Early morning board a flight to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. For most of the journey the flight is over high snow capped mountains, visually stunning on a bright, clear sunny day!!!
A former stop on the silk route, which cut across the vast Afro-Eurasian landmass, the unassuming town still has an unquestionable allure about it. Being a backpacking hub for decades, Leh and the surrounding areas have an exquisite mix of a Bohemian vibe and a diffident rustic environment. Experience the best of both in the small cafes bursting with different nationalities and international cuisines along with the contrasting local life, steeped in simplicity and strong Buddhist leanings.
The first day is reserved for acclimatisation in order to get used to the rarefied air at an altitude of over 11500 feet.
Overnight in hotel of stay.
Before hitting the bike route, a couple of days is required to get acclimatized to the altitude difference which can lead to nausea, headaches and breathlessness. Take a walking tour of the town and visit the Leh palace, which overlooks the town from its perch on a small hill. The 17th century palace is a perfect place to get a birds eye view of the region. The Japanese Shanti Stupa, is another worthy sightseeing spot .It is advisable to take the steps rather than the road to get the adrenalin pumping.
Return to the hotel
Overnight in hotel of stay.
In order to familiarize with the terrain and the conditions, today will be a short ride to the Stakna Monastery of the Drugpa sect. The monastery is also known as the Tigers Nose and is a repository of invaluable artefacts and paintings of the late 16th century.
From Stakna ride to Thiksey monastery, 8 kmsaway.From here ride back to Leh.
Overnight in hotel of stay.
Today a van will take you to Changla Pass, the third highest motorable road in the world. After a short break, cycle down on zig zag mountain roads to Tangtse, the last large settlement before Pangong Lake.
Overnight in Guesthouse.
Early in the morning the ride continues to Pangong Lake or the Enchanted Lake
The steep climb to Pangong is narrow and often rough for long patches, a wholesome one for cycling nevertheless. Along with the steep climbs, you will also encounter downhill dips and flat roads this one will be perfect for your cycling sensibilities!
60% of this 5 km wide and magnificent lake lies in China with the LOC (Line of Control) actually passing through this watery expanse. One gets completely mesmerized by its aqua marine clear waters with reflections of powdery clouds and mighty mountains etched in it.
Overnight in Tents.
Since the distance to Leh is 200 kms, most of the journey is covered in a van. You can ride your bicycle for some parts of the journey.
Overnight in hotel of stay.
The next day, there is a van transfer to the highest motorable road in the world at Khardung La pass (17582 ft). From here, it is a downhill ride to Nubra Valley (1000 ft), where the base camp will be at Sumur village. The topography changes drastically from washed out browns to the lush green meadows dotted with black yaks. Soon you will hit the cusp of the Shyok and Siachen Rivers that flow through a vast sandy valley. Scant vegetation, a snaking black river seemingly diving the Tibetan plateau give Nubra a dramatic topographical edge over the other destinations in Ladakh.
Sumur, one of the largest villages of the Nubra Valley, is a picturesque settlement where you can see small stands of apple orchards and locals busying themselves over farmlands.
Overnight in Tents.
Today, nearly the full day is spent riding around on comparatively smooth roads of the region and visit the 150 years old Samstanling monastery in Sumur. Another intriguing sight that cannot be missed is Hunder, the land of sand dunes. It is intriguing to see double humped Bactrian camels here.
Part of the night is spent incatching up around the evening bonfire before setting out for Leh the next morning.
Overnight in Tents
On the way back, the Diskit monastery makes for a good stop. It is the oldest and largest Gompa of the Nubra Valley and has many legends attached to it since it was built in the 14th century.
Back on the road from Sumur to Leh, the van is used till Khardung La. Spend time here to take in the last of the snowy peaks, shivering prayer flags and a top view of the Shyok river valley. Hop onto the cycles for the last exhilarating stretch downhill till Leh.
Overnight in hotel of stay
The trip closes as transfers are provided to Leh airport to connect your flight back to Delhi.
End of the Adventure!!!!
Lydia and I had a wonderful time in India, thanks to all the arrangements made by you and MYSHA. The trip accomplished everything that we wanted to see in this short time. We were very impressed by your team's professional, courtesy and timeliness. Your staff was there at every level and every occasion from the time we arrived in Delhi to the time we left India. They were there at every hotel and venue to ensure that everything was properly taken care of. Any issue we encountered was promptly handled and resolved. Your staff was always available on the phone and you giving us a local phone was excellent and made us very comfortable.
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