taking Lahaul Valley. After arrival in Koksar, at about 10301 ft above the ground, reach the selected campsite, relish a hearty dinner and then stay overnight.

Day 03: Koksar to Darcha (11154 feet)
The second morning of your mountain biking tour brings a relatively strenuous task of biking 77 km to Darcha. It is a lonesome village for campsite ideal for people who would enjoy barren landscape. Post clicking photos here, stay overnight at the campsite nearby.

Day 04: Darcha to Sarchu (14278 feet)
On this day, you will cycle uphill for about 75 km as part of your journey to Sarchu. On the way, you will cross the approximately 16043 feet high Baralacha La, a mountain pass in the Zanskar Range. Today, also included is biking down to the river gorge of Bharatpur, prior to reaching your campsite in Sarchu for the night. On arrival at the camps, enjoy your overnight stay.

Day 05: Sarchu to Takh (14950 feet)
Your cycling trip on this day involves biking from Sarchu to Lachulung La pass, about 16600 feet above sea level. From the pass, you will journey downhill to Gata Loops. It is a series of hairpin bends that give the journey its fame and tourist-appeal. Reach the campsite near these bends and stay overnight.

Day 06: Takh to Pang (15100 feet)
This morning brings a series of uphill and downhill stretches as you cover a distance of about 40 km en-route Morey Plains. You will cycle down the mountains to Pang, located at an approximate altitude of 15100 feet in the Ladakh region. Your overnight stay will be at the campsite in the area.

Day 07: Pang to Tsokar (14862 feet)
This day brings a long upward journey of around 58 km to Tanglang La, which is a mountain pass at a rough elevation of 17582 feet above the ground. The road here is claimed to be the second highest in the world. Bring a flag along and proudly put it along with the hundreds others at this pass. From this sky-touching height, bike downhill to reach your accommodation, which is near a stream, for the night.

Day 08: Tsokar to Lhato village (13090 feet)
Your cycle expedition through the Himalayas continues. You travel a distance of about 46 km from your campsite below Tanglang La, down to the village of Lhato. You may spend the rest of your time as you want and explore this quaint little town. Check-in at the camp, located near the main town and stay overnight.

Day 09: Lhato village to Leh
Your cycle expedition through the Himalayas gets closer to the grand finale as you reach Leh. It is situated around 10500 feet above sea level and is the largest town in the Ladakh region. The town is a centre of Buddhism in India and here you will see a lot of Buddhist temples, stupas and monasteries. You may spend the rest of your time as you want and explore this quaint little town and buy some souvenirs to take back home. Check-in at the hotel, located near the main town and stay overnight.

Day 10: Excursion to Khardung La
This is without doubt the crowning glory and literally the crest of your amazing Manali Leh cycling expedition. You will get another chance to mount your bikes and on this day, you will take them about 80 km from Leh to Khardung La. It is situated at a mind-boggling altitude of 18000 feet (approx.). Click photographs here of the surroundings and also of the altitude sign to boast to your pals back home that you literally touched the sky. After returning to your lodgings, you will be provided a traditional Ladakhi dinner combined with cultural performances. Post this wonderful performance and dinner, stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Departure from Leh
Have a lavish breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Leh Airport for your onward journey to Delhi as you come to the end of your wonderful cycling expedition.

Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition
Price (Per Person): Rs 38,885
Duration: 11 Days
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Location: Leh Ladakh
Average KM/Day: 40 – 80
Maximum Altitude: 18,380 feet at Khardung La
Best Time to go: July to September

Departure Dates:
September 13, 2016

Inclusions :
1. Accommodation in Budget Hotel in Manali on bed and breakfast basis
2. Accommodation in Guest House in Leh on breakfast and dinner basis
3. During the Mountain biking (cycling) days in mobile camp (‘A’ Shape tent with mattress) on breakfast, lunch & dinner basis
4. Surface transportation using non a/c vehicle (Scorpio/ Sumo Grand/ Qualis) for airport transfers & local sightseeing in Manali and Leh (up to 06 persons in one vehicle)
5. One non a/c Mini Truck for crew, luggage and camping gear during the biking days
6. One non a/c Pick-up van for back-up / support during the biking days
7. One light weight mixed brand Mountain bike (Cycle) – Trek/ Firefox/ Mireda/ Connodale, with 21 shift gears for each participants
8. One accompanying Cycle Guide and mechanic
9. Camping crew including cook, helpers
10. Camping services like; ‘A’ Shape two men Alpine tents with mattresses, dinning tent, kitchen tent, toilet / shower tent, folding table and stools, all meals, camping charges, etc.
11. One refreshment (nuts, cookies, chocolates, wafers, tea, etc) during biking days
12. Restricted Area Permit fee for Khardung La
13. Camp water during the biking days
14. Picnic lunch during biking days
15. Airport assistance
EXCLUSIONS
1. Any airfare and Train fare
2. Travel and medical insurance
3. Any rescue service costs
4. Delhi to Manali Volvo bus fare
5. Sightseeing guide in Manali and Leh
6. Monastery / museum entrance fees
7. Special biking gears, helmet, gloves, etc.
8. Main meals (lunch/ dinner) where ever not applicable
9. Any extra and optional tour than above
10. Personal expenses like drinks etc

Payment Policy
30 days or more before date of departure: 25% of total cost
29 – 20 days before date of departure: 50% of total cost
19 daysor less before date of departure: 100% of total cost
Important: The booking stands liable to be cancelled if 100% payment is not receivedless than 20 days before date of departure.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellation charges per person
30 days or more before departure: 25% of total cost
29 – 20 days before departure: 50% of total cost
Less than 19 days before departure: 100% of total cost

If we change or cancel your holiday
We do plan the arrangements in advance. It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your travel arrangements.

Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. If there are any changes, we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date.
We also reserve the right under any circumstances to cancel your travel arrangements by assigning reasons to you.

If we are unable to provide the booked travel arrangements due to reasons beyond our control (e.g. bad weather):We shall first try to offer alternative dates for the tour if the tour hasn’t already commenced. If the alternate arrangement does not suit you, we will refund the amount in full.

If you want to change your holiday plan
After confirmation of services, if you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way (e.g. your chosen departure date or accommodation), we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes must be in writing from the person who made the booking. All cost incurred due to amendment will be borne by you.

All booking vouchers and tickets will be provided 3 days before departure.