Ladakh Bike Trip 2018

Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi Leh (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation)

Take the morning flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh met our representative and then transfer to hotel. Having arrived at the 3505 mts/11496ft high altitude cold desert town of Leh from the plains of Delhi it is essential to acclimatize before undertaking any physical activity. After lunch we take you on a short stroll around the main bazaar with its easy going environment and numerous cafes and curio and handicraft shops. Return to the hotel by late evening for dinner and the night.

Day 02: Leh Shey Thiksey - Hemis

On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area. Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order. Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

Day 03 : Leh Upshi Hyamnya

After an early breakfast we ride 47 Kms south east towards the small post at Upshi on the Manali Leh Highway. From here leaving the highway we continue due east towards the small village of Hyamnya about 35 Kms where we camp for the night.

Day 04 : Hyimya Chumathang

After an early breakfast we start our almost 60 Kms level ride to the village of Chumathang at 3965 mts/13005 ft. Chumathang is famous all over Ladakh and Zanskar for its medicinal hot springs that are reputed to heal all kinds of body pain. We set up camp near this village for the night.

Day 05 : Chumathang Sumdo

The ride today goes through a spectacular landscape so typical Ladakh till we reach the Mahe Bridge 23 Kms away. From here we cross over and ride 14 Km through a narrow green gorge to the village of Sumdo. We camp near the village. In the evening we explore the small Gompa that houses several well preserved paintings and photos.

Day 06 : Sumdo Karzok After breakfast we leave for the village of Karzok at the northern end of the spectacular Tsomoriri Lake.The 43 Km ride goes through vast shrub land surrounded by rolling hills that acquire fantastic hues and colours ranging from deep purple to crimson and desert brown with the traverse of the sun. We also pass a small turquoise lake - the Tazang Tso.From here riding through shrub land populated with colonies of Marmots (Phya in Ladakhi) we reach the village of Karzok at 4572m / 14,996ft on the northern lakeshore. We set up camp near the village on the shores of this fascinating lake. Day 07 : Karzok

A relaxed day at the lake where we get to walk around this beautiful lake 24 Km long lake at an altitude of 4242 mts/13786 ft. During this season we get to see thousands of migratory birds gliding on the lake which include geese, duck while around the lake you can spot the resident species of white-winged redstart, robin accentor, Asian martin, white-throated dipper and finches.

Day 08 : Karzok Tsokar

After an early breakfast we head towards another breathtaking lake at 4485 mts/14711 ft, the Tsokaror salt lake. We head back to the small village of Puga where we turn west to cross the Pologongka la at 4940 mts/16203 ft emerging into a vast plateau of stunted grass and shrubs. This vast plain sustains an amazing variety of wild life including the Kyang (Tibetan Wild Ass), the Woolly Hare, Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, colonies of Marmots and Pica and the rarely spotted subtle Snow leopard. The bird life includes a number of resident species like the Himalayan Snow Cock, Common and Fork Tailed Swift, Sand and Eurasian Crag Martin and a host of others. The other very visible birds are the large lammergeyer and the Himalayan Griffon circling in the thermal currents high above.

Day 09 : Tsokar - Debring

We ride through the vast pasture lands of the More Plainsto reach Debring 4800 mts/15744 fton the main Manali - Leh highway.The More plains is also the summer home of the nomadic Changpa shepherds whom you can spot with their large herds of sheep and goats in this plateau living out of their black yak skin tents. Debring lies below the Tanglang la and we camp here for the night.

Day 10 : Debring Upshi

We begin our ascent to the Tanglang La at 5303 mts/17393 ftthe world's third highest motorable pass. From here the switchback road winds far down into the Indus Valley and 56 Kms later we reach the small village of Upshi. We camp in the oases like Gya campsite set amidst a yawning canyon.

Day 11: Upshi Chemde- Sakti

Today after breakfast we begin our rides through the spread out Indus Valley along the Indus River then turn toward the right to Sakti village via Chemde monastery. This routs will take you to Nubra valley with the spectacular beauty of upper village of Nubra valley. Overnight Camp

Day 12 : Sakti Tangyar village

In the morning we start to cross Warila pass which provide Stok range and Karakuram range and then ride toward to Tangyar village. You will see lots of Yaks and domestic animal. Over night Camp

Day 13: Tangyar village Khalsar

Passing through beautiful village of Tangyar, we ride through a tiny forest land which take you to a broad valley along the River Shayok till Khalsar village and you will meet Leh Nubra valley road. Overnight Camp

Day 14. Khalsar Hundar

After breakfast ride to Diskit the head quarter of Nubra valley. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers drain Nubra. The flat part of the river is sandy & occupied by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty with greenery, willow & poplar trees. Till partition Nubra Valley was one of the trade centers, the ancient famous Silk Route passed through this area.
After reaching Diskit (the head Quarter of Nubra valley)you will comes across sand dunes on the right of the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are rocky mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains. On arrival check in your camp. Welcome tea would serve, after fresh up leave to enjoy the sand dune. you will get the unique opportunity to ride on a bactrian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snow capped mountains on the horizon. Overnight Camp

Day 15. Hundar- Diskit Sumoor

One can witness the morning prayer of Diskit monastery and ride towards Sumoor village and you can go up to Panamit hot Spring and back to Camp Overnight Camp

Day 16. Sumoor to Khardong village

Start to Khardong village through main road of Leh Nubra high way. overnight Camp

Day 17. Khardong la -Leh

After breakfast we start to Leh via Khardongla pass 18300ft the highest motorable road enjoy the view of Indua valley. Overnight Hotel

Day 18. Leh- Delhi

After breakfast we transfer to airport to catch flight with sweet memories of this beautiful cycling trip.,,..